Abstract:
Utilisation of natural and artificial waterholes in Wayanad Wildlife
Sanctuary (WWS) was analysed in this research work. Vayals are the natural
swampy areas while the waterholes are the artificial ponds made by the forest
department. The study was done with two objectives such as mapping ofthe vayals
and the artificial waterholes in the WWS and the usage of these structures by wild
animals. We used GIS tools for mapping ofthe vayals as well as artificial waterholes
in WWS. The animal visitation was studied using the camera traps installed in the
selected vayals and artificial waterholes across the four ranges of WWS from
September 2018 to May 2019. The observations were made in dry season and wet
season.
The geo-coordinated maps of 171 vayals and 168 artificial waterholes in
Wayanad WWS were prepared. It is interesting to note that most of the artificial
waterholes were made within the vayals. A total of 21 species of wild animals were
found to be using the water sources in WWS. The animal visits to vayals/natural
waterholes were greater than that of the artificial waterholes. However, the animal
activity in these water sources in the dry season was greater than that of wet season.
The herbivores preferred vayals more than waterholes, but the frequency of
visit of other animals such as carnivores, primates, etc. were found to be more in
waterholes. The most abundant animal in Wayanad wildlife Sanctuary was Spotted
Deer and its frequency of visit was higher in vayals than artificial waterholes. The
frequency of animal visit at waterholes made inside the vayal is found to be higher
than that of waterholes dug outside the vayal. The temporal activity pattern of water
source usage was also studied. Most ofthe vayals and waterholes were used mainly
during morning and evening hours. The direct usage of artificial waterholes for
drinking water was rarely observed. Most of the visits made by herbivores to the
waterholes were for grazing around the waterbody. The randomness of usage of
water sources were also studied using Run test. Asian Elephant, Barking Deer,Gaur,
and Wild Boar show a non-random usage of natural waterholes in the wet season.
In artificial waterholes, elephant shows a non-random usage in wet season and the
Spotted Deer and Sambar Deer shows non-random usage in dry season.
The design of waterhole is also found to be affecting the animal activity. The
side walls of many waterholes were made steep in such a way that it cannot be
accessible by small animals like Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, etc. The quality of
water is another factor that influences the usage. Many waterholes were not capable
of holding water in the extreme dry months. The vayals kept moist throughout the
year and supported the animals with good fodder in the lean periods. Constructing
waterholes inside the vayals causes degradation of the swampy habitat and lead to
drying up of vayals. It also affects the hydrology of that landscape.
So,the present study highlights the importance of vayals and its management
in protecting that habitat. The construction of artificial waterholes should be done
with proper scientific studies.