Protection of wildlife: Cover up all open wells close to forests, Centre tells states, UTs

Express News Service

RAIPUR:  The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has requested Chief Wildlife Wardens of all states and Union territories to make sure that open wells in and round forest areas are lined in order that they could not hurt wildlife.

The ministry was responding to the issues raised by Chhattisgarh-based wildlife fanatic Nitin Singhvi, highlighting the risk posed by open wells to the security of untamed animals. 

“Open wells in and around forests may prove to be a hazard to wildlife, leading to death or permanent disablement of wild animals,” said Rakesh Kumar Jagenia, deputy inspector common of forests (Wild Life) MoEF&CC in his round underlining the issues raised by Singhvi.

The buffer zones, which mark the transition between forest areas and human settlements, are dotted with uncovered open wells, many remaining dry after the monsoon.

With the prey base of untamed animals falling, they’re compelled to enterprise out into human settlements the place they threat falling into the uncovered wells.

“In India, hundreds of wild animals including leopards, jackals, civets, wolves, hyenas, die every year after accidentally falling into open wells in and around the forests,” Singhvi wrote in his attraction to the ministry.