Eight kilometers from the point where the Zhemgang-Trongsa highway intersects the farm road leading to the Mithun Breeding Centre in Wangdigang, and move down a slope of green foliage, trees and felled logs.

Seems like a peaceful picture of rural Bhutanese life, right? It is but the only thing is this apparently serene scene is causing untold damage to the Wangdigang forest plantations.

Last year the plantations started in the month of May and comprise among others walnut, tooni, champ and bangay seedlings. The Forest Management Plan was prepared by the DoF and as per rules the NRDCL has to implement it.

Above the farm road, since 2004 till last year, an area of 44.55 hectares was under plantation and below the road, since 2006 till last year there are 12 cable lines but the area is yet to be estimated by the authorities.

The problem started when the cattle which are used for butter production started encroaching upon the forest plantations.

A cursory look around the place shows areas trampled by cattle. So it is obvious what sort of damage is being caused to the young seedlings which cannot be differentiated from the already verdant growth all around.

There may be around 700 cattle grazing here, according to some sources. Considering that even a group of around ten cattle can cause major damage to plantations if left berserk, it is only imaginable what a herd comprising such a number can do. Destruction?

The herder 47-year-old Tandin from the Royal Body Guards, his Pema Choki and a few other family members tend to the cattle. He is from Punakha and has been the cattle herder (Norpoen) for 35 years. They lead a semi-nomadic life moving with the animals through Wangdigang, Chuzurgang below Trongsa and Chendebji through the seasons.

All is well except flouting forest conservation rules.

The DoF and NRDCL state in a matter of fact that the grazing of these cattle on plantation area is causing untold damage in the form of “trampling” and “uprooting” especially in sloping areas.

But Norpoen Tandin has his own side of the story. In a letter to his senior to whom he is accountable (dated 24th April 2009), he has complained that the logging activities here are causing problems for the cattle.

He has stated specifically that the felled trees are an “obstacle” to the smooth movement of the cattle and a few young calves are actually getting trapped in the rubble.  Further he has complained that the metal wiring used for demarcations are injuring the mulching cows’ teats and thus affecting milk production. All these, he confirmed with BT too.

So he has asked the authorities to look into the matter.

This is somewhat of an irony.

Complaints about less milk production when hundreds of young painstakingly planted seedlings and for the best reasons including enhancing the country’s natural environment is at stake.

However, an NRDCL staff said that the Norpoen may have a good reason to complain because the plantations which are done within 30 meter span on both sides of the cable lines leave little space for grazing.

The Norpoen’s wife also said that seedlings are being damaged but it is not intentional.

“You can’t make out planted seedlings from the other vegetation growing around,” she said.

Now there is a new twist to the story- the Norpoen is demanding that no logging activities should be carried out below the farm road since it will again affect the cattle and their productivity.

 He claims that an agreement was signed a few years back to that effect but NRDCL claims they don’t have any records of the elusive document.

When the NRDCL Division Manager M.D.Tamang was asked on what could be done regarding the whole issue, he said that maybe the only solution could be “stopping plantations in the area.” In other words, bringing to an abrupt end a productive Forest Management Unit plan.

According to the CFO, the division has to follow plans as long as it is mandated by rules and is within the required budget.