… the park was never renovated since its inauguration in 2015  

Chencho Dema | Punakha 

The only recreational park in Punakha, located in Khuruthang town, which used to be one of the most popular gathering areas, remains mostly desolate and quiet except for some cattle and dogs.

It is not just in bad shape with almost all the facilities being damaged, but the area is also littered.

The government invested around Nu 2.6 million in developing the park and the open gym on 1.5 acres.

The lone recreational space for residents of Khuruthang lacks toilets and a proper gate.

Only three playthings are present in the playground, and they are mostly out of order. The twisted slide has a large hole in the middle and is unstable. The two swings and the seesaw are nonfunctional.

On the other side of the playground is the open gym, where most of the equipment are damaged.

Despite their poor condition, some children and adults gather there on weekends to use the facilities.

There is no plan to renovate the park, according to municipal engineer Kencho Dorji from the Khuruthang thromde.

“People complain, but there is no budget. So we can’t do much about it. The primary issue is the budget,” he said.

Residents complained about cattle grazing in the park and damaging the equipment, he said.

“We anticipate some improvements with the establishment of Kaja Throm.”

One of the thromde officials said that outsourcing the park would be a good idea. “The park was never renovated after it was inaugurated in 2015,” he said.

Khuruthang recreational Park was opened to the public on November 7, 2015, to commemorate the 60th birthday anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth King.

Parents reported that their children sustained minor injuries while playing in the park.

Sonam Choden, a mother of two, said, “We need more children-friendly facilities, and the existing ones need to be fixed or replaced.”