Crop damage in wild boar attacks in north Kashmir leaves farmers anguished

Baramulla, May 26:  The residents of several villages across north Kashmir are facing mental trauma following the wild boar attacks on their fields. The frustrated residents said that they have suffered huge losses as wild boars destroy crops in no time.

The concerned residents said that the wild boars attack paddy fields during evening and night. They said these animals attack in groups with the resul the  frightened farmers are unable to save their crop.

The panic-stricken farmers said that it is dangerous to confront a group of wild boars, leaving them with no option but to watch the destruction of their paddy fields silently.

These wild boars, as per reports, are active in the Rafiabad area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district besides at some villages like Janbazpora, Chakla, Ladoors and other areas  which are just 10-15 kms from Baramulla town.

Fayaz Ahmad, a resident of Chakla village, said that he suffered huge loss as the wild boars destroyed his planted seeds in the last week of this month. “I saw myself a group of wild boars attacking my paddy fields during the night. I could not venture out and push them away fearing they might attack back,” said Fayaz Ahmad, a farmer from village Chakla.

The residents of Rafiabad area of Baramulla district while showing concern over the reappearance of the wild boars said wild boar attacks need to be tackled on priority basis.

A resident said these animals appeared at a time when farmers had planted seeds and destroyed them in no time. He said scores of farmers have suffered immensely due to such incidents.

“Last year too our crops were destroyed in such attacks. And this time they have again surfaced ,” said Bashir Ahmad, a resident of Achabal Rafiabad. “We appeal to the authorities to look into this matter and save farmers from the wrath of such attacks,” added Ahmad.

Wild boars have been spotted since last year in several areas of north Kashmir. Last year wild boars were spotted in the Uri area of north Kashmir. Later wild boars in groups were spotted in the Kupwara and Bandipora areas of north Kashmir.