After the DeSuung National Service Water Project provided the residents of Patshaling in Tsirang with a new water supply, the residents have been enjoying reliable access to drinking water. Additionally, the water supply has assisted farmers in increasing vegetable production.
Patshaling Maed and Tsakaling villages were connected to a new water supply in 2022. Now, taps that were dry for over a decade flow continuously.
Residents say that they have been able to maintain hygiene and cleanliness, and there is an abundant supply of water even for feeding cattle.
Residents also say that they can channel the excess water into their fields, which has helped them grow more vegetables and cash crops such as cardamom.
“In the past, we had to rely on private water supplies from a stream. The one that the government provided, dried up. Flash floods and elephants destroyed our water source and pipes. After that, we faced a severe drinking water shortage. The new water supply has benefited us a lot. We have drinking water and we can also water our vegetable gardens,” says Chimi Tshewang, a resident.
“We are grateful to His Majesty The King for initiating the water supply project. Now, we can reside peacefully here. In the past, even temporary water supplies dried up during winter. Now, we can also grow vegetables and cardamom with the excess water,” says Passang Dema, another resident.
Dorji Wangdi, a resident says, “Compared to the previous water supply, the new one has benefited us a lot. We are grateful to His Majesty The King and the DeSuung National Service Water Project. We can also keep ourselves clean.”
The drinking water project, which benefits 46 households in Patshaling-Maed and Tsakaling villages was completed with a budget of about three million ngultrum.
Pema Tshewang, Tsirang
Edited by Sangay Chezom
