In Samdrup Jongkhar, despite the completion of a new irrigation water project two years ago, villagers of Dawathang in Langchenphu Gewog continue to struggle with water shortages. This has forced farmers to leave more than 15 acres of paddy fields fallow for the past few years.
Najay Lhamo recalls how she once cultivated paddy on her two-acre land every year.
Three years ago, elephants damaged the only irrigation channel, Angra Chhu that supplied water to her fields.
Since then, without a reliable water source, Najay has been unable to grow paddy, leaving her fields fallow.
“We have paddy fields, but without water, we cannot cultivate. In the past, when we could cultivate, we were self-sufficient in rice. Now, we have to buy rice. It is difficult because earning money is not easy. We also have to look after our children. I wish I could grow my paddy again instead of having to buy rice.”
Including her, there are 14 households in Dawathang struggling with water shortage.
Tshochen, a farmer said “If we could cultivate paddy, we would not have to depend on imported rice. When we cultivate paddy, we have to share with neighbours which is not enough to cultivate. We have to cultivate on acres of land and without water, it is not possible.”
Likewise, Dema said “In the past, we cultivated paddy but elephants repeatedly damaged the irrigation channel. Although we repaired it many times, the elephants kept destroying it. Without a reliable water, most of us had to eventually stop cultivating paddy.”
They hoped their struggles would end when the construction of a new water project, the Chukarpo irrigation channel which was completed in 2023 under the De-Suung National Service Water Project.
However, despite the inauguration of the water project, water has yet to reach their paddy fields.
The water project was supposed to benefit villagers of some parts of Langchenphu Chiwog and Dawathang village. However, it has benefitted only some parts of Langchenphu Chiwog for now.
The Langchenphu Gup said that the project has constructed a seven-kilometre main line from the source. However, an additional eight-kilometre distribution line is still needed to reach the fields.
The construction of the remaining distribution line was not included in water project due to budget constraints.
Guman Singh Gaylal, Langchenphu Gup said “The scheme has not benefited the general public. Firstly, some fields are located on hilltops while others are in low-lying areas so, equally, people are not benefitted. Initially, we had given in written to the ministry to give distribution lines but it could not be done because of budget constraints.”
Zomba, a farmer said “They told us we would receive irrigation water from Chukarpo, and we were happy. But the water never reached our paddy fields.”
The gup added that about nine million ngultrum has now been allocated. The work to construct distribution lines will soon be awarded to a contractor and is expected to be completed within this June.
Until the new distribution lines are completed, villagers in Dawathang will have no choice but to leave their fields fallow, hoping that the promised water will soon reach their paddy land.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Tshering Zam
