The long-standing water shortage of Dawamay village in Pema Gatshel has finally come to an end with the completion of the water project. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) completed the water project last month. With this, more than 70 households have safe drinking water today.
The land in Dawamay is fertile, and farmers can grow any kind of crop. But with not enough water, many gave up farming and left the village.
However, with the recently completed water project, they now get enough water for drinking and to water crops in the fields.
“With the support from UNDP, we now have enough drinking water in the village. It will greatly benefit us from hereon. And now that each household has proper drinking water, we are thinking of staying here,” said Thinley, a resident.
“With the water supply, we are hoping that it will solve our water shortage by a hundred per cent. The new water supply will not only solve the drinking water shortage but also can be used for irrigation,” said Ugyen, another resident.
With water aplenty, residents are now planning to focus on farming to earn income to support their families.
“We had a lot of difficulty in the past. But now with the water supply, we can cultivate vegetables and cash crops like areca nuts. So, we are hoping it will help us make a good income,” said Tsejay Norbu, Dizama Tshogpa.
“Without water, we cannot grow anything although we have land. If there is no shortage, we can focus on growing different varieties of vegetables,” said Thinley, a resident.
The Dawamay water supply project began in mid of last year and was completed last month.
The United Nations Development Program funded the water project worth more than Nu 4 M under the Small Grants Programme.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Sonam Pem
