1 January, 2009 - National Assembly members pressurised the agriculture minister, Lyonpo Dr Pema Gyamtsho in parliament on December 30, on the ministry’s strategy to tackle the increasing incidence of wildlife attacks on humans, crops, livestock and property.
Gelephug MP, Prem Kumar Gurung, said that wildlife was a major problem threatening the livelihood of the farmers in his constituency, and he, during his campaign, had promised to look into the matter. “We lose credibility if we don’t come up with measures to address the issue as soon as possible,” he said.
Gasa’s Goen khatoey-Laya constituency MP, Damcho Dorji, said that farmers, besides losing their crops and livestock, sometimes lost their lives.
The agriculture minister said that he could not promise that the issue would be solved by 2009, but the government and the ministry were looking into all possible measures to manage what he called “human-wildlife conflict”. “We’re seeking financial help and framing policies. As a Buddhist country, we cannot just kill the already endangered wild animals in retaliation or to prevent attacks.”
The ministry has, however, compiled a report, that recommends ways to mitigate the problem. The report shows the annual crop loss as far up as 18 percent of household income. Farmers spent an average of two months a year guarding their maize and rice, especially at night, causing additional expenses. Around 97 percent of the 274 farmers in the Jigme Singye Wangchuck park reported major financial loss due to wild animals.
The report’s overall action plan is on integrated conservation and development programs (ICDP), environmental education and eco tourism. The strategy is to enhance crop protection measures, through solar and electric fencing in high damage areas, subsidised fencing materials, alternate crops, buffer species of plants, mechanised devices, develop forest plantation to provide food source for wildlife.
The report recommends the supply of jersey and brown Swiss bull in exchange for unproductive local breeds to bring down cattle population. Other strategies include improved pasture development, construction of proper sheds, improved herding practices and providing loans for improved breeds.
The report also proposes to provide crop and livestock insurance schemes involving financial contributions from the government, local community and external agencies.
Another recommendation in the report is to allow regulated hunting of wild pigs by tourists in areas of abundance.
Another strategy is to have a wild pig response team in gewogs with guns, allow forest and undergrowth to be cleared around fields, permit licensed hunters to control the animal population, and use of repellents and improved traps.
By Tenzing Lamsang &
Phuntsho Choden
