Birding enthusiasts can look forward to enjoying bird-watching along the Trans Bhutan Trail very soon. In a move to attract more tourists to Monggar, a birding trail is being developed along the Trail. As of today, more than 70 per cent of the work is complete. Bird-watching amenities are being constructed spending close to Nu 10 M with funds from the Global Environment Facility. The project hopes to create job opportunities and enhance the living standard of the local communities.
The bird-watching trail which spans around 24 km starts from Latongla and ends at Zhongar Dzong in Saling Gewog of Monggar.
Monggar district in collaboration with the Department of Tourism started constructing the birding-watching facilities along the Trans Bhutan trail.
According to a survey conducted last year by the Monggar district, Monggar Forest Range office, and the Saling Gewog Administration, the trail between Latongla and Zhongar recorded more than 300 species of birds.
Similarly, another comprehensive survey by three Birders from the Bhutan Birdlife Society in June last year revealed the presence of both resident and migratory bird species, including several vulnerable and threatened species.
The district administration awarded the birding trail development activities to two community contractors of Saling Gewog to help enhance their income.
According to the district administration, the amenities are developed to attract more tourists and for the security of the tourists visiting the sites.
Monggar Dzongda Lungten Jamtsho said, ‘‘We wanted to encourage the local people to help the international bird watchers. So that they can also make some livelihood from the small income they generate from the bird watchers. We would like to promote tourism in Monggar, which is the revenue generation for the local community and not just for the country. Monggar is also aiming to bring as many tourists as possible with different tourism products.’’
Seng-Gor Tshogpa Sonam Wangchuk said, ‘‘Firstly, people will be able to make income from the contract work. Secondly, it will benefit the government. When the construction works are awarded to the community, they work as per their requirements as they live in the area. If the work is awarded to contractors who are not from the community they work to complete it faster and not carry the work as expected.’’
One of the community contractors, Seng-Gor Norlha Chithuen Tshogpa with more than 20 members has completed the maintenance and widening of about 12 km of Trans Bhutan Trail from Latongla and constructed toilets and bridges along the sites.
Currently, they are carrying out construction of 4 canopies, 3 birding desks, 2 bird hides, and resting and camping sites.
Similarly, the Doeyon Zangpo Community contract with 15 members has completed maintenance and widening work along the remaining 12 km of the trail starting from Zhongar Dzong. The community contractor has also completed the construction of four bridges, a bird hide, a canopy, and a toilet along the trail.
They have yet to start the construction of two bird towers, two canopies, and campsites.
The two contractors started the work in November and are expected to complete by the end of this month.
‘‘We have enough labourers to develop the site. But with a little over Nu 1.4 M for the work, the amount will not be enough to carry out the work. This is because we need to buy stones from Lingmithang and carry stones, sand, and water for about eight to nine kilometres from the road point. It is challenging for us to carry them through the forest,’’ said Dorji, the Chairperson of Seng-Gor Norlha Chithuen Tshogpa.
“As the trail falls under the National Park, we face difficulty in getting approvable from the park office. Even after getting approvable, we face difficulty in procuring the raw materials as the products are unavailable at shops in Monggar. Now, we have ordered the raw materials and hope to complete work on time,” said Galey Jamtsho, the chairperson of Doeyon Zangpo Community Contract.
Residents living in the area are optimistic that the birding trail will bring them the opportunity to earn some additional income.
Neten Dorji, a resident of Saling Gewog said, ‘‘When International and domestic tourists visit the site, we are hoping to sell the fruits and vegetables and make income. Similarly, shopkeepers and business entities will also benefit from the trial. The trail will also help the community to build Home Stay and earn income from that.’’
Once complete, the project is expected to benefit more than 90 households in Saling, Tsholing, and Jang Dung villages and about 40 shopkeepers in Lingmithang.
According to the Monggar District Administration, a diverse range of habitats within the region contributes to the high bird species count, making it an attractive destination for birding enthusiasts.
Karma Wangdi, Monggar
Edited by Phub Gyem
