Dara Tsho (lake) in Patshaling Gewog in Tsirang District has been drying up for years, but the gewog administration is determined to restore it.
BBS News has learned that gewog officials are going to study the situation, come up with sustainable solutions such as re-watering the lake, and put up in the upcoming Dzongkhag Tshogdu session for endorsement.
One of the main reasons for saving the shrinking lake is to attract tourists in the locality. Dara Tsho is situated at Darachu, which is located around 25 kilometres from Tsirang towards Gelegphu. As of now, 70 per cent of the lake has dried up.
“In the 12th Five-Year-Plan, we will explore ways to promote tourism in our dzongkhag and respective gewogs. This lake could be one of the tourist destinations. So we will consult relevant stakeholders to save the lake from drying,” said Chabi Kumar Rai, the Gup of Patshaling Gewog.
He added, “We will start the works soon.” Cleaning the lake starting from next month is one of the initiatives to rehabilitate the lake.
Cultural significance of Dara Tsho
The 87-year-old Tshering Sherpa, the oldest resident in Darachu recalled how the name of the place is linked with Dara Tsho. “The settlement is located just above Dara Tsho, and so was named Darachu.”
He also recounted that in early days, two white ducks and two sparrows used to clean the lake. “Even small leaves floating on the lake would be cleaned by two ducks and two sparrows. But now, it doesn’t look like a lake as it is shrinking and I think this could be due to human activities and pollution.”
Another resident named Dawa Wangmo, 44, narrated that when she was a child, elders told her that if lucky then one would discover antique stuffs nearby the lake.
“We were told that if we are lucky and kind hearted, then we would see ornaments, antiques, and ancient potteries being hung from this tree near the lake. And if we are ill minded, then we might see snakes on it.
However, looking at the present state of Dara Tsho, Dawa looked crestfallen. “See, this sacred tree has collapsed and the vegetation surrounding the lake site is also vanishing.”
