With the main cultivated land, Leleynang, in Rukubji village, Wangduephodrang, electric fenced, life has become easier for villagers.

Sangchum, 79, said that life became much relaxed since last year after the land was electric fenced since they do not have to guard it.

She said that the residents who spend sleepless nights in makeshift huts guarding their crops against wild animals, could now sleep in their houses peacefully.

The village elder said it was very difficult in the past, as they had to go to guard their crops in the rain walking through leech infested paths.

Another villager, Choki Wangmo, 37, said that the electric fencing has really benefitted them since they get to harvest what they cultivate.

She said wild animals destroyed almost half of the yield every year. “It was like share-cropping then,” she said. “Not a single animal attacks our crops now.”

She said villagers only have to clear the bushes around the fence.

Another farmer, Phub Lhamo, 60, said her yield increased since last year. But she doesn’t have any figures to prove it.

The field looks green today with healthily grown potato plants. Villagers also plant vegetables like cabbage, radish, turnip and wheat in a rotational basis.

The chairman of the electric fencing, Sangye Tshering, 59, said Leyleynag is about 35 acres and about 30 villagers own it.

He said the area was electric fenced last year.

Rukubji tshogpa, Dawa Tshering, said the wild animals are damaging fields and kitchen garden below Leyleynang today.

He said people would be happy if all the fields in the village could be electric fenced.

The tshogpa said there are some people who have installed electric fencings on their own expenses in the village.

Nima Wangdi | Rukubji

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