18 Mar 2024  |   11:23pm IST

Mandrem Farmers Raise Alarm Over Wildlife Ravaging Their Fields; Demands Urgent Actions

Team Herald

Farmers in Mandrem are facing a crisis as wild animals wreak havoc on chilli fields at Sawant Wada, prompting urgent action to address the escalating threat. The relentless destruction of crops has left farmers in dire straits, with immediate intervention from the agriculture department urgently needed.

The chilli farming community in Mandrem, particularly at Sawant Wada, is grappling with significant losses due to wildlife intrusion. Persistent attacks by wild animals have resulted in the destruction of cultivated crops, exacerbating the challenges faced by farmers.

“For the past 4 days straight, the wild animals have been continuously destroying the fields. We are entirely dependent on farming. First and foremost the biggest problem which we face is that there is no water. We receive water after nine days. On top of that these wild animals have now come to destroy our farms. We all farmers are tired of these animals and want a permanent solution,” lamented a frustrated farmer.

In response to the crisis, farmers are calling on the agriculture department to address the rising menace and take decisive action to mitigate the problem. The destruction of chilli farming has adversely affected the livelihoods of eight farmers in the area. Former Sarpanch and local panch, Adv Amit Sawant, demonstrated solidarity by providing immediate assistance, offering each affected farmer 5000 rupees. Additionally, Amit Sawant voluntarily contributed a total of 40 thousand rupees as compensation to alleviate the farmers’ financial burden.