Farmers in Gakiling Chiwog under Gakiling Gewog in Sarpang are looking forward to a safer and more productive farming season this year. A chain-link fencing project, currently underway, is expected to reduce human-wildlife conflict and protect farmlands from wild animals.
Work to install a six-kilometre chain-link fence around the village’s farmland is currently underway.
It is expected to help prevent repeated crop losses often caused by wild animals just days before harvest.
Chador, a resident said, “Whatever we grew, wild animals like elephants, wild boars and peacocks would destroy before we could benefit from it. With the chain-link fencing now being built, we are hopeful our crops will finally be protected. The government has provided the materials, and we are contributing labour.”
Earlier, the community had installed solar fencing, but farmers say it was not effective enough, especially against wild boars.
Ngawang Dendup, a resident said, “We had solar fencing before, but it could only keep away some animals. It was not very effective against wild boars. With the chain-link fencing now being built, we believe it will be much more effective in protecting our crops.”
As wooden pillars of the old solar fencing are gradually replaced with sturdy metal poles and steel wire mesh, the new chain-link barrier is beginning to take shape across wide stretches of farmland.
Once completed, the six-kilometre fence is expected to protect large agricultural areas and benefit around 50 households in the community.
Passang Dorji/Karma Wangdi
