The farmers in Jongthang and Karshong villages in Nubi Gewog, Trongsa hardly let their cattle graze freely in the forest. That’s because wild predators like tigers and leopards have been preying on their livestock.
The farmers always make sure their cattle herd stays in sight for the fear of losing them to wild predators.
“We have to take care of them like how we keep an eye on our children. If we let them to graze in the forest, they will either be killed or injured by tiger,” Jurmi from Jongthang said.
“We now have only fewer cattle, dogs and cats in our village because of tigers and leopards,” Ugyen Lhamo said. “We make sure they stick close to home and do not wander into the forest.”
Another farmer, Chimmi Dorji, said they see almost three to four incidences of wild predators attacking livestock in a month.
“Our cattle would be killed if we let them graze in the forest. We have to protect them because as farmers livestock is our main source of livelihood,” Rinzin from Jongthang said.
Farmers say tigers and leopards attacking livestock is not a new problem. What is new is it has worsened over the years, they say.
They claim the animals can be seen and heard near the village.
“The tigers wander in the jungles of Semji, Jongthang and Karshong villages through the year,” Tashi from Karshong said.
“Sometimes we encounter them face-to-face. In the past, they would frequent the places where people are. But now they do and can be seen along the paths in the villages,” Tandi from Jongthang said.
The Trongsa Forest Range office says it has not received any reports or complaints though.
“This office did not receive any complaints from the gewog administration or the communities,” Range Officer Jigme Tshering said.
“If they complained or reported to us, we would have conducted verification and submitted report to the higher authorities for necessary action.”
The district livestock office, however, has received about 38 livestock depredation cases last year.
