Coimbatore: In Coimbatore region, human-wildlife conflict has become a never-ending issue, due to the region's proximity to the western ghats. Though suitable mitigation measures to reduce and prevent the crop damage by wild animals have been proposed by the forest department, the intensive damage to the crops due to wild animals continues to be a major threat for the farmers.
Coimbatore: In Coimbatore region, human-wildlife conflict has become a never-ending issue, due to the region's proximity to the western ghats. Though suitable mitigation measures to reduce and prevent the crop damage by wild animals have been proposed by the forest department, the intensive damage to the crops due to wild animals continues to be a major threat for the farmers.
Demanding permanent and practical measures to end wildlife intrusion in farmlands, over 100 farmers belonging to the Farmers' Union (non-political) belonging to Madukkarai region in the Coimbatore district staged a one-day hunger strike in front of Madukkarai Panchayat Union Office.
Urging fair compensation for intensive crop destruction by wildlife, the farmers stated that scanty compensation by the District Administration and the State government has left the farmers suffer huge losses.
They also demanded proper compensation for lands secured for West Highway expansion, Coimbatore - Karur Highway.
Alleging that all their pleas have fallen in deaf ears, the farmers warned to intensify their protests, if the concerned officials continue to stay muted.