If all goes according to plan, communities in six eastern districts could have a reliable water supply. The government is securing funds from the Green Climate Fund to initiate water supply projects in the region. If approved, the initiative could end the longstanding water shortage affecting nearly 50 households of Muktangkhar Chiwog in Trashigang’s Bartsham Gewog, especially in winter.
As winter begins, Muktangkhar Chiwog experiences a water shortage. The limited water that drips from the taps is barely enough to meet daily consumption needs. Vegetables begin to wither and dry up without enough water.
“Sometimes, we have to go without water for more than a week, so we use water stored in containers. We cannot grow vegetables properly as they dry up without enough water. At times, we cannot even wash our clothes for days, making it difficult to maintain cleanliness,” said Norzom, a resident of Muktangkhar.
The chiwog’s water source has been drying up gradually over the past five years. Without any other water sources nearby, farmers rely on the same declining source to feed their cattle.
Muktangkhar Tshogpa Yoesel Dorji said, “We do not have any water source nearby for our cattle, so we have to provide water from our homes. We have a caretaker who manages the water supply, he closes it in the evening and opens it again in the morning. But we still face water problem.”
Some households manage by storing water in self-constructed concrete tanks and Sintex containers.
“I have constructed a personal tank to use the stored water judiciously. During the monsoon, we do not face many problems, as the water is enough for drinking. But the problem starts during winter, lasting for about four to five months. We cannot grow vegetables due to the lack of water supply in winter,” said Chedala, a resident of Muktangkhar.
The villagers have been depending on water supply from Yenangla, located about 14 kilometres from their village, for almost 20 years.
According to Bartsham Gup, the water shortage is not just limited to Muktangkhar Chiwog alone; the entire gewog is facing a shortage, as there is no reliable water source nearby.
The gewog and district administrations had identified potential water sources, conducted public consultation meetings, and carried out a preliminary survey a few years ago.
Trashigang District Administration has proposed a budget of Nu 250 M to the finance ministry to implement an integrated water supply system for the entire Bartsham Gewog.
During the Meet the Press session, Finance Minister Lekey Dorji said the government has proposed a project worth USD 42 M with the Green Climate Fund to address water-related issues in six eastern districts.
“The Green Climate Fund will provide USD 34 M, and the government will co-finance USD 8 M to address water-related issues in six eastern districts. The project has not yet been approved, but we are working closely with the concerned stakeholders. The GCF Board members will discuss the proposal. Once the GCF Board approves the project, we will begin the implementation work,” added the minister.
Until a reliable drinking water source is secured, residents of Muktangkhar will continue facing water shortages each winter, affecting their daily lives.
Sonam Darjay, Trashigang
Edited by Phub Gyem
