Coimbatore:Over 70 farmers belonging to Apolitical Association of Farmers today urged the Government to take steps to protect their crops being damaged by wild animals which at times also killed humans.

It haf become a daily affair with elephants, boars and birds like peacock entering fields and destroying crops, resulting in heavy loss, said R Vellinigiri, a farmer and former DSP who led a demonstration.

The Government should take immediate steps, including bringing in a legislation, to protect the farmers, he said, adding that earlier too they had represented the District Collector and forest department, but got no response.

The man-animal conflict was not confined to Coimbatore alone, but the entire State, he said.Seeking waiver of farm loans, they wanted the Government to immediately implement the long-pending Athikadavu-Avanashi water scheme to help the farmers in the region.