People of Wogmanang Chiwog in Trashi Yangtse’s Bumdeling Gewog have been losing their cattle to the depredation of Asiatic wild dogs since a few years ago. This has left the farmers distressed, as there is no compensation scheme in place at the moment for the lost cattle.
The farmers say they lose around three to four cattle in a month to wild dog attacks. This has been going on for almost three years now according to them. Villagers say around 50 cattle in the chiwog have been killed by the canines so far. They say it is risky for them to free their cattle beyond the electric fences as the carnivores attack them when there are no herders around.
Shacha Lhamo, a resident said, “We did not even get the carcass of our dead cows. Some were dragged to the river and some were thrown down the cliffs last year. I lost all my cattle to wild dogs.”
“The wild dogs attack our cattle frequently. Just a few days ago, my neighbours told me that their cattle had been attacked. During winters, three to four cows are harmed every month,” said Pema Dorji, a resident.
“Last year, one of my calves was killed and there was nothing left of it. And a few months ago, I lost another one to the wild dogs. I lost 3 in total,” said Dawa Lhamo, a resident.
According to Bumdeling Gewog officials, although they have been receiving reports of cattle being killed by the predators, they say as there is no budget allocated to compensate the farmers as of now, there is not much they can do about it. Meanwhile, the Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary did not comment on the matter.
Ngawang Tenzin, Trashiyangste
Edited by Kipchu
