Uttarakhand panel to submit report on wildlife damage to crops by March end

Uttarakhand is facing a growing problem of wild animals damaging agricultural fields. To understand the issue in detail, the Uttarakhand Rural Development and Migration Prevention Commission is conducting a large study. The commission will submit its report to the state government by the end of March.

The study was started because crop damage by wild animals has been mentioned as one of the reasons for migration from villages. Many farmers say they are forced to leave their homes because they cannot protect their crops.

Sharad Singh Negi, vice chairman of the commission, said data has been collected from nearly 7,000 gram panchayats across the state. The information is now being studied carefully. The commission is trying to find out how much damage is being caused, which animals are responsible, and which crops are most affected.

Negi said the problem is different in different regions. In some areas, monkeys cause heavy damage to fruits and vegetables. In other places, wild boars destroy standing crops. Nilgai, elephants, and porcupines are also creating trouble for farmers.

Wildlife impact on farming

According to the commission’s earlier findings, wildlife damage contributes around 7 to 8 percent to migration from rural areas. While this may not seem very high, it is still an important reason for people leaving their villages.

Farmers often spend months working on their fields. When wild animals destroy crops in a single night, it leads to heavy losses. Many small farmers depend only on agriculture for income. If they face repeated losses, they may decide to move to cities in search of jobs.

The commission is also studying how the current compensation system works. There is a government provision to give compensation to farmers whose crops are damaged by wildlife. However, many people do not apply for it.

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Negi said the process of claiming compensation is not very smooth. Farmers face paperwork and delays. Because of this, some do not file claims at all. The new report will suggest ways to improve the compensation system and make it easier for farmers.

The commission is also documenting local solutions. In some villages, people have built simple fences or used traditional methods to scare away animals. These local ideas may help shape future policies.

Steps taken by the Government

In December, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced that solar fencing and sensor-based alert systems would be installed in different parts of the state. These systems are expected to help protect crops from wild animals.

Last year in August, the state forest department gave conditional permission to hunt wild boars and nilgai that damage crops. This step was taken after farmers complained about heavy losses. However, such measures are carefully controlled to protect wildlife balance.

The commission was formed in August 2017 to study migration from rural areas and suggest ways to stop it. Its first report in 2018 showed that more than 3,83,726 people left villages temporarily between 2011 and 2018. During the same period, 1,18,981 people migrated permanently. As many as 734 villages were completely deserted in those years.

Another report in March 2023 showed that between 2018 and 2022, over 3,07,310 people migrated temporarily and 28,531 migrated permanently. During this period, 24 villages were deserted.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people returned to their villages. Around 3,50,000 people came back during the first wave in 2020. About 1,15,000 returned during the second wave in 2021. However, the commission said that most of them later went back to cities.

Experts believe that unless rural problems like crop damage, lack of jobs, and poor facilities are solved, migration will continue. Wildlife damage may not be the only reason, but it adds to the difficulties faced by farmers.

The upcoming report is expected to provide clear data and practical suggestions. It may recommend better fencing, faster compensation, improved monitoring systems, and community involvement.

The state government is waiting for the final findings. The report could help shape new policies to protect farmers and reduce migration. If strong steps are taken, it may bring relief to thousands of rural families who depend on agriculture for survival.

For now, farmers across Uttarakhand hope that the study will lead to real solutions and not just remain a document on paper.