Man - elephant conflict in villages falling under Palamu Tiger Reserve is feared to increase this season of paddy.
There are more than 190 villages in and around PTR and paddy growing is the main agro activity in the villages.
It is impending drought in major parts of Latehar district, under which comes PTR and paddy cultivation is as precious as life and in the event of elephants raiding and trampling paddy crop man elephant conflict is set to trigger more fiercely.
Dr Mohan Lal field director PTR said, “Elephant raiding standing crop is a very regular phenomenon. We take measures for compensation of crop loss so done by elephants.
Our officials sit with revenue officials and work out for compensation for crop damages and loss.”
Asked that in a situation like this when drought is right staring in the faces of the farmers and people any damage or destruction of paddy will enrage farmers and will build up a climate of conflict with elephants Lal said,
“The problem is there definitely. We have a QRT (quick response team) stationed at Bareysarn.
This QRT rushes in whenever there comes any news of elephant raid or destruction of standing crop done by elephants.”
Sources said last year rampaging herd of elephants gulped down silver jewelry of a poor farmer in a village near Betla who had so readied this ornament for his daughter’s marriage and had kept it in a paddy bag and when elephants ate the paddy they also ate the silver ornaments too!
Betla ranger office was most bewildered to find this case as the victim family filed compensation petition. Understandably no compensation came for silver ornaments eating by elephants then said sources.
Sources said farmers build 16 feet high ‘machaan’ to keep watch on their standing crops. The high machaan is done to keep trunk of elephant out of reach of the machaan.
The Field Director said areas which have a history of jumbo raiding of standing crops will be taken care of most.
Villagers are advised to shoo the herd of elephants with extreme care and caution.
In drought like situation it is not only the conflict issue that rages in PTR but another major issue of over dependency of people on forest resources of PTR too goes up wherein timber felling, collection of dry wood, felling of bamboos, digging of roots and herbs, fruits and seeds all go up phenomenonly.