Kolhapur: The district forest department has proposed subsidy for individual solar fencing for protection of crops from attack by wild animals.
The decision was taken after recent incidents of crop damage due to elephants, boars and other wild animals, said deputy forest conservator Prabhunath Shukla.
A wild elephant wreaked havoc in Ajara of Radhanagari talukas and damaged banana, coconut garden, paddy and sugarcane crops. However, guar is another animal that destroys sugarcane crops.
The forest department provides subsidy to community field solar fencing. The department has also received various complaints from farmers whose fields are located near jungles. Taking into consideration the demands of the farmers, the department has sent a proposal to the ministry of forest.
“The forest department has taken several measures to minimise crop damage and reduce deaths due to animal attack. The state government gives community level subsidy for field fencing. There are many issues with community solar fencing like raising funds and consensus for fencing. Therefore, farmers ask for individual subsidy for solar fencing to save their fields. We have sent a proposal demanding subsidy for individual farmer. It could increase demand of solar fencing,” said Shukla.
He added, “To prevent deaths due to animal attack, we distributed 2,500 cooking gas to fringe villages in the district. It will help us save wood in the jungles.”
Asked about what is being done to deal with wild elephant, Shukla said, “We have formed a committee of three persons. The state government has given its nod for capturing the elephant. But we don’t have the permission for its relocation. Earlier, we were planning to relocate the elephant in Tillari forests, but we have not received any permission. Therefore, we do not have any option at the moment.”
Sampat Patil, a farmer, said, “Many farmers are not ready for community solar fencing due to lack of money and other reasons. Therefore, individual subsidy will be a good option. The government should provide subsidy to farmers to save crops from wild animals.”