The two-day Royal Highland Festival in Laya ended on a high note recently. However, the lack of adequate toilets, water and power supply was a major problem, according to visitors and highlanders. Raising the concern, they said there is a need for the management to improve and develop basic infrastructure for the festival in the future.
Resuming after two years, the Royal Highland Festival witnessed a large crowd this time. While the festival was able to immensely help the highland communities make income, it was the lack of proper toilets and the shortage of water that were a problem.
The visitors and locals used temporary toilets made out of black tarpaulin sheets to relieve themselves during the event.
“The lack of a toilet is a serious problem here. And with the huge crowd, it’s even more difficult. It would be better if the management builds proper and enough toilets so that people can comfortably use it,” said Tshering Norbu, a visitor from Bumthang.
“This time, we faced an acute shortage of drinking water in the kitchen. When there is no water, it affects the kitchen work. Moreover, the condition of the toilet is pathetic. We would be grateful if they could at least construct the toilet with enough pits,” said Goem Dorji, a visitor from Gasa.
“There are many civil servants who come for the event, for instance from the BPC and BBS. I feel it would be convenient for the officials if the gewog administration arranges and builds a proper shelter near the event ground. This would benefit the gewog administration to raise some budget and help the service providers to provide the services conveniently and efficiently,” said Wangchuk, a businessman in Gasa.
“There is a shortage of drinking water and a power supply problem in the area. Likewise, it is difficult to resist the cold weather in tents. We would be grateful and it would be more convenient if the gewog and district administration could arrange some proper shelter in the future on a payment basis,” said Naku, another businessman from Wangdue Phodrang.
However, the situation is likely to improve in next year’s festival.
“We have enough space in the area. So, we have a plan that the gewog and district administration will coordinate and work together to install all the necessary infrastructure in the area by next year. We will also construct a proper toilet which the visitors can use after paying some amount,” said Laya Gup, Tshewang.
The people from the highland community of ten districts gathered to showcase their unique culture and tradition during the two-day festival.
Laya Royal Highland Festival was introduced in 2016 to boost the highlander’s socioeconomic conditions and promote their culture.
Changa Dorji, Gasa
Edited by Sonam Pem
