<p class="title">The Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) has sought two lakh litres of water from the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) to meet the needs of tourists, shopkeepers and staff at the park, but not for the wild animals.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Dr Sanjay Bijur, executive director, BBP, said there is a wrong assumption that the water is for the wild animals, but it is for the people who are visiting the park.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“The Park receives about 25,000 visitors a month. The RO plant catering to the drinking water needs is not sufficient. Currently, the RO plant is able to filter about 100 litres of water per hour and the requirement per hour is more than what is filtered. We are about to commission two RO plants with higher capacity of filtering 1,000 litres per hour. But for the long run, we need water from the BWSSB,” added Bijur.</p>.<p class="bodytext">According to the executive director, there are about 12 borewells and six lakes inside the park, quite sufficient for the wild animals. There is also a system that stores rainwater to replenish the borewells and lakes.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“The animals do not require water. There is plenty now. In fact, to beat the heat, we are spraying water on the roofs of animal shelters. We will meet with BWSSB officials on Monday to decide on the feasibility of drawing water to the park,” the executive director clarified.</p>.<p class="bodytext">However, B S Gangadhar, BWSSB chief engineer (maintenance), said the board’s pipeline towards Anekal and Suryanagar Housing Board crosses the Bannerghatta Circle. “The park is hardly 3 km from the circle. A water pipeline can be laid. However, the board has to take a decision on supplying water to the park,” he added.</p>.<p class="bodytext">At the moment, about 1,450 mld of water is being drawn and supplied to the city. The demand for water, especially in summer, is increasing by the day. Until Cauvery Stage V gets commissioned in 2023, city dwellers will have to manage with the current supply. </p>
<p class="title">The Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) has sought two lakh litres of water from the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) to meet the needs of tourists, shopkeepers and staff at the park, but not for the wild animals.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Dr Sanjay Bijur, executive director, BBP, said there is a wrong assumption that the water is for the wild animals, but it is for the people who are visiting the park.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“The Park receives about 25,000 visitors a month. The RO plant catering to the drinking water needs is not sufficient. Currently, the RO plant is able to filter about 100 litres of water per hour and the requirement per hour is more than what is filtered. We are about to commission two RO plants with higher capacity of filtering 1,000 litres per hour. But for the long run, we need water from the BWSSB,” added Bijur.</p>.<p class="bodytext">According to the executive director, there are about 12 borewells and six lakes inside the park, quite sufficient for the wild animals. There is also a system that stores rainwater to replenish the borewells and lakes.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“The animals do not require water. There is plenty now. In fact, to beat the heat, we are spraying water on the roofs of animal shelters. We will meet with BWSSB officials on Monday to decide on the feasibility of drawing water to the park,” the executive director clarified.</p>.<p class="bodytext">However, B S Gangadhar, BWSSB chief engineer (maintenance), said the board’s pipeline towards Anekal and Suryanagar Housing Board crosses the Bannerghatta Circle. “The park is hardly 3 km from the circle. A water pipeline can be laid. However, the board has to take a decision on supplying water to the park,” he added.</p>.<p class="bodytext">At the moment, about 1,450 mld of water is being drawn and supplied to the city. The demand for water, especially in summer, is increasing by the day. Until Cauvery Stage V gets commissioned in 2023, city dwellers will have to manage with the current supply. </p>
