The constant worry of going homeless for some 57 households of Sangtsheri village in Phangkhar Gewog in Zhemgang is likely to be put to rest. BBS correspondent in Zhemgang learnt from sources that the Ministry of Agriculture and Forest has approved and considered the public’s appeal and might soon issue an order to convert the wetlands into dryland.
Around 57 households of Sangtsheri village live in constant fear of having to demolish their houses built on wetlands. In 2016 the Dzongkhag, upon finding that the settlements were on wetlands, had asked them to demolish their houses within six months’ time. It is illegal to establish houses on wetlands as per the Land Act, 2007.
Locals began settling on wetlands by establishing semi-permanent and permanent structures since 2010 when the construction of Gongphu- Panbang highway started. However, the issue came to limelight only in 2016 when landowners could not convert the wetlands into dryland during the National Cadastral Resurvey programme between 2008 and 2014. A few constructions are put on hold for years now. And locals have submitted several petitions to the gewog office requesting concerned authorities to consider converting their wetlands into dryland.
“It would help us if the government can convert our wetland into dry land because we don’t have a proper place to live and construct houses. Moreover, Sangtseri has all the basic amenities and the school is also nearby. We just do not have a proper house to live in,” said Nimdon.
“We want the government and the concerned authorities to look into our petitions and grievances and investigate the case properly. We are hopeful that our problems would be solved soon,” added Jigme Tenzin.
Meanwhile, Phangkhar Gewog administration said the office has forwarded the petitions to the concerned agencies for consideration.
“We have forwarded all their petitions to the concerned ministries. Upon our request, a group of experts from the Agriculture Ministry visited the site and conducted a study, a year ago. The officials told us that the report has been submitted to a higher authority,” said Pangkhar Mangmi, Tshering Norbu.
Sources told BBS correspondent in Zhemgang that the ministry has already issued an order to the Dzongkhag to consider converting the wetlands into dry land. The order has not yet reached the Phangkhar gewog administration.
The households moved to Sangtsheri from Panabi, Kulamti and Zangbi villages in hope of better life since Sangtsheri is located near the gewog office with all the basic amenities such as Basic Health Unit, schools and road easily accessible.
Pema Samdrup
