Farming disrupted by animals; wild boars rampant even in cities

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Farmers are abandoning agriculture due to the threat of wild animals. Farmers are currently suffering from crop losses due to wild boars, monkeys, elephants, gaurs, and peacocks infesting their farms. The compensation received by farmers who suffer crop damage is not even a tenth of the effort. Wild boars and monkeys have reached urban areas also. They encamp in deserted and forested areas and are causing massive damage to crops as they multiply.

Wild boars cause the most damage. They start attacking right after the crops are planted. They dig up the soil and destroy tuber crops. Wild boars damage not only bananas but also rubber trees by biting the bark. Peacocks, monkeys, bats, etc. destroy other crops. Hundreds of farmers are waiting for compensation after applying.

Meager compensation

It is the responsibility of the agriculture officers to assess the compensation if crops are destroyed. Instead of calculating the amount of loss, they often provide a vague report on the area of ​​crops destroyed. Farmers say that they are receiving meager compensation from the forest office due to this.

Compensation

(For each)

Fruiting coconut tree........................................ Rs. 770

Non-fruiting coconut tree................................. 375

Rubber tree being tapped ........................................ 330

Rubber tree not being tapped ........................................ 220

Cashew ............................................................. 165

Fruited banana plant.............................................. 110

Non-fruited banana plant.............................................. 83

Pepper ............................................................... 83

Tapioca (25 cents) .............................. 165