From next winter, residents of Laya in Gasa will not have to go down to Zomlingthang in Punakha like in the past. Developmental works are underway at their new Kidu settlement in Wuphu, about four kilometres from Gasa Dzong.
Located at an altitude of 3,800 metres above sea level, Laya is extremely cold in the winter. Residents migrate to lower land with their livestock to escape the cold. Most of them pitch tents near the road where there is water and good pasture for their horses and mule. One such place is Zomlingthang in Punakha.
Looking into their welfare, His Majesty granted land Kidu to 197 families last year. The Kidu spreads over 25 acres of land in Gasa. Today, the area is being connected with a road and electricity.
“We have about Nu 9.6 M to construct the road. We have finished 35% of the road construction. We have also kept aside Nu 5 M for connecting the area with reliable drinking water. We will soon talk with the land commission to allocate plots for the residents. We hope to complete all these by next year,” said Damchoe Wangchuk, the Assistant Engineer of Gasa.
The residents welcome this development and look forward to improved livelihoods.
“Normally, we have to travel to Punakha and find shelter to pass the winter months. However, His Majesty’s gift will now benefit us since we can stay here with our livestock in the winter. We can build houses according to our capacity and can call it home. We are eternally grateful to His Majesty,” a resident of Laya said.
His Majesty has also granted similar Kidu to Lunaps of Gasa. They are settled at Chhubesa in Goenshari Gewog of Punakha.
Sonam Tenzin, Gasa
Edited by Sonam
