𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐒𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲-𝐋𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐈𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐡𝐮’𝐬 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐥𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬

…𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 1,300 𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒇𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒂𝒅𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒇𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒋𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒕𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒍𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒔 𝒐𝒏 𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒔

By Leki Chungdon & Yeshi Dolma

Water scarcity is no longer an occasional inconvenience for many residents of rural Thimphu. It has become a daily struggle that directly affects their lives and livelihoods. While the capital city often dominates development discussions, surrounding rural gewogs- Chang, Mewang, Genekha, Kawang, and Dagala- are facing a serious environmental and social concern: the gradual drying up of essential water sources used for both drinking and agriculture.

These five gewogs, which are home to more than 1,300 households, have been selected for a climate adaptation project led by the Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation (BTF). The initiative is supported by a USD 5 million grant under the Adaptation Fund’s Locally Led Adaptation (LLA) programme. It aims to secure dependable water supplies in rural Thimphu by applying sustainable, community-driven solutions.

Although water shortages also affect parts of urban Thimphu, BTF has chosen to focus on the surrounding rural areas. This decision is based on the fact that many of Bhutan’s most vulnerable and economically disadvantaged populations live outside the city. Moreover, the rural population is expanding, which increases the pressure on limited water resources.

The roots of the crisis go back several decades. In the past, these communities relied on springs, streams, and natural catchments that provided water throughout the year. However, these sources have steadily dried up due to factors such as climate change, land-use changes, and infrastructure development. Roads, power transmission lines, and expanding settlements have altered the landscape, reducing the amount of water that can seep into the ground and recharge aquifers.

Climate change has worsened the situation through unpredictable rainfall, higher temperatures, and longer dry periods. The growing population in rural Thimphu has also contributed to the pressure on remaining water sources. Many villages depend on piped water systems that are outdated and no longer functioning well. As a result, residents are often left relying on inconsistent rainfall or small springs that are insufficient for their needs.

Gup Sonam Zangmo of Chang Gewog described the current situation in her community. “Currently, our community has no water supply at all,” she said, referring to the 180 households in the gewog. “There was water in the past, but it has dried up progressively year after year.” She attributes the decline to climate change and a rising population that places unsustainable demand on limited sources. Without action such as the BTF initiative, she said the community would continue to face severe shortages affecting both daily life and agricultural activities.

A similar situation exists in Dagala Gewog, where the project is expected to benefit around 280 households. Gup Gado explained that while there is enough water during the rainy season, shortages become critical during the dry months. “Water scarcity during dry seasons has long been a persistent problem for us,” he said, noting that both drinking and irrigation needs are impacted. He expressed hope that the planned infrastructure improvements would ensure a more stable year-round supply.

In Kawang Gewog, which has about 130 households, residents are facing increasing uncertainty. Gup Dawa Tshering said the community depends on a single water source that is fragile and could dry up at any time. There is no alternative supply. “Without this project, our community’s water situation will remain uncertain,” he said. He added that the steep terrain makes natural water recharge difficult and the spring more vulnerable. As new settlements are developed, he expects the number of households depending on the water source to increase to between 250 and 300 in the next few years.

Mewang Gewog has been allocated around Nu 70 million for water infrastructure improvements to benefit an estimated 700 to 800 households in Wologa and Khasadrupchu. According to Gup Tandin Pema, although reliable water sources were once available, climate change and population growth have placed significant strain on supply. “The project is critical for restoring water security,” he said, warning that if water remains scarce, farmland may become unproductive or be converted to other uses.

Kinley Tshering, Chief Program Officer at the Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation, said the water crisis in rural Thimphu reflects a broader national issue. “Water scarcity is not isolated to rural Thimphu but is a nationwide issue affecting many parts of Bhutan,” he said. He described the project as a strategic pilot under the LLA programme that supports community-led planning and implementation. These efforts align with national development priorities identified in Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan.

“If this project is successful,” Kinley said, “it will pave the way for additional climate adaptation projects across the country.” He added that while urban Thimphu also experiences water shortages, BTF has deliberately focused on rural gewogs because of their high population density and larger share of low-income households. Addressing water scarcity in these areas, he said, will benefit communities that are often left behind in larger development efforts.

The project goes beyond improving water supply infrastructure. It also focuses on increasing climate resilience through ecosystem-based approaches. These include sustainable land management and forest fire prevention. Forest fires, often fueled by dense cypress trees along valley slopes, have damaged catchment areas. This has reduced their ability to hold water and caused extensive soil erosion. Without vegetation cover, rainfall runs off quickly into rivers instead of seeping into the soil, resulting in less groundwater recharge and more severe water shortages downstream.

To address this, the project includes investments in vegetation restoration and fire risk management. These measures aim to restore the natural ability of catchment areas to store and release water over time.

Traditional irrigation systems have also become less effective due to rising temperatures, which increase evaporation and water loss. The project will introduce piped water systems designed to reduce seepage and improve reliability. These improvements are considered essential for helping farmers maintain agricultural productivity under changing climate conditions.

A key feature of the project is its focus on inclusive participation. Unlike previous projects that followed a top-down model, this initiative places community members at the centre of the process. This includes youth, people with disabilities, local leaders, and local governments. Their involvement begins from the stage of identifying water sources and continues through the establishment of water user groups responsible for managing the supply. This approach aims to ensure that the interventions are suited to local needs and that communities feel responsible for maintaining the infrastructure.

Preparations are already in progress for a full project proposal. Initial activities such as data collection, feasibility studies, and baseline assessments have been completed with funding support. The proposal is expected to be submitted to the Adaptation Fund Board within the next eight months. Project officials are optimistic that it will receive approval, allowing implementation to begin.

For the more than 1,300 households living in these five rural gewogs, a successful project could significantly improve their quality of life. Reliable access to water is essential not only for health and hygiene but also for agriculture and the sustainability of their communities.

If the pilot project succeeds, it could serve as a model for similar interventions in other parts of Bhutan. It would also improve the country’s chances of securing additional adaptation financing in the future under the LLA framework. In a context where the effects of climate change are becoming more visible, such local initiatives could play a key role in ensuring long-term resilience.