Porcupine Onslaught Raises Issues For Pulwama’s Saffron Growers

SRINAGAR: Saffron growers in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district are anxious as porcupines proceed to break their saffron corms. Farmers from Pampore, Lethpora and neighbouring areas stated that porcupines have been inflicting intensive harm to saffron beds, impacting their livelihoods.

Shabir Ahmad, a saffron grower, expressed concern over the extreme harm brought on by porcupines. He stated the manufacturing of saffron is straight affected when corms are broken. “The financial well-being of saffron growers is at stake resulting from this menace,” he stated.

Yasir Ahmad, one other grower, stated that regardless of efforts to discourage porcupines utilizing lights and horns, the nocturnal exercise of those animals stays a critical challenge. If speedy measures are usually not taken, saffron corms could also be fully depleted within the coming years, he warned.

In contrast to different orchardists who’ve varied strategies to guard their crops, saffron growers stated they face distinctive challenges.

“Different orchardists have choices like protecting the trunks of bushes, however no such choice is obtainable to guard saffron fields from the assaults of porcupines,” Yasir stated. “The federal government should at the very least seek the advice of the technical individuals and specialists who can information us on tips on how to eliminate the menace,” he added.

The saffron growers stated they’ve introduced this challenge to the discover of involved authorities however no concrete steps have been taken on this regard.

An official from the Agriculture Division urged the usage of a repellent that emits an odour and deters porcupines for roughly seven days when utilized.

Using deadly strategies is prohibited by wildlife laws, the official stated, including that solely humane and non-lethal options might be utilized to guard saffron crops from porcupine assaults. (KNO)