The nomadic festival has brought together people from different communities.
The officials from the ministry of agriculture have been busy with the works of preparing stall, cleaning the ground and putting up the posters, since 7 December. Meanwhile the nomads are busy practicing their dance and songs.
Talking to BHUTAN TODAY, Pema Drakpa, a nomad from Joenkhar village under Sakten geog, Trashigang, said: “I was eagerly waiting for the day and finally the day is here. The festival will really benefit us and give us awareness on the importance of the environment and we plan to share the idea with others back home.”
He further added: “Through this festival we will be able to do better business and learn better ways of selling our dairy products, especially butter and cheese. Before I used to sell the products in Trashigang only, now after the festival, I am planning to expand it to other nearby dzongkhags.”
The first ever Nomad Festival will start tomorrow at Nagsephel, Bumthang (Wangchuck Centennial Park) and will continue for three days from December 26 to 28, 2009.
Nomads from Haa, Paro, Thimphu, Gasa, Wangduephodrang, Bumthang, Trashi Yangtse and Trashigang will participate in the festival.
The proposed nomadic festival will be a platform for guests and tourists to understand and appreciate the importance of coexistence of the nomads from different dzongkhags.
Leki Phuntsho, another nomad in his red robe from Trashigang said: “Ever since I heard about the upcoming festival, I was excited and wanted to participate in the festival, so today I am here. I brought some butter and cheese for sale and I hope to sell off all my products and go home with some money.”
He also added: “I am looking forward for such events to happen again which will benefit us and also other nomads to learn the importance of the environment.”
Tenzin, Assistant Forest Officer of Wangchuck Centennial Park, said: “We really don’t know what our nomads are doing and by conducting such a festival, we can get together and teach them the importance of conservation of environment. Through this festival we expect to attract tourists though it is off season for the tourists right now. We have been preparing for this festival since 7 December.”
Nomadic festival is being conducted in Bhutan for the first time. If this festival is successful, similar ones in other places will be conducted annually.
Damber S. Rai, Chief Forestry Officer, Wangchuck Centennial Park, said: “This concept paper deals with a community based tourism proposal for Chhokortoe valley under Wangchuck Centennial Park through a nomadic festival for three days.”
Describing the reasons for holding such a festival in Bumthang, he said: “Chhokortoe valley in Bumthang at an altitude of about 2800m is considered as one of the most scenic valleys in Bhutan. With many sacred religious sites and festivals, Chhokortoe is also one of the more popular valleys with tourists. Chhkortoe Valley is the exit point of the popular snowman trek particularly through Dhur Tshachu.”
A total of 90 nomad groups from eight dzongkhags will be participating in the first nomadic festival in Bumthang.
By Chencho Dema in BUMTHANG
