17 June,2026 08:55 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet Jadhav
A screengrab of a video shows horses drinking murky water in Matheran after a shortage of freshwater reportedly forced owners to rely on streams and forest water bodies. Pics/By Special Arrangement
More than 600 horses and ponies that form the backbone of Matheran's transport system are being forced to drink water from polluted natural streams and forest water bodies due to an acute shortage of clean drinking water, raising concerns over their health and welfare.
Equine veterinarian Dr Anil P Lahane, founder of Pune-based Ashvaseva, said a recent visit to Matheran revealed inadequate arrangements for freshwater supply, leaving horses with little choice but to consume water from sources that appeared polluted and contaminated.
The situation is particularly critical during the summer months of May and June, when water availability drops sharply, and animal owners struggle to secure safe drinking water for their animals.
Dr Anil P Lahane, Founder of Ashvaseva and equine vet
âAccess to clean drinking water is essential for horses' survival. Forcing them to consume polluted and contaminated water from the streams can lead to serious infections, digestive disorders, dehydration, organ damage and a gradual decline in their overall health and performance. Immediate steps must be taken to ensure a reliable supply of fresh water. During our recent visit to Matheran, we saw that due to a lack of fresh water availability, the horses have no option but to drink water from natural stream sources, which seem to be polluted and allegedly contaminated.'
Past: Small dam near Dasturi parking area stored water
Present: The dam reportedly suffers from leakages
Impact: Water storage capacity
Result: Horses depend on streams and natural water bodies
Concern: Potential exposure to contaminated water
This is not the first concern raised about equine welfare in Matheran. mid-day had earlier reported on the poor condition of the government veterinary clinic in the hill station, with locals repeatedly demanding better veterinary infrastructure and related facilities.
Matheran is a vehicle-free hill station where horses and ponies remain a primary mode of transport for tourists, residents and goods movement. A disruption to their health directly affects hundreds of families whose livelihoods depend on the animals.
>> Inadequate availability of fresh drinking water
>> Horses and ponies forced to rely on natural stream sources
>> Water sources that appeared polluted and allegedly contaminated
>> An increased risk of disease due to prolonged consumption of unsafe water
A Matheran resident and horse owner told mid-day, "In May and June, fresh drinking water isn't easily available. Earlier, a small dam near the Dasturi car parking area used to store water, but due to leakages, it no longer retains sufficient water. We have repeatedly demanded that it be repaired so that horses have access to clean drinking water during the summer. Due to the shortage, horses and ponies are left with no option but to drink from natural water sources."
>> Stomach and digestive infections
>> Digestive disorders
>> Dehydration
>> Organ damage
>> Reduced performance and stamina
>> Long-term deterioration in overall health
Families dependent on horse transport
Category Approximate number
Horse owners 350
Helpers 250
Total livelihoods dependent on equine trade 600+
Residents say any deterioration in animal health directly affects earnings, tourism-related services and transport operations within the hill station.
