Jalpaiguri villagers opt for alternative occupation to evade elephant menace

Residents in Jalpaiguri District in West Bengal have opted for fish farming as their occupation after suffering huge losses of their crops due to elephant menace in the region.

The villagers working in paddy fields were constantly threatened by elephants going on a rampage in their agricultural lands.

"Elephants used to come here very frequently. The cultivation done by the villagers used to be destroyed by elephants. There is no way to prevent the elephants. Forest department does its job but fail to control the elephants," said a resident of the village, Bahadur Tamang.

To avert elephants from entering the villages and to sustain their livelihood, the residents have now resorted to an alternative occupation of fish farming.

Fish farming has not only put off elephants, but has turned out to be a better source of income and the economic backbone of the region as well.

The women of the village, who earlier did not work in field, have also got an employment opportunity with the fish farming.

"Earlier the condition was very bad and there was no work. Especially the women had no work. Income was also low and we faced difficulties managing our household. Now, money has started flowing in due to this (fish farming)," said Maya Rai, another resident of the village.

The villagers have started the process of fish farming with domestic fishes in an artificial pond in the village.

The demand for fish comes not only for neighbouring states, but also from the adjoining countries of Nepal and Bhutan also.

The farming has also ensured an overall development of the region in respect of basic amenities and facilities.