Pathanamthitta: Pampa river flowing at the foothills of Sabarimala is facing acute water shortage this year. Even though the Kerala State Electricity Board releases water at intervals from its Kullar dam upstream the river has shrunken in size drastically.
The water level in some areas is ankle deep causing inconvenience to pilgrims as they are not able to complete their customary dip in the water before starting their uphill trek to the shrine.
The water scarcity has affected the wild animals along with the pilgrims. They stray into human habitats in search of water.
On Friday night a tiger was spotted on the banks of the Pampa near the Ayyappa Seva Sangham camp. Leopards and elephants were also spotted straying out of the forests in search of food and water at Pampa, Sabarimala and Plappally, say reports.
The rapid changes in the forest ecosystem, climate change and excessive human intervention are the major factors which force the wild animals to stray into the human habitats.
The groundwater table is fast depleting due to the unchecked quarrying, say experts.
