As though the COVID-19 pandemic is not enough, business establishments at the Gasa Tsachhu were dealt another blow when the hot spring ponds were washed away by a flood last year. Their main source of income is affected without any visitors today.
The quiet cold district of Gasa used to receive many visitors at this time of the year in the past. The number of visitors has also increased in recent years after the hot spring was connected with a motor road. The place, however, wears a deserted look today. The flash flood in August last year washed away most of the facilities including the ponds.
According to the Manager of the hot spring, thousands of people including international tourists visit the Tsachhu boosting the income of people living there. He said the income from the guesthouse alone would come to about Nu 2.5 M in a year.
“We used the Hot Spring guest house during the recent Snowman Run and when people from the climate change sector came here. Officials used it when they visit. Due to that, we could make some profit but it has gone down by almost three times from what we used to earn,” said Tandin Dorji, the Manager of the Gasa Hot Spring.
Similarly, residents doing small businesses around the Tsachhu area have no income source today.
Choki Gyaltshen, a shopkeeper in Gasa said he used to earn about Nu 4,000 to 5,000 in the past but his income has gone down to less than Nu 500 a day.
“Due to the fear of groceries getting expired we didn’t bring them. We are planning to do business only if the hot spring reopens,” he added.
There are ten guesthouses and about four shops around the Tsachhu area. And until the Tsachhu is restored, which is not anytime soon, they will have to find an alternate income source.
Sonam Tenzin
Edited by Sonam
