PONDA: Jasmine (zayo) cultivators from Mardol have complained that their annual production has declined by 50 per cent after unknown persons set fire to their plantation thrice in the past few months.
The affected farmers, who depend on the sale of zayo for their livelihood, have demanded that the government compensate them and protect their traditional business and at the same time punish the miscreants involved in setting fire to their plantation.
Stating that Mardol is known for zayo (Jasmine), the farmers pointed out that Zaya Puja, celebrated at Mahalsa Temple with decorations by Fulkar Samaj from the village, is famous across the State.
Expressing regret for not receiving any compensation for the losses incurred on account of the fire set by unknown persons to their plantations, Pratap Naik, president of Fulkaar Samaj at Mardol said, “Our MLAs had increased their honorarium, but have no time to look into our losses. Thrice our zayo plantations were set on fire and we even submitted a memorandum to the panchayat seeking compensation.”
Mardol is known for zayo, and Zaya Puja at Mardol was started 109 years ago when the village was hit by a pandemic. The villagers offered prayers to Goddess Mahalsa to get rid of the pandemic and since then, they continue to offer prayers during the two-day Zaya Puja celebration, he said.
Following their gharane to the Goddess, the village was free from the pandemic. The villagers offer zayo to the deity for two days, during which none of them sell their produce. "This year will mark the 110th year of celebration. Due to the decline in production, we fear we could fall short during the Zaya Puja celebration," added Naik.
Local farmer Hema Naik said they cultivate zayo only for three months, from August to October, which requires a lot of hard work. "It is sad that some unknown persons set fire to our zayo plantation thrice, causing huge losses," she lamented.