1.
The State of Environment
With the advent of modernization developments
are on rise to feed the need and greed of rising population. At the same time
challenges to rising population are seen in different ways. The ecosystem
“degraded” with increase of pressure to environment. Everything on environment
seems to be prioritized as human’s asset. What is left on environment without explored?
Can we say our environment is virgin? We cannot just boast over our rich
biodiversity. Yes, we have more than 80% forest coverage but, are our farmers
still happy and safe from rising issues from wildlife depredation on crops and
livestock? Aren’t we failing to meet the need of rising population with development?
2.
Development and the Challenge
Nichula is by far one of the “underdeveloped”
geog in southern Bhutan. The geog is not only challenged by climatic conditions
like heavy rainfall in summer blocking all road connectivity but also with
rising issues of Human Elephant Conflict (HWC). The geog farm road has been
blocked with landslide few months ago and people are now facing the pressure of
Elephant. Who is responsible to maintain?
Phibsoo wildlife Sanctuary has successfully
installed electric fencing covering 5km of the area in 2016. The fencing has
been challenged with damage of machine from lightening causing it to be short
circuited. Repeatedly, the maintenance has been carried out supplying wires and
machines. Even then, the problem cannot be solved as the machine is being
damage by lightening repeatedly.
There is exactly two “wild” Elephant which
has been repeatedly causing damage to the assets of the community. It knows
well enough to cope with electric fencing. Yes, electric fencing has benefited but time has ripe to look for different measures as the animal is intelligent
enough to cope with the challenge. “Elephant is now a fence breaker”.
Beekeeping is found as good measure to drive away elephant in some part of the
country. Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary has discussed on it and derived a
resolution to adopt the practice in Nichula geog. Creation of artificial salt
lick is another activity that we have prioritized in reducing elephant
pressure.
3.
Stimulus and Reaction
As public servant placed in the remote
village, we the forest rangers has been providing continuous service of chasing
elephant irrespective of time and day.
But, it is also very sad to see less public cooperation in the work we
are doing. There are several careless people who need to be monitored and
watched to do the work which actually is of their responsibility. The electric
fencing poles after damage by elephant is left un-erected and maintained. The
fact is often the poles become the pole to tie cattle.
People don’t hesitate to say we are paid to
chase elephant by the state with salary. Yes, they have every right to say but
with logical statement. We are actually doing more than what is mention in our
job description. It is not that we expect in return for the extra work. We need
to see changes to the village. Even in Saturday and Sunday we often do not have
rest. We have given public as priority and attended in the works like
maintenance of electric fencing which was done with the convenience of people.
We have been after Elephant carrying weapons many a time. We promptly reacted
anytime though there are many inconvenience. To be with weapons and chase
Elephant has associated risk. Firstly, to travel all way to Lhamoyzingkha to
get weapon is difficult as the area is challenged with road condition.
Secondly, we as the conservationist have to keep in mind the safety of wildlife,
human and assets during the incident. The only thing we can do is chase with a
blank fire which often does not satisfy the people.
4.
A Night in the Forest
In the evening of Blessed Rainy Day, when
people in different part of country celebrated with laughter and joy, we the
Rangers of Nichula had difficulty in chasing Elephant. It rained so heavily and
we promptly reacted to chase away the Elephant after an order is passed on us.
The people know how challenging it was for us with weapons on that night. Still
then there are many who says we are there just as a presence. The fact is no
sooner did elephant enter the boundary; we are call to chase it away. They
don’t try themselves first and even if they can chase away we are called to
chase. This isn’t a win-win situation especially during night to attend to
situation which is almost an hour journey.
Yes, it is so sad to see the crops being
damage by the elephant. We share the grievances of people together when we see
the fruit of hard-work being destroyed in minutes. Elephant is endangered
species given conservative importance by the world and government. We are there
to ensure its safety and value but at the same time we are there to help
community and ensure them safe from wildlife issues. But, in the place like
Nichula we cannot only ensure the people happy if different stake holders like
people, government, project agencies don’t play role.
5.
SWOT Analysis for the Human Elephant Conflict
at Nichula
A.
Strength
i.
According
to the feedback provided by the people, after initiation of electric fencing
the pressure to crops has been reduced for a year.
ii.
Electric
fencing has been covered in all Chiwogs of Nichula. The geog agriculture
extension together with Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary covered with recent electric
fencing in all area of Bichgoan. This covers to more than 17 km of solar
fencing in the geog.
B.
Weakness
i. Poor maintenance and carelessness from the people. The
electric fencing poles and lines are remained un-corrected after damage. Sense
of belongingness is lacking with the people.
ii. Repeated
damage of machine by the lightening. The current machine “S5” isn’t suitable in
the place.
iii. mproper functioning of Quick Response Team
and less participation from people during Elephant chase away.
iv.
