Taking note of increasing wild animal deaths in open wells, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has asked the Chief Wildlife Warden of all states and union territories to initiate action to ensure covering of open wells located in and around the forest areas. Unsecured wells is a big threat to wildlife that leads to casualties and serious injuries across the country. In response to a request raised by some wildlife enthusiasts, the Ministry stressing the need for their protection and safety and has asked all states and UTs to cover the open wells. “Open wells in and around forests may prove to be a hazard to wildlife, leading to death or permanent disablement of wild animals,” stated a circular issued by MoEF&CC. Around the forested region, the buffer zones, which mark the transition between forest areas and human habitation, are dotted with uncovered open wells, many remaining dry after the monsoon.

 

The wild animals, competing over the decreasing prey base and territory, are forced to venture out into human settlements, which puts them at risk of falling into uncovered wells, stated the circular. Hundreds of wild animals, including tigers, leopards, jackals, civets, wolves, jungle cats, hyenas, elephant calves, bears among others die every year after accidentally falling into open wells in and around forests. Several animals die, many sustain enduring disabilities and become unfit to be released back into the wild and kept either at a rescue centre or zoo as they cannot fend for themselves. So there is a pressing need to cover such unsecured wells or at least construct safety walls around it as a viable alternative. “Maharashtra Government is working to cover up open wells for the last 3-4 years and we have prepared a report to mitigate such incidents also.

 

Proper co-ordination between different departments, including forest, agriculture, irrigation and rural development, is needed to cover all open wells in the State. The Forest Department is working in this regard and we have started construction of 3-ft-tall parapet walls at many places,” Sunil Limaye, PCCF (Wildlife) told ‘The Hitavada’. “Maharashtra is the only state in the country, which is taking action to ensure covering of open wells located in and around the forest areas. Even the Forest Department has covered and constructed parapet walls over 2,500 wells in Maharashtra in last four years,” claimed Kishor Rithe, Member, Maharashtra State Wildlife Board. “West Vidarbha has the highest number of wildlife death due to open wells in the State. The Forest Department constructed parapet walls over around 1,000 open wells in West Vidarbha in recent time,” said Rithe. When asked about high mortality of wild animals due to open wells in recent time, Rithe said, “Identification and reporting of open wells in villages is the responsibility of Rural Development Department. But the co-operation from the Block Development Officers (BDO) is very less to identify such wells. Meanwhile, we have no data that how many open wells we have in State, which require covering or construction of parapet wall.”