Delhi's heat wave kills Nilgai in Dwarka
A Nilgai was found dead outside the Bharat Vandana Udhyaan Park in Dwarka's Sector 20. It is suspected to have died of thirst as the only pond in the park has dried up.
It is not just humans, but wild animals are also reeling under the intense heat wave in Delhi. On Tuesday, a Nilgai (blue bull) was found dead outside the Bharat Vandana Udhyaan Park in Dwarka's Sector 20. It is suspected to have died of thirst as the only pond in the park has dried up.
Shockingly, when some citizens approached the local Delhi Jal Board (DJB) officials to supply water to the pond, they were outrightly refused and insulted. Later, DJB vice-chairman Kapil Mishra assured them of making arrangements.
The 100-acre Udhyaan shelters 40 neelgais, several peacocks, rabbits and monitor lizards. There is a demand to convert it into a sanctuary as west Delhi lacks large green spaces. Citizens had revived the pond some years back to provide water to animals and a soothing atmosphere to the residents.
Diwan Singh of the Campaign for Preservation of Commons said, "On May 22, we got plastic drums of 50-100 litres capacity and placed them at the DJB Booster station that serves Dwarka."
"We approached DJB's office to facilitate filling up these till monsoon arrives so they could be emptied into the pond. We were told to speak to Junior Engineer Ajay Shokeen who said he would be suspended if he provided 50 litres of water to the park."
Diwan Singh added: "Assistant Engineer L.K. Verma told us that we should get water from our flats."
On Wednesday, Mishra assured the residents that animals will not be allowed to die and suitable arrangements would be made.