Elephant damages banana crops

Farmers demand adequate compensation

Banana crops that were damaged by a wild elephant at Bhavani Sagar in Erode on Sunday night.

Over 50 banana crops that were ready for harvest were damaged by a wild elephant on Sunday night at Kottai Kovil Thottam in Bhavani Sagar, Erode, after efforts by the farmers to chase away the elephant failed.

The farmland belonged to Duraiswamy (80) of the area. The wild elephant has been raiding farmlands in Bhavani Sagar area during night hours for over a week now and damaging crops such as banana, sugarcane and maize.

Water scarcity

There are over 20 elephants in Vilamundi forest area and due to acute water shortage inside the forest, elephants stray into human habitations during night hours and damage the crops, the farmers said.

The farmers have sought adequate compensation for the crop damage and wanted the Forest Department to initiate steps to prevent the elephant from venturing into their farmlands.

Farmers said that apart from crop damage, they also lived in fear as attack on human beings by wild animals was becoming common in the area. They also wanted the trenches to be maintained properly.