Farmers in multiple villages across the Chadoora tehsil of Budgam district in central Kashmir are facing escalating distress due to the persistent menace of wild boars, which are causing extensive damage to standing crops and jeopardizing their financial stability.
The Chenab Times has learned that residents from areas including Repora, Namthall, Checkpora, and Buchroo have reported recurring destruction of their freshly sown fields. Farmers have expressed deep concern as wild boars have repeatedly ravaged paddy saplings and other grain seeds shortly after cultivation.
“We had sown our crops with great effort, but within days, everything is being destroyed. Every morning, we find our fields ruined by wild boars,” stated Farooq Ahmed, a farmer from Repora. He added that the ongoing damage is occurring at a critical juncture in the agricultural cycle.
Social activist Raja Muzaffar Bhat urged immediate government action, recommending the installation of traps and the relocation of wild boars to safer habitats to mitigate further agricultural losses. He also advised farmers to sow extra paddy to provide replacement saplings for those severely affected.
Locals estimate that recent incidents have led to the damage of approximately 20 paddy saplings across various locations, representing significant losses for the farmers. They highlighted that these incidents are becoming increasingly frequent, impacting numerous villages in the region.
Ghulam Mohiuddin Paul, a resident of Buchroo, described the situation as progressively worsening. “This is not an isolated event; it has become a routine problem. We are incurring continuous losses, and it appears no one is taking this matter seriously,” he said.
Farmers articulated that the repeated incursions by wild boars are not only destructive to their crops but are also severely impacting their morale and determination. “We dedicate months to working in the fields, only to have all our efforts undone overnight,” they expressed.
In response to the escalating crisis, farmers and local residents have formally appealed to the district administration for urgent intervention. They are demanding the implementation of effective preventive measures to safeguard their agricultural produce throughout the current farming season and provide them with much-needed relief.
There is also a noted dissatisfaction among residents regarding the perceived inaction of the Wildlife Department. They implore the authorities to act swiftly and introduce robust measures to protect crops, especially as the agricultural season progresses.
Given that agriculture serves as the primary source of livelihood for the majority of the population in the affected areas, farmers have cautioned that continued neglect of this issue could lead to severe economic hardship for numerous families. The current situation poses a significant threat to the rural economy of Budgam district.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
