Nishar Mohammed & Vikramaditya
North & Middle Andaman, Sitanagar, Aug 29 : With wild elephants repeatedly entering villages and destroying crops, the Sitanagar Gram Panchayat has urged the Forest Department to station a Quick Action Team (QAT) at the Diglipur Forest Headquarters for immediate emergency response.
In a letter to the Assistant Conservator of Forests, the Panchayat stated that elephants entered Rabindra Pally and Krishnapuri villages twice this month. A similar incident occurred in Sitanagar village two months ago. Currently, the Quick Action Team is stationed at Radhanagar, and it takes 2.5 to 3 hours to reach the affected areas, leaving villagers vulnerable.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha Daily, Sitanagar Panchayat Pradhan Mr. Biplab Mondal said that authorities are now discussing the possibility of planting bamboo along the boundary of villages and forests to stop elephant movement.
“I have repeatedly raised the issue of compensation. While people living on revenue land get compensation for crop loss, those staying on encroached land get nothing. I recently wrote a letter about this again,” he saidl
Meanwhile, villagers of Krishnapuri (Ward No. 8) and nearby areas reported massive damage to their betel nut, banana, papaya, coconut and other fruit plantations over the past few days. Farmers said groups of 7-8 elephants have been roaming near their farmlands at night, causing extensive losses amounting to over 15 bighas of cultivation.
Local farmers expressed frustration that despite repeated visits and written notes by Forest officials, no compensation has been provided for years. They urged the administration to ensure timely assistance and permanent preventive measures.
