Team Herald
sanguem: Paddy cultivators from Bekrem, Bhati panchayat in Sanguem have complained of the damange caused to their paddy cultivation by a bison herd.
The farmers informed that since the past many days a large bison herd, entered their paddy fields during the night and left a trail of destruction, causing extreme losses to the farmers.
An elderly lady, Radha Gaonkar, from the group of around 25 farmers, said that despite the large trench that had been dug by the Forest Department all along the village from Valkini to Bhati, the herd managed to jump over the same.
“Despite the many odds we have been facing and notwithstanding the huge cost involved in the cultivation of paddy fields, we had come together and cultivated a vast portion of agricultural land. We have been working tirelessly for the last couple of months, however all our efforts and money is now wasted due to the damage caused by the bison herd,” Gaonkar added.
Other farmers who were disappointed too, were worried about how they will be able to recover from this.
They lamented that at a time when the govt is appealing to the youth to venture into agricultural activities, the existing farmers are being discouraged from continuing such activity due to the losses suffered and mental anguish.
Gaonkar along with another farmer Anand Bhatikar urged the government to provide them due compensation for the losses incurred due to the damage caused by the bison herd.
Bhatikar appealed to the Forest Department to take steps to prevent the bison herd and other wild animals from entering their agricultural farms.
