Ganderbal, Aug 21: Residents of Gagangir in Sonamarg area of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district have raised concern over the movement of wild boars in the area, alleging that the animals are creating panic among locals and damaging standing crops during night hours.
According to residents, wild boars have been frequently venturing into agricultural fields after dusk, causing damage to standing maize and other crops. Locals said the repeated movement of the animals has not only resulted in crop losses but has also raised concerns about the safety of people, particularly those travelling or working in the area during late evening and early morning hours.
Residents claimed that maize fields have been among the worst affected, with the animals entering fields at night and damaging the standing crop. They said farmers, who depend heavily on their agricultural produce, fear further losses if the movement of wild boars continues unchecked.
The residents have urged the Wildlife Department to take immediate cognizance of the issue and initiate necessary measures to prevent the animals from entering residential and agricultural areas. They also appealed to the concerned authorities to assess the extent of crop damage and put in place an effective mechanism to keep the wild boars away from populated areas.
Locals said timely intervention by the authorities could help prevent further damage to crops and avoid any untoward incident involving residents and wildlife.
They have called for increased monitoring of the affected areas, particularly during night hours, and sought a coordinated response from the Wildlife Department and other concerned agencies to address the issue.
