The much awaited dry land irrigation scheme for Langpa – Nobgang village under Samar Gewog is now officially handed over to M/s. Karma & Chimmi Builders Pvt. Ltd, Paro for construction. A simple ground breaking ceremony and handing/taking was conducted at Langpa, Samar Gewog between the Department of Agriculture and the contractor in presence of Dzongkhag Agriculture Sector, Samar Gewog Administration and members of Langpa – Nobgang Water User Association (WUA) on 14th January 2018.
The 11.50 km long irrigation scheme will command some 200 acres of dry land and also provide drinking water to 60 households. The project duration is 12 months with an evaluated bid amount of Nu. 32.21million. The projected is financed by GEF/LDCF/SCCF Trust Funds with UNDP/Bhutan as the implementing agency and GNHC as the implementing partner. The USD 14 million project will benefit some 38 Gewogs in 12 Dzongkhags across the three project landscapes: Landscape I -covering Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve and Biological Corridor 1, in the western part of the country; Landscape II – covering Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park and Biological Corridors 2 and 8, in the central-west part and Landscape III – covering Phrumsengla National Park and Biological Corridor 4, in the central-east part. Bjee, Samar, Gakiling and Sangbaykha Gewogs are the four project areas for Haa Dzongkhag under landscape I.
The whole team also visited the water source located some 15 kilometres away from the village along with the WUA members who were empowered to monitor the construction through a written By-Laws and to take ownership of the irrigation scheme from the beginning itself.
Compiled and submitted by:
Karchung
Sr. DAO