𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬-𝐎𝐧 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐠

…𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒑𝒍𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒔𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒔, 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇-𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒈𝒂𝒏𝒈

By Kezang Choden

The Department of Engineering and the Human Settlement Sector of Trashigang, in collaboration with SNV Bhutan, successfully concluded a five-day Water Caretaker Training program at Thrimshing Gewog in Trashigang Dzongkhag. Running from December 24 to 28, 2024, the program attracted 22 participants from Thrimshing and surrounding communities, all united in their goal to improve local water management practices.

The training, which focused on enhancing participants’ capacity to manage and maintain water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure, covered key areas such as plumbing tools, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe jointing, water source management, and the formation of Water User Associations (WUAs). One of the highlights of the training was an introduction to the Climate Resilient Water Supply Plan (CR-WSP), which aims to equip communities with the tools to address climate-related water challenges.

Nima Tshering, Senior Technician of Trashigang Dzongkhag, emphasized the profound impact the program had on its participants. “The training was a blend of theory and hands-on experience, offering participants the opportunity to practice essential skills that will enable them to manage and maintain local water systems independently,” Tshering explained.

The program successfully equipped participants with the skills needed to handle minor plumbing issues, perform basic repairs, and implement water management practices. A key part of the training also focused on fostering collaboration within WUAs, empowering communities to take collective responsibility for maintaining their water systems.
“The introduction to CR-WSP was crucial,” Tshering added. “It helps communities prepare for the challenges posed by climate change, ensuring that their water resources remain reliable and sustainable.”

A critical element of the training was its focus on gender equity. Nima Tshering emphasized the importance of empowering women, who often bear the primary responsibility for water management in households. “Women need to be equally skilled in water system maintenance and repairs,” Tshering said. “By doing so, we not only reduce their reliance on external assistance but also foster self-sufficiency within the community.”

The program’s success also highlighted the need for active community participation in maintaining water infrastructure. “For how long can we rely on the government to handle basic maintenance tasks? These activities often require significant funding,” Tshering remarked. “As members of the community, it’s our collective responsibility to contribute and take charge of some of these tasks ourselves.”

The training’s approach to building local capacity is seen as an essential step toward fostering resilience, reducing dependency on external aid, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of water systems.

Tshering Wangdi, Technician for Thrimshing Gewog, played a pivotal role in organizing the training, marking the first-ever water management program for the Gewog. Wangdi stressed the importance of water management in everyday life, linking it directly to hygiene and livelihoods. “Water is vital for daily living, and understanding how to manage it effectively is key to sustaining our way of life,” said Wangdi.

He also noted the inclusive nature of the program, which saw equal participation from both men and women, challenging traditional gender roles and promoting a sense of collective responsibility.

“The training is a significant milestone for Thrimshing Gewog,” Wangdi added. “I hope it will inspire other communities to organize similar initiatives, addressing the growing concerns around water management and infrastructure maintenance.”

For Kiba Choden, a resident of Thrimshing Gewog, the training was nothing short of transformative. “The hands-on approach helped me gain practical skills like clearing blockages, joining pipes, and managing water sources. These tasks, which once seemed overwhelming, are now manageable thanks to this program,” Kiba explained.

Kiba is not only confident in applying the skills she learned to her own household but is also eager to help others in her community. “It’s not just about what I have gained; it’s about using these skills to benefit the whole community,” Kiba said. She has already pledged to volunteer her time and expertise to address water management challenges in her locality.

Similarly, Wangdi Gyeltshen, another local resident, expressed his satisfaction with the training. “The program was both practical and transformative. I now have the skills to perform basic pipe maintenance and ensure the proper upkeep of water sources in my community,” Wangdi shared.

Wangdi pointed out the limitations of relying on external technicians, especially in a remote area like Thrimshing Gewog, where a single technician serves all the chiwogs. “It’s impossible for one person to meet the needs of so many households at once,” he said. “That’s why this training is so important – now, I can contribute to my community by applying what I have learned.”

Wangdi Gyeltshen and other participants are hopeful that the program will have a ripple effect, inspiring more residents to take ownership of their water systems and contribute to the broader goal of water sustainability in the community. “In just five days, I learned so much,” Wangdi said. “If there are more opportunities like this, I’m eager to share what I have learned with others, reducing our reliance on external help.”

The program’s organizers, including Tshering Wangdi, are already considering ways to expand the initiative in the future. The Gewog Administration plans to monitor the program’s impact and explore the possibility of similar initiatives in other parts of Trashigang Dzongkhag.

“By empowering communities to manage their water resources, we’re not only solving immediate challenges but also ensuring that future generations will have access to clean water and sustainable infrastructure,” Tshering Wangdi concluded.

The Water Caretaker Training in Thrimshing Gewog marks a significant step toward self-reliance and community empowerment. By equipping residents with essential skills in water management and fostering collaboration, the program is helping create a more resilient and sustainable future for the community.