Bengaluru NGO helps replenish water sources inside Turahalli forest

The PfA Wildlife Hospital, a non-profit organisation dedicated to protecting and rehabilitating urban wildlife, has been running Operation Quench Thirst to ensure regular replenishment of water sources inside Turahalli forest in Bengaluru.

The NGO said that every summer, spotted deer are among the most commonly rescued animals along the edges of Turahalli forest, often found injured after encountering dangers that arise when they stray out of forest zones, including road accidents.

“In 2025 alone, PfA rescued many spotted deer under such circumstances,” it said,

It added that deer, peafowl, golden jackals, babblers and mynas are frequently rescued near forest boundaries during peak summer, highlighting the growing stress on wildlife due to drying water sources.

“When water sources inside forests dry up, animals are forced to move out in search of water. That’s when we see an increase in injuries, conflict, and distress — most of which are preventable,” said Colonel. Dr. Navaz Shariff, Chief Wildlife Veterinarian, PfA Wildlife Hospital.

It added that the Operation Quench Thirst initiative focuses on replenishing critical water sources inside Turahalli Forest through daily water tanker deployments and installation of water troughs, which have been strategically installed across Turahalli and KB kaval forest ranges, while also refilling and sustaining existing natural water sources within the forest ecosystem.

The initiative is carried out in collaboration with the Karnataka Forest Department and with support from the citizens of Bengaluru.

“Providing water within the forest is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect wildlife and reduce conflict with humans,” Dr. Shariff said.

The forest supports a rich diversity of species including leopards, spotted deer, wild boars, golden jackals, mongooses, hares and peafowl, along with birds such as owls, barbets, cuckoos, babblers and white-rumped shama, and several snake species.

PfA added that it continues to receive multiple rescue calls daily for dehydrated animals and birds, further underlining the urgent need for sustained water support both inside forests and across urban spaces.