To improve water access for the residents of the entire Paro district, three major water projects are ongoing under the Water Flagship Programme. Worth millions of ngultrum, these projects have brought renewed hope to communities facing long-standing water shortages.
The Chokey Densa water supply project, worth Nu 110 M is nearly complete. The final water testing is being carried out. Water is drawn from a stream on the way to Chumphu in Dotey Gewog. Once operational, the project will benefit residents of Dotey, Dopshari, Hungrel and Wangchang Gewogs.
Similarly, the Drakey Pangtsho project, worth Nu 140 M is over 50 per cent complete. The project is expected to be completed by August this year. This water project will serve communities in Dotey, Dopshari, Lunyi and Shaba Gewogs.
The third project, the Balakha project, is worth Nu 155 M. Tendering of the project is expected to take place this month. Water will be sourced from a stream at Balakha, near Drukgyel. Once it is complete, the water will be supplied to residents in Tsento, Lango, Lunyi and Wangchang Gewogs.
In all the projects, the water will be supplied through pipelines.
These initiatives are expected to ease water shortages in many parts of Paro, including villages such as Gangri and Teli in Shaba Gewog. These villages have been facing acute water scarcity for decades. The situation has worsened over time due to the rising population.
In Gangri, water is released twice daily, with each household receiving its share only once every eight days.
Pasang Dorji, a resident said “Because of the water problem, there were frequent arguments. So, we agreed to take turns. There is a tank above the village, and from there, we laid two distribution lines. One household receives water in the morning, and another in the evening. Each household gets water on the eighth day.”
Pasang Gyem, another resident said “The water is not enough since we have cattle.”
Likewise, Choden said “I cannot remember when the problem started, but we have been facing this issue for a long time. We used to depend on a small irrigation source for both drinking and farming, which led to conflicts.”
From Teli, Samten said “Most of our land is left fallow due to inadequate water. We are facing acute water shortage.”
Similarly, Drugyaldingkha Tshopa Yeshi Lhamo, “People in my chiwog has given full support to the flagship project. We got the clearance from the people to allow the water pipes pass through their land. If the water reaches the intake point in the middle of Gangri and Teli, it will benefit almost 25 households in Teli village also.”
As these projects progress, villagers are hopeful that their long wait for water security will soon come to an end.
Namgay Wangchuk, Paro
Edited by Tshering Zam
