Keonjhar: Elephants have been damaging crops in various parts of Keonjhar with Juanga farmers being worst affected by the menace.
In an effort to thwart the elephants from eating their crops, the tribals have set up treetop houses near their farms to keep a close watch on the approaching animals. Despite this, their efforts sometimes go in vain.
They alleged that they are not provided compensation for the crop loss. Upset over the unrelenting elephant menace, many Juangas have left agriculture and have gone out of the state in search of jobs. Those who have been raising crops have to struggle a lot to save their crop from the marauding animals.
The worst affected Juanga village is Nadam under Harichandpur block. About 36 families live in the village.
“Though we have been growing paddy and other crops every year with hard labour, our efforts go waste,” they lamented.
The Juangas are unaware of where to take up the issue and how to avail compensation.
Though compensation is provided sometimes, it is too meagre. They have been living in utter misery.
The tribals said the treetop houses are of no use and they are helpless against the massive elephant herds.
Laxmidhar Juanga, Krushna Juanga, Megha Juanga, Pabitra Juanga, Madhu Juanga, Budhia Juanga, Sujan Juanga, Jogeswar Juanga, Satru Juanga, Panchu Juanga have lost their crops to elephants despite their best efforts in making treetop houses.
A herd of 12 elephants has been causing mayhem in the area for the last one month.
Guli Junaga, after losing her crops, is now doing odd jobs in neighbouring villages. Likewise, Gale Juanga and Chakiri Juanga had gone to Tangarbaham for daily waging and returned to their village after working there for three days.
Two herds of elephants recently went on a damaging spree in villages under Balibandh and Bamebari forest ranges. The animals have taken away the sleep of the farmers. Crops in large tracts of farmland were destroyed while locals alleged that forest officials have failed to contain the menace.
Scores of farmers in Jaypur, Naupani, Hatidari, Chimpinda, Bamandiha, Kaliapal, Basantpur, Rugudisahi, Naibuga and Dhanurjaypur expressed their unhappiness over the state of affairs.
PNN