From Our Correspondent
MAWKYRWAT, Aug 31: Peeved at the rampant destruction of plantation in the past two years caused by herds of wild elephants, farmers from Ranikor, South West Khasi Hills, under the banner of Ranikor Area Farmers Association (RAFA) on Thursday asked the state government to chase the animals away from Ranikor area within a month or take responsibility for any harm caused to the elephants by the aggrieved locals.
A delegation of the association led by its president, Micheal Donald Lyngdoh and general secretary, Kyrmen K Ryja met the Deputy Commissioner of South West Khasi Hills District, T Lyngwa, requesting him to relocate the herd of wild elephants from Ranikor and Nongnah area to sanctuaries so that they may not destroy farmers’ crops and property.
“These wild elephants have brought so much destruction to the farmers in Ranikor Block, destroying cultivation as well as their huts constructed at their fields. The cultivations of more than 100 farmers have been affected and about 50 huts and houses were destroyed by these wild animals. We have chased them away many times. But they come back again and again. This time, we will not be able to chase them because their number keeps on increasing, about 30 of them,” the general secretary, Kyrmen K Ryja told reporters after meeting the DC.
“Amidst all the destruction and losses, unfortunately no one is there to help us,” Ryja lamented.
He reiterated, “Our message is very clear, get rid of the wild elephants or shift them elsewhere within one month. If you fail, you will have to take full responsibility if something happens to the wild animals.”