The Construction of Farm road at lower Shamdolay of Shamdolay Chewog, Tashiding Gewog which began from 13^th March was completed on 27^th March benefiting nine households of Lower Shamdolay village. The farm road was about 1200 meters and it was done from the Dzongkhag Excavator with the fueling provided from the allotted budget of Nu.3,20,000 (three lakhs twenty thousand) of the GDG (Gewog Development Grant) for the fiscal year of 2017-2018.

The fuel was reached at site by the Gewog Bolero in Barrels and the farm road was with the first cutting excavation and the the leveling.

However not having the drainage, Gewog instructed the Beneficiaries for the need to construct an earthen drain so that there is a continuous flow of water during the summer season.

 It was also one such prioritized activity of the Gewog having endorsed by the GT (Gewog Tshogdu) earlier.

The farmers of this village mainly grow cash crops like Ginger and Just two weeks earlier one of the beneficiaries whom is also a chairperson of the newly formed Group of this farm road or the RUG(Road User Group) namely Yeshi sold more than 700 Kilograms of Ginger.

“We are happy to get the road” says Yeshi, a Chairperson of the Road with a smile on his face.

Compiled by Lobzang Choda

Khuru Tournament

The Khuru tournament amongst the Chewogs of the Gewog was held from 16^th of March, 2019 and was organized by the Gewog office .It was with the aim to enhance community vitality apart of the preservation of the traditional games and sports.

There were a total of eight teams and the teams reaching final were the upper Tashiding and lower Tashiding, the final match was played on 17^thMarch at Gewog Center.

 The chief guest was the Senior Dzongkhag Livestock officer and he briefed on the importance of such game to be conducted in Gewog, the need to maintain the culture of playing such games amongst the people of the Gewog and more importantly was that it was one Pillar of the GNH,Preservation of culture and tradition.

The prizes were also awarded to the highest shots (Kareys), highest Dhobjey, all team captains and also to the Tshogpas for their appreciation of the roles as committee members and helping the Coordinator in conducting such tournament at Gewog.

The teams having reached to semifinals were also given a packet of sweets.

The refreshments and lunch was also given to all the people present, guests and the participants.

The programme ended with the Tashi Labey dance by all the people present on this day.

Compiled by Lobzang Choda

Tashiding GAO

Land Development Programme at Tashiding village

The Excavator of JCB 30 plus hired by the Dzongkhag Agriculture office from the FMCL and is meant precisely for the proper leveling, cutting of the small portions and parts having uncomfortable while tilling or ploughing, disposing of small rocks and the broadening of the paddy field or simply as Land Development Programme began on 2^nd June, 2018 benefiting six households of Tashiding Village.

“Such programme will immensely benefit while tilling by the Gewog Power Tiller apart of increased production” said Mr. Passang Tshering, Deputy Chief Agriculture Officer of Dagana Dzongkhag.

One of the beneficiaries, Aum Tashi Wangmo says, “It’s for us to realize and work hard when we get support”.

The work began from 2^nd June, 2018 in presence of the Gewog officials and it is allotted two days each for a total of six households.

The Gewog Administration of Tashiding is to thank the Dzongkhag and the Agriculture office for this support provided to the People.

By Lobzang Choda

Gewog facebook page

It is fun to create the gewog pages but it is difficult to gather public to like the pages and avail the information from the page. This is my third work place page. I have transferred the ownership of my two ex gewogs to Agriculture Extension officer of Sergithang and one to Gup who loves going monitoring of the work in the chiwog. The Sergithang page seems dormant for meanwhile but Gosarling Gewog seems doing good job in updating the work progress. 

Since I am posted here in Gelephu gewog, i have created yet another page for the Gelephu. Right now i am in a process of gathering public to get it liked so that they can access the information. 

Submitted by 

Tashi Dema

GAO

Gelephu Gewog

17732196

Informing people via social media

Creating such page has helped people to be informed regarding any activities that took place in gewog. Sergithang gewog is my previous gewog and Gosarling gewog is my new work station.

submitted by 

Tashi Dema

GAO

Gosarling

Handing Taking of the Farm Road

The Road beneficiaries of the farm road in presence of Gewog officials took over the construction of a permanent structure, farm road from Gewog office to Namchalla Chewog today, 2^nd March, 2017.

