𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝟔𝟎 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐠𝐨𝐞𝐧𝐩𝐚 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫

…𝑻𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒚𝒂𝒏𝒂 𝑭𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒈𝒆𝒘𝒐𝒈𝒔 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌 𝒕𝒐𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒄𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒏 𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏

By Tashi Tshewang

Over 60 households in Tshogoenpa village, Lumang Gewog, Trashigang, now have access to clean and reliable drinking water thanks to a gravity-fed water system implemented under the Eco-Himal Water Management Initiative. The project was led by the Tarayana Foundation and supported by the Swiss-funded Agroforestry for Climate Change Adaptation initiative. It draws water from a perennial source located in the neighbouring Nanong Gewog.

For many years, residents of this remote village experienced severe water shortages. They relied on unsafe and distant sources that posed risks to health and livelihoods. Women and children often walked long distances to collect water, limiting their time for education and economic activities.

The newly installed system is improving daily life and is expected to support year-round irrigation, which will help families grow vegetables more consistently. This, in turn, can improve nutrition and increase household income. The project, implemented between 2023 and 2025, aims to promote climate-resilient solutions in vulnerable rural communities. In Tshogoenpa, community involvement, cooperation between gewogs, and technical support helped overcome logistical challenges caused by difficult terrain.

The project officer from the Tarayana Foundation, Tulsi Ghalley, explained the situation: “For many years, Tshogoenpa under Lumang Gewog faced severe water shortages. Previous attempts to resolve the issue failed mainly due to budget limitations and the absence of a reliable water source within the gewog. Community members struggled to access even drinking water, let alone for irrigation or sanitation. That is why, when we launched the Agroforestry for Climate Change Adaptation project with support from the Third Millennium Foundation, Switzerland, water management became one of our key priorities.”

The solution was found in neighbouring Nanong Gewog, Pemagatshel, which shares a border with Tshogoenpa. Through strong collaboration between the two gewogs and with permission from Nanong’s community, the project was able to tap into their water source. Despite challenges such as difficult terrain and limited resources, clean water was brought to Tshogoenpa. This project demonstrates how community cooperation and climate-resilient planning can address long-standing rural water issues.

“We did not stop at simply constructing the infrastructure,” Tulsi Ghalley added. “To ensure long-term sustainability, we established a Water User Group with clear bylaws for usage and maintenance. We have stationed a Senior Field Officer at the Dzongkhag level, supported by a Social Mobilizer who regularly visits the village. In the coming months, we are planning training on spring shed management, trench digging, plumbing, and nature-based water conservation. Our goal is to empower the community, protect water sources, and build resilience that lasts.”

Sangay Gyeltshen, Gup of Lumang Gewog, highlighted the importance of partnership: “Since there was no water source in Tshogoenpa village and our gewog grant was insufficient due to budget limitations, we requested support from the Tarayana Foundation. Their response and cooperation were instrumental. Together, we managed to bring clean water to the community, which has improved both drinking water supply and irrigation for kitchen gardens.”
This collaboration between the Gewog Administration and the Tarayana Foundation shows how coordinated efforts can bring change. By addressing water scarcity through joint planning, the project not only enhanced community well-being but also offers a model for rural development based on teamwork and innovation. The success in Tshogoenpa is now a basis for similar interventions in other parts of the gewog.

“We are now planning to replicate this model in other water-stressed villages within Lumang,” said Sangay Gyeltshen. “We will engage more stakeholders, seek support from donors, and implement solutions tailored to each community. By building on what we have learned and involving the people directly, we hope to create lasting improvements in water access and rural sustainability.”

Sonam Yuden, Tshogpa of Tshogoenpa, described the previous difficulties: “In summer, we somehow managed the water. But in winter, the source would dry up completely, and we had to struggle even for drinking water. Farming became almost impossible. We were more concerned about the health of our people than anything else. Many households did not have enough water for toilets, bathing, or washing. The small muddy tank built in 2019 would heat up quickly under the sun and was unhygienic.”

Before the new system, families had to fetch water from distant locations. Children and women spent long hours collecting a few pots of water. The health risks were significant, especially during dry seasons, and basic hygiene was difficult to maintain.

She added, “Thanks to the Tarayana Foundation’s support, we now have access to clean water through a proper system. We have also made plans to protect it by fencing the tanks, regular cleaning, and encouraging villagers to take care of the water taps. We have even planned tree plantations around the water source to keep it secure for the future. Everyone is becoming more aware, and we feel a sense of ownership now. This project has truly brought a big change to our lives.”

Deki Choden, a resident of Tshogoenpa village, explained the impact on daily life: “We are villagers and our lives depend on agriculture. But for the longest time, we did not have enough water, neither for farming nor even for drinking. Cleanliness was also a major issue. Every day, we walked long distances to collect water from streams that were not always safe. It was tiring, and during dry months, it felt like a daily battle just to meet our basic needs.”
Tshogoenpa villagers faced the harsh effects of water scarcity. With the recent commissioning of the gravity-fed water system by the Tarayana Foundation, life in the village has changed.

Deki Choden continued, “Now, we have a water tap right in our village. We do not have to worry so much anymore. We can cook, clean, and even grow vegetables in our backyard. It has made life easier for our families. Most of all, we are truly thankful to the Tarayana Foundation for helping us gain access to clean and reliable water. It is something we once only hoped for.”

Sonam Tobgay, another resident, shared his experience: “Before this project, we had a serious water shortage in our village. Clean drinking water was hard to find, and even for farming, we could not do much due to the lack of irrigation. We had to fetch water from distant places, and that made daily life very difficult, especially for women and the elderly. Health was also a concern because the water sources were often unsafe.”

He added, “The villagers had been relying on an old, poorly built muddy tank constructed around 2019, which did not meet hygiene standards. It could not keep the water cool or clean for long. The tank would heat up under the sun, making the water unusable at times and contributing to illnesses in the community.”

Sonam Tobgay concluded, “But now, with the new gravity-fed water system, everything has changed. We are finally getting access to clean and safe water through a proper tap system. It is a big relief for all of us. This improvement will not only help with drinking water but also support our farming and daily household work. We are really thankful to the Tarayana Foundation for bringing these facilities to our village. It is going to make our lives much better.”