Gawaithang village in Sarpang’s Dekiling Gewog lies in proximity to the Indian border. The villagers live in constant threat of the wild Asian elephants intruding their village. The border area along the Gelephu-Sarpang highway is covered in dense vegetation and is a perfect hiding spot of the elephants. Much to the relief of the villagers, works to install electric fencing along the border area is ongoing to deter elephants from entering the village.
The ongoing electric fencing work will benefit Gawaithang Chiwog and half of Dekiling Chiwog in Dekiling Gewog.
People of Gawaithang have been losing their crops and property to wild animals, especially elephants throughout the year.
Villagers are hoping that the ongoing electric fencing project would be a solution for human wildlife conflict in their community.
Dilip Galay a resident of Dekiling Gewog says wild elephants have been visiting their community frequently damaging four houses in Tashiling village last year.
“One of the houses was attacked about three times. I hope the fencing would give us good protection.”
Som Badhur Subba, who also lives in Dekiling Gewog said that elephants come in the neighbourhood even during daytime damaging several houses.
“They fear the electric fences due to the current. That is why we are installing electric fences.”
The three-kilometer electric fencing work is being carried out at a cost of about Nu 1 M with the beneficiaries and the Dekiling Gewog Administration sharing the cost.
The gewog is providing materials while the villagers are contributing labour.
Karma Wangdi, Sarpang
Edited by Sherub Dorji
