Experts suggest measures to keep Porcupines at bay

Pulwama, Dec 20: Experts suggested a multifaceted strategy to contain Porcupines, a spiked rodent species from damaging agriculture crops and plants.
The experts revealed that various factors like increase in population, changes in crop pattern, habitat destruction and depletion of wild herbs and fruit varieties, overgrazing and encroachment into forests have dragged the Porcupine towards plain areas where it is posing a significant challenge for different stakeholders.
Chief Scientist and Head of SKUAST- Kashmir’s Krishi Vigyan Kendra Pulwama, Professor Javeed Ahmad Mugloo, explained that Porcupine is an issue for farmers and authorities because it is causing damage to vegetables, corms, tubers, grains, barks and roots of fruit trees and other agriculture crops across various areas of this southern district.
He revealed that Indian Porcupine, Hystrix Indica, is a native species found across different countries in the subcontinent.
“This herbivorous rodent species is a medium seized and short legged creature with an adult weighing 4 to 13 kilograms,” he said, adding it’s length varies from 25 to 30 inches.
He added that the animal lives in burrows, in hollow spaces under rocks or boulders and beneath various bushy plants.
The scientist said that conversion of barren land for farming activity, soil extraction and over extraction of wild herbs destroyed it’s natural habitat due to which it has forayed into plain areas for food.
The scientist explained that the average lifespan of the Indian Porcupine is around 18 years and it breeds in Spring or autumn.
During its breeding season it depicts belligerent behaviour.
He said that as the animal has short legs of length 10 to 15 centimetres it’s foray into an crop yielding patch of agriculture land can be stopped by erecting a 1 to 2 feet high fence.
“The animal is indolent and usually can’t trespass the fence,” he said, adding that installing flash lights along the periphery at various corners is also a plausible method to keep it away from the crop plants.
Similarly, the scientist suggested that a 2 feet deep and 4 wide channel along peripheries can be a difficult barrier for this indolent animal to cross.
He explained that there are various lure crops which can be planted in the peripheries of a patch of land to be protected.
The lure crops include Artemesia, Pyrethrum and Dioscorea.
He also suggested covering tree trunks with white paint or white gunny bags which reflect light causing eye irritation to the animal.
The scientist also recommended special traps for capturing the predator.
“Since the animal is protected under wildlife act it can’t be harmed,” he said, adding that the animal can be trapped to shift it to a non-agricultural area.
Another traditional method suggested is to smoke caves and holes to repel the rodent species away.
The scientist revealed that a chemical Thiram was used against Squirrel and Rabbit where it proved effective.
“Thiram sprays can be used to repel the Porcupine,” he said.
The authorities of Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare Kashmir have started trail demonstrations along with SKUAST- K and a private company in Konibal area of Pampore tehsil in Pulwama district.
District Agriculture Extension Officer Pulwama, Dr Shahnawaz, informed that they sprayed a few kanals of saffron land with an organic repellent on a trial basis.
“We are analysing the efficacy of this organic repellent on the rodent species,” he said, adding that the effect of a spray lasts for a minimum of 15 days after which it needs to be repeated.