The district government introduced a "wild animal repellent" to protect ungrown crops from stray wild animals.

Neelbo, an insect repellent synthesized from natural substances, is used to drive away stray wild animals that invade pasture and cause damage. Neelbo is used to drive away wild boars, porcupines, blue cattle and rodents, which severely damage crops by biting, cutting and trampling at different stages.

As the farmer’s farm is close to the Western Ghats from Thirukkurunkudi to Sivagiri, inland areas such as Thaazhaiyooththu, Gangaikondan and Abhishekapatti, as well as the Ramar hills near Alangulam are facing serious threats from elephants, Indian bison, sambar, sika deer, wild boar, and solar fences. Erect. Dig deep trenches along hilly areas to prevent the invasion of wild animals. All these measures did not help farmers much.

Although farmers have repeatedly asked the Ministry of Forestry to remove wild boars from the pre-determined animal list so that growers can hunt these animals when entering the pasture, officials said that affected farmers should not take any such actions themselves and should be notified. They allow them to go to the scene and shoot down wild boars that destroy crops. Unfortunately, this arrangement does not help farmers in any way, the grower said.

Now, the wild animal repellent Neelbo may reduce the burden on farmers. Collector Shilpa Prabhakar Satish handed the insect repellent to 20 farmers in Thaazhaiyooththu. Their vegetable crops were severely damaged by the sika deer herd from Gangaikondan Deer Park. He said that the distribution of insect repellent was part of ATMA (Agricultural Technology Management). (An advocacy agency) In 12 neighborhoods, farmers are facing serious problems from wild animals in these neighborhoods. In the first phase, insect repellent has been provided to Thaazhaiyooththu farmers.

One liter of Neelbo should be diluted with 40 liters of water, and the jute rope or fabric thread should be soaked in it overnight. This jute rope or fabric thread should be tied at a height of 1 foot or 1.50 feet from the ground around the farm.

“The smell of jute rope or fabric thread will drive wild animals for at least 20 days. Field trials that have proven its efficacy have shown that the mixture will not harm animals or farmers. Those who need Neelbo can contact ATMA agricultural officials,” Ms. Shilpa Say.

V. Balasubramanian, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Agriculture attended.

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Printable version | December 9, 2021 6:39:23 PM | https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/wild-animal-repellent-distributed-to-farmers/article29955122.ece

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