WATCH: 'Opium-addicted' parrots attack poppy crops in India
Farmers have made loud sounds, even used firecrackers to scare the birds away
Rose ringed parakeets in India. PHOTO: REUTERS
Farmers in India's Madhya Pradesh state on Sunday claimed they are facing massive losses owing to a group of "opium-addicted" parrots.
Farmers in the Neemuch district say that parrots are now feeding on poppy plants due to which their crops are suffering damage. Efforts calling for the authorities to control the damage on their crops have not been taken up, NDTV reported.
Nandkishore, an opium cultivator, has said their requests to the district officials are not being listened.
"One poppy flower gives around 20-25 grams of opium. But a large group of parrots feed on these plants around 30-40 times a day and some even fly away with poppy pods. This affects the produce," he said.
Global opium production hits record high: UN
Nandkishore said opium-addicted parrots have turned into a nuisance. "We are already suffering because of uneven rain, and now this. Nobody is listening to our problems. Who will compensate for our losses?" he questioned.
To reduce the damage caused by the parrots, cultivators are now forced to patrol their fields during the day and even in the night.
"We have tried making loud sounds and even use firecrackers to scare the birds. But nothing has helped," the farmer said.
Opium crops are legally cultivated for medicinal purposes in several states of India under special licences.
According to the CIA World Factbook, this regulated industry makes India the largest producer of legal opium in the world.
Farmers in the Neemuch district say that parrots are now feeding on poppy plants due to which their crops are suffering damage. Efforts calling for the authorities to control the damage on their crops have not been taken up, NDTV reported.
Nandkishore, an opium cultivator, has said their requests to the district officials are not being listened.
"One poppy flower gives around 20-25 grams of opium. But a large group of parrots feed on these plants around 30-40 times a day and some even fly away with poppy pods. This affects the produce," he said.
Global opium production hits record high: UN
Nandkishore said opium-addicted parrots have turned into a nuisance. "We are already suffering because of uneven rain, and now this. Nobody is listening to our problems. Who will compensate for our losses?" he questioned.
To reduce the damage caused by the parrots, cultivators are now forced to patrol their fields during the day and even in the night.
"We have tried making loud sounds and even use firecrackers to scare the birds. But nothing has helped," the farmer said.
Opium crops are legally cultivated for medicinal purposes in several states of India under special licences.
According to the CIA World Factbook, this regulated industry makes India the largest producer of legal opium in the world.