IPOH: Years of hard work developing fruit orchards in Bukit Bangkong, Chemor, are under threat after wild elephants raided the area three times within weeks, damaging fruit trees, water tanks, pipes and ponds.
The elephants were first spotted on Sept 27 before returning on Oct 3 and Oct 11, damaging fruit trees, water tanks, pipes and ponds.
Abdul Rahim Ahmad, 65, who represents the Bukit Bangkong Hulu Cemor farmers' group, said the repeated incursions had raised concerns among orchard owners who had invested considerable time, effort and money in developing their land.
"We have worked hard to develop these orchards and we are also contributing to the country's food security.
"If the elephants keep returning, our crops and property could be destroyed. We are worried they may come back for a fourth or fifth time," he said.
Abdul Rahim said the damage included broken branches on jackfruit, coconut and durian trees, as well as damaged water tanks and pipes used to supply water to the orchards.
He said more than 40 coconut trees in his orchard alone had been affected, while neighbouring farmers had also suffered damage to their fruit trees and other property.
The elephants had also entered several ponds, apparently to wallow in the water, adding to the cost of repairs.
Abdul Rahim said hiring an excavator cost about RM1,000 a day, while rebuilding a pond could take two to three days.
He said he had lodged a police report after the first incident on Sept 27 for referral to the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan).
Following the second incident, the farmers contacted Perhilitan again, prompting officers to visit the area the next day to monitor the situation and advise them on safety measures and possible compensation.
However, he urged the authorities to take further action, including driving the elephants away or relocating them to prevent further damage.
"We have invested a lot of time, energy and money in developing these fruit orchards. We are also contributing to food security by producing food.
"We hope the authorities will help us find a solution before the situation gets worse," he said.
Abdul Rahim said the total losses had yet to be assessed, as the extent of the damage varied among orchard owners.
Meanwhile, another orchard owner, Omar Abdullah, 70, said the repeated incursions had affected not only the farmers' livelihoods but also their morale.
"Every orchard the elephants enter suffers some form of damage. In my orchard, the affected items include durian, jackfruit and coconut trees, water tanks and water pipes.
"More importantly, our morale has been affected. We need support from the relevant authorities to restore our confidence and enable us to continue farming," he said.
The retired teacher said about 12 orchard lots belonging to 12 owners had been affected.
He said the land had been allocated by the government for cultivation, with seedlings supplied by the Agriculture Department, and that the farmers had worked hard to develop their orchards.
He urged the authorities to address the problem effectively, warning that failure to protect the farmers' efforts could undermine their livelihoods and the government's efforts to strengthen agricultural production.
Perak Perhilitan director Dr Pazil Abdul Patah confirmed today that the department had received complaints about the matter.
"We have received complaints and conducted monitoring in the area. We will try to capture the elephants," he said.
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