Madikeri: Farmers in several parts of Kodagu are facing severe distress due to repeated wild elephant attacks, according to KH Hanif, the convenor of the Karnataka Coffee Farmers Association.
Farmers Struggle to Protect Crops
Speaking to reporters, Hanif stated that farmers living on the forest fringes are spending their lives trying to protect their fields from wild animals. Despite raising crops with great difficulty, many no longer feel confident that they can safeguard the crops until harvest.
He explained that elephants are entering from the forests and damaging their crops. The elephants are even trampling fences and entering agricultural land, leading to heavy losses for the farmers. Apart from destroying standing crops, the elephants are also damaging solar fencing, pump sets, and wire fences.
Complaints Unheeded
Hanif alleged that repeated complaints to the forest department have not yielded results. He demanded that the department focus on preventing elephants from crossing into human habitation instead of offering 'meagre compensation' after the damage. He also claimed that while other elephants have been captured, a lone elephant responsible for repeated destruction has not been caught yet. Officials are merely driving elephants from one area to another, he said.
Elephant incursions have been reported in Mallamatti, Maithadi, Halugunda, Bellarimadu, Chembebellur, Devanageri, and Bhattamakki areas of Virajpet, where crops, coconut trees, banana plants, and decades-old coffee plants have been destroyed. He warned that if strict action is not taken, the association will organise a massive protest in the coming days.
Broader Economic Pressures
Virajpet civic committee convener IR Durgaprasad linked the crisis to broader economic pressures on farmers, including rising living costs, expensive education, and healthcare. He said repeated losses could take years to recover from.
Inadequate Compensation
KA Hamsa of Chamiyala criticised the compensation as inadequate, alleging that large losses are met with token payments. Association co-convenor TT Udayakumar said the government must compensate farmers properly and warned that continued inaction could trigger an agitation.
