Wild boar menace ravages farms in Kollam's Alayaman panchayat, farmers demand action

Channapetta: Farmers in Alayamon Panchayat are increasingly frustrated with wild boars causing extensive damage to their farms and plantations. Once the most widely cultivated area in the eastern region, the land here supported rubber, plantains, vegetables, coconut trees, paddy, and cassava farming. Agriculture was the primary source of employment for local residents. However, in recent years, the situation has drastically changed.

The wild boar population has surged alarmingly, wreaking havoc on farmlands by uprooting and destroying crops indiscriminately. Locals say these animals seem to cause destruction beyond what their hunger would demand. Tapping workers in rubber plantations, who work during the early hours, live in fear of potential attacks from aggressive wild boars. Several people have been seriously injured in Puthayam and Kannankode areas following such attacks.

Now, farmlands in Channapetta, Anakkulam, and Karukone have largely turned barren. Although the Panchayat has the authority to issue orders to cull wild boars, residents complain that the authorities have shown little interest in taking effective action. The area falls under the Anchal forest range, yet forest officials have also been largely absent in protecting the lives and property of the public.

Recently, the Meenkulam Residents’ Association filed 101 complaints with the range officer. Despite this, forest officials continue to display apathy towards the grievances of farmers and local residents.