A bowl of water can do a lot for animals, birds

Hamid Ashraf | NT

It is not said just like that the job of a veterinarian is more difficult than that of a doctor. Humans can narrate their pain and symptoms, while animals cannot, making the diagnosis that much more difficult. Even healthy animals and birds have needs, some as basic as food and water. They cannot ask for these either, so it is for us to understand what they want and provide it to them. Hamid Ashraf notes the compassion Bengalureans have for God’s voiceless creation.

The searing heat in Bengaluru has started to take a toll on people. It is much the same with animals and birds who have little recourse in summer. While it is easy for most of us to carry a bottle of water or perhaps buy one in order to stay hydrated at all times, it is for us people and the authorities to spare a thought for the ones who can’t.

Many residents have already started making special provisions to offer drinking water to stray animals like dogs, cats, cows etc at various nooks and corners of the city.

“Bengaluru climate is fast changing. Temperatures during summer sometimes even cross 34 degree Celsius in some parts of the city, which can prove fatal for birds and animals. It is sad to see several stray cows and dogs desperately looking for water and drinking dirty water from gutters as they fail to find clean water,” Arun Prasad, an animal rights activist, told News Trial.

An animal lover, Arun Prasad has been working tirelessly to aid voiceless animals in distress. He has rescued several stray dogs and other animals and provided them with food as well as medical care at his own expense.

Many such activists have formed their own groups to raise awareness among the local people to feed stray animals such as dogs, cats, cattle and even birds. Among them is Sunny Jain, who had created a group on WhatsApp called Water for Voiceless, and began distributing free water bowls to animal lovers in and around his neighbourhood in Bengaluru.

The efforts slowly sparked a trend and many residents started placing bowls of water outside their homes and in balconies for animals and birds to quench their thirst. Jain’s initiative was lauded by local celebrities, politicians and the police department, as well as attracted donors by the droves.

“I always pray to God to fill my pockets with so much wealth that I can help each and every animal and bird on earth,” Sunny said.

The group says residents of Indiranagar in Bengaluru have been the most proactive, with nearly 500 bowls placed in the area. However, one animal lover in the area complained that local municipal workers often take the bowls away for no reason.

“We’ve tried to reason with the local municipal corporation but they keep taking the water bowls away, saying dogs and animals herding in the area cause nuisance to people around,” a resident said.

The activists have also sought help from the civic authorities to build small tanks and containers across the city. Despite appreciating our initiatives, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike and other departments are yet to roll out programmes in this regard.

“Birds cannot fly for long distances searching for water as their bodies start getting dehydrated and they fall down. Due to unbalanced water levels, their vital organs start malfunctioning and some of them die. It is the duty of the government to make suitable arrangements for animals and birds in such cases,” said Arun Prasad.

According to BBMP, there are over 3.1 lakh stray dogs in Bengaluru, which are fed both by BBMP officials and about 300 animal lovers. Dr SM Majunath Shinde, joint director at Animal Husbandry, said that many dog lovers and animal rights activists have been feeding strays. “We are trying to bring out some initiatives to help animals and birds, especially during summers. Soon, we will hold a discussion with animal rights activists and philanthropists,” he said.

During the pandemic, the city’s civic body released Rs 15 lakh to feed such animals with the help of a few organisations.

Senior IFS Officer Vijay Kumar Gogi, currently posted as the principal chief conservator of Forest Wildlife and the chief wildlife warden of Karnataka, revealed that there is no water scarcity in forest areas as such. “That is, thanks to heavy rains last year. If at all we notice water scarcity in forests, we make necessary arrangements to pump water into the region,” he said.

Bengaluru city once had plenty of shady trees, but with many lakes and water bodies drying up over the years, the climate in the city rose several degrees. Animals now have to search long to find a shady place to rest. In urban settings, animals may have to walk miles before they can spot a puddle of water safe to drink. Residents can help