Team Herald
PERNEM: Even as traditional farmers are on the decline in the State, the dreams of a few hardworking ones have been shattered at Mandrem after a herd of bison invaded and damaged their vegetable cultivation and paddy fields reducing the poor farmers to tears.
Shantabai Shantaram Sawant, a senior citizen, says that her vegetable cultivation has been completely damaged by a herd of bison.
“I’m not asking for any compensation but just pleading with the government
to fence our fields so as to keep the wild animals at bay,” said a distressed Sawant.
Sawant said that she had cultivated ladyfingers and other crops which she had availed from the Zonal Agriculture Office as well as Maharashtra.
“I cultivate throughout the year. During the rains, I grow paddy and other time of the season, vegetables, chillies etc. which I then sell in the village itself to make a living. I don’t want any money from the government but want the area to be fenced as soon as possible,” Sawant said.
Meanwhile, panch and youth who are also into farming said, “The government should come up with a solution to get rid of the wild animals, which destroy crops. Bisons, monkeys and wild boars damage crops and already the number of farmers who are doing traditional farming have declined and if this continues then these farmers who are into traditional farming will no longer continue with it,”Laukik Shetye said.
Shetye said that deforestation is leading these animals to move out and enter the residential areas in search of water and food.
