1 week ago
Elephant Crop Damage Spurs Compensation Demand in Manyam
Eight elephants entered farms in Komarada early Friday morning.
They damaged palm oil, cotton and banana crops.
They also damaged an electric pump.
Farmers say elephants had damaged crops in nearby areas the day before.
The farmers want officials to inspect the damage and pay compensation quickly.
They also want a long-term way to keep elephants away from their fields.
Forest officials said trained kumki elephants are being used during emergencies.
Officials also said compensation is being paid promptly and that elephant habitats and travel routes must be considered.
The CPM said it may organize protests if the government does not explain what will happen next.
A herd of eight elephants damaged palm oil, cotton and banana crops in Komarada mandal on Friday morning.
The elephants also damaged an electric pump after entering fields at about 4 a.m.
Farmers say repeated inspections and compensation assessments have not produced a lasting solution.
The district forest officer said kumki elephants have driven wild elephants away in several places and that compensation is being paid promptly.
The CPM warned of large-scale protests unless the government clarifies how and where the elephants will be relocated.
- Who
- A herd of eight elephants, local farmers, Forest department officials and the CPM are involved.
- What
- Elephants damaged crops and an electric pump, prompting farmers to seek immediate inspections, compensation and a lasting solution.
- Where
- Komarada mandal in Parvathipuram Manyam district, with earlier damage reported in Garugubilli and GM Valasha mandals.
- When
- The latest damage occurred at about 4 a.m. on Friday, one day after similar incidents in Garugubilli and GM Valasha mandals.
- Why
- Farmers are demanding action because repeated elephant attacks have damaged livelihoods and existing measures have not resolved the problem.
Farmers and CPM
Forest Department
Compensation and response
Farmers and CPM
Farmers want immediate inspections and compensation, and say repeated damage assessments have not provided a lasting solution.
Forest Department
The district forest officer said compensation is being paid promptly.
Managing elephant movements
Farmers and CPM
Farmers remain frustrated that crop losses continue despite the arrival of trained kumki elephants.
Forest Department
The Forest department says kumkis are intended for emergencies near people and have recently driven wild elephants away from villages and fields.
Long-term resolution
Farmers and CPM
The CPM wants the government to clarify whether the elephants will be relocated to forests, the Vizag zoo or the habitat centre near Sitanagaram, and has threatened protests.
Forest Department
The district forest officer emphasized understanding elephant behaviour, conservation value, habitat corridors and landscape-level solutions rather than relying on regular beat patrolling across vast areas.
Key facts
- Elephant herd
- Eight elephants entered Komarada mandal.
- Damaged crops
- Palm oil, cotton and banana plantations were affected.
- Other damage
- An electric pump was damaged.
- Latest incident
- The damage occurred at about 4 a.m. on Friday.
- Kumki elephants
- Jayanti and Abhimanyu were brought to Sitanagaram mandal last month.
- Forest department position
- District forest officer G.A.P. Prasuna said kumkis handle emergencies and that compensation is being paid promptly.
- Political warning
- The CPM threatened large-scale protests if the relocation issue remains unresolved.
Quotes
G.A.P. Prasuna
Parvathipuram Manyam district forest officer
“Kumkis are meant to deal with emergencies near human habitations and to drive elephants out of villages and fields.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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