Trees sans leaves as farmers use it as fodder

Severe drought in the taluk has forced farmers to look for any trees with leaves to feed their cattle.

The worst-ever drought has forced many people to migrate to towns and urban areas in search of livelihood but it is the livestock that has been hit hard.

Almost all the trees in the rural areas, now stand bare. Worst, even the shoots are not spared. “We are forced to get twigs and leaves from a variety of trees.

But the forest department personnel have grown only neem, peepul trees. But this is not sufficient as fodder for cattle. We are forced to cut down the roadside trees.

In spite of severe drought (since one year) the government has not yet opened a fodder bank here,” said Bairegowda, a farmer here.

“It is not right to cut down trees just to feed the cattle. The trees provide greenery. If this continues, the drought situation will further worsen as there will be no rain,” observe environmentalists.

It’s time the government acted upon it at the earliest by setting up fodder bank at hobli levels, said environmentalist K Narayanswami.