The work was executed by a commercial contractor namely M/s Nachung Construction, Pemagatshel with a bid amount of about twenty two lakhs seventy six thousand and later on an additional work was also given for the amount of little more than nine lakhs.

The Only observation reflected was of the drainage to be cleared at two points, above karma Tamang’s house and below the school.

It was funded by the SDP (Small Development Project) of the third phase.

The work began from 14^th May, 2016 and completed on 13^th November, 2016.

The Road will also benefit two other chewogs of the Gewog apart of the Beneficiaries of the Namchalla Chewog.

By Lobzang Choda

GAO, Tashiding Gewog, Dagana

Reception of newly elected LG Officials

A Cleaning Campaign

For the very important national cleaning campaign conducted on 9^th December, a nationwide campaign, Rangthangling Gewog officials with the shopkeepers of Rangthangling, Residents of Dharchargang and Neymedsa, Gewog Lam, BPC substation staffs, School teachers and the students carried out the cleaning campaign in five core different places.

For the first location it was from R/ling School till BPC Junction, second location it was from the BPC Junction till Gewog Office, third location was from Market shed Highway to Gewog Lhakhang premises, fourth location was from the Gewog office till the Dhajay Top and the fifth and the last location was from Gewog office till Hawadangra view point.

Apart of the wastes collected, the bushes and the grasses were also cleared particularly at the road sides. More than one DCM Truck load of wastes were collected at the end of the day and prior to the campaign day the Gewog also had a brief meeting with the concerned officials conveying the message of the Dzongkhag, the importance of such day, the way forward for such campaign or such activity to be carried out, the rotational basis for the dumping of wastes from collection center and others.

Now the premises looks very clean,' says Dil Bdr. Tamaang, a resident of Dharchargang.

The Gewog also earlier conducted such campaigns and even sensitized to the residents, house owners and shopkeepers for the need of proper disposal of wastes at waste collection center and the fines and penalties to be levied by Gewog and it was also as mandated in the Waste Management prevention Act. The Gewog is also to sensitize again for all the Chewogs of the Gewog.

By Lobzang Choda

  R/ling GAO

Disposal of wastes at Collection Center

The Gewog administration on 13^th September having completed the Common Forum discussed with the Dharchargang residents and also the shopkeepers that the Gewog will impose a fines or penalties as in the norms if the tenants and people are found littering the wastes and it was also despite being informed and advocated to the public earlier.

And it was also after few people raised this issue having seen the staffs disposing the wastes and some even throwing with unwrapped bags as they travel on their motorcycles and cars.

The Gewog reminded that it is also the house owners mandate to provide the Bins for their tenants.

The people also raised the issue that the school going children throwing the wrappers and the parents were also told to advise their children not to throw everywhere and the Gewog to further remind the school management if they could also remind the students on morning Assembly or other periods.

The Gewog also briefed all the shopkeepers and all people to dispose the wastes (Plastics and papers) after having packed and tightened properly in sacks so it is easier for the disposal or unload from the collection center later on.

The house owners, shopkeepers and all the residents agreed to take turn for disposing the wastes or to empty the wastes from the collection center to the Municipal Truck.

On 15^th September, the Gewog Administration also sent the letter in writing officially to all the shopkeepers and House or Building owners about it.

The School management was also informed to remind their students about it.

By Lobzang Choda

Construction of Rangthangling Gewog Office

The Construction of Gewog Office began from 28^th November, 2015 having awarded to the lowest quoted Commercial Contractor at the quoted amount of Nu.16,00,476/-(Sixteen lakhs and four hundred and seventy six)only .

It was also after the old Gewog Office being damaged by the windstorm having blown away the office roofs, damaging the walls and even making the cracks on the walls for which it was unsafe for the officials and also the people seemingly a chance either to get collapse and likely to get more damages from such disasters which occurred last year in the April month.

The Dzongkhag Level Tender Committee (DLTC) also visited and monitored the ongoing progress of the Gewog Construction. And presently the Gewog Office Construction having completed and the completion report was also submitted to Gewog on 27^th July yet the Gewog having awarded the additional work of the Site development and the Gate of the Gewog Office, the time period was extended for another one month till 28^th August, 2016 by the GLTC (Gewog Level Tender Committee) earlier precisely for the additional work.

It is also a spill over work for this Gewog Office Construction having kept the remaining budget in the first quarter of the Budget Utilization Plan of Rangthangling Gewog for this fiscal year.

The Gewog will take over the new Construction of office only in the end of this month.

