It’s good news for landowners residing on the outskirts of the town area. Until now, people owning land within two kilometres of the Thromde boundary were not eligible for rural subsidised timber. The restriction has now been lifted but only for inherited lands according to forest officials who shared the news during the recent Dzongkhag Tshogdu in Punakha.
65-year-old Pelki from Guma-Wolakha under Guma Gewog excavated his land last year to construct a two-storied traditional house. He wanted to build a home for one of his daughters and her family.
However, he could not start the work. He was ineligible for rural subsidised timber as his land fell within the two-kilometre radius.
“We are located near the town but we don’t have any privileges. It would be okay if we had some but we don’t. If I had the permit, I would have completed the construction by now.” said Pelki.
Pelki is one of the families living near Khuruthang who had to give up their construction plans due to the restriction.
Another resident of Guma-Wolakha, Nim Dem, said she wanted to apply for rural subsidised timbers since 2019.
“We were told that we will not get the permit since our area falls within the two-kilometre radius. Otherwise, I had planned to complete it by 2019.”
In Punakha, the three gewogs of Guma, Dzomi and Lingmukha were affected by this regulation.
The issue was discussed during the recent DT. According to the Guma Gup, letters requesting permits for rural subsidised timber are piling up in his office.
“Although our people reside near the town, they have to follow all the rules as that of other villages. But when it comes to the entitlements, our people do not get the same entitlement as what rural people get. All this is very inconvenient for our people,” said Guma Gup Kinley Gyeltshen.
However, this rule has now been revised.
“From this year on, the rules have been changed. You are eligible for rural subsidised timber even if your land is within the two-kilometre radius provided that it is inherited,” said Yeshey, the Range Officer in Punakha.
Foreign Minister, Dr Tandi Dorji, said this is an interim measure.
“People will be given permits if the land is inherited but you will be ineligible if it is newly purchased,” he said.
As per the Forest and Nature Conservation rules and regulations, a household is entitled to 18 logs or drashing for the construction of a two-storied house. A person can get nine logs for a one-storied structure and three for renovations.
Changa Dorji, Punakha
Edited by Yeshi Gyaltshen
