Elephants in Bhutan are not only a symbol of strength and wisdom, but also revered as integral part of the country’s biodiversity. However, with rising human-wildlife conflict, particularly in the southern plains, the relationship between humans and these giants is increasingly fraught with tension. As the country continues to develop, elephant habitats are shrinking, causing more frequent and often dangerous interactions between people and wildlife.
As of 2018, the estimated population of elephants in Bhutan stood at 678, according to the National Elephant Survey conducted by the Nature Conservation Division (NCD), Department of Forests and Park Services (DoFPS).
Officials from Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources say, “This population is largely concentrated in southern Bhutan, inhabiting the country’s tropical and subtropical forests. These areas include a rich mosaic of dry and wet forests, grasslands, and river systems. Elephants prefer these habitats due to the abundance of their preferred food sources, and their movements are greatly influenced by seasonal variations and foraging needs.”
However, Bhutan’s rapid development poses challenges to the conservation of these habitats. Economic projects, such as infrastructure development and agricultural expansion, are slowly fragmenting elephant habitats
Elephants are often referred to as ecosystem engineers due to their ability to shape the environment. Their influence is far-reaching, from creating pathways through dense forests for other wildlife to dispersing seeds over large distances, which promotes the regeneration of forests. Elephants play a vital role in maintaining forest health by selectively removing weaker tree species and encouraging the growth of stronger ones.
An official from the ministry said, “Elephants are the forest’s natural gardeners. Their role in seed dispersal and ecosystem management is crucial, especially in maintaining the diversity and resilience of our forests.”
However, as elephants move closer to human settlements, often in search of food, the frequency of human-elephant conflicts has increased. Crop damage and the destruction of property, including temporary huts, are common. In recent years, incidents have escalated, sometimes resulting in the loss of human lives.
The official said, “The increase in human-elephant conflicts is driven primarily by habitat fragmentation. The more we encroach on their natural habitats, the more likely these encounters become.”
The economic impact of these conflicts is severe for communities in the southern plains. Elephants frequently raid paddy fields, maize, banana, and areca nut plantations, staple crops for many local farmers.
“Culturally, elephants are revered as a precious jewel (by referring to them as Lanporinpoche) or as a manifestation of Lord Ganesha. However, with recent damages to property and human lives due to increased interaction between humans and elephants, the very sight of elephant has created a fear in human minds,” the official added.
Efforts to reduce human-elephant conflict are ongoing, but their effectiveness varies. Local communities and authorities have implemented several mitigation measures, such as electric fences, chain-link fences, and elephant trenches. Quick Response Teams (QRTs) made up of community members, trained to drive away elephants using non-lethal methods like firecrackers and burning herbs, have also been established.
However, these measures are often not foolproof. Electric fences, though initially effective, require regular maintenance, which many communities struggle to afford or carry out. Elephants, being highly intelligent animals, have been known to adapt and learn to break through or circumvent these barriers.
“While stone walls are highly effective, they are costly and impractical in many rural areas. Electric fences, on the other hand, are easier to implement but are prone to failure over time,” said the official.
Additionally, the Bhutan Human-Wildlife Conflict Management Strategy includes habitat enrichment initiatives such as creating grasslands, waterholes, and artificial salt licks to lure elephants away from human settlements. But these efforts, while valuable, are not enough to address the scale of the problem.
According to the ministry official, there have been no significant shifts in elephant migration patterns in Bhutan, as of now, but their movements are heavily influenced by the availability of food and water. Bhutan’s elephants are known to migrate through transboundary corridors into neighboring Indian forests. These corridors are critical for maintaining healthy elephant populations and avoiding further habitat fragmentation.
The officials said that ensuring that these corridors remain intact is essential for both the elephants and the people living in the southern regions of Bhutan.
According to the official, Bhutan has also been exploring the use of GPS collaring technology to better understand elephant behavior and movement patterns. In one instance, a collared elephant from Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary was tracked migrating towards Gelephu, passing through Indian forest reserves. This research helps identify potential conflict zones and safe corridors for elephants to travel through without coming into contact with human settlements.
To ensure the long-term survival of elephants in Bhutan, the Bhutan Elephant Conservation Action Plan 2018-2028 was developed. This holistic strategic plan outlines efforts to maintain elephant populations while protecting the ecosystems they inhabit.
The official said, “One key focus of the plan is maintaining connectivity between habitats through wildlife corridors and adopting smart green infrastructure measures that allow for safe passage of wildlife across roads and other human-made barriers.”
The plan also emphasizes the importance of cross-border cooperation with India, which is home to a much larger population of Asian elephants. Through regular bilateral meetings and international networks, Bhutan and India work together to ensure the long-term conservation of elephants that migrate between the two countries.
“India is a leader in wildlife conservation, and our collaboration with them is crucial for managing cross-border elephant populations,” said the official.
According to the ministry, although a national level insurance and compensation mechanism is not in place, however, in the past there have been community-based crop insurance programs through the institutionalization of Gewog Environmental Conservation Committee. But this program got recalled for the formation of national-level insurance scheme, which is currently being worked out for implementation.
The official said, “Even without the institutionalization of an insurance and a compensation program, farmers are always provided seed subsidy and other benefits for increasing the yield of crops.”