Farmers in Cuttack battle wild boar menace as crops destroyed overnight

Farmers in the Banki area of Cuttack district are reeling under severe losses as wild boars continue to destroy hundreds of hectares of paddy fields. The menace has turned into a nightmare for the farming community, threatening their livelihood just as the harvesting season approaches.

As dusk falls, herds of wild boars emerge from nearby forests and descend upon the fields, trampling the ripening paddy and feeding on the crops. The destruction has spread across vast stretches of farmland, leaving many farmers devastated and desperate.

In a bid to save their crops, farmers are spending sleepless nights in their fields. They have built temporary shelters atop trees to keep watch through the night and are lighting fires, beating drums, and using noise-making devices to scare away the animals. Many also carry sharp-edged weapons for protection, as the wild boars can be aggressive and dangerous.

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“We were hopeful of a good harvest this year, but our dreams have been shattered,” said one farmer. “Stray bulls ruin the crops during the day, and wild boars finish whatever is left at night.”

Farmers allege that despite repeated appeals, the Forest Department’s response has been inadequate. “Officials ask us to provide photographs for compensation, but no amount can make up for our loss,” said another farmer. “We are fighting both for our crops and for our lives.”

The villagers now urge the government to take immediate steps to control the wild animal population and protect the hard-earned produce of farmers in the region.