The government may reconsider the requirement of at least 30 acres to receive chain-link fencing support. The move comes after MPs raised concerns over restrictions on fencing support for communities with less than 30 acres of landholdings during the Question Hour session. Members argued that the policy does not reflect the realities of wildlife damage and rising human-wildlife conflict.
During the question hour session, Khar-Yurung MP Sangay Thinley raised concerns about the rationale behind the current guideline. He said the restriction could negatively affect farmers.
“Those who received the chain-link fence do not have any problems, but people who did not receive it are facing a lot of challenges. That’s why they’re saying that it would be helpful if the restriction could be looked into.”
In response, the Agriculture and Livestock Minister explained that the policy was implemented considering the return on investment.
“If we provide chain-link fencing in the small land, the land will provide enough harvest for self-consumption. It will not generate enough produce for commercial purposes or support business-oriented farming.”
The minister added that it’s too early to provide a fixed timeline for any changes in the revision of the Chain-Link Fencing Guidelines 2024.
According to the 13th Five-Year Plan, the government has allocated Nu 5.1bn for the chain-link fencing initiative.
In the last two years, 1,107 kilometres of chain-link fencing were provided, benefitting 22,907 households in the country.
Singye Dema
Edited by Sonam Pem
