Bijnor: Farmers in Bijnor have alleged that a herd of elephants has been ravaging standing sugarcane crops across several villages bordering the district. Despite repeated complaints to the forest department, they said no action has been taken, prompting them to demand compensation for their losses and urgent intervention from the administration.
As the harvesting season approaches, farmers have warned of protests if the elephants are not driven away from the fields. "Elephants are wreaking havoc in villages like Bhanauta, Shahnagar, Inayatpur, Saharawala, and Ramnagar Gosai," said Aman Singh, a farmer from Sahuwala. "These villages are on the forest fringes, and elephants frequently enter our fields, trampling crops and causing massive losses."
Farmers in Ramnagar Gosai said that a herd of elephants recently destroyed sugarcane and paddy fields. The animals' nocturnal raids have made it difficult for farm guards to protect their crops, with some even fearing for their safety. "For the past year, a herd of four to six elephants has been entering our fields as soon as night falls," said Gurjeet Singh, a resident of Baria. "They destroy the crops overnight, leaving us helpless."
Beyond the damage to crops, farmers also face labour shortages, as workers are reluctant to enter fields where elephant activity is frequent. "We are suffering on two fronts—our crops are being trampled, and laborers refuse to work in the fields due to fear," said Sukhjinder Singh Goldy of Taharpur village. Jaswant Singh, a resident of Baria, criticized the forest department for failing to contain the elephants within the forest.
In response, Bijnor DFO Gyan Singh assured that measures are being taken to address the issue. "Our staff is on high alert, and farmers have been advised to take necessary precautions. We are working to mitigate the menace and find a resolution," he said.
