In Dagana, unresolved land exchange cases have left many farmers unable to use their land for several years. During the recent Dzongkhag Tshogdu, local government leaders said the land exchange process is taking too long, affecting farmers who depend on land for their livelihoods. They are now urging the National Land Commission Secretariat to expedite land exchange-related issues in the district.
As of 2024, the district land record section has received 69 land exchange applications. Only a few have been approved, while many others are still pending. Most farmers have requested either wetlands or dry land in exchange, preferably within the same village, chiwog or gewog.
Most of the applications involve private lands destroyed by natural calamities, land located within critical watersheds, and plots that are difficult to access or farm.
Local leaders suggested that officials should visit gewogs to assess the situation on the ground and provide clarity to applicants.
“Farmers depend on agricultural land for their livelihoods. Although they own registered land, some plots are not suitable for farming. Therefore, the district administration should prioritise assessing those who genuinely need a land exchange. This would greatly benefit and improve farmers’ livelihoods,” said Mani Kumar Ghishing, Gesarling Gup, Dagana.
“Some residents living in the mountaintops of Gungpa Sumchu in my gewog have applied for land exchange. They are eager to know whether they will receive a land exchange. A visit by the district land register officer to our gewogs would help clarify the matter,” said Neuley Tshering, Tsangkha Gup, Dagana.
“Many applicants’ lands in my gewog fall within critical watersheds. They have been asking whether they will receive a land exchange. If not, they are considering clearing bushes to start farming. As raised by the Gesarling Gup, I believe the concerned officials should resolve the issue at the earliest,” said Bal Bdr. Rana, Dzongkhag Tshogdu Chairperson, Dagana.
According to the National Land Commission Secretariat, a piece of land is eligible for exchange if it is affected by natural calamities, falls within a critical watershed or wetland and is a scattered plot with state forests.
In Gesarling Gewog, farmers of Samtengang Chiwog say their land has become unusable after part of it was damaged by drainage from a farm road, affecting their livelihoods.
Despite submitting applications with hope, many are still waiting for a response.
“I used to grow mandarin on my land. However, landslides destroyed it after the Dorona farm road was constructed. Since then, we have not been able to make proper use of the land,” said Dhan Bdr. Rai, Farmer, Gesarling Gewog, Dagana.
“My land is not suitable for crops like paddy and maize. We grow mandarin, but monkeys damage the crop. It would be beneficial if we received a land exchange, as our current land is no longer suitable for farming,” said Jalak Bdr. Rai, Farmer, Gesarling Gewog, Dagana.
“We have submitted an application for land exchange with high hopes. The landslide has severely destroyed the land. It has eroded so badly that even animals cannot cross it,” said Purna Singh Rai, Farmer, Gesarling Gewog, Dagana.
The district land register said changes to the land exchange system in 2025, which require additional assessments, have caused delays.
Officials had to reassess damage and verify cases before forwarding applications.
“Following the change to the land exchange system, we had to reassess damages caused by natural calamities and lands located within watersheds. After completing the due procedures, some applications have been submitted while others are being sent to the National Land Commission Secretariat. We have started receiving responses for some applications, while a few are under review,” said Sonam Phuntsho, District Land Registrar, Dagana.
The official added that the land exchange activities were temporarily put on hold from July last year following a notification from the National Land Commission Secretariat. Field assessments have not resumed since then.
After extensive deliberations, the Dzongkhag Tshogdu decided to take the matter to the National Land Commission Secretariat and the Cabinet Office.
Until decisions are made, many farmers continue to wait, unable to use the land they depend on for their livelihoods.
Pema Tshewang, Dagana
Edited by Sonam Pem
