To address water shortages and declining water quality in the country, a new USD 8.9 M project which is equivalent to over Nu 739 M has been launched. The five-year project called “Advancing Climate Resilience of the Water Sector in Bhutan” is supported by the Global Environment Facility’s Least Developed Countries Fund and the UNDP. It intends to solve water issues in some of the most climate-vulnerable regions of the country such as Gasa, Punakha, and Tsirang.
With an additional of USD 25 M in co-financing from the government, the project is expected to benefit over 37,000 people.
From the many outcomes, the project aims to provide improved water infrastructure which will ensure access to irrigation and drinking water for over 19,000 people, with nearly half of them being women.
The project’s activities include restoring and managing the water sources and introducing climate-resilient agriculture practices and livelihoods among others.
In addition, the project is also expected to enhance the climate resilience of the water sector and help safeguard the nation’s economy, health, food security, and livelihood against heat waves and droughts, floods, rising temperatures, and changing weather patterns brought about by climate change.
Namgay Dem
Edited by Sonam Pem
