Wild pig invasion in CHT <i>jhum</i> crops
Farmers fear food crisis
Attack of wild pigs on jhum crops in remote hilly areas in Thanchi and Ruma upazilas in Bandarban has added to the hardship of marginal and landless indigenous jhum farmers who are yet to recover from last year's 'indur banya' (massive rat invasion).
Jhum farmers in different areas of Rangamati and Khagrachhari are also facing similar situation.
Although good yield of jhum paddy was expected in Chittagong Hill Tracts this year, massive attack by wild pigs on jhum farms may dash their hope, farmers said.
Usually at night, wild boars in groups of 100-200 come to the jhum fields and eat paddy and destroy different crops and fruits like maize, sesame, cotton, sweet pumpkins, pumpkin, cucumber, banana and papaya.
Some 12,360 hectares of hilly lands including 7,680 hectares in Bandarban, 4530 hectares in Rangamati and 2150 hectares in Khagrachhai district were brought under jhum cultivation this year, Agriculture Extension Department (AED) sources said.
AED sources said about 15,000 metric tons of paddy worth about Tk 30 crore could be produced in CHT region this season as good yield is expected in CHT hills due to favourable climate and adequate rainfall this year.
Marginal and landless ethnic people of Chakma, Marma, Tangchanya, Tripura, Bawm, Pankhua, Mro, Khiyang, Chak, Lusai and Khumi communities cultivate different varieties of jhum paddy on the hill slopes, of course at the cost of environmental degradation.
During a recent visit to remote areas of Pantola, Remakri, Galengya, Payindu and Pransa of Thanchi, Ruma and Alikadam upazilas, a group of local journalists saw massive destruction by wild pigs on vast areas of jhum farms.
Sometimes pigs also attack juhm farmers, injuring them critically.
Recently 16-year-old Baching Mong was injured as a big boar attacked him on their jhum farm.
Army men from adjacent camp rescued the boy and sent him to Bandarban Sadar Hospital in a critical condition.
Elderly Shoi Mro Sai Marma of Pantola Para of Ruma upazila said invasion by boar increased in the areas during the last couple of years but the situation has worsened this year.
Shoilah Mong, Hlah Mong and Aung Sa Pru said 80 percent of their jhum crops have been destroyed by the boars.
“I used to hunt boar with my licensed gun to protect my jhum farms about eight years ago. But I can't do so now as all the gun owners had to deposit their guns to the government authorities,” said Shoi Mro Sai, an elderly indigenous hunter of Remakri.
"I am worried about survival of our poor jhum farmers who are facing disasters one after another. Even before recovering from last year's rat-invasion, they are now attacked by wild pigs," Thanjama Lusai, chairman of Bandarban Hill District Council, said.
The food aid programme by WFP should continue to ensure food security in the hills, said Shoi Ou Sai, Chairman of Galengya Union Parishad.
As part of post rat-invasion programme, the government allocated cash and food grains to the affected indigenous people, particularly the jhum farmers, to tackle severe food crisis in CHT region.
UN organisations WFP (World Food Programme) and UNDP undertook different programmes including distribution of rice, edible oil and rat-killing machines to help the households overcome the ongoing food crisis.
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