Residents of Samrang Gewog in Samdrup Jongkhar have been living with fear, as occasional visits from wild elephants continue to disturb their peace. Some villagers are now taking matters into their own hands and investing heavily in solar fencing to safeguard their homes and crops.
Elephants have recently damaged several areca nut trees and maize fields. It is a daily struggle for the residents of Samrang, who have faced such destruction for years.
Each time damage is reported, Krishna Rai and his family fear losing their home and farmland.
In response, Krishna invested over Nu 150,000 to install a private solar fence around his house and fields, hoping to protect them from future attacks.
Krishna Rai said, “Last time, my neighbour’s areca nut trees and crops were all damaged. If I had not installed solar fencing, my crops would have been destroyed too.”
Like Krishna, two other villagers have also installed solar fencing privately.
“Elephants used to come here often, and we have always had problems with them. The solar fencing provided by the government worked well for about two years, but now it is not effective, so elephants are returning,” said Lakman Rai, a resident.
“We have been facing problems with elephants and other wild animals for a long time. People have even lost their lives. Wild elephants keep destroying our crops, we have to stop cultivating paddy for two to three years now,” said Kinga, who lost his father in an elephant attack.
And the gewog office is also not spared from the menace.
Samrang Gup Jigme Singay Drukpa said, “The gewog has 6.5 kilometres of fencing, but controlling elephants along the highway is difficult. We cannot block the highway; we tried making one gate, but it is not effective. Elephants are entering from four points, and the gewog is now in discussion with the Jomotshangkha Wildlife Sanctuary to address the issue.”
The office is installing street lights along the highway, especially at the elephant entry points. He says the lights keep elephants away.
Until a proper solution is found, privately installed solar fencing remains the only protection for individual crops and properties.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Sangay Chezom
