The Hindu : National : Rodent havoc triggers food crisis in Mizoram

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Rodent havoc triggers food crisis in Mizoram

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Nearly 1,00,000 people are going hungry as a largely unreported crisis unfolds in Mizoram following bamboo flowering, a phenomenon that occurs in the northeast every 48 years, according to ActionAid, an international anti-poverty agency.

Bamboo flowering triggers an explosion of rat population as it thrives on bamboo seeds. These rodents have caused widespread destruction of crops, says the agency.

An ActionAid assessment team that visited some of the worst-hit districts has called upon government agencies to intervene immediately with food aid and livelihood support. Distress sale of land and other property is also being reported across the State as farmers have exhausted their food reserves. The State estimates that an additional 5,740 tonnes of rice will be needed over the next two months to feed the people, says ActionAid.

“Fund inadequate”

The Mizoram government declared the area disaster-affected about two months ago and issued an appeal for aid from the Centre. But the National Calamity Contingency Fund allocation of Rs. 8. 81 crore falls way short of relief requirements.

An ActionAid assessment indicates that food aid is urgently required for at least 10,000 families across 200 villages who are struggling to get one meal a day. Many are foraging the forests for roots and herbs.

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