Lhakpa Quendren

Phuentsholing—Following the watershed management survey in Phuentsholing Drungkhag, the Tarayana Foundation plans to implement nature-based solutions through Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES).

Phuentsholing was identified as one of the critical locations due to severe water contamination and the risk of natural disasters, such as landslides and flash floods, along the Omchhu.

The Technical Director of the Foundation, Sangay Dorji (PhD), said that the situation could lead to severe repercussions for downstream water users, including health risks and economic losses.

“The payments encourage sustainable practices that protect watersheds, conserve biodiversity, manage land, and capture carbon dioxide (carbon sequestration),” he said, adding that communities and the Thromde requested the introduction of the PES scheme during stakeholder consultations.

Under the PES scheme, upstream residents will receive economic incentives from Phuentsholing beneficiaries based on conservation outcomes, with expertise provided by the Watershed and Forest Departments and the College of Science and Technology.

Chukha’s field officer, Tashi Tshering Doya, said the programme would be implemented in consultation with the Forest and Watershed Departments.

“We visited every village in Phuentsholing to assess the situation following a week-long meeting,” he said. “The work will be carried out based on the outcomes of the survey.”

“Tarayana implemented a nature-based solution at Dawakha in Paro, which proved successful. The project not only addressed drinking water shortages but also benefited vegetable cultivation,” he said.

The project was also carried out in Tading and Dophuchen in Samtse, and also in Thimphu. Water pipes have been distributed to Haa, Dagana, Tsirang, and Sarpang, where further implementation of the project is planned.

The springshed intervention blends traditional knowledge and innovative practices, including traditional water filtration, to promote clean water, sustainable land management, and soil conservation, while also initiating PES to financially reward environmental stewardship.

The traditional watershed management approach, which focuses on broad catchment areas, fails to address the issue of drying springs. Although protective fencing and afforestation improve water quality and forest cover, they do not guarantee the replenishment of water sources.

Current temporary solutions, such as finding new water sources and building larger reservoirs, fail to address the root causes of water depletion and are unsustainable, according to the Foundation.

The Springshed Management Programme, part of the International Climate Initiative (IKI) that started two years ago, is designed to identify recharge areas and restore and revive drying springs and lakes.

The project aims to combat the drying up of water sources and improve livelihoods, fostering peace and cooperation among communities that share these water resources, which are essential for their well-being.

In Chukha, 11 of the 471 water sources have dried up and 89 are drying, which is contributing to water shortages. Pemagatshel, Punakha, and Wangdue are also facing shortages due to sources that are drying up. Of the 7,399 water sources in the country, 0.9 percent (69) have dried up, and 25.1 percent (1,856) are drying.

“Recognising the severity of this issue, the Tarayana Foundation has stepped forward to support rural communities in their efforts to revive and restore their vital water sources, which are crucial for the sustainability of rural livelihoods,” said a Tarayana official.

As part of World Water Week 2024, themed “Bridging Borders: Water for a Peaceful and Sustainable Future,” the Tarayana Foundation met with stakeholders in Phuentsholing on August 29 to sensitise them about the PES scheme and discuss the way forward.