Elephant Coexistence in Bhutan’s Jomotsangkha Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhutan

Elephants in Bhutan live in the southern sub-tropical area which is a transboundary region between Bhutan and India. The communities in this region around the Jomotsangkha Wildlife Sanctuary suffer from human-elephant conflict. Key activities include conducting spatiotemporal analyses to identify elephant movement patterns, conflict hotspots, and seasonal crop damage; restoring degraded habitats by removing invasive species and planting native palatable vegetation; maintaining natural salt licks and waterholes; securing migratory routes and shared human-elephant spaces; strengthening community-based elephant monitoring and early-warning systems; introducing context-specific mitigation measures such as wildlife-friendly farming practices, protective barriers, and alternative livelihood opportunities; and enhancing anti-poaching patrols, conservation education, and community outreach to foster local stewardship and long-term tolerance.

IEF #1056

Project Years:2026

Project Partners:
Lungten Dorji, Nature Conservation Division, Department of Forests and Park Services, Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Royal Government of Bhutan