Chandrapur: In a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at conserving water in wildlife habitats, the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) has introduced a sensor-based system on a pilot basis to regulate water levels in artificial waterholes, preventing overflow and reducing unnecessary pumping.The initiative assumes added significance amid the prevailing drought conditions in Chandrapur district, where declining water availability has underscored the need for judicious management of groundwater and other water resources. Ensuring reliable water supplies for wildlife during the scorching summer months remains a key challenge for forest managers.Tadoba has around 130 natural water sources and 350 artificial waterholes, several of which are replenished through solar-powered pumping systems. Despite the intense summer heat, the reserve did not require water tankers to fill its waterholes last summer. However, solar-powered pumps can continue operating after waterholes are full, resulting in considerable overflow and water loss.While the excess water sometimes creates wallowing spots used by wild animals, uncontrolled pumping can lead to avoidable wastage and additional groundwater extraction. Manually switching off pumps also requires staff to approach waterholes, potentially exposing them to dangerous encounters with wildlife.The new system is designed to address these concerns through automated operation. It uses a water-level sensor connected to a controller and relay that regulates the pump. The pump starts when the water level falls below a preset threshold and switches off automatically when the water reaches the upper limit. The cycle repeats as required, reducing dependence on manual monitoring.TATR is also mapping the distribution of water sources across its core area by dividing the landscape into grids. The objective is to ensure that waterholes are distributed equitably across the reserve, allowing wildlife access to water across different sections of the habitat. The management aims to complete this exercise this year.Field director Prabhu Nath Shukla said, “TATR is presenting the system as a first-of-its-kind sensor-based approach to wildlife waterhole management. Its wider use could strengthen water conservation, help the management ensure water availability for wildlife even during drought conditions, and also aid groundwater conservation.”The pilot project will help assess the system’s utility in reducing water loss while improving the efficiency of water management across Tadoba’s wildlife habitats.
