In June 2016, a seemingly ordinary jungle safari to Madhya Pradesh’s Kanha Tiger Reserve transformed the lives of a Mumbai-based dental surgeon couple. Dr. Sarita Subramaniam (BDS) and Dr. P.V. Subramaniam (MDS, Periodontist), both passionate wildlife enthusiasts, witnessed a poignant scene: a semi-adult tigress desperately seeking solace from the scorching heat, first by drinking from a meager puddle, then by submerging herself in it. This moment sparked a profound realization.
While many visitors might simply capture photos and videos, for Dr. Sarita and Dr. P.V., it ignited a deep concern for the animals’ struggle to find water during the sweltering summers. Dr. Sarita recalled, “If even a tigress faced such immense difficulty finding water, imagine the plight of other creatures dependent on the same scarce resources. We knew we had to do something to alleviate their thirst.”
During an interview with The Hindu, while visiting the city to receive an award from Lions International, Dr. Sarita elaborated on their discovery that dwindling water sources in forests significantly contribute to human-animal conflict. She explained, “Animals are forced to venture into human settlements in search of water. Herbivores damage crops, and carnivores follow their prey, leading to unfortunate incidents of morbidity and mortality on both sides.”
Driven by this urgent need, the couple founded the Earth Brigade Foundation (EBF) in 2017, dedicating themselves to wildlife conservation. Their innovative solution involved installing solar-operated water pumps in forest areas, ensuring a consistent and sustainable water supply for wild animals. With the guidance of the forest department, their first three installations were successfully completed at the Bandipur Tiger Reserve in 2018.
Dr. Sarita highlighted the challenges faced by traditional water provision methods. “While forest departments do arrange water through tankers, reaching remote areas, especially those with challenging ghat roads, is often impossible for these heavily loaded vehicles. Moreover, the constant entry of vehicles contributes to vehicular pollution within the pristine forest environments.”
Each EBF installation typically costs between ₹3 to ₹4 lakh, varying based on borewell depth, pipeline length, and the number of water bodies a single borewell can replenish. Dr. Sarita emphasized their preference for a multi-source approach, stating, “We aim to fill multiple water bodies from a single installation.” The foundation relies on the generosity of philanthropists, fellow wildlife enthusiasts, and corporate donors to fund their crucial work.
To date, the Earth Brigade Foundation has installed an impressive 193 solar-operated water pumps across 28 different forests in eight Indian states, including Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh. Notably, 21 of these protected areas are home to tigers, directly benefiting these magnificent big cats and countless other species.