Residents of Dewathang Gewog are worried after several cattle were recently found dead in the nearby forests. The cattle, which had been left to graze in the nearby forests, were found mauled, raising fears of a tiger attack. In just one month, about eight cows have been killed.
In Chhenari-Rishor Chiwog, Sangay Dhendup lost two of his milking cows within just nine days.
One was found dead in the forest. The other returned home with severe injuries. Despite receiving treatment, the injured cow died yesterday.
Sangay recalls facing similar attacks about 12 years ago, stirring fears that history may be repeating itself.
“The bite marks are on the neck and back, we have not seen the tiger, but we heard cows making unusual noises so we went to check, one cow was already killed and another one was injured.”
They were not just animals to Sangay’s family; they were a critical source of livelihood. They produced about 22 litres of milk a day, earning more than Nu 20,000 in a month.
“Selling milk is the main source of income for me. Now that my cows are killed, I don’t know what to do.”
Meanwhile, in Rikhey Chiwog, five oxen were killed in similar circumstances; further deepening fears among villagers that a predator may be on the prowl.
Tempa Rabgay, a farmer said “Just recently, two oxen were left in the forest for grazing, one returned home with injuries and died after two days, and we found the other’s carcass with tiger footprint nearby.”
Jigme, another farmer said “I searched for my cow for three days, I followed hoof marks and found out that a tiger killed it. Here we use oxen to plough fields for maize cultivation, as power tillers are not suitable.”
Likewise, Pema Yangzom said “It’s dangerous here. We don’t enter the forest out of fear thinking that the predators may attack us from behind.”
Another farmer Zangpo said “I left my cows to graze here while I went to attend some funeral rites. Later, they were attacked. We found tiger tracks nearby. The tiger doesn’t finish its kill, the meat just decays. So it keeps hunting again.”
Another similar attack was reported in Bangtsho Chiwog.
Amid concerns over rising livestock depredation, people are hoping to get compensated for their losses. During the last winter session of the parliament, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock proposed a National Crop and Livestock Insurance Scheme, a measure aimed at protecting farmers from losses due to natural disasters and wildlife attacks.
The proposed scheme includes a 50 per cent government subsidy on insurance premiums. The National Assembly passed a resolution in its favour and instructed the ministry to submit a follow-up report in the upcoming summer session.
The Agriculture and Livestock Minister Younten Phuntsho said that the proposal is being finalised and will require cabinet approval before it can be rolled out. Amid growing concern in Dewathang Gewog, many villagers are calling for swift action, both for protection and compensation.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Kipchu
