The Small-time farmers in The Nilgiris decide to vote for NOTA if their demands are not met
The Nilgiris: The Hill District Small Farmers Union have declared to vote for NOTA in the forthcoming assembly elections, claiming that the farmers affected by wildlife attacks in the Nilgiris district have not been given adequate compensation.
The executive committee meeting on behalf of the Hill District Small Farmers Union was held at the Milithan area near Kotagiri under the chairmanship of Chairman Thumbur I Bojan and State Secretary-General Kulla Gowder Vinodhan.
More than 60,000 small farmers in the Nilgiris district are cultivating tea and hill vegetables. As the Nilgiris district is mostly forested, wildlife including tigers, leopards and bears invade tea estates and farmlands adjacent to the forest from time to time.
As a result, the death toll continues to rise. The farmers had demanded that the Forest Department should monitor the entry of wild animals into the city and drive them into the dense forest.
They also demand that the upcoming Tamil Nadu government must provide adequate compensation to the families of those who have been attacked and killed by wild animals.
Also, the farmers should be allowed to cut down and sell Silver Oak trees grown in private gardens. Along with this, they want the government to provide separate Pattas for lands to these hill residents.
The union has said, "More than 60,000 hill farmers here have decided to vote for NOTA in the forthcoming assembly elections or for the party that promises to fulfil our long-standing demands."
The Hill District Small Farmers Union members have been going across villages to announce their decision.
The executive committee meeting on behalf of the Hill District Small Farmers Union was held at the Milithan area near Kotagiri under the chairmanship of Chairman Thumbur I Bojan and State Secretary-General Kulla Gowder Vinodhan.
More than 60,000 small farmers in the Nilgiris district are cultivating tea and hill vegetables. As the Nilgiris district is mostly forested, wildlife including tigers, leopards and bears invade tea estates and farmlands adjacent to the forest from time to time.
As a result, the death toll continues to rise. The farmers had demanded that the Forest Department should monitor the entry of wild animals into the city and drive them into the dense forest.
They also demand that the upcoming Tamil Nadu government must provide adequate compensation to the families of those who have been attacked and killed by wild animals.
Also, the farmers should be allowed to cut down and sell Silver Oak trees grown in private gardens. Along with this, they want the government to provide separate Pattas for lands to these hill residents.
The union has said, "More than 60,000 hill farmers here have decided to vote for NOTA in the forthcoming assembly elections or for the party that promises to fulfil our long-standing demands."
The Hill District Small Farmers Union members have been going across villages to announce their decision.