What once used to be the most bustling place in Gasa is now seen wearing a desolate look. With barely any visitors in sight, the guesthouses at the Gasa Tshachhu are empty and most of the shops remain locked. The growth of the local economy in the area has not looked good ever since the hot spring was washed away by a flood in 2021.
Kezang Sherab shows us around his empty shop as he shares his troubles with us. In the past, he says, the shop used easily earn about him up to Nu 2500 a day. But now, he hardly earns about Nu 200 to 300 a week.
“After the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been facing a significant loss. After lifting the lockdown and travel restrictions, we were happy that the Tshachhu would be reopened and stocked up our products. But three days after lifting COVID restrictions, the Tshachhu got washed away and we have been suffering losses ever since,” said Kezang Sherab, a shopkeeper.
Of the four shops near the guesthouse, only two are open of which one belongs to Kezang Sherab. Kezang and a few nearby neighbours said most of the shopkeepers have closed their shops since there aren’t customers anymore.
Likewise, the Gasa Tshachhu guesthouse is also facing a similar economic downturn after the hot spring was washed away.
“This has really affected the livelihoods of the people in Gasa. When people come to visit the Tshachhu, locals of Gasa make a living by selling vegetables. But now without the Tshachhu, people hardly visit and the revenue has declined,” said Tandin Dorji, the Manager of Gasa Hot Spring Guesthouse.
Tandin Dorji said the sole revenue generation for Gasa is from the guesthouse. Earlier, the guesthouse would earn the district about Nu 2.5 M annually. But it dropped to Nu 318,000 during the period of July 2022 to March this year.
As we stroll around, only a few locals and passersby are visible.
Now, businesses such as Kezang’s shop are banking on the reopening of hot spring.
For now, Kezang is seen passing his time fixing fences and spending time with his son around his shop.
Kesang Wangmo
Edited by Phub Gyem
