Forest officials have been using almost three tankers per month per waterhole since March to ensure that no casualties occur due to the drying up of the waterholes (none have occurred so far).

Animals like deer, monkeys, panthers and birds use these waterholes.

Although the park has around four ponds where water is available through the year, forest officials say it's necessary to have water sources dotted at various points in the park.

"These waterholes were created more than seven kilometres inside the park specifically because there is no other source of water," explains S Padwale, range forest officer at SGNP. He adds, "However, ever since they were built, they have been drying up every year during March; this year too that has been the case."

Padwale reveals that the reason the waterholes dry up every year is because they are totally dependent on rainwater. "The water normally lasts up to March, so then we have to start to fill them up after that," he explains.

However, Padwale is quick to add that there is no cause for concern. He says, "We constantly monitor the waterholes to ensure they do not completely run dry. We also clean them once or twice a month.

This will continue till June when rainwater fills the waterholes again." Forest officials spend Rs 7,500 a month to get 15 tankers to fill the waterholes.

When asked if rainwater harvesting could be used to prevent this scarcity, Padwale explains."Harvesting requires a certain topography, but here the area is very hilly. Also, the waterholes are located at different areas in the forest so it is almost impossible for us to start rainwater harvesting there."

• Monkeys
• Deer
• Leopards
• Birds
• Wild boar
• Rabbits