VALPOI
Farmers in Sattari have welcomed the government’s notification to issue permission for hunting of wild boar which have endangered life and property, including damage to agriculture and horticulture crops on private cultivated lands, but insisted that their problems would only be solved if monkeys are also declared as vermin.
Farmers in Sattari have been bitterly complaining about the menace of wild boar, bison and monkey in Sattari taluka and the destruction to their crops, especially coconut and banana plantations.
“We welcome the government’s notification to issue permission for hunting of wild boar, but this will not solve our problems regarding the menace of wild animals. It is imperative for the government to include monkeys along with wild boar,” said a farmer, Ashok Joshi.
“Much of the destruction to our plantations is due to monkeys,” he added.
Joshi questioned the terms and conditions laid down to secure permission to hunt wild boar.
“What kind of action should be taken by farmers who do not have a gun license? In the last five years, farmers have applied to the government for permission to use crop protection arms. However, the government has not yet issued the permits. How can wild boar be hunted without a gun license,” asked Joshi.
Another farmer said the government’s notification was only an attempt to pacify the farmers.
“This notification will not solve the problem at all. If the government is really concerned about the problems of farmers, monkeys should also be declared as a nuisance along with wild boar,” the farmer added.
