Water tanks to ensure water reserves for Asiatic lions

Junagadh, Apr 11: In order to ensure water reserves during the summer, the Forest department has built 70 tanks in the Sasan Gir Sanctuary which is the only abode for the Asiatic lions.

''These tanks will be filled up by pumped water, so that the lions do not face any problem. We plan to construct more such tanks in the coming months,'' said Mr Bharat Pathak, Conservator of Forests.

Apart from the Asiatic lions, Nilgai, Chinkara, Sambhar, Black Bucks, the four horned Antelope, Wild Boar, crocodile, Indian Flying Foe, Grey Musk Shrew, the Jungle Cat, Desert Cat and the Rusty Spotted Cat also inhabit Gir forest.

Meanwhile, in Junagadh's Sakkarbaug zoo, the third oldest zoo in India, to help animals beat the heat, shower facilities have been installed in the zoo premises, said Zoo Superintendent R D Katara.

For birds, cages have been covered with screens made of 'khus khus' which are regularly sprinkled with water to keep the environs cool, he added.

UNI