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Tshalungna village uses nature-based solutions to secure reliable water
YK Puddle
Tshalungna, Thimphu – About 25 villagers of Jingang gathered at the water source to clean and complete their newly constructed 5.8-km long water supply system which will benefit more than 48 families.
While some villagers have already benefited from the new water supply, residents in lower altitude areas are expected to get water within a week.
The Talayana Foundation played a vital role in the project by introducing nature-based solutions to address water scarcity and promote spring watershed management. Initially, the foundation conducted a feasibility study in consultation with the villagers to ensure the success of the project.
Farmer Gyem Bidha, 49, said the new measure solved the village’s long-standing water supply problem. “The previous water supply system was built more than 40 years ago.”
She further explained that mudslides and flash floods in the summer, and frosts in the winter severely restricted the villagers’ irrigation and drinking water supply. “Now, thanks to the foundation’s thoughtful intervention, we have a clean, abundant supply of fresh water.”
Villagers used to suffer from various water-borne diseases due to unhygienic water sources, said Choki, a 27-year-old resident. “Diarrhea, typhoid, skin infections and dysentery are common in the village.”
She said water management has improved greatly with the commissioning of a new water supply system.
Village women now visit the water source every month to make sure it is clean, and a monthly fee of 300 nunat is charged to support water management, which everyone considers affordable.
The foundation also set up a Water Users Group (WUG) to monitor and maintain the springs.
According to Choki, water management groups are led by women because they are the main users of water for domestic activities such as gardening, cooking and washing.
As part of the project, some villagers were trained in spring shed management and the use of nature-based solutions.
Farmer Chencho Tshering, 38, said the foundation provided all the necessary materials, while villagers did the manual labor. “In addition to cement, wire mesh for fencing, water pipes and pipe connectors, we also used natural resources such as bamboo, logs and planks.”
The project was completed in just one month.
Now, water passes through filtration ponds before reaching distribution points, ensuring villagers have access to fresh, clean drinking water.
Although villagers have traditionally relied on livestock, they are now increasingly interested in growing vegetables for sale.
Local farmer Ugyen Dema said that as water supply improved, her enthusiasm for expanding vegetable cultivation also increased. “With the improved water supply, vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, spinach and peppers are growing well. Before, wheat was the only major grain grown in the village.”
The foundation built three reservoirs in the village of Kongang, with capacities of 5,000 litres, 15,000 litres and 30,000 litres, to ensure a reliable water supply for residents.
Four villages in Mewang Gewog – Kimgang, Drugling, Khasakha and Sigye – received spring water infrastructure worth Ngultrum 1.2 million through the foundation.
The foundation highlighted the pressing challenge of drying up springs, which are being exacerbated by climate change, land use change and environmental degradation, significantly reducing the quantity and quality of spring water.
To address this issue, the Foundation implemented nature-based solutions and spring shed management, which use natural processes to improve water supply in a cost-effective manner.
The project also aims to address human-wildlife conflict, promote sustainable land management, and develop community enterprises and ecotourism.
Mewang Gewog’s water security initiative is part of a $2.73 million, eight-year project called Living Landscapes: Securing High Conservation Values in Southwestern Bhutan.
The project, which is supported by the German Federal Ministry for Environmental Protection, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection and the International Climate Initiative, spans 21 tsongkhapas across nine tsongkhapas, namely Thimphu, Paro, Chukha, Dagana, Sarpong, Tsirang, Samtse, Haa and Tsemgung.
The project is expected to be completed in March 2028.
This week, Bhutan will celebrate World Water Week from August 25 to 29, with the theme “Beyond Borders: Water at the Serving of Peace and a Sustainable Future”.
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