Guest guest Posted April 8, 2008 Report Share Posted April 8, 2008 *Mizoram facing food crisis due to rats Link: http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080046188 & ch=4/8/2008%\ 2011:00:00%20AM * Kishalay Bhattacharjee Monday, April 7, 2008 (Lawngtlai) Rural Mizoram is in the grip of a famine and the reason is an explosion in the rat population following bamboo flowering that takes place once every 50 years. At least 10,000 families are struggling to get one meal a day. The worst hit is Lawngtlai where farmers don't know what to do. ''No one believed that we've lost everything, every little bit of what we had,'' says Laihzachin, a farmer. The rats have destroyed the entire paddy harvest of this year. According to the government sources, nearly 80 per cent of crop in all districts has been affected. It is purchasing rice and distributing it at PDS rates. But many people in the state can't even afford that. ''Due to bamboo flowering, there was sudden increase in rodent population. They destroyed all our standing crop. There was nothing to harvest. We have nothing and are totally dependant on the government,'' says Bolisora Dawnga, a farmer. The farmers' women are travelling to the nearest town to sell bamboo and firewood. And their children are bound to live on roots and fruits. There are reports of infant deaths in some villages as vitamin deficiency is rampant. Some kids have even lost their eyesight. Action Aid, an international anti-poverty agency, says that 10,000 families across 200 villages are struggling to get one meal a day. ''It's really a crisis that is unfolding in Mizoram. The rodent attack happened last year also during the autumn and winter seasons. But it has precipitated into a huge problem this year because people have lost their entire harvest. It's across the state, particularly in the southern part,'' says Mrinal Gohain, from Action Aid. Many farmers have sold their land to earn a livelihood. Others are migrating from these areas for food. If something is not done soon, the situation may snowball into a major crisis. -- United against elephant polo http://www.stopelephantpolo.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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