Farmers in Trongsa are becoming desperate for a livestock insurance scheme as they continue to lose their cattle to tigers. Today, farmers say they lose about five cattle every month to predators. And without any compensation to cover their losses, the people are losing hope.
A sighting of a tiger at Thumangdra in Trongsa went viral on social media recently. Such sightings are exciting. But for the farmers of Trongsa, it is becoming a nightmare.
Sonam Choden from Bji Pam village says her eight-month pregnant cow recently went missing while a milking cow and a calf returned home with tiger claw marks.
“The calf is a little better now, it has started to eat grass again. But the mother can hardly breathe. Tigers have started to come even near our homes; we are very worried and afraid.”
Tigers preying on livestock have become a worrying issue for all five gewogs in the district. With almost everyone owning high-breed and expensive cattle, they say losing the animals to tigers is very disheartening.
“Nowadays, the cattle we have are very expensive and losing them before we make any income is very upsetting. We would be very grateful if the government could provide a livestock insurance scheme,” said Karma.
“We are ready to pay the premium depending on the animals even if they are high. If we pay more, we will get more. It would benefit us immensely,” said Jurmey.
“All our animals are getting killed. Having the animals insured would benefit us,” said Ugyen Lhamo.
The villagers say some have stopped reporting such incidents to officials since they did not receive any compensation in the past.
“One person from the family has to go and look after the cattle. If we don’t, we are sure to lose the animals to tigers,” said Kinley Yangzom.
“We can hear the tigers roar from all the sides of the village. The children are too afraid to go look after the cattle. The elders have to do it,” said Sigay.
“When we take our cattle to graze, we are afraid of the tigers attacking us. So, now we have started to go in groups,” said Sonam Tobgay.
The farmers in the district were happy when the Department of Forests and Park Services announced plans to introduce a livestock insurance scheme back in July of 2020. It is yet to be implemented.
The Global Tiger Center based in Gelephu says it is currently carrying out a study in the district to come up with measures to address the tiger issue including insurance and compensations.
The Agriculture Ministry is also in talks with the RICBL to introduce livestock insurance.
And until then, the farmers in Trongsa will have to carry on with hopes to make up for their losses.
Passang, Trongsa
