Over 2,000 open wells have been identified on private farmlands near the reserve forests of Manapparai and Thuvarankurichi in Tiruchi district,according to a recent enumeration by the Forest department. This assessment was prompted by alarming incidents where wild animals,including gaurs and spotted deer,fell into these wells,necessitating rescue operations or retrieval of carcasses.
The enumeration,conducted by field staff over the course of month,aimed to catalog the number of wells within a one to five-kilometer radius of the reserve forests. In Manapparai range, 1,194 wells were recorded, while the Thuvarankurichi range accounted for 1,150 . The exercise also involved identifying the landowners and documenting details such as water levels and the condition of the wells,including those that were dry.
According to S. Krithiga,the Tiruchi District Forest Officer, the presence of open wells without protective barriers has led to numerous accidents involving wildlife. In one notable incident in late April, four animals—a pair of gaurs and two calves—fell into a well in Karuppur village. Tragically,two of the gaurs were found dead,while calves were rescued after day-long operation involving Forest and Fire and Rescue Services personnel.
The gaurs, which frequently traverse the region,often migrate from nearby Dindigul district into the Thuvarankurichi and Manapparai ranges. Their movement is particularly noted in areas like Karumalai,Thachamalai, Velamalai,Kannuthu,and Periamalai reserve forests. Officials have reported that most incidents of animals falling into wells occur at night, complicating rescue efforts.
Rescuing a fully grown gaur,which can weigh over a tonne,from an open well is a labor-intensive task that may take an entire day, the Forest department has been actively engaging with local villagers to raise awareness about the dangers posed by these wells. They have urged landowners to consider installing temporary fencing or constructing parapets as preventive measures to safeguard both wildlife and humans.
The enumeration highlights a pressing concern for local ecosystem and the safety of wildlife in area. The Forest department has escalated the matter to the district administration,seeking collaborative solutions to mitigate the risks associated with open wells. As the number of incidents continues to rise,the need for immediate action becomes increasingly critical.