By Lobzang Choda

Handing Taking of the Schemes

The formal handing and taking for the Maintenance of Devithan and Chaprasey Irrigation channels was done on 9^th July at Rangthangling which it was now meant to be handed over by the Gewog Administration to the Beneficiaries of the two schemes at Rangthangling Village under Rangthangling Chewog.

It was mainly to make them feel the ownership of the infrastructure requiring them to repair the minor damages themselves thereby sustaining the schemes apart of the record maintained by the Gewog. There were a total of thirteen beneficiaries from these schemes for which the work was completed in June month. The works were executed departmentally and the mason’s wages were also paid as in the norm from the allocated budget. The total expenditure incurred was Nu.1,88098.00 (One lakh eighty eight thousand and ninty eight)only and it was also including the other two schemes of Rana and Adhikari having four beneficiaries.

Sites of both schemes (Irrigation channels) were also visited by the Gewog officials comprised of Site Engineer, Gup, GAO and Tshogpa along with the beneficiaries.

It was from the Gewog Development Grant (GDG) for the fiscal year 2015-2016 and is a prioritized activity amongst others of the GDG.

By Lobzang Choda

Handing Taking of the Schemes

The Gewog Administration officially handed over the Maintenance of Nimazor A and B irrigation channels today at Nimazor village to the beneficiaries of both the schemes. There were a total of thirteen households from two schemes, six people from Nimazor A and 7 people from Nimazor B.

The work was executed departmentally and apart of the official handing and taking of these two schemes today, four masons were also made a payment for the works carried out for these schemes.

It was only through direct participation with such handing and taking note that the beneficiaries will feel the ownership of these infrastructures and also to maintain the minor damages themselves and thereby ensuring the sustainability of the schemes.

These schemes were completed earlier in the June month and the funding were also both from the RGOB (Royal Government of Bhutan), a planned activity and GDG (Gewog Development Grant) for the fiscal year 2015-2016 incurring a total expenditure of Nu. 370847.00 (Three lakhs seventy thousand eight hundred and forty seven) only.

The Gewog Administration is to hand over the other remaining completed schemes within this week to the beneficiaries.

By Lobzang Choda

Rangthangling  GAO

Construction of Permanent Structure of Dharchargang Farm Road.

The handing and taking of the Construction of Permanent Structure of Dharchargang Farm Road at Dharchargang Chewog was done on 25^th June, 2016 but with more of the rectifications to complete within twenty days from the date of Handing and Taking. It directly benefits 40 Hhs (Forty households) and the primary school of Rangthangling Gewog. The first cutting of the Road was done with the Constituency Development Grant (CDG) incurring approximately about eight lakhs earlier in 2012 yet without any improvement of the road it therefore created problem especially at the time of the summer seasons and the transportation of agriculture produce became very difficult at this season. The Slippery and Marshy road further created disorders to the commuters.

The Construction of Permanent Structure of Dharchargang Farm Road from BPC Junction to Rangthangling Primary School was awarded to the contractor by the Gewog at the quoted amount of thirty one lakhs one hundred and fifty only (3100150.00) with the actual time period of ten months to complete the work.

It is funded by the SDP (small Development project) of the 2^nd Phase.

The road shall greatly help the farmers or the residents in enhancing their livelihood from cash income through sale of agriculture and livestock products. It also helps the school students while going to school than having to walk in the slippery track in summer season and more importantly for the school in carrying out their regular official duties and also for the celebration of the national events and occasions.

Compiled by Lobzang Choda

Celebration of International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women’s Day in Tsirang.

Celebration of International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women’s Day in Tsirang. 

The theme for this year was “Unite to End Violence against Women-Orange Your Neighbourhood”.A walk from Damphu Higher Secondary School’s junction till Rigsum Pema Dumra Parking.

The chief Guest of the day was the Dratsang Lam Neten whom graced the programme by flagging off the banner stating as “End to violence” and for which the walk began from Damphu High School of about three kilometers walking from the middle of the town till the Parking as the end point advocating and the need to eliminate violence against women with the Orange banner. And the team comprised of the Town shopkeepers, Regional staffs, Dzongkhag staffs, ladies of Police Camp and Dratsang monks. Dasho SP, Dasho OC and Dasho Dzongrab also attended the event participating in the walk as well.

