Farmers’ body for compensation to beekeepers

SHILLONG: The Hill Farmers’ Union has requested the government to compensate a sum of Rs 10 lakh to beekeepers for the damages caused to the beehive boxes and the loss of livelihood due to wildlife encroachment.
It has written to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) requesting compensation for the farmers of Mawpyrthuh village due to wildlife encroachment.
The farmers’ association informed the department that in the last one year, more than 500 beehive boxes and its produce were destroyed by wildlife in Mawpyrthuh area, under Pynursla Sub Division, East Khasi Hill district, leading to the loss of livelihood amounting to a total of Rs 10 lakh to the local agrarian communities.
The union pointed out that the farmers from Mawpyrthuh village were recently arrested in connection with the death of a bear and requested the department to conduct an awareness programme on the existing wildlife animal protection Act in Mawpyrthuh Village and across the state as well.
) The union said it will support the department in initiating awareness/training programmes across the state on wildlife conservation on a regular basis so as to avoid any animal-human conflicts.
It also has requested the government to release the farmers who were arrested due to the death of the bear.