India's north-eastern state of Mizoram has offered cash rewards for people to kill a population of an estimated 400,000 rats as widespread destruction of paddy crops by the ravenous rodents has sparked fears of a famine in the region.
"We are motivating villagers to kill rats and bring tails as evidence to local authorities," James Lalsianliana, the head of the state's rodent-control cell said. "We are awarding two rupees (35 cents) per rat killed."
The Mizoram government has already approved 800,000 rupees for the anti-rodent drive that was launched October 5.
"Already hundreds of people are queuing up in front of local agriculture offices with rat tails," Lalsianliana said, adding that the campaign that runs until December might be extended if required.
No comments:
Post a Comment