The Ministry of Agriculture and Forests (MoAF) will provide barbed wire fencing materials for free to all the affected rural households on gewog’s priority basis. The Agriculture Minister revealed this during the question hour session at the National Assembly today.
During the second session of the third parliament, the motion regarding the government to provide barbed wire fencing materials as a subsidy to all the affected rural households was passed. However, it was to be provided on a cost-sharing model of 50-50 on priority basis.
The Member of Parliament of Bardo-Trong constituency, Gyampo Tshering claimed despite the motion being passed in the last session people have still not received the subsidy and are eagerly waiting for it.
“The MoAF intends to help all the affected rural households by providing barbed wire fencing materials. We even have plans and programmes planned accordingly to further help those affected by human-wildlife conflict. As per the motion, it was decided that the government will provide the fencing materials on a cost-sharing basis of 50-50. However, we are planning to provide all the materials for free and let people do the installation works,” said Yeshey Penjor, the MoAF Minister.
However, the Minister added this will only be provided in gewogs which are in immediate need of fencing materials.
“It is not only the barbed wire fencing materials, but we are also talking of electric fencing, wire net fencings and in the southern areas we are also planning to try beekeeping and growing of plants that elephants don’t like. But like I said before, the barbed wire fencing materials will be provided for free depending on the needs of the gewog and its priorities,” Lyonpo added.
The Member of Parliament from the Bardo-Trong constituency moved the motion to provide barbed wire fencing materials on a cost-sharing model on a priority basis as a subsidy to all the affected rural households May last year. The motion was passed with 22 members voting in favour of the motion out of the 42 members present.
Passang Dorji
