VILLAGERS DISTRESSED BY MENACE OF NILGAIS

VILLAGERS DISTRESSED BY MENACE OF NILGAIS

25-JULY-ENG 5

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

BUXAR-------------------------Farmers and the general public across various parts of the district, including the Itadhi block, are troubled by the growing menace of *nilgais* (blue bulls). In villages such as Murarpur, Rakasiya, and Chilibili within the Chilhar Panchayat of Itadhi block, *nilgais* are continuously damaging crops.

Villagers state that thousands of hectares of ready-to-harvest crops are being ruined, causing farmers to suffer massive financial losses. They also reported that herds of *nilgais* frequently wander onto roads, posing an accident risk to pedestrians and motorists. A similar incident occurred on Wednesday on the Chausa-Kochas road, where a motorcyclist died after a herd of *nilgais* suddenly appeared. Administration officials arrived at the scene, took possession of the body, and sent it for a post-mortem examination. Meanwhile, an atmosphere of fear and anxiety prevails among the local population.

Retired teacher and social activist Gopal Ji Pandey stated that the *nilgai* problem is not limited to Itadhi alone; farmers across the entire Dumraon subdivision and areas within the Buxar subdivision—including the Rajpur and Itadhi blocks—are affected. He has demanded that the district administration take immediate, effective measures to provide relief to the farmers.

According to the Agriculture Officer, it is indeed true that *nilgais* cause damage to many hectares of crops.

Farmers have been informed that if they obtain a written request from the Panchayat *Mukhiya* (village head), a shooter will be called in to drive the *nilgais* away using their specific methods. Additionally, some farmers are provided with chemicals and told that using them will scare the animals off, while others are advised to fence their land—a measure that is not feasible for everyone.