Post News Network
Kankadahad, March 2: With water bodies fast drying up in jungles ahead of summer, wild animals have started straying into nearby villages in search of drinking water under this block of Dhenkanal.
Several peacocks from Anantapur reserve forest under Mahabirod range in Dhenkanal division were found drinking water from a spring on the outskirts of Kaimati village. Drinking water problem in the area has become acute with even people found digging up pits for water.
Villagers Rupei Tudu and Sumant Jena said every year before the onset of summer, peacocks stray into human habitations to quench their thirst.
Kaimati, located on the fringes of the reserve forest, has turned out to be the latest pasture land for about 30 peacocks living on a hilltop in the forest. The peacocks have come down after the only spring on the hilltop dried up much ahead of the summer. The birds can be seen near the spring on the outskirts of Kaimati in mornings as well as evenings.
Villagers urged forest officials to dig up ponds and make provisions for water for wild animals in a bid to prevent them from entering into human habitations. They apprehended if arrangements for drinking water are not made for animals, the situation might turn worse once summer sets in.
