Farmers of Tashichhoeling Gewog in Samtse, who depend on areca nut farming, are struggling with frequent elephant attacks. These elephants damage homes, threaten lives, and destroy betel nut trees, undoing years of hard work. Frustrated by the losses, the affected farmers are urging authorities to implement stronger measures and provide damage compensation caused by elephants and other wildlife.
Elephants have become a major challenge for farmers of Tashichhoeling, Norjangsa-Peljorling, and Bepoteng Kangdungphu Chiwogs of Tashichhoeling Gewog.
This year alone, the region has reported numerous damages, including a tragic incident where a 45-year-old man was killed by a herd of elephants while returning home.
In Peljorling village, elephants have destroyed hundreds of betel nut trees, some of which were just about to bear fruit.
“It takes about seven to eight years for these saplings to grow to this stage, and with proper care, they start bearing fruit in another one or two years. It’s very disheartening when elephants destroy our betel nut trees at this crucial time. Chasing them away is too dangerous,” said Pem, a resident of Peljorling.
“I planted about 2,000 betel nut trees here, but I’ve recently lost around 300 of them to elephants,” These trees were seven to eight years old and nearly ready to bear fruit. It takes about 10 years for a betel nut tree to fully mature, and it requires a lot of care. The loss is devastating,” said Dorji Zangmo, another resident.
Farmers are now urging the government to install chain-link fences to protect their crops and provide compensation for the damages.
“It’s very discouraging when animals destroy our crops just before harvest. This is one reason why much of our land remains idle and fallow. It would be helpful if the government, dungkhag, or gewog administration could provide compensation to support and encourage affected farmers like us,” said Dawa Zam, also a resident of Peljorling.
“The government had plans to provide us with chain-link fencing, but we haven’t received any updates yet. We would be very grateful if such support could be provided soon,” added Pem.
The gewog administration provides free seeds but lacks resources to address the issue. A proposal for 15-kilometre chain-link fencing to protect paddy fields was rejected due to budget constraints.
However, there’s hope. The agriculture and livestock ministry announced plans during the National Assembly last month to initiate a crop and livestock damage compensation insurance scheme next year.
Passang Dorji, Samtse
Edited by Sonam Pem
