Mangaluru: Raising concerns over the difficulties faced by farmers in protecting their crops from wild animal attacks, Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta has urged the Karnataka Police and district administration to immediately address issues related to the renewal of gun licences held by farmers for crop protection.
In a letter addressed to the Director General of Police (DGP) and district authorities, the BJP MP highlighted that several farmers are facing rejection of their applications for renewal of legally obtained firearm licences due to increasingly stringent regulations. According to him, the situation has become particularly challenging for farmers residing near forest areas, where crop damage caused by wildlife remains a persistent threat.
Farmers Facing Difficulties in Licence Renewals
Capt Chowta pointed out that crop-protection gun licences have traditionally been renewed on a regular basis, allowing farmers to safeguard their agricultural lands from wild animals.
However, recent hurdles in the renewal process have left many farmers uncertain about their ability to protect crops and livelihoods. He said the issue has become serious enough to warrant immediate intervention from the administration.
The MP urged authorities to take a practical and farmer-friendly approach while dealing with renewal applications and to ensure that genuine licence holders are not subjected to unnecessary obstacles.
Firearms Serve as a Deterrent Against Wildlife Intrusion
According to the MP, farmers in Dakshina Kannada have relied on licensed firearms for decades as a preventive measure against wild animal attacks on agricultural lands.
He noted that several affected farmers informed him that their renewal applications were being rejected because no incidents of wildlife intrusion or crop damage had been officially reported from their lands during the previous year.
Capt Chowta argued that such reasoning overlooks the preventive role played by licensed firearms.
“The very presence of a licensed firearm acts as a deterrent and often prevents wild animals from entering farmlands,” he said, adding that wildlife attacks are unpredictable and cannot be anticipated in advance.
He emphasized that denying licence renewals on the basis of an absence of recent incidents could leave farmers vulnerable when attacks occur unexpectedly.
Concern Over Threat to Crops and Livelihoods
The MP warned that farmers without valid firearm licences may find themselves helpless in the event of sudden wildlife incursions.
Wild animals frequently cause significant damage to crops in areas located close to forests, leading to financial losses for farming families. Capt Chowta said that if licence renewals continue to face delays or rejections, farmers could be left without an effective means of deterring wildlife and protecting their produce.
He stressed that the issue extends beyond crop loss and directly impacts the livelihoods of rural households dependent on agriculture.
Law-Abiding Farmers Should Not Face Excessive Restrictions
Capt Chowta also underlined that the affected licence holders are law-abiding citizens with no criminal background and that the firearms are possessed solely for self-protection and crop protection purposes.
He urged the administration to reconsider what he described as overly stringent conditions governing licence renewals and to adopt a balanced approach that addresses both public safety concerns and the practical realities faced by farmers.
According to the MP, genuine licence holders who comply with all legal requirements should not be subjected to unnecessary procedural hurdles.
Call for Simplified and Transparent Renewal Process
Seeking a long-term solution, the MP called on authorities to streamline the renewal process and ensure that applications from eligible farmers are processed smoothly and within a reasonable timeframe.
He requested the district administration and police authorities to review current practices and formulate guidelines that take into account the unique challenges faced by farmers living near wildlife-prone areas.
The objective, he said, should be to support agricultural communities while maintaining all necessary legal safeguards.
Matter Raised with Senior Police Officials
Apart from writing to the DGP, Capt Chowta has also brought the matter to the attention of several senior police officials, including:
- Inspector General of Police, Western Range
- Superintendent of Police, Dakshina Kannada
- Police Commissioner, Mangaluru City
He has sought their intervention in resolving what he described as a pressing issue affecting a large section of the farming community in the region.
Demand for Immediate Action
With concerns growing among farmers over the renewal process, Capt Chowta has urged authorities to act without delay and provide relief to eligible licence holders.
He maintained that ensuring timely renewal of crop-protection gun licences would help farmers continue safeguarding their fields from wildlife threats while preventing avoidable losses to agricultural production.
The issue is expected to draw further attention in the coming days as farmers and local representatives seek a resolution from the state administration.
