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Gene Bank at Agricultural University in Tamil Nadu to benefit farmers

May 6, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu), May 6 (ANI): Tamil Nadu Agricultural University has established a Gene Bank within its premises in Coimbatore city here, so that the farmers and breeders benefit from it.

The bank, set up at a cost of Rs 12 million, has been funded by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and is meant to conserve genetic resources for future use.

Germ plasm collection would be maintained to help the breeders and farmers.

“We have 22,000 varieties of rice, pulses, and grains in our agriculture universities. Actually, the breeders can use these varieties and the Gene Bank for the benefit of the farmer community,” said Dr. Murugesa Boopathi, Vice Chancellor, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.

“Indirectly, farmers are being benefited with the bank that we are keeping in the agriculture university,” he added.

The bank has 3,000 cubic feet of cold storage space for medium and long-term storage of plant genetic resources.

The seeds of the germ plasm intended to be stored would be processed adopting scientific principles of seed storage before depositing them in the cold room.

The estimated storage life of seeds was likely to be five to 20 years depending upon the nature of the seed.

An Internet-based database of the university”s germ plasm resources would also be created for exchange and utilization among plant breeders and crop scientists.

The bank has been named after K. Ramiah, the first Indian Paddy Specialist, and the Founder Director of Central Rice Research Institute, Cuttack. (ANI)

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AHA sees positives in licensed venues plan

March 24, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

The Australian Hotels Association (AHA) says a Victorian Opposition proposal would help tackle antisocial behaviour around licensed venues in regional Victoria.

The Coalition wants to give police the power to charge people who remain near a licensed premises after they have been refused entry or been ejected.

It would also be an offence to re-enter a licensed premises within 24 hours of being ejected or refused entry.

The AHA’s Paddy O’Sullivan says that would help police make streets safer in regional Victoria.

“You’ll see police … have a greater range of options available in prosecuting those people who are quite intent on trying to compromise the safety of others,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Government says it plans to give police the power to ban troublemakers from entertainment precincts for up to 72 hours.

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Kisnorbo set to miss World Cup

March 24, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Australian defender Patrick Kisnorbo is set to miss the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa due to an Achilles tendon injury, according to his Leeds United club manager Simon Grayson.

The Socceroos defender was carried off in the early stages of his side’s 2-0 defeat to Millwall at Elland Road on Monday.

Grayson said the 28-year-old former Hearts and Leicester defender, who has been on the fringes of the Australia squad, now had little chance of featuring for Pim Verbeek’s team in South Africa.

“Unfortunately for Paddy, he has got a severe Achilles injury, which will rule him out of the rest of the season and probably the World Cup as well,” Grayson said.

“He’s been outstanding for us all season and I’m gutted for him because his dream was to play in the World Cup and it looks like it has been shattered.”

Australia has been drawn in Group D with Germany, Serbia and Ghana for the June 11-July 11 finals in South Africa.

-Reuters

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Sharad Pawar says end of season rains will help winter crops

September 19, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Sep 18 (ANI): Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has said that late end-season rains will help India’s winter crops.

Talking to reporters here on Thursday, Pawar said, “It’s true that because paddy area transplantation has been dropped, but the late rains are very helpful particularly for Punjab, Haryana, Orissa and Chhattisgarh.”

“There would not be any pressure on food grains supply, as the stock position was good,” Pawar added.

Meteorological Department has said that since June 1, monsoon rains have been 20 percent below normal and heavy showers in the past week have reduced the total seasonal deficit by three percentage points.

Met department said the country can expect heavy rains for at least another week, but the withdrawal of the monsoon, which usually begins to wind down in early September, would be delayed.

A surge in food prices unexpectedly pushed the annual change in India’s wholesale price index into positive for the first time since late May, putting pressure on the central bank to bring forward an exit from its easy monetary policy.

The annualised wholesale price index rose by an unexpected 0.12 percent in the year to September 5, compared with the previous week’s 0.12 percent fall and analysts’ forecast of a 0.08 percent decline.

The food articles sub-index rose an annual 15.4 percent, up from the previous week’s 14.8 percent rise, as a dry spell hit nearly half of India’s districts, hurting summer crops and prompting the government to take steps to raise supplies. (ANI)

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Jharkhand farmers sow new variety of paddy

September 5, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Ranchi, Sep 5 (ANI): Scanty rainfalls and acute shortage of water have forced the farmers to sow new varieties of paddy, which consume less water in Jharkhand.

