Highland communities across the country can expect better support to address challenges affecting their livelihoods. The Home Affairs Ministry is forming a Special Technical Committee to assess challenges, opportunities, and support requirements of highlanders. This follows a resolution passed during the last winter session of the parliament, which directed the ministry to work with relevant agencies and local governments to assess the needs of highland communities.
Ten districts have been asked to nominate representatives for the technical committee. These are Bumthang, Haa, Gasa, Lhuentse, Paro, Thimphu, Trashigang, Trashi Yangtse, Trongsa and Wangdue Phodrang.
Representatives from sectors including agriculture and livestock, education, health, tourism, infrastructure, energy and natural resources, finance, technology, local governance, law and order, and culture will contribute to the assessment.
The ministry has issued a notification, directing the 10 identified districts to nominate members for the committee.
In Thimphu, following the notification, the district held a consultation meeting with representatives from its four highland gewogs.
During the meeting, local leaders and representatives from Lingzhi, Soe, Naro and Dagala gewogs raised the need for stronger government support to address challenges such as limited grazing areas, human-wildlife conflict and loss of livestock to predators.
Thimphu District’s Planning Officer will represent them in the technical committee.
“We have documented the issues raised and will present them to the task force committee. Some of the major concerns include limited grazing areas and human-wildlife conflict. Since many highland communities depend on yak farming for their livelihoods, they also reported loss of yaks to predators such as foxes and Tibetan wild dogs,” said Pema Tenzin, Planning Officer, Thimphu.
The highlanders in Thimphu also raised concerns about the growing yak population and the need for better support to manage yak farming.
They suggested reducing insurance-related costs to make livestock insurance more affordable and provide greater protection against losses.
Limited grazing areas were also identified as a major concern, particularly as yak herding remains an important source of livelihood for highland communities.
The concerns from Thimphu will be compiled along with inputs from other districts and relevant government agencies.
The Special Technical Committee is expected to prepare a comprehensive report with targeted interventions and investment proposals to be presented during the upcoming winter session of the parliament.
Karma Wangdi
Edited by Phub Gyem
