Kurnool: Normally, deer are admired for their grace and beauty. But here, they have become a major problem for farmers. In herds, they invade farmlands in search of food and damage crops.
Deer are causing extensive damage to the crops in the western parts of the district. Farmers attempting to drive them away are facing the wrath of the forest officials too, who book cases against them under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Estimates are that as high as 25,000–30,000 deer currently roam the forest areas of Aluru and Pathikonda, frequently entering nearby villages and farmlands. Villages such as Hebbatam, Peddagonehal, Ingaladahal, Yellarthi, and Kothapeta are among the worst affected.
Farmers have demanded that the government set up the long-promised deer park in the region to prevent further crop losses and protect their livelihoods.
In the current Kharif season, farmers in Aluru and Pathikonda constituencies have cultivated over 70,000 hectares with crops like Bengal gram and jowar. Frequent deer attacks, especially in Chippagiri, Holagunda, Aluru, Aspari, Maddikera, Tuggali and Pathikonda mandals, are leaving farmers in a pitiable situation.
Despite spending heavily on crop protection, the farmers’ efforts are proving ineffective as herds of deer devour young crops at night. With erratic rainfall already stressing agriculture, the deer menace has worsened the situation.
A special operation named ‘Operation Black Buck’ was launched in 2006 under then chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, with special funds sanctioned to control the deer population. Labourers were paid up to `500 for each deer caught, and the animals were released into the Nallamala forest. However, due to a lack of follow-up and poor labour participation, the programme was later abandoned.
“In 2014, Chandrababu Naidu as chief minister promised to set up a dedicated deer park at Devaragattu. The promise has not been fulfilled though the promise was made again during the 2024 election campaign in Aluru,” said farmer K Rangappa from Pathikonda.
Farmers are facing legal issues when attempting to drive the animals away. Forest officials are filing cases if deer are harmed in any manner.
A forest official clarified that they are not booking cases as long as farmers simply chase deer out of their fields, but legal action would be taken if the animals are injured.
Establishing a deer park is a decision that must be taken at the government level, he said.
Points:
– Farmers are demanding that the government set up the long-promised deer park in the region to prevent further crop losses and protect their livelihoods