The three varieties are called ‘Karaini’, ‘Sonpia’ and ‘Seeta saal’, which mature in just 75-90 days and require little water support.

Besides, these varieties are also known for better yield of straw, which is useful for the cattle.

“There are three varieties of paddy which need less water and can be sowed by the farmers. It is very popular among the village farmers. They also possess a lot of medicinal qualities these are known as ‘Karaini’, ‘Sonpia’ and ‘Seeta saal’. This gets ready in just 75-90 days. It gives high yield in less water,” said Yogesh Oraon, a farmer.

The farmers use alternate methods like wells and water pump to irrigate their fields. Furthermore, the scarcity of fodder at present and in the coming season ahead is a cause of concern for the farmers.

“Due to shortage of water we are forced to sow this variety of paddy. Even a five per cent food out of the yield will be enough for our animals and us. We can manage without food for some days but how will our animals cope up with this situation, so we had to resort to this solution,” said Soyab Khan, a farmer.

Some good rain in the late season has brought some hope for the farmers as they are already too late by two months.

Timely monsoon is vital to the health of India’s trillion-dollar economy as it determines farm outputs and subsequent rural demand for a range of products. (ANI)

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Caterpillars damage paddy crop in Jharkhand

September 1, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Palamu (Jharkhand), Aug 31(ANI): First it was drought and now it is swarming caterpillars, which are adding to the woes of the paddy farmers in Jharkhand’s Palamu district.

The farmers in the region are worried as the caterpillars are devouring the paddy plants and have spread across acres of paddy fields, and it is feared that almost 60 to 70 percent of the crop have been damaged.

“There has been drought, we were already thinking about fending for our living. And, now the caterpillars have destroyed the crop. We fear dying of hunger. We are facing a very tough situation,” said Manraj Singh, a farmer.

Out of the total 48,400 hectares of land under paddy in the region only 14.5 percent was sown due to the lack of water and now the caterpillar is eating up whatever was sown.

“Only 14.5 percent of the area has been sown this year. In Palamu district, the total area under paddy cultivation is almost 48,400 hectares, out of which only 14.5 has been sown. Firstly there was a water problem ad now the plants have been infested by a pest called swarming caterpillar,” said D.N Singh, an agriculture scientist.

The farmers also complain of Government lack of concern over the matter and feel they have no help from anywhere in such gloomy situation. By Girija Shankar Ojha (ANI)

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“Blight” may play spoilsport for farmers’ hope of good crop in Punjab

September 1, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Amritsar, Aug.31 (ANI): Punjab farmers were full of optimism of harvesting a bumper crop of paddy despite a delayed monsoon, but now they fear crop damage due to attack of “Blight”, a bacterial disease.

Worried farmers allege that the agriculture department is not guiding them how to protect their crop from Blight. owever, at several places, the farmers, who had transplanted paddy, which was in good shape earlier, seem to be fighting a fast losing battle because of the widespread attack of “Blight”.

In various affected villages in the border districts of Amritsar and Gurdaspur, the farmers today estimate nearly 50 percent of damage to paddy due to “Blight”, if it’s not controlled in time.

“The disease appeared as yellowish green stripes running from tip downwards and the affected leaf started drying from the margins. Since most of the farmers are unaware about the remedies so agriculture department should come forward to educate the farmers to tackle this problem,” said Jagdev Singh, one of the farmers.

Mangdev Singh, Sarpanch (village head) of Chiina Pati Village said, “Blight has dashed our hopes. We were expecting very good returns from paddy. In all the 500 acres of village paddy was transplanted. “Blight” attack has started in patches. If we fail to control, this could cause damage of al the crop here.

Singh said that they have contacted the department. Though the Agricultural Department accepts the damage to crops, it is not prepared to quantify it as yet.

In Amritsar district alone, of the nearly 183,000 hectares of land, Basmati was transplanted in about 90,000 hectares of land and in the rest of the farming land other variety of paddy was transplanted.

According to Gurdeep Singh, an Agriculture Development Officer, the disease has been noticed in all varieties of paddy grown in the areas of border belt.

