In Trongsa, the Nu 3 M worth chain-link fencing in Korphu Gewog is proving ineffective. Despite the villagers’ efforts to secure their paddy fields, wild pigs continue to rampage through the fields, damaging crops and threatening farmers’ livelihoods. Korphu and Nabji villagers are desperately looking for a sustainable solution to mitigate the issue.
As autumn winds sweep through the mountain gorges in Trongsa, acres of lush green paddy fields in Korphu and Nabji villages are slowly turning golden.
It is almost time for paddy growers across the country to reap the reward for their hard work and sit back into the slumbers of the winter months.
However, in Korphu and Nabji villages, despite their paddy fields enclosed by chain-link fencing, farmers are worried if their efforts will pay off. Villagers say wild pigs easily enter the paddy fields and are calling relevant authorities to rectify the ineffectiveness of the chain-link fencing.
“We thought the chain-link fencing was incomplete last year, This year, we were told the fencing was handed over. But I do not know how the wild pigs keep getting in. It will only benefit us if this problem is rectified. If not it will stay as it was in the past. Only the cows cannot enter. It is easy for the wild pigs,” said Zigtru, a resident of Korphu.
“We have chased the pigs about two times after they entered our fields but it has been an impossible task. When we chase them they retaliate, so it poses a danger to human lives too. The wild pigs are eating our yield when it is almost time to harvest. This has not been beneficial for the Nabji and Korphu villagers. The government needs to intervene. We have to kill the pigs if we have to. Something needs to be done,” said Tenzin Jamtsho.
“The chain-link fencing has benefitted us immensely compared to the past. Before we used to work on cardamom during the day and guard paddy at night. Now we only guard our paddy 10 per cent of the time. The problem is that the entrance gate has large gaps through which the pigs can enter,” said Kinley Dorji.
Talking to BBS, the Korphu Gewog agriculture office said that wild pigs enter through the entrance gates, which are under construction.
Of the 18 entrance gates along the chain-link fencing, 10 have yet to be completed. The Gewog is hopeful once all gates are complete, the issue will be addressed. The seven-kilometre-long chain-link fencing was constructed last year and is expected to benefit about 90 households in Korphu and Nabji villages.
The two villages harvested over 350 metric tonnes of rice last year.
Pema Samdrup
Edited by Sherub Dorji
