Growers stage protest in C'magalur

While demanding for the compensation, the protesters urged the department to prevent bison and elephants from entering the villages.

“Bison and elephants have been barging into Kenjige, Kotrakere, Kundur, Baiduvalli, Hullemane, Bairapura, Belagola, Basani, Ooru Bage, B.Hosalli, Binnadi, Kogile, Gutthi, Hesagodu, Balehalli, Kanmnagere, Bharatibailu, Kanagadde, Hokkalli and Saragodu village of Chikmagalur taluk destroying the fence and crops by and large”, they complained.

The demand of the farmers included, digging of huge trenches around the forest area so as to prevent animals from stepping out of the forest, construction of IBX fencing and provision of 80 per cent discount to large growers and 100 per cent discount to small growers for installation of fences.

They also asked for compensation of Rs 220 for each Arabica Coffee plant and Rs 400 for damaged Robasta plants, Rs 5,000 for each damaged pepper plant, Rs 10,000 for areca plant and Rs 500 for damaged paddy crop, per gunta of land. |

They also demanded a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the loss of life of the growers.