Team TNV
For the farmers and locals of Savaiverem and surrounding areas, the State animal of Goa has created havoc, destroying crops and vegetation. In the last few years, the bison population has significantly increased in this area, which has resulted in constant encounters with the villagers.
We work hard and cultivate crops but bisons come and destroy all our hardwork, as long as there is no solution to this problem we do not see it worthwhile to cultivate anything, say the farmers of Savaiverem village.

“The villagers and the farmers come with their grievances regarding their encounters with the bisons to the Savaiverem panchayat but the panchayat does not have the resources nor is it financially strong to provide any protection or fencing for their cultivated areas. Farming is a primary occupation of most of the families in this village and if this menace continues then it could pose a threat to the livelihood of the people involved in farming activities in Savaiverem and its surrounding areas, therefore we request the government to look into the matter and provide protection to the people and their crops from these animals,” said Savaiverem panch Vinay Nayak.

“Earlier there used to be only one or two bisons entering the cultivation but now there is a huge herd that enters our land and destroys our crops, we have complained to the forest department about this but they have not taken any action yet. Even fencing requires a lot of expenses and subsides are also not regular. If our cultivation keeps getting destroyed by these animals then we will not have any income, and repayment of loans will become difficult for us. As long as the government does not find a permanent solution we will not be able to work peacefully,” said a farm owner.