EDITORIAL
Much needs to be done to protect farmers from wild animal attacks
It was a tragedy that could have been avoided. On Thursday, two brothers lost their lives after being electrocuted by a live wire laid on the ground to protect farmland from wild animals at Rivona in Sanguem taluka.
The brothers – aged 40 and 46 – had gone to cut grass for their cattle. The police said that on their way back, the duo accidentally came into contact with the live electric wire that had been laid by a farm owner in an attempt to kill wild boars. The brothers, both bachelors, lived with their elderly mother and supported the household by tending to a few cattle, relying solely on the sale of milk for income.
There are at least two dimensions to the story. One is protecting farmlands from wild animals, and the other is the socio-economic condition of a section of Goans. For over a decade, farmers have been suffering losses to their crops. They are paid compensation under the Directorate of Agriculture’s ‘Shetkari Adhar Nidhi Scheme’. Farmers have been complaining about the damage caused to horticultural crops by animals such as wild boars, gaurs, monkeys and peacocks. They had demanded that certain wild animals be declared vermin, and, some years ago, legislators even deliberated on the subject. However, the proposal hasn’t moved ahead even as farmers continue to suffer. It is not only in Goa’s hinterland that wild animals play havoc with crops and horticultural produce but also in central and coastal areas of the state. For example, there are reports of monkeys running amok in Sancoale and even some villages in Salcete.
The state government has come out with a scheme to provide financial assistance for solar power and other types of fencing to protect crops from wild animals. There is a 75% subsidy for the general public and 90% for the SC/ST category on construction costs for various types of barriers, including barbed wire and stone walls. The maximum subsidy for individual farmers is Rs 2 lakh.
The wild animal population is on the rise despite an increase in poaching. Man-animal conflict has increased in recent times with leopards entering areas that never saw a big cat. Tackling the issue of wild animals entering farms and fields is proving challenging for foresters. Then there is also the issue of forest areas sacrificed for “development”, including eco-resorts and mining.
Having a scheme to pay compensation for crop loss is one thing, but the question remains: how many times will a farmer apply for it? How the march of wild animals into habitations can be stopped is a question that has no answer. As technology drives the world, it is time the authorities explore it to keep wild animals at bay. Solar-powered alarms, ultrasonic animal repellers and motion-activated sprinklers are some technology-linked deterrents.
On the other issue, it is lamentable that Goa is often portrayed by the government as a state with high economic indicators, citing its high per capita income, last-mile delivery of services and the image of an affluent society. Yet, the reality is starkly different when we look at the economic condition of the two brothers who relied solely on a couple of cattle for their livelihood. Their story reflects the socio-economic struggles of a section of Goan society that rarely makes it into official narratives. This is not the Goa the city-bred educated class is familiar with. Much more needs to be done to bring dignity and stability to their lives.