Later on a talk and the presentations were also made by the CBSS core volunteers and few MSTF members. It was of the issues and effects of Domestic or Gender Based violence by Mr.Lobzang Choda, brief background of how the CBSS and MSTF merged, its way forward by Mr. Pema Thinley, the women and  health talk by Dr. Tejnath of Damphu Hospital, the rights of women and the Acts by Mr. Jangchu, Dzongkhag Legal Officer, partnering with men to end violence and empowerment of women by Ms. Tashi Dema and lastly a speech by the chief guest for the need to end violence, a need to refrain abusing, a sin from the spiritual point of view and others.

Lastly the programme ended with the Zhabten (prayers) for our Fourth King Jigme Singye Wangchuk by all the participants of the day.

 Compiled by Lobzang Choda

Core Volunteer, Tsirang

VEGETABLE DRIER

A three days training on how to make vegetable drier was provided to the farmers of Kikhorthang Gewog by National Post Harvesting Unit (NPHU) based in Dagana.

Now, a total of 15 vegetable driers were constructed in the gewog on cost sharing basis between the public and NPHU. Training and almost all the materials were provided from NPHU except the local materials like sand, wood, stone and labor contribution made from public .The total cost of each machine is approximately Nu. 25,000(twenty five thousand) excluding labor and local materials.

National Post Harvesting unit based in Dagana has constructed 64 driers and 27 stores in five dzongkhag  ( Dagana, Gasa, Wangdue,Tsirang and Punakha) in the fiscal year 2014-2015.

The vegetable drier I have shown above is incomplete; the complete machine will have a tray in between where we can put and dry vegetables and other items like meat etc.

The temperature need to be set at 50 degree Celsius for meat and 45 degree Celsius for vegetables. We require only 6 t 7 hours to dry vegetables and 18 hours for meat.

The advantages of having vegetable driers are that farmers will have hygienic dry vegetables and other food including meat. They require less time to dry their vegetables and even during the summer season they can dry their vegetables and other items as and when required. 

Reported by Damcho, Kikorthang Gewog, Tsirang

Chips processing training for the farmers of Kikhortang Gewog, Tsirang Dzongkhag

Introduction

The chips processing training was given to the public of four chiwogs in Kikhorthang gewog, Tsirang Dzongkhag by the National Post Harvesting Unit (NPHU) based in Dagana under Ministry of Agriculture on date 7^th August 2015 in Tashiyangong Chiwog.

The training was provided to the public mainly to form a group, whereby they can improve their living standard by marketing their product.

The machine was imported from Thailand and the cost of each machine was approximately Nu. 19000.  A total of 6 machines were provided to 6 groups in Kikhorthang gewog. The machine  supplied to the public by Integrated Food Processing Plant (IFPP) on 50% cost sharing basis.

 fig 1

 

fig 2

In the fig 1 and 1.1 the resource people are giving both theoretical and practical training about how to make potato and banana chips using machines with full demonstration. The public were taught all the steps involved in preparing chips systematically.

To have a quality chips, we need slicer to peel potatoes into good shape, Deep fat frying machine, which can be cleaned only by using a clean piece of cloth, sealer and weighing machine mainly to capture a market.

Step 1

Firstly, we have to peel off potatoes and then wash the peeled potatoes with clean cold water.  After washing cut the potatoes into slice by using the slicer machine, once again we have to wash the sliced potatoes and let it dry for few seconds for less oil consumption and to control the smoke.

To have a good quality chips, it is always good to used red potatoes of old stock instead of white, fresh and those potatoes which are kept inside refrigerator.

Step 2

Put oil of around 5 liters’ and heat the oil until the red signal turns to green as shown in the deep fat frying machine above. The heating temperature of deep fat frying machine should be set at 180 degree Celsius or below.

Step 3

When we get green light in deep fat frying machine put the sliced potatoes inside the machine and keep on steering   until the smoke and bubbles stops or color of potato changes.

Step 4

Once the potato changed its colors put a plain paper inside a pot and store the chips in that pot.  We can add salt and other ingredients only at this time. After adding ingredients put the chips inside plastic and do a proper leveling, this will be ready for marketing.  

