Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal

Bantwal, Apr 27: In recent months, gaurs (Indian bison) have been causing extensive damage to agricultural plantations near the Veerakamba reserve forest area in Bantwal taluk, destroying areca and banana crops belonging to about five to six farmers.

At Kombila in Anantady, gaurs damaged more than 20 areca and banana plants in the plantation of farmer Ramprasad Rai. According to reports, the gaurs enter the plantations at night and return to the forest by morning. In the process, they trample and destroy plants they come across.

Farmers allege that the gaur menace has worsened over the past five to six months, especially after large-scale tree cutting was undertaken for the Udupi-Kasargod 400 KV power line project. With trees cleared and roads constructed, the gaurs are now able to enter the plantations more easily.

Gaurs have even been sighted during the daytime. Attempts to drive them away have proven dangerous, as the animals reportedly charge at farmers.

The matter has been brought to the attention of the forest department, whose staff visited the affected plantations and documented the extent of the damage.

Farmer Ramprasad Rai suggested that setting up an electric fence around the reserve forest area could help prevent further intrusion. Forest officer Sunil D’Souza said that if farmers submit formal complaints, measures to address the issue would be considered.