𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

…𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒂𝒇𝒆𝒈𝒖𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚-𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒔

By Kinzang Lhamo

Communities living inside Bhutan’s protected areas are turning to practical measures to cope with climate change, focusing on two pressing issues: shrinking water resources and growing human-wildlife conflict. In Langchenphu under the Jomotsangkha Wildlife Sanctuary (JWS) in Samdrupjongkhar, residents revived their only water source, Chukar Po, by restoring canals and building storage tanks. In Draagchhukha under Jigme Dorji National Park (JDNP) in Punakha, farmers installed a six-kilometer live chain-link fence to protect crops and livestock from wildlife.

Both interventions, carried out through the Climate Crowd project led by WWF-Bhutan with support from local governments and park authorities, are helping communities secure food and strengthen livelihoods.

Chukar Po, once a reliable stream, had become uncertain with changing weather. Extended dry spells left households struggling to find enough water for drinking, cooking, livestock, and farming. Shortages often led to disputes among villagers and affected overall wellbeing.

“Climate change has reduced water flow in Chukar Po, especially during dry seasons, causing frequent shortages. Before the Climate Crowd intervention, 136 households struggled to access enough water for drinking, farming, and livestock, which often led to conflicts and hardships,” said Guman Singh Gaylal, gup of Langchenphu, Samdrupjongkhar.

The restoration has revived the stream. With improved water management, residents say they now experience less stress, better health and hygiene, and fewer fears of sudden scarcity.

“Chukar Po is essential for drinking, cooking, farming, and livestock. Reliable water now improves household wellbeing by reducing stress, improving health and hygiene, and ensuring steady access for daily needs,” said the gup. “The Climate Crowd project introduced better water management, allowing timely irrigation and more resilient farming. Crop yields are expected to improve, reducing food insecurity and strengthening livelihoods across the gewog.”
For both upper and lower Langchenphu, the restored Chukar Po has made a clear difference, though winter continues to pose challenges.

“The two villages have benefitted from the Chukar Po Climate Crowd intervention. Though during winter there is no water, both upper and lower Langchenphu have seen improvements,” said Homa Nath Suberi, Langchenphu Chiwog Tshogpa. He explained that while summer flows are steady, winter remains difficult.

“The water level in winter is very low and the source often dries up, while in summer there are no issues. Chukar Po remains the main source of water, although the community once considered pumping water from Jomori, but the distance and high expenses made it unrealistic,” he said. Despite relying on small ponds during winter, households say the situation is better than before. “We do not have a big water source, only small ponds. In winter, accessing drinking water becomes difficult, but overall the intervention has helped us manage what little water we have more effectively,” he added.

While Langchenphu focuses on water, farmers in Draagchhukha are addressing wildlife encroachment. With shifting patterns linked to climate change, animals that once avoided villages now venture closer, destroying crops and threatening livestock. Families spent nights guarding fields, and harvest losses were common.

“Before the chain-link fence, the rice we cultivated was often ruined by wild pigs and deer. Every season, it felt like our hard work was lost,” said Tshering Yangden from Draagchhukha chiwog. The construction of a live chain-link fence, using locally sourced materials, has changed that. “Now, we can focus on farming without constantly worrying about crop damage, and our yields have improved,” she said. “The fence has not only protected our crops but also given us peace of mind. Even our livestock are safer now, and the community feels more secure overall.”

For many, the fence has also eased physical and emotional strain. “Before, when we worked in the fields, we struggled a lot with wild animals. After the fencing, it has benefitted us greatly. Though most areas are protected, a section near the highway is still open, and there is a chance wild animals might come through. For now, we have put up a temporary net to cover it,” said Tshering, another farmer from the chiwog. He recalled how guarding the crops consumed time and energy. “Farming was our main source of income, yet constant threats from wild animals made it difficult. Families had to spend nights guarding crops, and in the past almost half of our rice harvest was lost.”

The difference this year is already visible. “After the fencing, I no longer have to stay in the fields so often. It is peaceful, and we are grateful for this initiative. The damage has reduced far more than before, and I hope this year we will be able to collect our full harvest. We also wish to see the remaining areas covered, especially near the forest where monkeys still disturb us,” he said.

For Draagchhukha Tshogpa Tshering Zangmo, memories of crop destruction and fear of predators are still vivid. “When there was no chain-link fencing, tigers, bears and deer destroyed almost half of our crops, and we could not collect our harvest. In the past, wild animals used to fear people, but now they come close to our homes. We often saw tigers and other wild animals along the roads, and we even feared for our cattle in their sheds. Last year, we had to keep the lights on and stay awake through the night, watching the fields so our crops and animals would not be attacked,” she said.

Despite heavy losses, the community chose not to retaliate against the animals. Instead, they turned to preventive measures that protect both people and wildlife. “With the fencing in place, people now cultivate with confidence, knowing that their fields are protected. Villagers also have native trees around their farmland as double protection, which they believe will help prevent soil erosion and flash floods in the future,” she said. “After the chain-link fencing, we feel much safer and better protected. The damage has reduced greatly, and we are finally able to work our fields in peace. Still, along the highway where there is no fencing, wild animals continue to cross, but overall the impact is far less than before.”

From securing water in Samdrupjongkhar to protecting farmland in Punakha, these efforts show how communities are adapting to a changing climate. With the support of the Climate Crowd project, villagers are restoring essential resources, protecting their livelihoods, and building resilience in Bhutan’s rural heartlands.