Sheep rearing is becoming increasingly difficult in Bumthang due to shrinking pastureland, predator attacks and a shortage of reliable feed. The practice now survives in just two villages in Chhumey Gewog, putting the tradition at risk of disappearing. A new initiative is now helping farmers improve pastureland, protect their sheep and rebuild their flocks.Across the pasturelands of Choongphe Chiwog, sheep can still be seen grazing on the hillsides.
In Zhurey and Bim villages, sheep rearing remains a part of rural life. These two villages are among the last communities in the district where the tradition continues.
But the number of farmers keeping sheep has declined. There are currently only about 80 sheep, reared by nine households.
Pastureland is becoming limited, making it difficult to provide enough feed for the animals.
Predator attacks are another major concern. Farmers say leopards and other predators have attacked sheep both while grazing and inside sheds at night.
Sonam Zangmo, a farmer from Zhurey, said that rearing sheep alone was dangerous and threatening in the past. “We feared that predators could even put our lives at risk. These days, we feel quite relaxed as leopards have not appeared in our village. But predators still attack at night, even in the sheds, and kill several sheep at a time.”
Farmers say the declining flock size has raised concerns about whether sheep rearing can continue in the villages.
