𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐭𝐬𝐞 𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐬 𝐀 𝐌𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐮𝐛 𝐀𝐦𝐢𝐝 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬

…𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒊𝒅 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒕 𝑵𝒐𝒓𝒃𝒖𝒈𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝒔𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒔 𝒅𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕

By Lhendup Wangmo

Samtse is emerging as one of the country’s fastest-changing industrial centres. Expanding factories, mines and manufacturing units are reshaping the dzongkhag, generating new employment opportunities and contributing to national revenue.

At the same time, the pace of industrial growth has raised concerns over air pollution, community safety and the challenge of maintaining Bhutan’s global reputation as a carbon-negative nation. As industrial activity accelerates, Samtse has become central to a wider national conversation on whether cleaner technologies, renewable energy use and stronger environmental safeguards can steer industrial development in a more sustainable direction.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce Employment Annual Industry Report for the fiscal year 2024-2025, Norbugang Industrial Park in Samtse Dzongkhag covers an area of 183.86 acres. It is strategically located along the Samtse-Sipsu Highway, adjacent to the Diana riverbed. The site comprises a relatively flat riverbank, bordered by hills to the south, the Diana River to the north and the Sipsu-Samtse Highway to the east.

As of June 2025, the industrial park accommodates 10 industries. These are divided into two main sub-sectors: wood and forest-based industries, and mineral and chemical-based industries. Of the total, nine industries are engaged in ferro-based production, while one operates in the wood and forest-based sector. The park hosts six domestic industries and four foreign direct investment-based industries.

In terms of operational status, nine of the 10 industries are under construction, while one remains in the development phase. The majority of the industries are large-scale, with nine classified as large-scale projects and one as medium-scale. This indicates a concentration of capital-intensive industrial activity within the park.

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce states that Norbugang Industrial Park is on track to become a major industrial hub, attracting substantial investment from both domestic and foreign sources. The ongoing developments highlight the park’s anticipated contribution to economic growth and job creation.

However, the establishment of industries has generated mixed reactions within the local community. While economic prospects are acknowledged, residents and local leaders have also raised concerns about environmental and social impacts linked to rapid industrialisation.

The Gup of Norbugang Gewog, Yadu Raj Ghalley, said industrial development presents both opportunities and challenges for the community.

“On one hand, it is a blessing that because of the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), the industrial park is coming up for the country,” he said, highlighting its role in driving national economic growth.

At the same time, he acknowledged growing public concern over pollution and environmental degradation.
“There are many misconceptions, or maybe it’s just uncertainty,” he said. “People say that because of the industries or factories, there will be an increase in pollution. But we are still in the initial stage. If the government’s regulations are made strict, there won’t be such pollution issues because technology today is advanced.”

According to the Gup, industrial expansion has already begun to stimulate local economic activity. He said around 60 shops are currently operating along the main road, with more expected as construction progresses. The proposed development of a railway link is also expected to create employment opportunities and generate rental income for residents.

Norbugang Gewog has 980 registered households, and the Gup observed a shift in migration patterns. “Before, it was rural-to-urban migration, but now we can see people coming from urban to rural areas in our case,” he said.
Despite these developments, some residents expressed concern about environmental and health implications.
Batra Maya Ghalley, a local freelancer, shared both appreciation and apprehension. “While the industrial park has advantages, it also has negative aspects like the increase in noise pollution, effects on crops through dust particles, and air pollution. The air already smells different like rubber,” she said.

She added that dust and emissions have begun to affect agricultural productivity. “The main cash crop, areca nut, is now smaller in size compared to before, and I think it will be affected in the future,” she said.
Batra Maya Ghalley also pointed to health concerns. “We have to wear masks always. In winter, when there is no rain, the whole environment is covered with dust. It affects the elders and the young,” she said, calling for closer monitoring of the situation.

Another resident, Pooran Rai, echoed similar concerns while maintaining a cautious and pragmatic outlook. He said, “Areca is one of the main cash crops, so I think there is some impact over time maybe now because of weather changes, but in the future we might have more impact due to the industries.”

Although he has not yet observed significant yield degradation, Rai cautioned that experiences in Pasakha and Gomtu indicate that areas within a two- to three-kilometre radius of industrial zones can face serious air pollution and health risks. He expressed hope that industrial operators would adopt appropriate technologies to mitigate such impacts.
Rai also highlighted the dual nature of industrialisation. “We are not against the industry. It gives us good economic and business opportunities. Employment opportunities are there,” he said.

However, he noted that the rapid pace of infrastructure development has created immediate challenges. “The main road from Samtse to the industrial area should have been built first, and then the industries should have come,” he said. “Now roads and industries are being built side by side, and in the process, a lot of heavy vehicles are running, creating potholes and dust. It’s very dusty.”

Rai further observed emerging housing challenges and uneven economic benefits, noting that some workers commute from as far as Ugyentse or Yoeseltse, while industries are constructing worker colonies.
On employment, Rai offered a nuanced perspective. He said, “It will benefit both sides, but I think it will benefit outsiders more.”

He explained that while industrial growth would generate jobs, higher-level and technical positions are likely to be filled by non-local workers due to skill requirements. “The requirement for job vacancies will be specific qualified, technically trained people and those will come from outside,” he said.

According to Rai, local residents are more likely to be employed in lower-skilled roles such as security guards, helpers or manual labourers. Nevertheless, he noted that industrial expansion is already boosting local business activities and entrepreneurship. He added that the situation highlights the need for targeted training and capacity-building programmes to enable local communities to participate more meaningfully in emerging employment opportunities.
Responding to concerns about emissions, an employer at one of the factories stated that pollution control measures are in place.

He said, “The smoke from the factories is not released directly from the chimneys. We have a stack connected to a Gas Cleaning Plant (GCP), which filters and treats the emissions before they are released into the atmosphere.”
“This system ensures that harmful pollutants like dust, sulfur compounds, and particulate matter are removed from the exhaust gases. The cleaned air is then vented out, significantly reducing the environmental impact of our operations,” he added.

“By using this process, we are able to comply with environmental regulations and contribute to cleaner air in the surrounding area.”

The employer said that the use of the Gas Cleaning Plant is intended to prevent air pollution and protect environmental and public health, with safety protocols and emission monitoring in place as industrial development continues in the area.

This Story was covered as a part of the media reporting grant funded by Australian Government through ABC International Development and JAB.