Shillong: Farmers in the Ranikor area are reeling after years of wild elephant attacks destroyed their livelihoods. The Federation of Khasi-Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) Ranikor Circle met with these struggling farmers on Thursday to address the devastation. Herds have wiped out vital crops including betel nut, betel leaf, pineapple, and banana, causing losses of at least Rs 3 lakh per farmer. The destruction now extends to residential areas where elephants are damaging homes.
General Secretary Balse Kharbani told reporters that Forest and Wildlife Department officials visited the site repeatedly to document the damage but failed to deliver any financial relief. The situation has pushed many farmers into a debt trap. "The biggest problem is that farmers invested in their fields by borrowing from local moneylenders. Now that wild elephants have destroyed their crops, how will they repay these loans?" Kharbani said.
The FKJGP plans to meet with the Chief Minister to demand answers and state support. Kharbani argued that the government must provide relief to avoid discouraging youth from pursuing agriculture. Without action, the organization warned they will launch an agitation to force a response from state authorities.
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