Elephant menace cause Vellore ryots to drop agri activity

Over the past two weeks, the elephant menace has been on the rise in Gudiyattam and Pernambut. Many farmers have lost their crops such as banana, cane, papaya and mango groves and paddy. So, farmers, who don’t want their hard work and investment go waste, have decided to let the land fallow. They are left with no other choice, as the compensation being offered by the district administration also reaches them late.

Along with the trouble posed by the elephants, the farmers are also threatened by the forest staff against revealing information about the menace to the media. The forest department warned farmers that the compensation for crop damages would not be given, if they reveal anything to the press. Some farmers who ignored the threats and spoke to DT Next, on the condition of anonymity, said that the crops in Pernambut were damaged by a herd of approximately 10 elephants. A Pernambut resident said, “The elephants usually step out of the forests in search for food (standing crops) during which time they come close to agricultural fields close to human habitations.” The jumbos stray into the farmlands for food and water. Though the Forest Department set up troughs during the summer season to ensure the availability of water for animals, it is uncertain as to how of them are still active now. “Scarcity of food in their natural habitats force them step out of their zones,” pointed out a resident of Gudiyattam, whose crops were destroyed by elephants.

On the question of trenches, sources in Gudiyattam said, “Though forest boundaries had trenches cut to prevent the animals entering into residential areas, lack of maintenance has resulted in the trenches silting up resulting in the animals moving across easily.”

Farmers also complained that there were no forest watchers on night duty to prevent elephant attacks and the public have been forced to end up doing the ‘night watchman’ job.

“Due to lack of staff, the Forest Department want us to grow crops that elephants don’t eat, but they fail to understand that we raise crops which is suitable for the people and give us good returns,” an affected farmer lamented.

Presently, farmers use crackers and chilli powder to drive away the animals. “Burning trash, which emits a foul smell, also keeps away the herd,” Ramamurthy, a farmer said. “However, the mother elephant does not leave the area till its baby walks to a distance by itself and this becomes a problem while driving them away,” sources added.

On the lack of constructive action taken by the forest staff, the affected farmers said, “The forest staff come only after the damage is reported though they know of the herd’s regular paths. When we ask them about this, they cite different reasons that prevents them from taking action. There must be someone to change their direction as the elephants usually raid farms between 1 am and 4 am. They do not come during daytime. Till date, any preventive action is only being taken we farmers and not foresters.”

When asked about this, Vellore DFO Bhargav Teja said, “A special team of experts with knowledge of handling elephants is all set to be formed for which discussions are under way.” Admitting that there was shortage of staff, he said, “The available staff needs to be deputed for check post duty and regular work in reserve and social forest tracts.” When asked about the trenches, he said, “We plan to desilt and widen them to prevent the herd coming close to residential areas and damaging crops on fields.”