The issue of human-wildlife co-existence in Nangkor Gewog of Zhemgang is not limited to just guarding crops. The farmers there lose a significant number of cattle to tiger depredation every year. While there is no definite solution to end this issue, the officials are working out ways to ensure that they are able to protect both people’s livelihoods and wildlife. The community-based tiger conservation group initiated last year intends to do just that. It has gathered over 40 members so far.
There is no formal record, but district officials say the villages in Nangkor Gewog lose up to 10 cattle a month to tiger depredation sometime.
Forestry officials say there are around 14 tigers in Zhemgang with the highest observed in Nangkor.
“They usually attack domestic animals when we let the cattle out in the forest for grazing. For example, last summer we lost a calf to a tiger attack and did not even get to see the carcass,” said Dorjila, a resident of Buli.
The villagers have been losing their cattle to tiger attacks without any compensation. The district’s forest office initiated a compensation scheme in the past, but it was closed due to sustainability issues.
Looking at a sustainable measure, the agriculture ministry started the Gewog Tiger Conservation Tshogpa in Nangkor in July of last year. A seed money of Nu 1 M was also provided.
“In the earlier stage, we faced some glitches in implementing the system, since it was the first time and the people were not aware of it. Moreover, in some places, the system did not work well. After forming the group and coming up with the bylaws, we started compensating the affected farmers. This encouraged more people to join the group. We have four or five people wanting to join as members,” said Phub Dorji, Senior Forest Officer.
“There are seven members in the Gewog Tiger Conservation Tshogpa and they have to pay Nu 200 in a year. And they will get Nu 4,000 as compensation if they lose their cattle to tiger attack. So, it is beneficial for the farmers,” said Tshering Norbu, Dhakpai-Tali Tshogpa.
And if the current scheme is successful in Nangkor, the district administration plans to take the initiative to other gewogs in the 13th Five-Year Plan.
This story is supported by the GEF-UNDP Ecotourism Project of the Department of Tourism
Phub Gyem and Tshering Zam