“Since the disease develops more in high humid conditions, farmers should not allow stagnation of water in the fields.

Farmers should not spray pesticides to control the disease, as these are not effective against it,” said Gurdeep Singh. By Ravinder Singh Robin (ANI)

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Dry spell hits Chhattisgarh

August 30, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Reeva (Chhattisgarh), Aug 30 (ANI): Prolonged dry spell loomed large over Chhattisgarh, known as ‘rice bowl of central India’.

Lack of proper rainfall, a requisite for a good yield of rice, has left the farmers deeply worried.

Though the sowing has been done in 92 per cent of the targeted area, the yield is bound to be affected badly as cracks appear in fields due to lack of water.

Reeva is one such village.

“The paddy has been sown but cracks have developed in the fields due to lack of water. I haven’t seen anything like this before,” said Banarasi, a farmer.

The farmers have sown hybrid variety of rice and have invested around rupees 2,800 a substantial amount, for these poor farmers who are already reeling under financial crisis.he paddy crop in many fields has been damaged due to intense heat.

“I had sown paddy and maize. I had sown hybrid variety of paddy and had purchased it for rupees 2,800 from Baikunthapur and had worked very hard in the fields. But despite all this, the crop has started drying up. My entire labour and money is wasted. I have not seen such a situation before,” said Sudama, another farmer.

The farmers want the government to declare their region as drought hit and provide them aid.

According to State Agriculture Minister Chandrasekhar Sahu, the yield of the paddy is bound to go down and is likely to be reduced to around 60 per cent of the usual produce in the state.

“Considering today’s scenario, we have estimated that this year, there will be around 60 per cent less produce than the normal production in the region,” said Sahu.

The production of rice in Chhattisgarh was 5.7 million tons in 2008.

But this year’s poor monsoon is making it difficult to meet the higher target in a state where around 80 per cent of the total population is dependent on agriculture.

Eighteen districts of the state have been declared drought hit by the state government.

Around 70 per cent of Chhattisgarh’s agricultural area is totally dependent on rains. By Shiv Shankar Sarthi (ANI)

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Drought-hit farmers of Jharkhand village migrate in search of jobs

August 25, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Nakta village (Jharkhand), Aug 25 (ANI): Farmers in drought-hit Nakta village of Jharkhand are forced to migrate to cities in search of jobs as they are left with damaged crops due to prolonged drought.

“Our paddy and corn crop have been damaged due to drought. Some of us could not sow paddy in time. Our children are dying of hunger. We don’t have any work here. In such a situation won’t we look for a job elsewhere? That’s why we are migrating,” said Maharaj Singh, a villager.

The villagers, mainly women, children and elderly, who are left behind in the village, are surviving on green leaves, wild edible roots and nuts.

Some of the villagers admitted that authorities did come to the village to distribute free grains to those living below the poverty line (BPL), but they complained that most of them did not get grains, as they did not have the BPL cards.

“We don’t have money. We eat once in three days. We are eating wild greens, edible roots and nuts,” said Puniya Devi, a villager.

The village houses 200 people and only 20 people have the BPL cards. Most of the villagers sell woods for their living, apart from farming. But the villagers say selling wood is not enough and they need employment to earn regular income.

In the absence of any work at the village level, the farmers are going to towns and cities to look for odd jobs.

However, government officials say that the villagers are being provided with 100 days work under the NAREGA scheme (National Rural Employment Guarantee Act).

Sudhanshu Bhushan Ram, Deputy Development Commissioner, Latehar, said the villagers are being provided with all the necessary support and they are migrating out of their choice.

“We are giving employment and issuing job cards to them. They are being paid weekly and in spite of that if people migrate elsewhere on their will how could you stop that?” said Ram. By Girija Shankar Ojha (ANI)

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Provide immediate relief to drought-affected areas: Pawar

August 21, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Aug 21 (ANI): Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar asked the State Agriculture Ministers on Friday to take immediate steps to provide relief to the drought affected areas.

Addressing a conference of State Agriculture Ministers here, Pawar urged them to take steps to protect the interest of small and marginal farmers.

Pawar described the situation in 246 districts across 10 states as grim, and said the state agriculture departments must gear up their machinery to ensure full support to the farmers at this critical times.

