The daily struggle of fetching water from limited and often unreliable sources will become a thing of the past for the residents of Gonpung and Gamung villages in Pema Gatshel’s Shumar Gewog. A new water pump project, constructed as part of the National Water Flagship Programme, will ensure a reliable water supply for them.
Residents of Gamung and Gonpung villages in Shumar Gewog have gathered to visit their new water pump.
The gewog gup and district officials demonstrated the pump operation. Caretakers have been appointed and given handsets to manage their operation and water distribution.
Gonpung-Shali Tshogpa Chojay said, “We have appointed three caretakers. They will supply water from the source to the reservoir once a week. If once a week is not enough, we are committed to supplying it twice a week.”
“We haven’t been able to provide enough water to cattle because of the water shortage. We can’t even grow enough vegetables for our families due to the water shortage,” said Sangay Tempa, a resident of Gamung.
“We expect our homes to be cleaner now. With better access to drinking water, we are also thinking of growing more vegetables,” said Lungki, a resident of Gonpung.
Bylaws for water use have also been drafted.
The pump will recharge water from the source to the reservoir once a week and distribute it to the households.
Shumar Gup Sonam Dhendup said, “We have constructed three pump stations over a 2-kilometre stretch of water pipeline. We expect this to solve most of the issues. Minor problems can be managed by the community, but for major challenges, we will continue to seek support from the district and the government. We have explained this to the people, and today the project is officially handed over to them.”
The project, worth over Nu 15 M, will benefit nearly 100 households in Gonpung-Shali chiwog.
It offers a sustainable solution that not only eases immediate hardships but also paves the way for better health, sanitation, and an improved quality of life for the communities.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Phub Gyem
