Elephants have been uprooting teak trees in Sasboti forest plantation area in Sibsoo. They are feeding on the bark of the trees. Every year about 50 trees are uprooted by the wild Elephants.
The Forest officials said that bark of teak trees is widely consumed by the wild elephants. These uprooted teak trees are allotted to the needy people who come with application in range office. Forest range office carries out a field survey and submits a report to Chief Forestry Officer and they further forward it to the headquarter for approval.
“So far, whoever sees the uprooted trees, they report it to the Dzongkhag Forestry Division. The forestry division then forwards it to the forestry department in Thimphu. And upon the approval of the director, the uprooted trees are given to people. They however have to pay the royalty,” said the Sibsoo’s Senior Range Officer, Pema Thinley. Forest officials said that each individual are allotted 20 to 30 cft of timber on full royalty.
The wild elephants get back to India after the maize season and return back to Sasboti forest plantation area in September. In a year, Sasboti forest plantation area loses around 800 cft of wood to wild Elephants.
