Elephants Damage Crops In Kadapa
The pachyderms stormed into fields from neighbouring forests, and destroyed paddy, banana, tomato and papaya plantations across 10 acres.
Hyderabad | 27th October 2011
Wild elephants caused heavy damage to standing crops at Dinnela in Sundupalli and Nagara mandals in Kadapa, leaving the farmers already suffering a bad monsoon start, in dire straits.
According to reports, the pachyderms stormed into fields from neighbouring forests, and destroyed paddy, banana, tomato and papaya plantations spread across 10 acres on Wednesday night.
Farmers in Sundupalli stated that crops worth several thousands of rupees have been damaged by the wild tuskers.
The farmers slammed Forest Department officials for not taking enough measures despite complaints being lodged with them.
The affected farmers narrated their plight to the district administration, requesting immediate compensation for the destruction.
They said there was no hope of continuing farming until the administration assures them of firm steps for protecting their crops from wild elephants.
The agriculture officials, who inspected the damaged crops, stated that they are yet to estimate the losses suffered by farmers. They said that the loss might be more than estimated, as the standing crops were ready for harvest. (INN)
filed in: Crops, Farmers, Animal Attacks, Animals, Forestry