Incessant rain fill up hundreds of lakes at Bandipur Tiger Reserve

Chamarajanagar: A total of 363 lakes in 13 divisions of the Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka have been filled up, mitigating the fears of water shortage for the wildlife during the summer season.

The lakes were filled due to the incessant rain since the past one week.

It has also become a reason for celebrations by nature lovers as it minimises man-animal conflict in the villages and residential settlements located close to the forest area. The Bandipur Reserve is adjacent to Madhumalai forest ranges of Tamil Nadu and Wayanad in Kerala. It is said that, all regions have received a good amount of rainfall.

The Bandipur Tiger Reserve is spread across 1,02,700 hectares (1,027 sq kms). Almost all the lakes in this area are full to the brim.

This time, the wild animals will not have to move to the Kabini, Madumalai and Nagarhole forests in search of water, as there is sufficient amount due to the torrential downpours.

The water sources which will store full capacity during the rainy season will serve the animals during summers. If they do not fill up, the forest department keeps these water sources intact by filling water through solar powered pumps. But, this year it won’t be required, say forest officials.

The Neelakantharao, Sollikatte, Tavaragatte lakes in the Bandipur division; Malagatte, Kaduburukatte, Devaramadu lakes of Kundukere division; and the Hirikere, Kolachikatte, Haggadahallada Katte of Gopalaswamy hill divisions are considered as major sources of water which are currently full.

Meanwhile, the number of tourists have also increased. Bandipur is among the nine tiger reserves in the country. It has been in the forefront of eco-tourism for the last three decades.

(With inputs from IANS)