Visitors arriving in Gelephu Mindfulness City are noticing many changes, new roads, bright streetlights, and the rising structure of the international airport. But for many, the most striking change is not what they see, it is what they don’t.
For visitors, Gelephu feels noticeably different. Many say the absence of roaming stray dogs stands out immediately. Once a common sight along roads and urban areas, stray dogs are now nowhere to be seen within Gelephu Thromde and its surrounding areas.
Tashi Peljor, a volunteer said, “I visited Gelephu in 2022, and at that time the surroundings were not very hygienic. Today, the area is much cleaner, and the ongoing construction of the International Airport clearly shows the vast transformation that has taken place in a short period. There are no stray dogs around Gelephu Mindfulness City, and the peaceful environment reflects how the area is steadily transforming into the envisioned Gelephu Mindfulness City.”
“A remarkable transformation has taken place compared to previous years. What once felt like a dull stretch between Sarpang and Gelephu is now illuminated with streetlights, giving the impression of stars settling on the land. Earlier, stray dogs were commonly seen roaming along the highway, but now none are visible. Even while driving, traffic police remind us to drive mindfully, reinforcing the sense of order and calm in the area,” said Wanglay Jyamtsho, another volunteer.
The change follows the relocation of urban stray dogs to the Relathang Dog Care Centre, located along the Gelephu–Tsirang highway, where they are provided with shelter, food, and medical care.
“We feed the dogs three times a day. Biscuits are given at 7:00 AM, followed by a proper meal at 9:00 AM, and another feeding in the evening at 4:00. Currently, we care for 415 dogs, and none are infected with any diseases. Some weaker dogs occasionally refuse to eat; in such cases, we invite a veterinarian and provide them with glucose to support their recovery,” said Zangmo Sherpa, the caretaker of the Dog Care Centre at Relathang in Gakiling Gewog.
At the centre, dogs are cared for daily, fed regularly and monitored for health issues. Officials confirm all stray dogs in Gelephu Thromde and the twelve gewogs of Sarpang have been sterilised and vaccinated against rabies.
This has halted uncontrolled breeding and significantly reduced dog-bite risks. At the same time, domestic pets are being registered, microchipped, and vaccinated, creating a traceable and responsibly managed dog population.
Karma Wangdi & Passang Dorji, Gelephu
