Chanachen Organic Model Village, long celebrated for its commitment to sustainable farming, is ushering in a new chapter of hope and security. A five-kilometre stretch of newly installed chain-link fencing now encircles the village, promising to protect 150 acres of farmland from the relentless threat of wild animals.
For generations, farmers here have battled an uphill struggle against wildlife incursions. From wild boars and bears to monkeys, porcupines, and even stray cats, crop losses were a constant reality. “No matter how much we worked, wild animals would destroy the crops at night,” recalled Wangdi, a local farmer. “Agriculture is our livelihood, but without protection, our efforts often went to waste.”
The toll was not just on harvests but on the farmers themselves. Passang Dorji, another farmer, described the nightly vigilance required to guard their fields. “We gave more attention to our crops than even to our children. The effort to protect them was sometimes greater than the effort to grow them.”
The newly completed fencing, funded through the Bhutan–India Friendship Project at a cost of Nu 4.6 million, is already transforming the village’s outlook. According to Geling-Geygoen Tshogpa Dawa Gyeltshen, the protective barrier will shield fields from a wide range of animals, allowing farmers to breathe easier and focus on cultivation.
Local leaders believe the impact will extend beyond basic crop protection. “With the fencing, farmers can now think bigger—growing not just for themselves, but for commercial markets,” said Geling Gup Kinley Dorji. “The result is what matters most, and now they have a better chance of achieving it.”
District agriculture officials say the benefits will be long-term: reduced crop losses, higher household incomes, stronger food security, and a boost for organic farming practices. The project, they emphasise, addresses the pressing issue of human-wildlife conflict—one of the biggest threats to rural livelihoods in the region.
As the sun sets over Chanachen, the glint of the new fence is more than just metal catching the light—it is a symbol of resilience, renewal, and the promise of a future where farmers can harvest the fruits of their labour without fear.
