More than 10 acres of wetland affected by the flood were restored and around 100 households were provided with electric fencing to improve feeding and roosting area for the black-necked crane in Boomdeling Gewog.
As per the record maintained by Boomdeling wildlife official since 1987, the number of the crane has decreased annually over the last 30 years. The highest number was recorded at 200 cranes and the least with only 91 cranes visiting Boomdeling in 2017.
“In order to enlarge the feeding area of the black-necked crane, we are providing electric fencing to the farmer, who has abandoned their wetland and even assist them in land restoration work. If we revived the feeding ground and roosting place like before, we are hoping that the number of cranes might increase,” said Karma Tempa, the Chief Forest Officer at Boomdeling Wildlife Sanctuary in Trashi Yangtse.
The electric fencing will not only benefit crane to have more natural feeding but also protect their crops from wild animals.
“Hardly we get 50% of our crop to harvest after working tirelessly, so last time we have requested Boomdeling Wildlife Sanctuary office to provide fencing to protect from wild animal and also to enlarge feeding ground for cranes, so they have accepted and we are hoping to get 100% benefit,” said Cheki Dorji, from Ngalimang, Boomdeling Gewog.
Research points at lack of enough feeding and roosting place leading to the decreasing number of cranes over the last 3 decades.
“Before we used to cultivate and even get good harvest but after flooding, most of our land got damaged with a lot of stone and sand, now it has been more than 20 years leaving fallow but from last year, in order to improve the feeding ground for cranes, Boomdeling wildlife sanctuary office helped us in restoring the land,” said Jampel Tashi, from the same village.
The restoration work and electric fencing are being executed by Boomdeling Wildlife Sanctuary office and funded by Royal Society for Protection of Nature with amount of Nu 3.5 M.
Till last week 93 cranes were recorded by the Boomdeling Wildlife Sanctuary office.
Sonam Darjay
