Concern over farmers allowed to raise cucumber crop near dams

Forest department officials have expressed concern over farmers being allowed to raise cucumber and other crops near the Kudiraiyaru reservoir and Palaaru Porundhalaaru dam, saying raising of such crops prevented wild animals from drinking water from the dam source.

They said farmers had put up fence around their crops.This prevented the wild animals including elephants, deers, Gaur,from taking water from the dam site.

Officials said wild animals will be affected as they could not come to the dam site to drink water."Besides as pesticide and fertiliser could be used for the crops,the wild animals could die eating them."

They said PWD had been requested to prevent raising crops in the tank.