Chencho Dema

Punakha—Farmers in Punakha toil year round – growing paddy in the summer and vegetables in the winter – only to find their hard work thwarted by marauding wild animals that destroy large quantities of agricultural crops every year.

Human-wildlife conflict has persisted for years, driving farmers away from agriculture, leading to diminished crop production. The Punakha dzongkhag is determined to put an end to this ongoing battle between humans and wild animals this time. And the solution – chain link fencing.

For the fiscal year 2024-2025, Punakha Dzongkhag will install chain-link fencing in five chiwogs, spanning over 30.3 kilometres. This initiative is expected to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts and safeguard farmers’ crops.

The selected chiwogs for the fencing project are Lakhu (Guma), Omtekha (Limbukha), Talo, Menchuna (Toepisa), and Thamji (Toedwang). These areas have been plagued by wild boars, deer, monkeys, and even stray domestic animals, which have caused extensive damage to crops.

Farmers are optimistic that chain-link fencing will finally prevent wild animals from encroaching into their fields and lead to better harvest. 

A 45-year-old resident of Lakhu said that despite their best efforts, wild animals and stray cattle often ruined the crops. “I am hopeful that this new chain-link fence will bring improvements.”

The project will benefit 189 farmers by protecting approximately 463.8 acres of paddy fields. An estimated budget of Nu 49.50 million has been allocated for the project. 

The five chiwogs collectively cover 478.31 acres, with 13.49 acres remaining uncultivated.

The deputy chief agriculture officer, Gaylong, explained that the selection of the sites was based on criteria such as the extent of farmland to be protected, the types of crops grown, the severity of human-wildlife conflicts, and the number of households benefiting.

“Farmers often spend sleepless nights guarding their paddy fields during summer, but this fencing will provide the much-needed relief, allowing them to rest without constant worry,” he said.

The Punakha dzongkhag administration aims to complete the chain-link fencing for the remaining six sites in other six gewogs by the end of the 13th Plan.

In the fiscal year 2022-23, the installation of the first eight kilometres of chain-link fencing in Chhubu gewog at Chumithangkha village proved successful. The improved crop protection led to increased production of summer and winter crops, including paddy and a variety of vegetables.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock has allocated Nu 5.1 billion to support the chain-link fencing initiative across Bhutan in the 13th Plan. This fencing initiative is expected to reduce human-wildlife conflicts significantly, revitalize fallow lands and boost winter crop production, ultimately leading to more reliable and abundant harvests.