One of the major problems plaguing farmers in rural Bhutan today is the human-wildlife conflict: wildboars in the west and east and elephants in the south. This problem, which is also present in other parts of the developing world, is basically conflicts arising from protected wildlife encroachment into human areas and vice versa. For instance, farmers in Paro go through sleepless nights saving their harvest from wildlife ranging from deers to wild boars and in Samtse, farmers are helpless against the huge elephants that arrive every evening destroying not only the fields but also the farmers’ storage houses. With this in mind, the Ministry of Agriculture has been seeking new and improved ways to keep these animals at bay.

Thus, keeping in line with the implementation of the Bhutan National Human-Wild life Conflicts Management Strategy, the Nature Conservation division (NCD) as per the directives of Hon’ble Minister, Ministry of Agriculture, has procured and is in the process of installing sound and light fencing devices throughout the country. The device has the technology of tripping off an alarm siren and a flashlight when the animal pushes the fence, thereby scaring the animal off while at the same time alerting the farmer. The device, costs approximately three thousand ngultrum per set. In Thailand the device is being used against chasing elephants. The Wildlife Conservation Society (NGOs) of Thailand has been providing technical knowhow to the Ministry.

The device was first used in Bhutan by Thrumsingla National Park starting from March 2009, to chase away wild animals especially wild boars and sambar deer. The Thrumsingla National Park Management then demonstrated the function of the device to the Hon’ble Minister. With the directives from Hon’ble Minister, NCD has procured the devices which is intended to be installed in the most affected areas, for which NCD have asked for a prioritised list of the affected areas from the field offices.

Considering the time constraint due to the approaching harvesting season of most of the annual crops, on 21st August 2009, NCD organised a one-day training for focal persons from all the Territorial Divisions, Parks and Dzongkhag Forest Offices. The training intends to quicken the process of identifying upon the most affected areas, to which the device units will be handed over. Therefore, the training will also ensure that the respective field staff will be able to install it in their respective areas affected by wild life damage.

The one day training workshop was chaired by The Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture, Lyonpo (Dr.) Pema Gyamtsho. The Deputy RR UNDP, CR WWF, Director of DoF, Director of the SAARC Forestry Centre, Director General of DoL, BAFRA ED, DFO’s and DzFO’s from all the Dzongkhags and forestry officials from the headquarters attended the workshop.

In his opening remarks, the Hon’ble Minister stressed the importance of the conservation of biodiversity and the forest since Bhutan is increasingly looked upon as a model for conservation by other nations and has gained local and international appreciation for our conservation efforts. The Minister had also informed the participants to make aware the importance of biodiversity to the farmers so that the farmers will understand the value of the protected wild animals. The forests are able to sustain with the presence of animals in it. Our farmers should be made aware that the forestry is equally important as agriculture. The Minister had also informed the participants that the concerned departments should maintain the data, keeping the records of the number of wild animals affecting the area and how many areas had been affected.

In his conclusion, he expressed his appreciation to the participants and he especially thanked the World Wildlife Fund and Bhutan Trust Fund for Environment Conservation, for their endeavour support.

The resource person was Jigme Dorji, Chief Forestry Officer from Thrumsingla National Park, who has the expertise on the installation and maintenance of this sound and light fencing device. This is the pilot phase the success of which will be monitored by the field offices. If the device proves successful for the mitigation of human-wildlife conflict, more of such devices will be procured and provided to the farmers at a subsidised rate by the department.

According to the resource person, two sets of this device have been already installed as a pilot in the villages of Somthrang and Pangkhar in Ura Geog under Bumthang Dzongkhag. Sharing his experience from this geog, he said, from the daily observation that they are making the devices seem to be having a lot of impact. He said the farmers are also in praise of the device, as they face fewer problems in the affected areas where the device has been installed. He also said the device will last for at least ten years provided it is taken good care of.

The Director of the Department of Forest, Karma Dukpa expressed his gratitude to the participants for sparing their valuable time in attending the important workshop. He said that this was a clear indication of their commitment towards mitigating human-wildlife conflicts. He expressed his deepest gratitude to the Minister for always taking human-wild life conflicts as a major concern.

The one day training workshop was held on 21st August at BCCI hall, 2009, during which the focal person from the field offices will be trained on the setting up, installation and maintenance of the device. The second half of the day included a field trip near the RAPA Hall for the demonstration of the working mechanism of the device.

The training was funded by Bhutan Trust Fund for Environment Conservation.

Hon’ble Lyonpo addressing the gathering

From left- Hon’ble Lyonpo, CR WWF, BAFRA ED, CAO AFD, CPO PPD

Lyonpo seeing a demonstration of the device

Source: MoA