The College of Natural Resources (CNR) in Lobesa, Punakha is grappling with water shortage. It’s been about two years now since the college was hit with the water crisis.
The water source of the college is located in Okolung, which is about 20 kilometres away.
The long distance between the college and its water source is seen as one of the root causes of the problem. During monsoon, heavy rains cause damage at the source and block the pipes.
“Also, because of the distance, pressure builds up in the pipes, causing them to burst. We do carry out regular maintenance of the source and the pipes but the problem persists,” the President of CNR, Phub Dorji, said.
He attributed the water shortage also to the increase in the number of students, faculty and staff members.
The president shared the college is working to solve the problem permanently.
“We are working on identifying a nearby source. The other option we are exploring is groundwater extraction.”
For now, the college is managing by hiring vehicles to fetch drinking water from other places for its students and staff.
But it has not been able to provide them with water for washing and other purposes.