Rabi crops can be planted early and over a large area to make for the kharif losses due to a poor monsoon, Pawar explained.

“This is good opportunity to ensure wheat is sown in time particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal,” Pawar.

Pawar said there is an urgent need to promote alternate crops like pulses, sunflower, bajra, fodder and vegetables as the reports pointing out a shortfall in paddy sowing.

In his speech Pawar also stressed the need for sustaining the animal health, livelihood of small and marginal farmers and landless labourers.

He asked the State Governments to set up control rooms at the state capital and district headquarters to deal with drought situation.

“For the drought-affected population we should ensure availability of food, drinking water, fodder and employment. I am sure with your cooperation we would be able to tide over this crisis and regain the momentum of food grain production in the country.”

Pawar also expressed concern over price rise and asked the ministers to take measures to check it. (ANI)

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Govt. hikes paddy minimum support price by Rs 100; pulses by Rs.240 per quintal(Lead:Hikes)

August 20, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Aug.20 (ANI): The Government on Thursday announced a big increase in the minimum support price of the kharif crop.

The minimum support price (MSP) for the common variety of paddy has been hiked by 100 rupees per quintal, while for pulses, the MSP has been raised by 100 rupees per quintal.

Addressing reporters after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, Home Minister P Chidambaram announced the hike in MSP of paddy, some pulses and sesame.

“Reserves of paddy, rice and wheat are large enough to take care of 30 months requirement. Therefore at this stage I think we should take it step by step. At this stage we are offering very attractive MSP,” said Chidambaram.

“Let’s see how the production turns out to be. Let’s see how the procurement turns out to be. This is an evolving situation and the government will respond according to the needs of an evolving situation,” he added.

The Centre also allowed states to borrow up to an additional 21,000 crore rupees in the current fiscal to deal with the economic slowdown.

The new guidelines will enable states to borrow up to 4 per cent of their Gross State Domestic Product against 3.5 per cent earlier. (ANI)

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Assam declares 14 district drought hit

July 15, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Guwahati, July 15 (ANI): The Assam Government has declared more than half of the state drought-hit, due to the lack of rain.

According to officials, agriculture activity in the state has been badly hit due to scanty monsoon rains.

A high level committee chaired by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi took the decision to declare 14 of Assam’s 27 districts as drought-hit, after considering all details.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said, the government has asked Deputy Commissioners in the 14 districts, to evolve an action plan for ensuring supply of drinking water, fodder, and irrigation facilities to farmers.

The meeting also instructed the relief and disaster management department to be on alert. The officials have been asked to review the damage caused to agriculture due to the dry climate.

The State Government has decided open nurseries for paddy plants and encourage farmers to adopt alternate irrigation systems, sources said. (ANI)

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Monsoon break brings respite to farmers

July 3, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Jalpaiguri/Shimla, July 3 (ANI): After a long dry spell, farmers in different parts of the country finally heaved a sigh of relief as the monsoons arrived.

The onset of monsoons in Jalpaiguri in West Bengal raised hopes for the farmers waiting to sow their crops.

The region received almost 300 mm of rainfall in the past two days. The farmers were worried due to the delay in monsoons.

“I am happy that it has rained finally. The crops are more or less fine. We will start sowing jute. We were very anxious when it did not rain for a long time. We hope there will be a good yield and we can sell our crops in the market,” said Khagendranath Burman, a farmer.

With only 40 per cent of farmland irrigated, most of small farmers rely on the monsoon to water their crops.

The Indian Meteorological Department had mentioned that rainfall received for the month of June has been 45 per cent less than the normal.

In Jalpaiguri, the rain is still below average but enough for the farmers to start sowing.

“Average June rainfall in this area is around 650 mm, out of which we have received, in the last two days around 300 mm. Before that, in the last 25 days, we received around 150 mm. So 450 mm rain, we already received. So I think next one or two days, we will get little bit more,” said Subir Sarkar, a meteorologist.

Even in Shimla, the rain showers have brought much needed relief to the farmers. Now, they are ready to sow.

“We will start sowing maize. And amongst vegetables, we are sowing cauliflowers, french beans and tomatoes. It has rained enough for these crops.

We have started ploughing our fields and are ready for sowing.” said Swaroop, a farmer.

