As per the forest department’s record, in the last 30 days (April 15 to May 15), 43 wild animals, including three tiger cubs and an Indian rock python, fell into open wells in the region. These numbers, however, do not include leopards that fell into wells in Western Maharashtra during the same period.

While one tiger cub could be rescued, the other two drowned. Out of the 43 animals, 10 that died include four sloth bears as no help could reach in time or rather the incidents came to light late. Apart from tigers, other animals included jungle cats, wild boars, nilgais, blackbuck, sloth bears, and jackals.

“Wild animals are dying in open wells at an alarming rate as both the forest and rural development departments are turning a blind eye to the issue. Memories of such tragedies are short-lived,” says conservationist Prafulla Bhamburkar.

“During the IUCN project, implemented in Pench-Navegaon-Nagzira corridor during last three years, of the 147 identified open wells, we covered 40 in five forested villages. These wells were 30-40 years old and did not have parapet fencing,” said Pervez Shahid Khan, founder of Save Environment And Tigers (SEAT).

“There have been at least three GRs issued since 2012 to cover open wells falling in the buffer zone of tiger reserves and villages adjoining forests, but zilla parishad and forest officials hardly take a review. The issue is raised only when tragedies take place,” says state wildlife board member Kishor Rithe.

“Unless offences are registered under the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972, for the death of wild animals against those leaving such wells open, the issue will remain neglected. Three days ago, two nilgais fell into an under-construction 40-feet well near Amravati due to sheer negligence by the owner, who did not barricade the area or temporarily close the well,” said Rithe.

“There have been several cases of electrocution by farmers in which Schedule-I animals have died, but offences are not registered under WPA and Electricity Act. Even if cases are registered, there is no conviction which emboldens people to continue with illegal practices. The same is with open wells,” said Bandu Dhotre, another state wildlife board member.

Dhotre says herbivores mostly move near agriculture fields. These ungulates are followed by carnivores and many times it is observed that both, prey and predators, fall into open wells. “Though several wells have been covered in Tadoba buffer under Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Jan Van Yojana, there is little enforcement to cover more such wells,” he adds.

Chandrapur CCF NR Praveen admits, “We don’t register offences against farmers for wild animal deaths in an open well, but we have asked them to temporarily cover these wells with bamboo mats owing to lack of funds.”

“After the death of four sloth bears in an open well in Wadoli in Chandrapur last month, the DyCFs concerned have been told to take a follow-up of the issue. A review on open wells with zilla parishad officials will be held soon,” said Praveen.

ALL IS NOT WELL

* April 15: 6 nilgais rescued from Katol

* April 17: A herd of 15 nilgais rescued from Ner in Yavatmal

* April 17: 10 wild boars saved from Mandavghorad in Hingna

* April 24: A 3-month-old tiger cub rescued from Dabgaon in Chandrapur

* April 28: Four sloth bears, a male and a female and two cubs drown

* May 8: Indian rock python rescued from Salebhata near Bhandara