Lack of
understanding with the cooperation and people in the village. The work like
electric fencing remained divided which after all is duplication. Had FMCL, joined
with public, there could have been extra machines to cover up the area with
good current.
C. Opportunities
i.
The
costly machine MS/UNIQUE is found suitable in the area. The only machine
supported by geog is still functioning when many of other machines got damage
by lightening.
ii.
Since
the area is pressured by repeated incident, original wire which does not rust
is found to be suitable so that it become win-win measure.
D. Threats
i.
If the
incident continues there is every chance that our farmers’ crops become the
feed of elephant. Every night farmers are losing the crops to wildlife.
ii.
If the
current machine and wire is not replaced with good one, the conflict cannot be
reduced. The only means of chasing will be tedious for farmers and wildlife
managers.
6.
The Dream of Correction. What is needed?
a.
People/Public
The sense of belonging has to be
developed to the people. Electric fencing is a mitigation measure to reduce
elephant entry. There is no guarantee that it can prevent it from entering.
With service comes responsibility, it is the true responsibility of people to
maintain the fencing post, wires, machines and do timely clearing as per the
bylaws. There are many cases of people being ignorant and leaving the post
un-erected after the damage. The fact is electric fencing post became the pole
to tie cattle. Many machines are damage directly connecting the circuit without
using the adapter. Guard the crops, electric fencing does not guarantee the
elephant from entering. It will reduce the pressure as people have experienced
in the last years. Moreover, elephants are cleaver enough to challenge the
measure. Make the quick response team function. We have experienced little
participation from the community during chase away. If all participate and
chase, there is no need to chase elephant with weapon.
i.
Implementer: The local government and geog administration must encourage and correct
the people with this regard. Since they are the representative of people, they
can change the mindset of people if strict rules are regulations are set for
it. The bylaws go weak when the technology doesn’t bring much benefit. People
get hopeless and discontinue which later impact themselves.
7. Project Implementer and agencies:
Project agencies like government institutions,
geog institutions and NGOS have been helping in every walks to address the HWC
issues. If project implementer make good proposal to get quality wires which
does not rust and get good machines designed for elephant. The issues could be
solved. According to the feedback from the people the machine MS/UNIQUE
functions well and does not get damage. The original wire which doesn’t get
rusted is needed. Singye geog is known for its success against HEC, the geog
has metallic poles which is good enough to face elephant. If the implementers
could manage such assets from agencies this could help in reducing Human
Elephant Conflict.
a.
Implementer: Geog agriculture extension and wildlife manager are responsible for
proposing the assets since they are the one who have started the project. They
can really implement it because they have adequate knowledge of the situation.
The geog administration can also help in funding to buy the assets as this
could be one of the real developments if successful.
8. Government
In the last ten years our farmers have lost
their crops sometimes during their start and in end at the time of harvest. It
is very sad to see their product being lost in front of our eyes. Needless to
say, I wonder if our farmers have been benefited with crop compensation. If
the compensation schemes haven’t been functioning it is high time that it be
started.
a.
Implementer:
The elected member of National Council and
Assembly of the area is responsible to address the issue in the parliament. To
start a corruption free compensation scheme need to be started by the
government. Development of national policies for problem elephants and
encourage research into alternative HEC management options.
7. The SAFE Approach to Human Wildlife Conflict
World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is widely known for
its consistent support toward conservation throughout. In most of our
conservation projects, it acts as a stepping stones towards achieving the
objectives. Recently, with the support from WWF, we the team (Wildlife
managers, local leaders, resource person) had done thorough discussion and
identified certain measures for mitigating Human Wildlife Conflict. The SAFE
approach according to their verbal announcement proved to be successful in many
geogs which has been challenging with HWC.
SAFE approach aims to bring safety in
person/people, assets and wildlife through six elements. The elements include
policy, prevention of conflict, mitigation, response to conflict, understanding
the conflict and monitoring. It compiles
HWC information, does rapid assessment, develop strategy, implement strategy
and monitor.
7.1 Activity Listed for Mitigating HWC
- Creation
of Community Forest, Private Forest, Salt lick enrichment, introduction of
fodder trees in forest, Afforestation and reforestation to improve the habitat
and ecosystem as whole.
- Introduction
of hybrid cattle, milk processing unit, farmers group and cooperatives to
reduce pressure to environment and at the same time create source of income
generation and employment opportunities.
- Introduce
new variety of crops, cereals and vegetables for income generation.
- Maintenance
of electric fencing with suitable machines and wires. Rectification of angle
projection'
- Ecotourism
along Sunkosh for income generation through rafting, birding and other
environmental services.
- Sustainable
Land Management programs for protecting the asset. Through such programs
habitat is more likely to improve.
- Introduction
of proper crop insurance scheme to address the grievance of farmers after loss
of crops to wildlife and also for the safety of wildlife.
“When will the SAFE Approach come? Will the
SAFE bring Safety?”
“My Personal
Views with Experience”