Summary:
“Earlier, we used to graze our sheep in the mango orchards here but nowadays, fodder for our animals is getting affected by the insecticides. We have even constructed some makeshift huts to stay the nights.”According to officials of the horticulture department, mango orchards cover around 25k hectare area in Saharanpur. Hence, we are being compelled to migrate from Saharanpur.”Echoing similar sentiments, another shepherd Bhogendra Pal said, “We all forced to migrate to the Ganga wetlands around this time of the year due to pesticides. They are our source of livelihood.”However, Kumar added that for the past few years, they are facing a tough time. Around this time of the year, the mango trees start flowering and pesticides are sprayed four times during the season to protect the buds from insects and fungus..