Pinjore, May 21
In a commendable display of community responsibility, residents of Khol Fateh Singh village in Pinjore have come together to support wildlife suffering from the intense summer heatwave.
A natural pond in the nearby forest, which serves as a crucial water source for wild animals, has completely dried up this season. Concerned villagers reported that the water body, locally known as a johdi, is usually frequented by various wild animals seeking relief from the heat. However, this year’s extreme weather conditions have left it parched.
Local residents, including Kulbir Singh, Veer Singh, Satnam Singh, Jai Pal (Sarpanch), Happy Singh, Channi Singh, Manjit Singh, and Vicky Singh, recalled that similar water shortages in the past had led to wildlife deaths in the area. In one such incident last year, skeletons of wild animals were found near the dried pond, prompting villagers to take long-term action.
Although the villagers approached the administration requesting arrangements for water supply to the pond, they claim they received no effective response. Following this, the community decided to take matters into their own hands.
Pooling their resources, villagers began arranging water tankers at their own expense to refill the dried pond. According to local accounts, around 100 tankers of water are expected to be supplied to the site to restore the water source.
The initiative reflects a strong sense of environmental responsibility among the villagers, who emphasized that wildlife is an integral part of nature and must be protected, especially during extreme weather conditions.
Their efforts have been widely appreciated in the region, with many hailing the move as an example of grassroots environmental conservation. The villagers have also appealed to others in nearby areas to contribute by providing water tankers and supporting the ongoing effort to sustain wildlife in the forest region.
