Giant squirrels damage coconut trees in Pernem

Mapusa: Lately, Pernem farmers have been troubled by giant squirrels attacking coconut crops, causing significant losses. Farmers claim that giant squirrels are targeting tender coconuts.

Farmers report a surge in raiding animals, causing heavy financial losses and forcing villagers to abandon traditional farming.

“Six to seven giant squirrels (shekro) have been damaging tender coconuts for the past two weeks. We have reported to the agriculture department and they say it is the responsibility of the forest department. The villagers plan to approach them too,” said Shailesh Samant from Tambose, whose coconut plantations have suffered extensive damage.

Sources say giant squirrel attacks on coconuts are new in the region. The forest department said that caging them is difficult due to aerial attacks.

Samant said the authorities in Maharashtra used tranquillisers to rescue the squirrels, giving relief to farmers and it can be done in Goa too.

Pernem taluka thrives on agriculture, with farmers cultivating paddy, sugar cane, and chilli, and the Tillari project has boosted water availability for farming. Villages like Kasarvamem, Chandel, Hasanpur, Talarna, Halarna, Mopa, Ugvem, Torsem, Tambose, and Ibrampur are key agricultural hotspots, located near Mopa International Airport.

The frequent movement of bison, day and night, also poses a serious threat to commuters of Mopa International Airport.

Farmer Ranjeet Parab from Halarna village said that locals used to grow crops like chillies, beans, peas, and paddy, supplying markets in Banda (Maharashtra) and Mapusa.

However, over the past 10–15 years, crop damage by elephants and the menace of bison have forced many farmers to abandon cultivation, especially chilli farming.

Locals have tried non-lethal methods like firecrackers and scarecrows to deter animals, but the success was short-lived as they adapted. Previously, crop attacks were mainly by wild boars, monkeys, peacocks, elephants, and rats. With many paddy fields abandoned due to high labour costs, farmers have turned to other crops, which have also faced wildlife attacks over the past decade.


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