Tamil Nadu drought: No water supply for 2600 wild animals in Vandalur Zoo

Tamil Nadu’s Arignar Anna Zoological Park (AAZP) also famous as Vandalur Zoo is one of the biggest zoos in south-east Asia and the biggest one in India in terms of area. This park is the home of around 2600 wild animals and spread across 1300 acres of land. But, currently, it is facing water crisis due to the severe drought condition in the southern state and suspension of water supply by Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage (TWAD) Board. 

To maintain the wildlife, this park needs four lakh litres of water every single day; the Deccan Chronicle quoted park insiders as saying. Three lakh litres of water is required during summer for the animals, and the additional one lakh litres is used for cleaning, washing and for providing drinking water for visitors of the zoo. 

However, from last week, the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage (TWAD) Board has discontinued the daily supply of two lakh litres of water to Vandalur Zoo. The authorities of this zoo are drawing water from in-house borewells and the nearby Otteri lake for the animals but fast reducing groundwater resources is becoming a matter of concern for the authorities.

Summer being the season that draws many visitors to this park is also accelerating worries for the park authorities. The demand for potable water increases during summer and managing water is becoming a challenge for the park officials. 

Meanwhile, this park houses many large animals including elephants, tigers, lions, giraffe, crocodile, and many others that require a high amount of water to survive. But, the park authorities are clueless about when the TWAD board will resume the supply of water, the daily quoted sources as saying. If the board fails to provide water soon, the park may suffer from some severe repercussions. 

An assistant executive engineer of TWAD board confirmed that the water supply had been suspended and the reason is a breach in the pipeline located near Chengalpet. Once it is fixed, the water supply will be resumed; the same report quoted the engineer as saying. 

• Arignar Anna Zoological Park
• AAZP
• Vandalur Zoo