VALPOI
The growing menace of wild animals in Sattari has become a serious concern, with the problem extending beyond agricultural fields and plantations to residential areas. In particular, increasing monkey intrusions into homes, with animals carrying away food and household belongings, have created fear among residents.
Farmers have been demanding effective measures for nearly a decade but say no concrete solution has emerged. The human-wildlife conflict is causing financial losses to farmers and disrupting the lives of rural households.
Known for its rich forest cover and biodiversity, Sattari has witnessed increasing movement of wild animals into human settlements. Monkeys, Indian gaurs, wild boars, giant squirrels and peacocks are among the animals damaging crops and plantations.
Crop damage hits farmers
A large number of farmers depend on cashew, coconut, arecanut, mango, banana, black pepper and paddy cultivation for their livelihood. However, protecting these crops has become increasingly difficult.
Monkeys climb coconut trees, pluck coconuts and damage produce, while wild boars and Indian gaurs cause extensive damage to paddy fields and other crops. Farmers are often forced to guard their fields day and night, but are unable to prevent losses.
Repeated crop damage and rising cultivation costs have prompted several farmers to abandon paddy cultivation, making agriculture increasingly unviable.
Monkeys enter residential areas
The monkey menace has spread to homes, with animals entering through open doors and windows and carrying away food, fruits and other belongings. Women, children and senior citizens are particularly affected, while reports of monkey attacks have raised public safety concerns.
The problem has been reported in Satre, Darwade, Kodal, Hivre, Charavane, Shelim-Melavli and Mhale, where settlements are surrounded by forests and tree cover. Groups of monkeys frequently enter villages, damaging crops and household belongings.
Farmers seek concrete policy
Farmers have been demanding a government policy to address human-wildlife conflict. Their demands include surveys of crop losses, timely compensation, scientific and legally appropriate measures to manage the monkey menace and steps to ensure public safety.
Residents have urged Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane to direct the department to formulate long-term preventive measures. They have also sought the intervention of Poriem MLA Dr Deviya Rane, pointing out that several villages in the constituency depend heavily on agriculture and horticulture.
While acknowledging the importance of wildlife conservation, residents say it must go hand in hand with protecting farmers’ livelihoods and rural communities. They have called for better coordination between the Forest and Agriculture departments, simpler compensation procedures and an effective response mechanism.
Farmers and residents are urging the government to move beyond assurances and take concrete action, warning that continued inaction could further affect agriculture and everyday life in Sattari.
