Nabarangpur: A fire broke out yesterday in a cashew orchard near Majhiguda village under Podalaguda Panchayat in Nandahandi block of Nabarangpur district. Due to the negligence of the Village Forest Protection Committee, the fire spread from the nearby forest and engulfed the cashew trees on the farmland of Kailash Dora, a poor farmer from the village. said that over 180 cashew trees were completely burnt.
The cashew saplings had been planted on Kailash Dora’s land with support from the Nabarangpur Horticulture Department. However, he had not received any wages for the plantation work, nor any compensation from the government for the loss of his cashew trees. Despite the fire destroying his entire plantation, no insurance amount has been provided.
Left with no other option, the poor farming family has lodged a written complaint at the Nabarangpur Sadar police station against the Village Committee. The villagers have demanded a thorough investigation into the matter and strict action against those responsible.