coimbatore the forest department has placed salt licks in forest areas to keep the animals in good health in the summer salt licks mainly consist of minerals such as sodium calcium iron phosphorus and zincan official from the pollachi forest range said salt licks have been placed near the water troughs in the forest starting from tuesday onwards animals which come to drink water would get attracted to salt licks and taste them minerals are essential for muscle and bone growth they boost the immune system and prevent deaths of animals due to health issues caused by summer heat he saiddistrict forest officer t k ashok kumar said salt licks will be kept in all the ranges in the district salt licks would be placed at 810 places in each forest range while all animals would benefit from the move places where elephants frequent are given priority he saidmeanwhile the forest department is planning to create new water troughs and ensure adequate water availability in the existing troughs to keep the animals hydrated in the summer tnn