Wildlife Menace Destroys Potato Crops in Alipurduar; Farmers Seek Compensation

• Farmers in Alipurduar 1 Block face crop destruction by wildlife, primarily wild elephants, after recovering from last year's floods.
• Last year's floods submerged agricultural lands in dolomite and mud, severely impacting soil fertility and making cultivation difficult.
• With assistance from the agriculture department, farmers bravely resumed potato cultivation, but now face new challenges from wildlife.
• Wild elephants are reportedly entering residential areas like Dastari Mahakal Dham in Purba Kathalbari Gram Panchayat, destroying potato fields.
• Jaldapara Forest Division's Range Officer, Ayan Chakraborty, confirmed compensation for affected farmers who fill out forms and mentioned increased patrols and a control room to mitigate human-wildlife conflict.