Farmers of western Tirunelveli district have raised a banner of revolt against the State Government’s move to declare regions close to the Western Ghats as a wildlife sanctuary as they are worried that their visit to their ranches, particularly during night, will be completely restricted if sanctuary status is accorded.
Close to the Western Ghats, the origin for hundreds of wild streams and a good number of rivers including the perennial Tamirabharani, farmers of western Tirunelveli are cultivating a range of crops from paddy to horticultural crops. Apart from the regular horticultural crops, this region is known for its floriculture and lemon cultivation with the Puliyangudi market forming one of the biggest lemon markets in south India.
Having their ranches close to the Western Ghats, the farmers are facing constant threat from invading wild animals that include elephants, wild boar, Indian gaur, sambar deer etc. and substantial crop damage every year. Though the animal invasion often leads to man – animal conflict and even loss of life, nothing could prevent the agriculturists from taking up farming operations in this region as it is their only livelihood.
Since the animals enter the cultivated lands in search of food and water, particularly during summer, the Department of Forest erected solar fence and dug trenches in the Western Ghats – private patta land border. Moreover, waterholes were dug in several areas to ensure availability of water to quench the thirst of animals. But none of these measures proved effective in putting an end to the menace of wild animal invasion into ranches and distribution of compensation to the affected farmers.
Against this backdrop, the Department of Forest is taking steps to organise a survey with the intention of creating a wildlife sanctuary along the Western Ghats in western Tirunelveli region.
“If a sanctuary is created, our visit to the ranches where we cultivate paddy, coconut and a range of fruits including mango will be seriously affected. Moreover, it will deny the shepherds their right to take the cattle for grazing in the areas close to the Western Ghats. Precisely, the proposed wildlife sanctuary will wipe out the farmers’ only livelihood while guaranteeing the safety of wild animals,” said S.T. Shaik Mohideen of Vadakarai, who is also the CPI’s area deputy secretary.
When the farmers’ monthly grievance day meeting was conducted here on Friday, Mr. Shaik Maideen raised this issue and wanted to know whether the proposal would be dropped in an attempt to save the farmers wellbeing.
Accepting the farmers’ views in this connection, Collector M. Karunakaran assured them that he would convey their sentiments to the State Government.
“The proposed wildlife sanctuary will wipe out the farmers’ only livelihood while guaranteeing the safety of wild animals”
