In Pema Gatshel, after running short of sand supply during the construction of chain-link fencing, the villagers of Nanong Gewog are preparing to form a community group to extract sand from the nearby Demri stream. The five-kilometre chain-link fence, which is supposed to be complete by this time, is still a work in progress due to sand supply issues. Once complete, the chain-link fence will enclose over 800 acres of farmland.
The construction of the chain-link fencing in Nanong, a first in the district, was given to a community contractor.
Community members say the work was delayed as sand for construction had to be transported from a quarry located in Zobel Gewog.
“There is sand in Nanong. If we had collected it from here, the construction would be complete. It would not have taken so long. While transporting sand from the quarry, sometimes the road was blocked and on other occasions, the machine at the quarry used to break down. So, that is what hindered our work progress,” said Pema Gyeltshen, a resident of Nanong Gewog.
“Had it not been for the sand shortage, the fence would have benefited us to protect our winter crops from wild boar and deer. With this shortage, there is a high risk of these animals damaging our crops,” said Jamtsho, another resident.
The farmers of Nanong-Pangthang Chiwog want to form a group and extract sand from the nearby Demri Stream.
According to the residents, forming a community group will enable them to collectively manage sand extraction, and ensure a steady supply to various construction projects in the gewog.
The group will also be responsible for coordinating the sand extraction process while adhering to rules and regulations set by local authorities.
“We have enough sand in our village. The sand is brought by the stream, but it also gets washed away by the stream itself. So, it never benefited us. We do not have a community forest. It would benefit us if we are allowed to extract sand as they do for timber from a community forest,” said Pema Gyeltshen, also a resident.
“This would benefit both the government and the people. For farmers, they can make some earnings from the sand and for the government, they do not have to spend a lot of money to transport sand from Gongri and Trashigang,” said Cheten, a resident.
“A lot of work, which requires sand is coming up and the people are discussing it with us. I am thinking about consulting the matter with the community and will put it up for discussion in the gewog. I hope the government will grant permission to collect sand from our locality. People want the same too,” said Tashi Tobgay, Nanong-Pangthang Tshogpa.
Gewog officials say to initiate a group, interested farmers should come together and determine logistics, like frequency of extraction, cost sharing and profits, and any necessary permits or license requirements.
“The gewog administration would like to provide any kind of support by approaching the relevant sectors and agencies,” said Tempa, Nanong Mangmi.
Nanong-Pangthang residents say such an initiative can address increasing sand prices and promote responsible use of resources from the community.
If a group is formed, it will benefit more than 150 households in Nanong-Pangthang Chiwog.
Meanwhile, the Nu 9 M chain-link fencing project, which started in April of this year is expected to complete towards the end of next month.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Sherub Dorji
