Phuentshogling town which once used to be a happening place especially during the winter has now become a home to stray horses. The town is almost deserted as the COVID pandemic has forced most of its residents to move to other districts in hope of better opportunities.
Usually, people from across the country would flock to Phuentshogling town during the winter. But today, instead of people, about 20 horses from Lingden and nearby villages are roaming the town’s streets. And this has become a cause of concern for the residents.
“We see many horses roaming around these days. It is very risky especially for our school going children. There are chances of our children getting kicked by the horses,” said Bhisnu Tamang, a resident of the town.
“The horses are in every part of the town. We see many horses even at Damdara, Kabreytar and Pipaldara. Children get excited when they see horses. I see them touching the horses. So, there are chances of spreading disease,” said Sherab Dorji, another resident of the town.
Managing the stray horses has become a challenge for thromde today. The horses started appearing in the town about six months ago.
Initially, thromde took care of the horses. But feeding the animals during the lockdown became expensive. Moreover, the space couldn’t accommodate all the horses.
“Despite announcing on the BBS, owners didn’t come forward. Now, we are planning to hire a DCM truck and drop the horses beyond Sorchen. If we continue to keep them here, there are chances they hit vehicles and even harm people,” said Jamtsho Drukpa, in-charge of thromde’s solid waste management unit.
He added that thromde even tried to chase the animals to Pasakha and near Amochhu bridge. But the horses kept returning to the town within a few days.
Sonam Penjor, Phuentshogling
