Gadchiroli Nov. 20 (District Correspondent) Secretary of Maharashtra Youth Congress Vishwajeet Kowase has demanded early compensation to the farmers for the losses caused by the elephants and measures to drive away the elephants in the district.
In a memorandum sent to the forest and other authorities, after visiting the affected fields and farmers, Mr. Kowase has said that wild elephants have caused tremendous crops damages in Korchi, Kurkheda, Desaiganj, Armori, Dhanora talukas. The forest department was keeping an eye on this. The Vadsa Forest Department had formed ‘Hulla Team’ at the local level to monitor these elephants. However, this ‘Hulla team’ was not seen when the elephants have been roaming in Gadchiroli taluka for the past few days. The elephants have badly damaged the crops due to which farmers have been suffering a heavy loss and these farmers should be given immediate compensation, he has demanded.
In Dhanora taluka also, elephants have created havoc and have caused damage in many places. The farmers have become desperate due to the rule of online complaints. It is the government policy that a complaint should be made within 24 hours after crop damage. But it is impractical as the farmers are engaged in protecting their crops after the damage. The government should relax this condition keeping in mind the farmers’ problems, Kowase has further demanded.
Due to Diwali, many employees are on holidays and no officials are there to look after the farmers issues. It is the responsibility of the concerned officials to take measures to prevent calamity of the farmers of the district. The officials should reach the affected farmers and extend them necessary help, Kowase has demanded.
