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Bageshwar Farmers Fight Back Against Crop-Destroying Wildlife
10 Sep
Summary
- Pilot project in nine Bageshwar villages to tackle crop damage by wildlife.
- Remote-sensor cages will capture monkeys, with an enclosure for housing them.
- Farmers report significant crop losses due to monkeys, langurs, and wild boars.
In Bageshwar, a pilot project is set to launch in nine villages across Bageshwar, Garur, and Kapkot blocks to address crop damage by wildlife. Farmers have reported that monkeys, langurs, and wild boars have made cultivation increasingly difficult, leading some families to abandon their fields.
The initiative will equip three villages in each block with remote-sensor cages to capture monkeys. The forest department also plans to establish an enclosure within the district to house the captured animals, complete with a dedicated veterinary doctor.
Residents have shared their struggles, with one farmer noting generations of cultivating mountain taro root until wild boars repeatedly destroyed the harvest, leading to the loss of native seeds. Other agricultural losses include walnut trees and various gourds, making farming economically unviable for some.
Divisional Forest Officer Prakash Chandra Arya has engaged with local leaders and residents to gather suggestions. He emphasized that a lasting solution requires coordinated efforts among the department, elected representatives, and villagers. Following the trial, the pilot project will be reviewed and may be expanded to other hill districts.
