In what is a huge shift from fetching water on their backs just a year ago, the villagers in Nyasikhar Chiwog in Pema Gatshel’s Chhimung Gewog are now harvesting rainwater and using water pumps to meet their daily water needs. With access to water aplenty, villagers in the Chiwog are now venturing into kitchen gardening as well.
People of Nyasikhar Chiwog have long been carrying water on their backs travelling long distances to fetch water.
The struggle to fetch water ended last year after the villagers started harvesting rainwater and using water pumps.
The Nyasikhar residents also have a direct water connection from the neighbouring Chhiphung village.
“We can wash our hands from the taps. We can even water our gardens. I am very happy today. We have caretakers who do maintenance work regularly. So far, we have been getting water continuously,” said Ugyen Zangmo, a resident.
“We have enough water for drinking and washing. We could also install the water pump machine with support of the government. With two additional sources and the water pump, we have three sources today,” said Kezang Tshering, Nyasikhar Tshogpa.
“After installing the pump and constructing tanks, we have never been to the previous source to fetch water. As water flows directly from the source, we consider it to be more hygienic. So, we store it in the containers,” said Norbu Chezom, another resident.
The kitchen garden in the village is also flourishing. Villagers say drinking water shortage in the past meant they could not grow vegetables.
“It helped us in terms of maintaining sanitation, enabling agriculture works, and rearing livestock. We can now use the excess water in our vegetable gardens,” said Kezang Tshering.
“In the past, we take our cattle to far away villages to feed water. One person had to look after the cattle. Now that we have enough water, we can feed them and keep them in their sheds,” said Sonam Norbu, a resident.
With enough water to drink, rear livestock, and water their kitchen gardens, Nyasikhar villagers are now living a comfortable life.
The development has also enabled the use of flush toilets in the Chiwog. There are almost fifty households in the Nyasikhar Chiwog.
ThinleyDorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Sherub Dorji
