Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday said it is implementing a comprehensive, multi-pronged strategy to tackle porcupine-induced damage to saffron crop in Pampore, with field evidence confirming the active presence of the species in the region.
Replying to a calling attention notice moved by National Conference MLA Hasnain Masoodi in the Assembly, Forest Minister Javed Ahmad Rana said habitat conditions such as caves, crevices, hilly terrains and overgrown private lands provide a favourable shelter for porcupines near the saffron-growing areas in the south Kashmir town.
To mitigate the problem, the government has proposed a series of measures, including clearance of caves, bushes and undergrowth in coordination with the Revenue department and the Panchayati Raj Institutions, the minister said.
The measures also include installation of deep-set mesh barriers (up to 1.5 metres underground) around vulnerable fields, protection of orchard trees using aluminium wrapping and reflective coatings, plantation of naturally repellent species such as iris, wormwood and wild yam, use of organic repellents and olfactory deterrents like naphthalene, and deployment of motion-activated lighting and sound systems, he said.
The minister also said the Agriculture department, in collaboration with the Saffron Research Station, Pampore, is documenting the extent of damage to develop long-term scientific management strategies.
A dedicated control room for man-animal conflict has been established at nearby Khrew in Pulwama district, along with regular night patrolling, installation of capture cages for live trapping and awareness campaigns for farmers, the minister said.
On monkey intrusion in agricultural fields at Wahab Sahib in Pampore, the minister said that while monkeys are currently not listed under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, awareness initiatives are being undertaken, and firecrackers are being distributed to farmers as a deterrent.
He said a coordinated, time-bound action plan involving the Agriculture, Revenue and Wildlife departments, along with local communities, is being formulated to address the issue through field protection, habitat management and long-term population control.
