Achham: Farmers in Achham are facing a unique challenge as they struggle to protect their corn plantations from wild animals. To safeguard their ripe corn crops, these dedicated farmers have resorted to staying awake throughout the night, setting up tents in their fields.

Durga Prasad Dhungana, a farmer from Mangalsen Municipality-7, expressed the difficulties they face: "Monkeys destroy corn during the day and wild boars damage it at night. We cannot get any sleep."

Farmers have tried various methods to fend off these wild animals, including constructing scarecrows, playing musical instruments, and making loud noises to deter them. However, monkeys and wild boars continue to wreak havoc on their cornfields.

Prem Bhandari, another farmer, described their challenging situation: "We have to stay awake throughout the night. We never know when wild boars might enter the village." Farmers are struggling to find effective ways to control the menace of these animals and are calling on local authorities for assistance.

The situation has become increasingly dire as monkeys and wild boars have intensified their attacks on corn crops. Farmers report that despite their vigilant efforts to protect their crops during the day, they remain vulnerable to nighttime raids by these animals.

Tragically, wild animal attacks have resulted in one person's death and injuries to two others in the past three months. The government has committed to providing Rs 1 million in compensation to the family of the deceased and covering medical expenses for the injured individuals, as announced by Bimal Chand, a forest officer at the Division Forest Office.

The Division Forest Office has received compensation requests from 118 farmers whose crops were damaged by wild animals. Each affected farmer will receive Rs 10,000 after an evaluation committee assesses their losses.

Additionally, attacks by tigers and leopards have killed 29 cattle belonging to 16 farmers. Compensation will be provided based on the type of animal killed, with Rs 10,000 for a goat or billy goat and Rs 60,000 for a cow, ox, or buffalo.

Farmers in Achham are now exploring alternative livelihoods, as they are increasingly forced to abandon their traditional agricultural practices due to the ongoing threat of wild animal attacks.