India, March 26 -- With the region witnessing a heatwave season early this year, the demand for water has increased in various forest ranges in Pune district. As the department is struggling to manage water supply under fund shortage, some officials have demanded borewell and solar project, and others seek a dedicated fund for tanker facility in forest areas.

Forest areas require water supply for plantation, fire safety and drinking water for animals. The department has built artificial waterholes, filled through tankers, at multiple locations in every forest ranges. However, lack of funds has affected the facility. The situation is not limited to one or two forest divisions, but across ranges in Pune and Junnar division, according to of...