The monsoon is crucial for summer-sown crops ranging from paddy, soybean, sugarcane and cotton. (ANI)

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Farmers oppose fuel price hike

July 2, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Rohtak (Haryana)/Mumbai, July 2 (ANI): Farmers have reacted strongly to the hike in the prices of petrol and diesel.

The delayed monsoon is forcing them to irrigate their fields through tubewells, which consume around 15-20 litres of diesel. They said the price hike would make the running of tubewells very difficult.

“This is the time to sow paddy in the fields. The monsoon has not arrived as yet. We have to use tubewell water to irrigate the fields. The tubewell consumes around 15 to 20 litres of diesel. But now, after the hike in prices of fuel, how will we arrange for so much money to run the tubewell? It will be very difficult for us. We will face heavy losses,” said Rajendra, a farmer.

The farmers said the prices of vegetables and other commodities would also go up, as transportation costs would rise because of the fuel hike.

“With the increase in fuel prices, the prices of vegetable will also go up,” said Bheema Chavan, a vegetable seller in Mumbai.

Petrol and diesel prices rose by as much as 10 percent in India, on Wednesday, the first increase this year and one of the steepest ever.

Petrol prices rose by four rupees a litre, while diesel rates were hiked by two rupees a litre.

Prices were last raised in June last year, when the average price of India’s crude imports were 113 dollar a barrel, but they were cut in December and again in January as oil prices tumbled.

The government has not increased the price of cooking gas and kerosene to protect the poor and middle-class.

Despite price increase, oil firms say they were likely to suffer a revenue loss of 560 billion rupees on sale of petrol, diesel, cooking gas and kerosene this fiscal. (ANI)

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Strawberry farmers in Kashmir expecting huge profits

May 20, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Srinagar, May 20 (ANI): Timely rain in the valley region of Jammu and Kashmir is expected to fetch ample profits to the growers of strawberry fruits.

According to the Horticulture Department, a bumper yield of this tasty fruit is expected this year.

Kashmir valley, which is famous for apples, is now fast emerging as India’s largest producer of strawberries.

A new concept of strawberry farming has become quite popular among the traditional farmers of paddy in the valley since the fruits fetch them more profits than rice.

Strawberry is the first fruit in Kashmir valley that grows after the six months of harsh winters.

“This is the first crop after winters. This year, due to timely rain, strawberry production is good and will yield good profits to us,” said Aijaz Mir, a grower of strawberries.

Encouraged by the farmers’ interest in cultivating strawberries, the Horticulture Department is helping them with numerous other inputs for better production.

“For growth and development, it is good if farmers focus on strawberry farming. This is the first fruit, which comes after winter here. We can process and prepare jam, juice and jellies from it and also it is very good for health,” said G N Kumar, Planning Officer Horticulture, Department, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar.

The roots of strawberry plants spread out close to the surface. The soil requires well supplied moisture and saplings should be kept free from weeds and other pests.

The Horticulture Department has prompted the farmers to be actively involved in the entire process ranging from cultivation to its packaging and marketing. By Parvez Butt (ANI)

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Self-help group in Orissa making women self-reliant

April 8, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Devla (Orissa), Apr 8 (ANI): A large number of women in Devla village of Orissa, are becoming self-reliant with the help of a self-help group, founded by an illiterate tribal woman.

Padma Bhotra, a tribal woman, won several awards and recognition, including the best volunteer award from the United Nations.

She has founded a self-help group in Devla village of Nabrangpur district, in a bid to improve their living conditions in the years to come.

Bhotra, with scores of other women of her village are engaged in farming and sell their produce in market. With their tireless efforts, the members of this self-help group are capable of earning a reasonable income.

Besides providing employment, the self-help group is also involved in other social activities.

“We opened a school for our children. We also distribute kerosene oil in the village. We sell paddy and rice as well. We also created a fund for the treatment of pregnant women at hospital,” said Bhotra.

Villagers thanked Bhotra for bringing light to their lives.

“Bhotra taught us the real way to lead the life. We work in our agricultural fields. Our children are getting education in schools,” said Mahori Majhi, a villager.

They feel that Bhotra is a source of inspiration for other women. By Sharda Lahangir (ANI)

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Self-help group in Orissa making women self-reliant

April 8, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Devla (Orissa), Apr 8 (ANI): A large number of women in Devla village of Orissa, are becoming self-reliant with the help of a self-help group, founded by an illiterate tribal woman.

