Trashi Yangtse has the third-highest number of Gungtongs, or empty houses, in the country. Despite its rich biodiversity and cultural heritage, few people remain, leaving farms fallow and homes abandoned. But 30-year-old artist Tshewang Rinzin sees an opportunity. He is reviving his ancestral home and surrounding land in Yangtse Gewog, transforming it into an arts and wildlife recreational space.
Although Shabrak Village in Yangtse Gewog is now overgrown with trees, it was once a thriving settlement. Over the past two decades, many families abandoned their homes and farmland.
In the midst of the forest stands the ancestral home of 30-year-old Tshewang Rinzin. His family left the house years ago and settled elsewhere. After completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drawing and Painting from the University of Dhaka in 2022, Tshewang returned home.
Tshewang Rinzin said, “Most people ask me if I am afraid to live in such a deep forest. I tell them no, because this is the place where I used to rear cattle during my childhood. Today, we see only big trees, but this area was once a village. When I see how it has changed into a dense forest and recall my childhood days, I feel sad, and that feeling motivates me to work here.”
He has spent over two years renovating the interior of the ruin into an art gallery to showcase his work.
His vision goes beyond art. He plans to turn the property into an eco-tourism site that celebrates nature and cultural heritage.
He said, “This place is very special because we can see our national butterfly, Ludlow’s Bhutan Glory, here. The area is also located close to a biological corridor, so we don’t have to go on missions to see wildlife. While walking through the forest, we can see various animals and bird species here.”
He is building a recreational room, a kitchen, toilets, and a canopy. He is also developing a garden and forest trail to enhance the visitor experience.
The district administration, with support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the UNDP, provided one million Ngultrum last financial year.
Once complete, the site will serve as a destination for arts and wildlife recreation. Tshewang hopes it will boost both domestic and international eco-tourism in Trashi Yangtse.
Sonam Darjay, Trashi Yangtse
Edited by Sangay Chezom
