Home / Environment / Army Restores Thar Desert Ponds for Wildlife Survival
Army Restores Thar Desert Ponds for Wildlife Survival
16 Oct
Summary
- Indian Army restored two neglected ponds in Thar Desert.
- Restoration aims to improve water availability for wildlife.
- Ponds help wildlife, recharge groundwater, and aid villages.
Facing extreme heat and drought in western Rajasthan's Thar Desert, the Indian Army's Konark Corps has undertaken a critical initiative to restore two neglected ponds. This effort, supported by an engineer regiment, aims to significantly improve water availability for the region's wildlife, which has been severely impacted by temperatures approaching 50 degrees Celsius.
The restored ponds have been cleaned, desilted, and deepened to enhance their water-holding capacity. The project is expected to facilitate rainwater collection, contribute to groundwater recharge, and provide a much-needed water source for both animals and nearby villages. This intervention is crucial for animals like chinkaras, nilgai, desert foxes, rabbits, and various bird species, including the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard.
Wildlife conservationists have lauded the initiative, emphasizing the importance of continued collaboration between the Army, forest department, social organizations, and local communities. The restoration efforts are anticipated to reduce instances of wild animals straying into human settlements in search of water, thereby mitigating potential human-wildlife conflict and protecting the fragile Thar Desert ecosystem.
