In a robust move to tackle the escalating human-wildlife conflicts (HWC) and safeguard vital agricultural produce, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL) has unveiled a substantial budget allocation of Nu 5.1 billion under the nation’s 13th Five-Year Plan. This significant investment underscores the government’s commitment to protecting farmers’ livelihoods and ensuring food security amidst increasing wildlife encroachments.
The ambitious chain-link fencing initiative is set to span across 205 gewogs and 20 dzongkhags, encompassing extensive agricultural zones. Specifically, the project aims to secure 24,000 acres of paddy fields, 12,000 acres of maize cultivation, and 9,000 acres dedicated to potato farming. Additionally, MoAL has designated an extra Nu 2.8 billion to fortify other essential crops, highlighting a comprehensive approach to crop protection.
Over the past two years, MoAL has made notable strides in mitigating HWC through fencing solutions. The ministry has supported the installation of 33.5 kilometers of portable solar fencing and 87 kilometers of traditional chain-link fencing across various dzongkhags. These efforts have successfully protected more than 427 acres with solar fencing and 3,200 acres with chain-link barriers, benefiting a total of 1,155 households by reducing crop losses and property damage.
For the current fiscal year, the government plans to invest an additional Nu 667.5 million specifically for chain-link fencing projects. The Department of Agriculture is actively procuring the necessary materials, including chain links and ancillary components, to expedite the deployment of these protective structures.
MoAL Minister Younten Phuntsho emphasized the strategic allocation, stating, “The overall budget for the fiscal year 2024-25 amounts to Nu 667.5 million, which includes Nu 30 million from the Food Security and Agriculture Productivity Project. Furthermore, we have secured an allocation of Nu 637.5 million from the Government of India to support various dzongkhags in this critical initiative.”
Initiated last year, the chain-link fencing program has already covered 16 out of the 20 dzongkhags, with the remaining regions nearing completion. This initiative builds on previous government efforts, which allocated Nu 500 million for the 2022-23 fiscal year and an additional Nu 1 billion for 2023-24, demonstrating a sustained commitment to addressing HWC.
“HWC is a multifaceted issue, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution,” Minister Phuntsho remarked. “Among the various interventions, electric fencing was introduced as a key measure to address this problem.”
The National Impact Assessment Report on Electric Fencing 2021 highlighted the government’s approval of electric fencing in 2013 as a strategy to mitigate HWC and reduce wildlife-induced crop losses. While electric fencing has yielded positive results, the report identified several challenges, including non-functional or ineffective fences due to incorrect energizer connections, grounding system issues, rusted GI wires, improper use of barbed wires, and damaged energizers.
Moreover, maintenance shortcomings such as delayed vegetation clearing, failure to lubricate GI wires, neglecting post repairs, and inadequate monitoring of electric current flow have further impeded the effectiveness of electric fences, according to the report.
The primary wildlife involved in HWC across Bhutan include wild boars, barking deer, sambar, elephants, and bears. In southern Bhutan, elephants are the predominant cause of crop depredation and property damage, while deer are more common in central regions. Asiatic black bears and wild boars pose threats nationwide, necessitating diverse and region-specific mitigation strategies.
As the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock ramps up its fencing projects, the focus remains on integrating sustainable practices and ensuring the longevity of protective measures. The substantial financial commitment reflects Bhutan’s dedication to balancing agricultural development with wildlife conservation, striving to create harmonious coexistence between humans and the nation’s rich biodiversity.
