Elephants and other animals will have ample water inside Dalma sanctuary this summer, preventing them from venturing into villages to quench their thirst.

The 25-odd check dams and around a dozen watering holes are brimming over thanks to a mechanism that doesn’t allow water to run off.

Some of the 16 new check dams have come up on natural drains inside the sanctuary. This has helped rainwater from flowing down into the Subarnarekha river and Dimna lake from the Dalma hills.

The check dams built near Badka Bandh, Nichla Bandh, Chotka Bandh, Rajdoha and Bijli Ghati have helped to maintain the water level at these watering holes.

“There is plenty of water. Animals will have no problem this summer,” said Dalma range officer (west) Dinesh Chandra.

Generally water bodies inside the elephant abode go dry in April and May.

Abundance of water will also help maintain the groundwater level at Pinderbera forest guest house, located around 14km from the main entry gates at Makulakocha.

Though the Pinderbera facility is currently not let out to tourists, forest guards and guest house staff stay at nearby residential quarters. They face acute shortage of water as water table goes down in peak summer.