People of Tsangkha Gewog in Dagana are worried over the drying up of Tshangkha lake which serves as the source of drinking and irrigation water for the villagers. The lake, which was once spread over three acres of land, is slowly vanishing today. Left unattended for some time, thick and fast-growing grasses have encroached the lake area. Residents say, more than half of the lake has dried up over the year.
“In the past, the entire area was covered by the lake irrespective of any seasons. But it started drying after the community fenced the lake to stop animals entering the lake,” said Dawa, one of the residents.
Like any other resident, Dawa is also worried if the drying of the lake is an indication of ill-fortune for the community.
For ages, residents of Tshangkha have been relying on the lake for both drinking and irrigation water supply. But with the gradual drying up of the lake, residents today are finding it difficult to practice agriculture in the village.
“The lake used to be the main source of irrigation water for three chiwogs of Gelegchhu, Tsangkha, and Paateykha. But the three chiwogs are now left without irrigation water,” said Tawla, the Tsangkha Gup.
However, these problems are expected to be resolved soon. The recent Dagana Dzongkhag Tshogdu held in March endorsed Nu 1.5 M for the lake revival project.
“We will be clearing debris from the lake, will construct drains to stop entering dirty rainwater into the lake, and initiate tree plantations around the lake,” said Karma Dorji, the Dagana Dzongkhag Environment Officer.
Also, the gewog administration in collaboration with the Green Climate Fund recently connected the lake with an additional water supply to increase water volume. Likewise, the archery range which was earlier located within the lake premises has also been relocated to a new location.
The lake restoration works are expected to start in July this year. Similarly, the Dzongkhag Administration will also revive two more lakes in Gozhi Gewog.
Pema Tshewang, Dagana
