On the slopes of the Garo hills, the farmers fear the attack of wild elephants
Photo Collected
The vast area of the three upazilas bordering the Garo hills of Sherpur is now full of greenery. As far as the eye could see, there were paddy fields—some dark green, some light green, some golden. It is as if nature itself has painted a beautiful landscape of cropland like a Nakshikantha on the mountain slopes. However, along with the happiness of the farmers who are hoping for a good harvest, there is also the fear of wild elephant attacks.
On Saturday from morning to afternoon, along the border road, various hilly areas of Srivardi, Jhenaigati and Nalitabari upazilas were visited – Kanjhura, Halchati, Jhulgaon, Balijuri, Bablakuna, Kharamura, Baragazni, Tawakucha, Rangtia, Gomra, Samschura, Porabari, Baromari, Daodhara-Katabari, Tarani, Panihata and other areas of paddy. the ceremony Somewhere the paddy has sprouted, somewhere the flowers have bloomed, and somewhere else the paddy is waiting to ripen. From a distance, these carvings look like Nakshikantha. Villages surrounded by green paddy fields stand like guards on the hillsides. In the morning, many farmers were seen holding the tillers to monitor the condition of the paddy.
Rafiqul Islam, a farmer of Halchati village in Srivardi, said, ‘The paddy has grown well this time, rain has also come on time. But it will take another 25-30 days to harvest paddy. As there are elephants in the mountains, the worry is about harvesting the crops at home. But he said, this fear is not new, every year this worry starts when the rice ripens.
The same picture is across the border. Paddy fields are now full of green in the bordering areas of different unions of Srivardi, Jhenaigati and Nalitabari. Somewhere the rice is ripening, somewhere the flowers have come. Farmers think it will take another month to harvest paddy.
Shyamali Marak, a farmer of Naya Rangtia village in Jhenaigati, said, “Seeing the grain of rice swaying in the wind fills the heart.” I am growing this crop with much difficulty. But I am worried whether I will be able to raise the crops at home due to the fear of elephants.
Ghazni Beat Officer of the Forest Department, Saleheen Newaz said, a group of elephants has been staying in Tawakucha-Ghazni area for five-six days. After evening they come down to the locality. Villagers, Elephant Response Team and forest department members are working to bring the elephants back to the forest.
Delwar Hossain, a farmer of Tarani village in Nalitabari, said, “There has been a good harvest in the hilly area this time. But when the paddy is ripe, the elephants come down to the field. Despite suffering all kinds of calamities, we dream of bringing crops home.
According to the information of the district forest department and agriculture office, 8 thousand 857 hectares of boro paddy has been planted in the border areas of three upazilas in the current season. Out of this, there are 4 thousand 501 hectares in Srivardi, 2 thousand 240 hectares in Jhenigati and 2 thousand 116 hectares in Nalitabari. About 30 percent of the paddy fields are in stubble, 15 percent have flowered and most of the paddy fields are now fertile.
Balijuri range officer Suman Mia said, throughout the year, hundreds of elephants divide into groups of three to four and roam the Garo hills in search of food. But during the ripening of paddy and jackfruit, they descend on the locality and attack the crops. He said that compensation was given to the affected farmers and precautions were taken to ensure that no one harmed the elephants.
Deputy Director of District Agriculture Extension Directorate. Sakhawat Hossain said that the yield of rice in the border areas has been good. Cultivation is somewhat late due to irrigation in hilly areas. It will take some more time to harvest the paddy. But when the paddy ripens, the farmers worry about elephants.
Source: Prothom Alo Bangla
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