Bandipora, May 02: Farmers across several villages in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district are facing a major setback as wild boars have destroyed early-stage paddy seedbeds, triggering concerns just ahead of the main cultivation season.
April marks the beginning of paddy cultivation in Kashmir, where farmers start by soaking paddy seeds in water. Once the seeds sprout—indicated by a small white shoot—they are carefully sewn in a small, well-prepared plot of land. These nursery beds are essential for producing green saplings, which are later transplanted to full fields in June.
However, over the past week, farmers in multiple Bandipora villages, including Gundpora Rampora have reported large-scale damage caused by wild boars rampaging through these seedbeds during the night.
“The entire nursery plot that I prepared with so much effort was destroyed in just one night. All the seeds I had soaked and sown were dug up and eaten,” said Ghulam Ahmad, a farmer from Gundpora. adding, “Now I have to repeat the whole process again, and I’m not even sure the next one will be safe.”
Another farmer said that this early-stage preparation is crucial. “If the saplings don’t grow properly, the entire season is at risk. Wild boars are turning our hard work into nothing,” he said.
Farmers are now being forced to soak new batches of seeds and prepare fresh nursery beds.
The farmers urged the authorities to step in and help control the wild boar menace, which they say has increased in recent years due to shrinking forest spaces and lack of coordinated wildlife management.
Unless timely action is taken, farmers fear more losses and delays could impact this year’s paddy cultivation cycle across.
When contacted, the incharge officer was not available for comments.
