Despite bringing numerous benefits to the people of Ura and Chhumig gewogs in Bumthang, the 32-kilometre Ura-Nangar bypass between the two gewogs has become a threat to wildlife and environment.
Sources say the road has led to rampant illegal tree felling and poaching in these two gewogs.
Taling is largely a new settlement in the gewog after the bypass road was constructed. Shops and hotels can be seen along the road. With more cars and buses frequenting the bypass, it has increasingly become a boon for the people here.
“People travelling towards the east from Thimphu halt their night here. Through this we sustain our livelihoods. Earlier, we had problems paying our loans but now it has become much easier,” said one of the shopkeepers, Kuenzang Tshomo.
Commuters also shared their perspective on how the bypass has benefited them. “During winter, the old highway is mostly blanketed under snow and some other stretches are covered with now. So, the bypass becomes an alternate route for us,” added Rinchen Lhendup.
Even local leaders in Ura often take the route to reach dzongkhag Administration office on time.
“It takes an hour and half to reach Chamkhar via the bypass. If we take the old route, it takes two hours. When we need to attend public meetings at Jakar Dzong, we always travel via bypass route,” said Mangmi of Ura Gewog, Dorji Wangchuk.
However, the road has now become a cause of concern for foresters and conservationists.
According to sources, the mountain between the two gewogs, which is otherwise rich in biodiversity, is now witnessing decreasing number of wild animals over the years. Illegal felling of trees is also said to be prevalent across the mountain.
Sources said, people cut down trees illegally after midnight. One of the sources claimed, forestry officials from the Phrumsengla National Park caught eight poachers hunting in the area.
They were said to have killed 23 Musk deer. Park officials, however, said the cases have decreased since few years ago after stringent rules were imposed and regular monitoring of the forest was carried out.
