Pasaphu village in Trashigang’s Kangpar Gewog is quietly edging toward becoming a Yuetong or an empty village. Each year, one or two households leave to stay with their children or relatives, leaving behind fewer young faces to carry on village life. Out of 57 households, 20 are already empty, and most of the remaining residents are elderly.
Today, Pasaphu village is home to just 70 residents, most of them aged between 60 and 80.
Many houses in the village now sit empty. Farmlands have turned fallow as there are not enough young people to work on the land.
And Pasaphu Primary School was closed in 2022 due to low student enrollment.
Residents say people started moving out about a decade ago in search of better opportunities after completing their education.
With a few young and active residents left, life is becoming increasingly challenging.
“Most of the people here are elderly. I am the youngest one, and there are only two or three others like me. In two or three years, I don’t think many people will be left. I’m not even sure if I can stay here myself. I have thought about leaving the village, but I don’t have a proper place to go. There used to be more people, but they left for small jobs as cooks or caretakers and moved to other places,” said Jangchub Dorji, Resident, Pasaphu, Kangpar Gewog, Trashigang.
“Earlier, the village had more people, and it was easy to find helpers for the farm. Now, most residents are elderly, and it’s hard to get anyone to lend a hand. With a few people around, even wild animals come in and damage our crops,” said Tshering Wangmo, Resident, Pasaphu, Kangpar Gewog, Trashigang.
“I am worried as the number of households in the village keeps shrinking every year. I’m staying for now to look after my cattle, but I’m also thinking of moving in with my children since I need regular medical checkups. In a few years, I fear the village will be empty. Even those who become civil servants rarely return; they usually settle in towns after buying land,” said Sonam Phuntsho, Resident, Pasaphu, Kangpar Gewog, Trashigang.
Kangpar Gewog has been working to curb migration by providing farm road connectivity and other basic facilities. Pasaphu-Peydung Chiwog now has a bamboo production and weaving centre to support local livelihoods.
Looking ahead, the gewog plans to improve the farm road in the next financial year to make life and work in the village easier.
“Unless the government comes up with new policies to keep people in the villages, I don’t think the gewog can solve migration on its own. A few years ago, Members of Parliament visited and held discussions with the public, but our gewog has yet to see any results from those talks,” said Pema Wangchen, Kangpar Mangmi, Kangpar Gewog, Trashigang.
Pasaphu–Peydung Chiwog has the highest number of gungtong in Kangpar Gewog. Out of 110 households, 37 are already empty.
Residents say that if nothing is done, the growing number of locked houses could one day leave the entire village deserted.
Sonam Darjay, Trashigang
Edited by Sonam Pem
