Brown bears & Ibex rendering loss to farmers in Lahaul Spiti : CM

himachalscape February 26, 2024 1 minute read

Shimla, Feb 26

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu informed the state assembly on Monday that Brown Bears, Ibex and other wild animals are rendering losses to crops of farmers in Lahaul Spiti district of State.
Replying to a written query raised by Congress member Ravi Thakur Chief Minister said that some losses have been incurred due to the damage to agriculture and horticulture crops by the Brown Bear, Ibex and other wild animals. Apple, Peas, vegetables are lost in the villages of Ghushal, Jobrang, Tindi, Chicham and Kibber of District Lahaul & Spiti. The Chief Minister said that damages in Chicham and Kiber are being caused largely by bears, Monkeys, Ibex and others, however not very significant.

The Chief Minister said that There is no provision in the Forest Department to compensate the farmers for their crop losses. Himachal Pradesh Forest Department (Spiti Valley) in collaboration with local people has set up Crop Depredation Squads to prevent and mitigate crop damage by wild animals. These Crop Depredation Squads engage with local people to protect the crop from Wildlife.