Hoofed marauders at Velsao-Pale Isidore Domnick Mendis TNN | Jan 7, 2014, 01.47 AM IST Farmers are hoping the Govt gets its act together to stop the stray buffaloes that are destroying their fields. PANAJI: Xetkars (farmers) from the seven-ward village panchayat of Velsao-Pale take pride in their agricultural land which measures over 2,50,000sqm. For decades they have been cultivating sorod (kharif) and vaigonn (rabi) crops. But over the past few years many have been encountering a rather unusual problem -- the plunder of their fields by stray buffaloes that come in a herd of 60-70 from the adjacent hills of Zuari and Nagoa.
These intimidating beasts 'attack' in the hours between midnight and sunrise, and this season too, with seedlings planted just a few days ago, the farmers are skeptical about the fate of their crops. As a precautionary measure some have taken to sleeping in tents erected in their fields from December to March. "The government has to come out with a strong policy to tackle this menace. The buffaloes have to be resettled in a specially-demarcated region of the state," says Joaquim D'Souza, secretary of the Pale Tollem Xetkar Association, a farmers' body with around 134 "active" members. He points out that though chief minister Manohar Parrikar had promised the group a policy when the farmers last met him in Cortalim at the Krishi Mela in November 2012, "nothing has happened". "These stray buffaloes have become a threat to agriculture in Velsao-Pale," asserts D'Souza. The menace is affecting other residents in this panchayat of 12,000 people as well, as herds, these buffaloes and other cattle, also "invade" gardens and fruit orchards. "Whether it is stray buffaloes or stray cows, they all are a menace to the villagers of Velsao as they have destroyed our gardens and orchards. They are also a traffic hazard at night as they idle about on the main road," says Kevin Martins of Pale. Though the panchayat has a cattle pound officials say it is very difficult to catch the stray cattle that tend to be very aggressive. "The stray buffaloes behave just like wild animals. The moment we try to nab them, they group together and retaliate. The panchayat neither has the manpower nor the financial resources to deal with the nuisance created by these stray buffaloes," says Santan D'Souza, deputy sarpanch, who is officiating as the acting sarpanch after the resignation of Fatima Pereira in November 2013. The state government is seized of the matter," says local MLA and minister for environment and forests, Alina Saldanha. "Concrete wall-type fencing and solar fencing are being considered so that the farmers can repulse the attacks, and the state government has already offered the farmers 70% subsidy for the fencing of their fields. The other measure could be to keep a wide grazing area in one corner of the village for both stray buffaloes and other cattle who have been left out by their owners," she elaborated. The farmers' association however feels the fencing will not work for them. "The area of cultivation is so big that it will be difficult for tractors and harvesters to be taken to each field after the fencing is in place," says D'Souza. But there are villagers who feel fencing, especially the solar-powered kind, is worth the risk. "I feel solar-fencing should be taken up in right earnest, as it creates a psychological fear in the intruding animal through its prickly but safe shock," says Martins. Problem problem Football ground Velsao village has a football ground, but its own villagers are not allowed use the facility, claim locals. "Due to the ill-conceived policy of the Velsao panchayat, our football ground has been leased to the Sports Authority of Goa. Outside clubs come and play at this ground while our own people of Velsao are barred," alleges a prominent football aficionado from the village on condition of anonymity. Rail over bridge needed To ease their daily problem of being stranded when the railway gate is closed due to rail traffic, students of Infant Jesus Academy along with other villagers residing near Velsao beach, strongly feel the need for a road bridge over the railway line. Lack of infrastructure The lack of a library facility, absence of a playground for children, and bad roads in the interiors also trouble the villagers. "There is no library in Velsao as a result most of the readers, young or old, cannot pursue their habit of reading through the library. There are no good playground facilities for the children. Similarly, the interior roads of the village are in a bad shape as it is not tarred," says Kevin Martins of Pale. Top view The panchayat neither has the manpower nor the financial resources to deal with the nuisance created by these stray buffaloes Santan D'Souza, sarpanch Concrete wall-type fencing and solar fencing are being considered so that the farmers can repulse attacks by stray buffaloes on their fields Alina Saldanha, Cortalim MLA People's take Till date no action has come though chief minister Manohar Parrikar had promised a policy to check this menace when farmers met him at the Krishi Mela in Cortalim in November 2012 Joaquim D'Souza, Pale Tollem Xetkar Association Stray cattle have destroyed our gardens and orchards. During late night, they become a hazard to traffic on the main road Kevin Martins, local The problems faced by farmers of Velsao can be resolved, provided we avoid bracketing ourselves into political groupings Xavier Gracias, farmer