Chhukha is taking a fresh approach to boost tourism in the district. Moving away from the usual focus on monuments and viewpoints, the district is now promoting travel experiences through human connection, local participation, and sustainability. One such initiative is the Harvest Festival held in Phuentshogling, which celebrates local farming traditions, promotes community-based tourism, and showcases Chhukha’s rich biodiversity and ecotourism potential.
Pachu Community Tourism Campsite, about 7km from Phuentshogling town, came alive with festive spirit yesterday. Guests, including officials from various sectors, hotel owners, and tour operators from within Bhutan and neighbouring India, joined locals to celebrate the event.
As part of the Harvest Festival, locals demonstrated traditional paddy harvesting and threshing techniques. Participants also took part in a friendly harvesting and threshing contest, and the winners were rewarded.
As part of the event, Pachu Zipline Adventure and the Pachu Hiking Trail were also inaugurated.
According to the dzongda, the festival brings together agriculture, culture, and community, allowing visitors to experience village life firsthand by joining farmers in harvesting and traditional cooking.
Nado, the chairman of the Pachu Community Tourism said, “Tourists are very important to us because we run the Pachu Community Tourism. We collect local produce such as vegetables, dairy products and meat from our farmers to serve our guests. Visitors enjoy organic and locally sourced food. Over the past two years, our initiative has grown steadily, and our people here are happy.”
“To promote tourism in a place like Phuentshogling, these activities are very important. We are also celebrating seasonal activities. For this Autumn season, it is the harvesting of paddy and other vegetables. So, it is all about the village’s authenticity and uniqueness,” said Kelzang, the regional secretary of BCCI in Phuentshogling.
The Phuentshogling Dungkhag Administration and the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s regional office in Phuentshogling are leading the event along with the Chhukha District Administration. The organisers are planning to initiate similar events in every season.
Meanwhile, residents and tour operators from Jaigaon in India, raised concerns about the Sustainable Development Fee.
Nado said, “Guests, especially from India, expressed their interest in events such as this and also in our other tourism-related facilities. They said their people have a huge interest in visiting their village and the campsite. However, they said SDF is an issue. Indian tour operators said that although Indians would love to visit the site, SDF is a challenge.”
“This area is very good, there is a camping site, a rope way and also a riverside view. So, it is a good place to explore. But the main concern that comes in is that until you don’t allow people to explore a place, they will not come to know. So, just my suggestion, the existing formalities required to come to this place and the SDF. If the SDF can be waived off and special permits can be issued for this place, it will be easier,” said Harish Morwani, the secretary of the Jaigaon Travel Association.
Starting today until Saturday, the Chhukha Bird Race will offer participants a unique birdwatching experience across scenic sites from Gedu to the Jigmechu Ecotourism site.
The event includes birdwatching expeditions and guided trips to spot the endangered white-bellied heron at Jigmechu, and competitions for the best bird photographers of the day and the race.
Kinley Dem, Chhukha
