nagpur the irrigation department has decided to close all siphon wells of tekeparshrinagar lift irrigation project near bhandara after the death of two tiger cubs in one of these wells however some experts believe instead of closing these wells ramps should be constructed so wild animals can come out when neededon may 12 2021 two female tiger cubs drowned in one of the wells adjoining protected forests in garada the tekepar canal is 105km long and cuts through the forest area there are 32 such open siphon wells which will be covered now as part of mitigation stepshowever raising a note of caution dr gunwant bhadke a government veterinarian who examined several wild animals in the region rescued in conflict said these siphon wells act as maternity wards for wild animals and hence should not be closed permanently these wells are dry all round the year barring during rains and animals use them to hide their young ones from various dangersit is common for such manmade structures near forest areas to be used by wild animals in paoni range where one of the two tiger cubs died the same day the cubs were delivered in a canal crevice by the tigress the spot was used as a safe shelter said wildlife conservationist prafulla bhamburkar dr bhadke differed from wildlife experts on the death of the two tiger cubs and said the cubs were inside the well and drowned as water accumulated during heavy rains on may 11 and 12 the tigress must have been away to hunt when the tragedy took placearguing his point dr bhadke said a slope or ramp should be constructed for animals to come out in case water gushes in closing these wells will shut doors for animals permanently as it is animals from nearby forests must be using the wells for the last 25 years when the canal was constructedhowever kishor rithe member of the expert committee constituted by state wildlife board swbl to suggest mitigation measures disagrees he says these wells act as death traps a tigress will never deliver cubs at such a risky spot and the cubs might have slipped inside when mother was away dr bhadke says during summers these siphon wells are preferred as safe shelters by animals as the temperature inside is cooler compared to hot weather outside on several occasions cubs of leopard and bear have been rescued from such wells and canal pipes last year a sloth bear cub was rescued from a canal well in sitapur near bhandara and reunited with the motherrithe says even if the ramp is built the wells will still remain open and small animals like civets and porcupines can die in it such wells are considered traps and can invite action under the wildlife protection act 1972 such wells should be covered with parapet wallsrithe asks many times sloth bears breed in abandoned and dilapidated quarters near a residential area so should we continue these structuresravi parate se minor irrigation bhandara