Drujeygang, Dagana, June 20, 2025 —
The Tarilum-Drujeygang watershed, being one of the significant catchments supplying water both for drinking and irrigation to the surrounding communities, was found degraded. To revive and ensure the future sustainability of the water sources, the DoW has developed the Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP). The WIP was presented and started its implementation by the local government (LG) with technical backstopping from the Department.
Having completed all the intervention work by the LG with active participation of the local community, and officials from the forest department and others, the Department of Water formally hands over the rehabilitated Tarilum-Drujeygang Watershed to the Drujeygang Gewog Administration for their local stewardship to ensure water security. Of many, the majorly the WIP include Upper and Lower catchment intervention, Soil and Land Management, and monitoring and reporting.
The Gewog Administration, represented by Gewog Thrizin, reaffirmed its commitment to uphold and sustain the efforts initiated. The Gewog will lead future monitoring, coordinate maintenance of structures, and mobilise community-based watershed committees to institutionalise good practices. The event highlights the importance of transitioning from centralised implementation to community-led governance.
The Department of Water will continue to provide technical guidance, monitor the revival of the watershed, and support as needed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the watershed. The handing-taking event marks the pinnacle of a series of strategic watershed management interventions planned by the Department of Water in ensuring water security towards local resilience, climate adaptation, community stewardship and a commitment to Bhutan’s national goal of sustainable natural resource management aligned with the values of Gross National Happiness (GNH) and climate-smart governance.
The series of similar events will be led by the Department of Water under the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, with financial support from the Adaptation Fund Project through the Bhutan Trust Fund and Environmental Conservation.
