Devastated Farmers in Dhansiripar and Peren District Battle Relentless Elephant Intrusions | MorungExpress
Elephant Invasions Wreak Havoc on Farmers in Nagaland
Beisumpuikam | July 19 – Farmers in Dhansiripar sub-division, Peren district, and surrounding areas like Beisumpuikam village are grappling with severe losses as elephants increasingly raid their fields, causing extensive damage to crops. This escalating trend highlights a classic human-animal conflict where expanding human activities intersect with wildlife habitats, risking both human and animal lives.
Changduing Daime, a farmer from Beisumpuikam, reported that elephants have ravaged 20-30% of his banana and papaya crops, significantly impacting his monthly income of 5,000-10,000 INR from sales in Dimapur, Kohima, and Senapati. Similarly, Beisumpuikam Village Council Chairman, Tadi Zeliang, noted the near-daily elephant incursions, which have heightened risks for villagers venturing into fields and forests.
The affected communities have implemented alert systems to warn of elephant sightings, yet the frequency of these intrusions continues to increase. Efforts by the forest department to chase the elephants away are met with limited success due to the dangers and challenges involved. Farmers from neighboring Manglumukh are facing similar struggles, with recent damages to extensive banana, areca nut, paddy, and vegetable plantations.
Village councils are calling for more effective measures to address this growing issue. Despite villagers often not reporting all incidents due to perceived inaction from authorities, the Wildlife Conservation Society of India (WCS-I) recorded significant crop damage in a recent survey. Around 48.8% of Beisumpuikam households and nearly all Manglumukh households reported elephant-related crop destruction over the past five years.
Elephants originating from Dhansiri Reserve Forests cross the Dhansiri River into Nagaland in search of fodder, continuing a traditional migration pattern through this age-old elephant corridor. The Wildlife Conservation Society of India is working on sustainable livelihood projects in the region, focusing on engaging youth and women to create resilient community responses to such human-wildlife conflicts.
Reports indicate that around a week ago, a herd of elephants caused significant damage in Doyapur village, a stark reminder of the continuing tension between human habitation and wildlife conservation.
Original Story https://www.morungexpress.com/farmers-in-dhansiripar-and-peren-dist-grapple-with-rising-elephant-intrusions
Category : Morung Exclusive , Nagaland
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