MYAGDI: Six recharge ponds were constructed in different community forests in Myagdi district this year, which is aimed at preserving water sources in the high hilly areas.

The community forest users’ groups prepared the recharge ponds with support from the Divisional Forest Office, Myagdi.

Such ponds are expected to be crucial to control forest fires during the dry season, recharge water and reduce human-wildlife conflicts through the management of water, Divisional Forest Officer Basanta Keshav Adhikari said.

Forest Officer Shanti Kumari Shahi said that the recharge ponds will engage the wildlife in the forest from entering into the human settlements for water and food, will maintain the moisture of the soil and could be used to douse forest fires too.

She added that the Office has continued its effort to construct recharge ponds for the past four years adding that this move has helped reduce human-wildlife conflict, as water is available near their habitat for the wildlife.

Such recharge ponds were made at Simpakho of Beni Municipality-5; at Dahapatal of Dhawalagiri Rural Municipality-3; at Baranja Bhotekhola of Mangala Rural Municipality-3; at Thadakhani-Kalo Salleri of Raghuganga Rural Municipality-6; at Sano Dhaireni of Malika Rural Municipality-6 and at Dana of Annapurna Rural Municipality-3 in the district.

The Office shared that each pond can store 61,000 litre of water and was built by providing Rs 100,000 in grant for each community forest.

The Office has already constructed 31 recharge ponds in the community forests in Myagdi district since the fiscal year 2021/22.

As the water sources are drying up in the hilly areas, the crisis of drinking water shortage is deepening in many places. Recharge ponds in the middle of the forest will also provide water to the wildlife, while water sources are protected along with the forests, it is believed.

The atted and other wildlife have caused damage to the farmers in the recent years in Myagdi district.