Phek, July 21: Extensive maize fields in Khomi and Gidemi villages of Nagaland’s Phek district have been damaged by wild boars, leaving farmers worried over mounting crop losses and renewing concerns over the growing human-wildlife conflict in the region.
Residents said repeated raids by wild boars have destroyed large portions of standing maize, threatening the livelihoods of farming families who depend almost entirely on agriculture for their income.
“Our village depends on farming for our survival, and our economy solely depends on agriculture. Through farming, we support our children’s education and meet our daily needs. But attacks on our crops have now become one of our biggest concerns, even as we continue to conserve our forests and wildlife,” said Vevoto Nakro, VDB Secretary of Middle Khomi Village.
Farmers said crop depredation by wild animals has become more frequent in recent years, resulting in the loss of months of hard work, investment and expected income.
Vekhoyi, VDB Secretary of Gidemi Village, said the problem had worsened this year.
“Our village economy depends on agriculture. This year, wild boars have damaged a huge area of crops. While the hunting ban has helped increase wildlife populations, it has also led to heavy losses for farmers,” he said.
The issue has gained significance as the Chakhesang Youth Front continues to enforce a hunting ban across the Chakhesang area, while several villages have maintained reserved forests to protect wildlife habitats. Villagers acknowledged that these conservation efforts have helped wildlife recover but said they have also increased encounters between wild animals and farmlands.
Apart from wild boars, villagers said jackals and foxes have in the past attacked mithun, a prized bovine that holds deep cultural and economic significance in Nagaland, in villages including Porba, Khomi and Mesulumi.
Farmers have urged the government to introduce measures to mitigate human-wildlife conflict, including better protection for agricultural fields, community-based monitoring and compensation for crop losses, saying conservation efforts must go hand in hand with safeguarding rural livelihoods.
