Better preserve for Takin in Motithang
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MoAF) is constructing better building facilities for the preserve officials of Motithang who are currently putting up in dilapidated and ramshackle structures, for their offices and residential purposes.
The construction is in full swing and is slated for completion in June this year. Currently, officials responsible for management of the preserve are functioning from the decrepit structures some of which are as old as the preserve itself.
In the peak tourist season, 50 to 60 tourists visit the preserve. This is in addition to 20-30 locals daily, both from within Thimphu and beyond who come to see the Takin and other wildlife species inside the preserve.
With the better facilities in place, preserve management are also looking into collecting nominal fees from the visitors which will be ‘ploughed back’ for maintenance of the preserve, procurement of animal feeds and medicines.
Funded by the Royal Government of Bhutan, the Nu. 9.8 million constructions package also includes construction of public parking spaces and public toilets outside the entrance gate and access road to the preserve.
Meanwhile, plans are also in the offing to extend the 19.23 acres preserve southwards which will accommodate more animals and have bigger spaces for the animals. Animals inside the preserve forage natural fodder in the summer while in the winter, they are fed with supplementary feeds such as Bengal gram and ficus leaves collected from the Gedu area in Chhukha Dzonkhag.