Reported by Damcho, Kikorthang Gewog, Tsirang

Deserving Farmers

Deserving Farmers

Today the Gup, Gewog Administration of Rangthangling gave away the green house plastics for the selected deserving farmers of four chewogs and a total of six green plastics were given of which two numbers were given to Daragaon Farmers Group, one each to Passing Khandu of Samal Gaon village, Phurpa Sherpa of upper Neymedsa, Gopi lal of Gagagaon village and Goma Wati of Dhajay village.  It was also decided in a weekly meeting held on 9^th September with the Gewog staffs and the GT (Gewog Tshogdu) members having agreed and approved by all to provide the green house plastics for the Construction of Green houses for these deserving farmers.

For some were always found selling their local produce, crops at Damphu Sunday Market and some were found working hard to bring more produce and the Farmers Group at Daragaon was to encourage them to work as a team to increase the produce.

The Gewog had allocated this budget of Nu.70,000 for the first quarterly budget as per the Quarterly budget utilization plan of the Gewog as ‘Construction of Green houses’ in Agriculture Sector.

“I am very happy having received from the Gewog for it’s a first time and I had been rewarded for my hard work” says Phurba Sherpa.

They were reminded to use it within three months after being provided by the Gewog for which it shall be taken back if found not being used.

Compiled by Lobzang Choda

Electric Fencing for the Samalgaon village

                                 

A meeting with the beneficiaries of the electric fencing was held on 2^nd September at Samalgaon in presence of Gewog officials, Gewog Administrative officer, Gewog Sr. Agriculture Extension supervisor and Tshogpa.

 The meeting was mainly of the bylaws to be set up amongst the beneficiaries for the installation of the electric fencing at Samalgaon village. It was also to make sure that there is a proper coordination while installing the electric fencing or in the field working at the time of the installation of fencing amongst them. They were briefed and reminded of how the Gewog Administration had earlier found few individuals not willing to contribute and some even declining to set up the electric fencing later on. A Community having very less beneficiaries was also a shortage of the manpower while installing electric fencing like at Salari, Sunkosh community which was having only five households and is only likely to delay the work.

 This Electric fencing of five kilometers is to benefit a total of nineteen households of this village and it was also incorporated for this fiscal year 2015-2016 from the Gewog Development Grant(GDG) of which a total amount of Nu.300,000(three lakhs) had been allocated including the other Electric fencing at Rangthangling Village and Lower Neymedsa village.

It was also having found and seen from the nearby villages of Upper Nevari and Menchuna of Kilkhorthang Gewog of their fields or plots protected from the wild animals particularly wild boars which otherwise used to take the share of a year’s hard work of farmers.

“Not a single boar had entered the field as of now and the people are very happy”, says Mr. Sonam of Nevari Tshogpa.

However the Gewog is procure the required items and it is also to monitor their work.

By:  Lobzang Choda

Rangthangling Gewog

Blogger

In earlier days though I wrote articles yet there was no as blogs or forum to post and to share the stories concerning of their communities and the villages and also without the proper basic tips of writing, the articles seemed not refined in many ways.

Well I am now a frequent blogger in the Gewog administrative officers blog writing the articles on the development activities, the minutes of the GT (Gewog Tshogdu), the budget allocation for the activities of CDG (Capacity Development Grant) and others which shows a very clear transparency and the accountability particularly for the usage of the GDG and other planned developmental activities.

It is from the blog which I write that literate people residing far from their villages can always have access of the stories and how their elected local leaders make the decisions, the yearly budgets, the prioritized activities of their communities and other information.

Tshering Penjor, a literate resident with a dingy smile says, “I know very clearly the every decision made in the GT (Gewog Tshogdu) and may be better than some members.”

It is also from this blog that they can comment, suggest or even can criticize on it.

It can also be a future reference for the earlier articles posted on the blog.

 Some interesting stories can also be shared and posted like the khuru match played amongst the chewogs and the villages of the Gewog and it was also to commemorate the 60^th birth anniversary of the fourth Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuk which is to be held annually in the Gewog apart of the tradition it promotes in the community.

It was a small tribute marked for such important occasion with the trophy and cash prizes awarded to the winners and runners up teams by the Tsirang Dzongkhag National Council Member Dasho Kamal Gurung.

 Submitted by;-     Lobzang Choda

               GAO, Rangthangling Gewog, Tsirang

Celebrating social forestry day, 2.6.2015

On the joyous occasion, Samdrup community forest 150 members came with the idea of planting trees. The group has procured 1000 numbers of cypress and 1500 numbers of teak saplings from their own group account.

This will be their future investment!

planting of teak saplings 

planting of cypress saplings

 Tashi Dema

GAO

Sergithang