Padma Bhotra, a tribal woman, won several awards and recognition, including the best volunteer award from the United Nations.

She has founded a self-help group in Devla village of Nabrangpur district, in a bid to improve their living conditions in the years to come.

Besides providing employment, the self-help group is also involved in other social activities.

Villagers thanked Bhotra for bringing light to their lives.

“Bhotra taught us the real way to lead the life. We work in our agricultural fields. Our children are getting education in schools,” said Mahori Majhi, a villager.

They feel that Bhotra is a source of inspiration for other women. y Sharda Lahangir (ANI)

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Angry Chandigarh farmers allege mismanagement of wheat procurement

April 7, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Chandigarh, Apr 7 (ANI): Farmers in Chandigarh are blaming the Punjab Government for the alleged mismanagement of wheat procurement. This is now threatening to turn into a major election issue.

The Food Corporation of India store houses are packed with grain, but little has been done to channelise it into the Public Distribution System.

“The Government should have made arrangements for storage facilities of wheat grains ten days before it was cut. Till now, nothing has been done. The crops have reached the market, but there is no space for storage. The Government should save the landlords from losses,” said Amrik Singh, a farmer.

The Congress and the Akali Dal-BJP combine have locked horns over the issue.

The Akali Dal says it is the Central Government’s duty to manage the distribution of the grains.

“The Congress is making it an issue that the Punjab Government is not distributing the wheat grains. It’s not the Punjab Government’s duty. It belongs to the Central Government. Only they have to distribute it. They cannot make an issue out of it,” said Ajmer Singh Lakhowal, senior leader of Akali Dal.

The Congress blames the Akali Dal for the mismanagement and lack of storage facilities.

“We have done five procurements of wheat and five procurements of paddy when we were in government and we had no trouble anywhere. The reason is that you have cash credit limit that is given to you by Food Corporation. I think in my time, it was 7500 crore for paddy and about 6000 crore for wheat. I am told till yesterday that 1000 ton (wheat) has come but that’s a beginning and then you carry on payments. Now why should that be a problem? Even if your stores have got wheat stored in them, you have plinths. The old system was to put them on plinths with tarpaulin and all,” said Amarinder Singh, a senior Congress leader.

The Lok Sabha elections are just a month away and the wheat mismanagement is snowballing in to a major issue.(ANI)

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BJP workers protest against lapses in FCI in Bihar

March 4, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Patna, Mar 2 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers on Monday organised a protest rally against the Food Corporation of India (FCI) for allegedly cheating paddy and wheat farmers.

Marching towards the FCI office here, the protestors threw stones and sleepers on the office. The protestors sought to expose corruption in the FCI. They alleged that the corporation was cheating farmers by manipulating the price and sale of paddy and wheat crops.

They also added that tons of crops are being allowed to rot in the FCI premises.

“Our demand is to transfer or suspend those corrupt FCI brokers who have cheated farmers. Secondly, the amount of wheat and paddy sold and purchased should be investigated,” said Satendra Kushwaha, state president of BJP farmers’ cell.

The protesters also accused the UPA Government of trying to defame the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is currently leading an NDA Government in the state. (ANI)

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Rampaging elephants attack Jharkhand village

January 2, 2009 By Rajiv Gupta Leave a Comment

Kundhit (Jharkhand), Jan 2 (ANI): Wild elephants have attacked the remote village of Kundhit in Jharkhand”s Jaamtara District, terrifying its residents.

The animals after losing their track ventured into the human settlement and damaged standing paddy crops.

“The elephants are here since yesterday and have destroyed a lot of our crops. Most of our paddy crop was destroyed by them. The forest officials say that they will provide us with torches to keep the elephants away,” said Ganesh Chandra Mandal, a villager.

Forest officials have arrived in the village to pacify its panic stricken residents.

The officials are trying to push the elephants back to their habitat.

” The elephants are changing their place at intervals of two days. We are keeping an eye on them and during the night we chase them in an effort to make them get back on their track, so that they are able to return to their habitat,” said Kamlesh Prasad, Additional Divisional Forest Officer (ADFO). (ANI)

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