Bhutan has made significant progress in bringing electricity to most areas. However, some remote places still lack power supply. One such place is Gongribalay in Pema Gatshel. This area is where the people of Nyingshingborang practice farming and spend more than half the year there. The farmers are now urging the relevant agencies to provide power supply to their farmland.
These small huts have become a second home for many residents of Ngyingshingborang. They have been spending most of their time at Gongribalay where they began farming about four years ago.
Due to the long distance from their village to the farmland, people started living in these huts. They started this practice of farming after the lands in Ngyingshingborang were converted into orchards under the land development project.
Without electricity, they spend their nights in temporary huts, relying on firewood for light and cooking.
“During the summer, we have a difficult time. It’s very hot and we don’t know what to do. Our village is far away, so we can’t bring gas cylinders here. It has been really difficult for us,” said Janga Lhamo, a farmer.
“Once it gets dark, we cannot do anything, which is a problem. Without electricity, we guard our crops against wild animals in the dark. Having electricity would make everything easier for us,” said Pema Dorji, another farmer.
The Norbugang Gup said that at least ten houses are required for an electricity connection. Currently, there are only five huts.
“We have been telling the people to maintain their current huts properly since we need almost ten houses to get an electricity connection. If they do this, we will talk with the BPC office,” said Kinley Dorji, Norbugang Gup.
Currently, over 25 households own land at Gongribalay. As the sun sets over Gongribalay, the farmers eagerly await the day their huts will light up with electricity.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Sonam Pem
