Koma Tshachhu in Goenshari Gewog, Punakha, is experiencing a surge in visitors coming to enjoy its therapeutic hot springs. As a result, several infrastructural improvements are needed, including the construction of a guesthouse. Koma Tshachhu is renowned as one of the oldest and most popular hot springs in the country, attracting people from all over the country.
Today, there are only five semi-permanent guesthouses at the site, which have 18 rooms.
They can accommodate around 50 people. But the hot spring receives more than 100 people camping in the area during the peak season in winters.
The hot spring is located near Koma Rongchhu.
The manager of the hot spring says the problem can be solved if the government could construct enough guesthouses in a compact area unlike the architectural designs of existing guesthouses.
He says the existing guesthouses are just occupying the space without much occupants.
“There is a requirement of three to four two-storied traditional structure guesthouses with eight rooms each. If this is not possible, at least three structures on this side of the river and another two on the other side is genuinely required,” said Namgay Tenzin, Koma Tshachhu’s manager.
Likewise, there is no separate executive guesthouse in the area today.
Unlike in other hot springs, Koma Tshachhu’s hot spring ponds are scattered, where people have to walk from one pond to another.
Without a lighting facility along the footpaths, people find it difficult to walk around at night.
Additionally, the area is a snake habitat. The hot spring also has problems accessing clean drinking water.
The manager said that a new water source has been located.
“The existing water source of this side of the river is a spring water, which frequently becomes muddy. And for the other side of the river, the water supply is fed from a small stream. It gets cut off whenever there it rains and we have to keep on restoring it,” said Namgay Tenzin, the manager.
He also said that the hot spring is also in dire need of inclusive facilities for people living with disabilities.
The hot spring receives people living with disabilities quite often.
“There is no washroom and changing room for three ponds here in the area. People are defecating in the open, near the ponds, making the place stinky,” said Tshering, a visitor.
While littering is another issue. There is also the need for renovations for hot spring ponds and its sheds.
“A health staff is necessary here because only the people having health issues come here. They need checkups. When they become sick during their stay here, they have to either go to Goenshari PHC or to Punakha,” said Namgay Tenzin, the manager.
Currently, construction of a suspension bridge over Koma Rongchhu is underway with the financial support from the Jigme Dorji National Park.
Likewise, a Neykhang, an offering space is under construction with the financial support of more than 700,000 ngultrum by a private individual.
Meanwhile, the Goenshari Gewog Administration said that they have plans to renovate the ponds and the sheds soon.
According to the gewog mangmi, the improvement of the road leading to the hot spring is also included in 13th Five-Year Plan.
The Punakha District Administration said that the gewog administration is responsible for carrying out renovation works.
The district administration also said that it might have to propose a budget to the government if the gewog cannot afford infrastructure development works.
The management of the hot spring is currently given to the people of two chiwogs located near the hot spring through a tendering process.
The people have to pay more than Nu 700,000 to the gewog administration annually.
Changa Dorji, Punakha
Edited by Kipchu
