January 7: The National Council today discussed issues concerning conflict between human and wildlife and issues on Zhabto Lemi.

The National Council member from Lhuntse, Rinzin said various measures taken by the government to protect and compensate the farmers for the loss of their crops and livestock to wild animals have not benefited the people much. He said wild animals continue to inflict losses to farmers.

The National Council member Dasho Karma Ura who is also chairperson of the Economic Affairs committee said farmers can be compensated through donations raised from international wildlife organizations. He said studying and educating the farmers on the food habits of wild animals, introduction of audiovisual mechanism to ward off wild animals, and providing electric fencing and compensation are some of the measures that the committee has come up with.

He said compensation for loss of livestock has to be continued for the benefit of farmers who are entirely dependent on their livestock.

The National Council members also discussed issues on Zhabto Lemi. The National Council member from Trashigang Sonam Kinga said Zhabto Lemi was introduced for the people to take part in the community infrastructure development. But since there is no fixed number of days for the household to contribute labour, he said it is affecting the daily activities of the farmers.

He said Zhabto Lemi should be either stopped or the number of days for the people to contribute labour fixed. He said the types of work have to be identified for the people to contribute labour as Zhabto Lemi.

The National Council member Dasho Karma Ura said people contribute Zhabto Lemi mostly for the construction and renovation of Lhakhangs and schools. He said on average people in the villages spend about 33 days annually to take part in Zhabto Lemi. But he said it differs from village to village and geog to geog.