<p>To check water crisis during summer at the Shivamogga Zoo and Safari near Tyavarekoppa, the zoo authorities have desilted about ten lakes in the zoo that can now store water up to 8.53 crore litres that could take care of water needs of the animals in summer. The lakes were desilted in association with Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP). </p><p>Speaking to <em>DH</em>, Zoo-cum-safari Executive Director Amarakshara M V said earlier, there were six lakes. But as they were filled with silt, they had lost the capacity to store water. “Hence, we decided to desilt lakes and build some more lakes to ensure that there would not be water crisis during summer,” he informed. The zoo is spread over 253.3 hectares.</p><p>“The department has spent over Rs six lakh and Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project has spent over Rs 14 lakh on lake development works,” he added.</p><p>He further stated that the work had been launched in April and had been completed in a month.</p><p>While the SKDRDP brought earthmovers and other equipment for the work, the forest department made the<br>arrangements to transport soil and dump it in other area of the zoo as it cannot be transported outside the purview of the zoo.</p><p>The zoo needs around 1.5 lakh litres of water per day and it would increase if the<br>number of visitors would be high. Besides, animals will benefit from it. </p><p><strong>Three tigers to arrive</strong></p><p>He further informed that officials at Aurangbad zoo in<br>Maharashtra have agreed to give three tigers - one white tiger and two Royal Bengal tigers to Shivamogga zoo.</p><p>“In return, we would give two lions, two sloth bears and a pair of<br>jackles to them.</p><p>A team of officials from there are expected to visit<br>Shivamogga in August to see the animals. Later, the animals will be handed over.”</p><p>He also made it clear that two sub-adult Asiatic lions will be brought from Indore zoo in August. Under the animal exchange programme, Indian gaurs and ostrich birds will be given to them.</p><p>The Central Zoo authority of India has approved the exchange of animals.</p>
<p>To check water crisis during summer at the Shivamogga Zoo and Safari near Tyavarekoppa, the zoo authorities have desilted about ten lakes in the zoo that can now store water up to 8.53 crore litres that could take care of water needs of the animals in summer. The lakes were desilted in association with Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP). </p><p>Speaking to <em>DH</em>, Zoo-cum-safari Executive Director Amarakshara M V said earlier, there were six lakes. But as they were filled with silt, they had lost the capacity to store water. “Hence, we decided to desilt lakes and build some more lakes to ensure that there would not be water crisis during summer,” he informed. The zoo is spread over 253.3 hectares.</p><p>“The department has spent over Rs six lakh and Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project has spent over Rs 14 lakh on lake development works,” he added.</p><p>He further stated that the work had been launched in April and had been completed in a month.</p><p>While the SKDRDP brought earthmovers and other equipment for the work, the forest department made the<br>arrangements to transport soil and dump it in other area of the zoo as it cannot be transported outside the purview of the zoo.</p><p>The zoo needs around 1.5 lakh litres of water per day and it would increase if the<br>number of visitors would be high. Besides, animals will benefit from it. </p><p><strong>Three tigers to arrive</strong></p><p>He further informed that officials at Aurangbad zoo in<br>Maharashtra have agreed to give three tigers - one white tiger and two Royal Bengal tigers to Shivamogga zoo.</p><p>“In return, we would give two lions, two sloth bears and a pair of<br>jackles to them.</p><p>A team of officials from there are expected to visit<br>Shivamogga in August to see the animals. Later, the animals will be handed over.”</p><p>He also made it clear that two sub-adult Asiatic lions will be brought from Indore zoo in August. Under the animal exchange programme, Indian gaurs and ostrich birds will be given to them.</p><p>The Central Zoo authority of India has approved the exchange of animals.</p>