For the past six years, the people of Norbugang and Laishingri villages in Pema Gatshel’s Norbugang Gewog have been travelling to Tikiliwoong to cultivate paddy due to the reliable water supply there. Every day, they spend nearly three hours commuting. However, the lack of electricity in Tikiliwoong makes farming challenging. The villagers are now urging relevant agencies to provide power supply to their farmland.
These farmers from Norbugang and Laishingri villages travel daily to Tikiliwoong to cultivate paddy. Every morning, they walk to their fields and return home in the evening. The routine has become a tradition.
Without electricity, they spend their time in these temporary huts, relying on firewood for cooking.
“We need to serve the workers on time. But it’s impossible if we prepare alone. In the warm weather, without electricity, we struggle and sweat a lot. We even have to ask our neighbours for firewood. It’s very inconvenient for us,” said Tsheltrim Zangmo, a farmer of Laishingri.
“The elderly have to wake up as early as 3 AM to prepare food, curry, and tea. Using firewood is difficult. The smoke affects our eyes and ears, causing us harm,” said Dhendup, another farmer of Laishingri.
“Cooking with firewood is challenging, especially in the summer. We struggle with setting the fire and dealing with smoke. It’s hard to maintain hygiene due to the dust and sweat,” said Dhendup Zangmo, a farmer of Norbugang.
Some elderlies stay overnight in huts at Tikiliwoong due to the long daily walk, especially when the weather is hot.
More than 50 farmers own land at Tikiliwoong. There are nearly ten temporary sheds, and we are hoping for a change.
“If we are provided with electricity, we can settle here. In our current village, we struggle with water shortages to feed our cattle. Bringing our cattle here would solve that problem,” added Dhendup Zangmo.
“We have constructed our huts with poles, so they can last 30 to 32 years. If we had electricity, we could use fans. Without electricity, we have to spend our nights in these huts,” added Dhendup.
Meanwhile, local leaders are aware of the issue but have not yet approached the relevant authorities.
The Chiwog Tshogpa plans to hold a meeting with the landowners and submit a request for electricity to the gewog soon.
“The high temperatures are making it difficult for the farmers. I plan to meet with the Tikiliwoong community to discuss the issue and get a no-objection letter for constructing the power line. After that, I will promptly submit the letter to the Dungkhag through the gewog,” said Khandu, Norbugang-Rinchhenzor Tshogpa, Norbugang Gewog.
As the sun sets over Tikiliwoong, the farmers eagerly await the day their huts will light up with electricity.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Sonam Pem
