Coimbatore farmers Say Foresters Are Refusing To Cull Wild Boars

Time of India

3 days ago

Coimbatore: A farmer, P V Udayakumar, of Papanickenpalayam near Thudiyalur on the outskirts of the city, depends on banana cultivation to fend a family of five. While he recently cultivated 4,500 banana plants on his four acres of farmland, he has already lost 800 of them to the raids by wild boars in the past six months.
With wild boar raids becoming the order of the day, Udayakumar says he is robbed of his livelihood.
"Wild boars enter our fields in a pack of 50 or so. Their population has drastically increased. I am facing losses daily owing to the wild boar raids. If this situation persists, I am sure to lose all my banana plants to the wild boars," says Udayakumar.
While forest officials had visited the field to assess the damage, he hasn't received any compensation from the department so far.
"They only suggest electric fencing for protection. When we ask about culling, they have no answers," says Udayakumar.
V R Ramakrishnan, of Narasipuram in Thondamuthur block, is another farmer affected by wild boar raids. "It's the season to grow turmeric and shallot (small onion) in our area. Wild boars enter our fields and dig nearly a foot deep into the soil, destroying the crops. I have already incurred a loss of Rs50,000," he says.
According to Ramakrishnan, forest officers have been rejecting their demand for scheduled culling of wild boars, citing lack of trained personnel and proper firearms. "We wouldn't be making this demand had wild boars remained in the forests. The govt must treat this issue with urgency and act on a war footing. Otherwise, farmers wouldn't survive."
In Kerala, he says, farmers are permitted to cull wild boars with prior approval.
"If the forest department here lacks manpower or firearms, farmers should be allowed to cull wild boars with govt permission."
G Ranganathan, state executive committee member, Tamizhaga Vivasayigal Sangam, says the farm workers are afraid to work near waterways and dense vegetation because of frequent wild boar sightings and attacks. "These animals are fast, aggressive and unpredictable. Many people have been injured."
He urged the local bodies to clear the bushes in and around waterways, where wild boars tend to hide.
When contacted, district forest officer N Jayaraj said special teams were formed in each village panchayat and revenue administration unit as per the govt order to mitigate wild boar menace. "These teams are tasked with driving away, capturing or culling wild boars in accordance with the govt order."
According to him, 12 wild boars were captured and another two were culled in the Coimbatore forest division in the past two months.
"We currently have three large cages, seven nets and seven smaller cages for capturing the animals. More than 100 weapons are also available for culling."
He says the poor solid waste management is contributing to the rise in wild boar numbers. "These animals thrive on food and vegetable waste dumped along the borders and hide among bushes near the water bodies. Local bodies have been advised to manage waste more effectively to address the wild boar menace."