People residing nearby Kurje Lhakhang and Jampa Lhakhang in Bumthang are restricted by the Dzongkhag administration to build houses or open shops in the locality. This is because under the draft master plan the area falls under Thromde and categorised as heritage site.
The draft master plan of Bumthang Dzongkhag Thromde states that the boundary of Throm stretches from Kurje in the north till Jalikhar in the south. The areas within the Thromde are categorised into commercial zone, residential zone and heritage site.
Since the area near Kurje Lhakhang and Jampa Lhakhang are included under Thromde and categorised as heritage site, the Dzongkhag administration has restricted to build houses or open shops.
This, according to the people, will make them economically disadvantaged.
Residents living nearby the locality will also not get free firewood and timber at rural rate. Residents say this has left them with no avenues to earn incomes for their livelihood.
“Although this area falls under Thromde, we are not allowed to build houses nor run business. But we will have to pay urban taxes. This will badly affect us as we have been farmers since ages,” said Tshewang Namgay, a resident, “and we will not get free firewood like those in the rural places.”
A resident near Jampa Lhakhang, Tenzin, said that if the area falls under Thromde, they should be provided with urban amenities like water supply and electricity. “We have electricity but we still didn’t get water. Before we used to get firewood and timber at rural rate but after it is included under Thromde, we do not get firewood and timber. This has affected us especially when we perform rituals.”
Last year, the residents had put up a letter to the Dzongkhag administration to consider their issues. However, the administration submitted the letter to the parliament to be discussed during the winter session last year. But, the parliament could not discuss the matter as there were numerous bills to be discussed. The issue will be discussed in the upcoming parliament session.
