By Krishna Tiwari, Garudh, Feb. 8: Farmers in the western part of Rautahat district are getting increasingly worried because of the terror unleashed by Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus), colloquially called blue cow. They are in trouble after Nilgai from the Lal Bakaya River started marauding their crops.

Legions of farmers in Maulapur, Dewahi Gonahi, Katahariya, and Fatuwa Vijaypur municipalities in the district have been terrorised by the wild beast, which mostly feeds off vegetables, wheat, lentils, and corn during the night.

Shiva Chandra Yadav, a farmer from Gamhariya in Maulapur Municipality-3, has expressed grief over the loss of his crops. A group of some 10 Nilgais entered his cropland and destroyed most of it on Friday night, he said.

Similarly, Bhojendra Mahato, a farmer from Vijaypur Municipality-4, Fatuwa, has a similar tale to tell. He cultivated wheat and other crops in his farmland but now most of them were destroyed by Nilgai. The river banks nearby have become a safe haven for the unruly animals.

The population of Nilgai is increasing day by day as they reproduce every year. However, the concerned authorities are yet to take any step towards stopping them from entering the settlements.

Some farmers have even been resorted to burning spices and playing tins so as to keep the fear of the rogue animals at bay.