𝐃𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐧𝐚 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐆𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞-𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐬

By Lhendup Wangmo

Dungna Gewog in Chukha Dzongkhag is raising growing concerns over the impact of climate change on its drinking water sources. While the volume of water currently remains sufficient, shifting weather patterns and environmental degradation have raised alarms about the safety and long-term sustainability of these sources.

Gup Lobzang of Dungna Gewog said the lack of clean and treated drinking water is becoming a pressing issue, especially as the effects of climate change continue to unfold.

“We still have drinking water, but it’s not clean or safe for direct use,” he said. “If we can secure clean water, it will benefit around 150 households in our gewog. But with the way things are changing, we can’t take anything for granted anymore.”

A proposal to address the issue was not included in the 12th Five-Year Plan but has now been incorporated into the 13th. As part of the initiative, the European Union has funded a water tank project worth Nu 1.7 million. So far, a total of Nu 7 million has been secured to improve the gewog’s water supply system.

Despite these efforts, the gewog remains concerned about the long-term sustainability of its water sources. Lobzang emphasized the community’s fears about the potential impacts of climate change, which could lead to the drying up of essential water sources in the future.

“We are worried that climate change might affect the sustainability of our water sources, even though we have enough for now,” he added.

The gewog is now working to implement long-term solutions to ensure clean and reliable drinking water for all households, while also building resilience against climate-related risks.
Ugyen Dorji, the Tshogpa of the chiwog, said the water tank project was initiated in direct response to increasing climate unpredictability.

“We can no longer predict the weather like we used to,” he said. “Sometimes the rain doesn’t come at all, and other times it pours too much, all at once. That’s why this project started. We realized we can’t depend on the seasons anymore- we needed to prepare ourselves.”

He explained that the newly built water tank, with a capacity of 20,000 litres, was designed to store clean water for the community during uncertain times.

“This tank is not just a structure- it’s our safety net. When the streams run low, this will help us manage and share water fairly.”

Beyond infrastructure, Ugyen emphasized the importance of environmental conservation and responsible water use.
“We’re also encouraging villagers to take responsibility- don’t waste water, don’t pollute our streams, and protect the forests around water sources. Trees help the springs flow. If we keep cutting, there won’t be anything left to protect us.”

He added, “People think development is just about roads and buildings, but in rural areas, water is the real lifeline. This tank and this project remind us that we must take precautions now, not later. If climate change continues the way it has, we can’t afford to be careless anymore.”

Chencho Wangdi, coordinator of the water tank project, expressed concern over visible changes in water availability over the years.

“Before, there used to be plenty of water in certain areas, but now there’s none where there used to be,” he said.
He added that these changes are alarming and likely linked to climate change. “We are really concerned. If this trend continues, our water sources may dry up in the future. It’s no longer just about clean water- it’s about whether we’ll have water at all.”

Chencho emphasized that residents are increasingly worried about the unpredictability of weather and reduced seasonal flows.

“The fear is real. We don’t know how much longer our existing sources will last. If climate change continues at this pace, even the new infrastructure may not be enough. We’re racing against time to secure something that may soon disappear.”

He said this urgency is what prompted the construction of a water tank with a capacity of 10,000 to 20,000 litres, funded by the European Union.

“It’s part of our preparation to store as much clean water as possible while we still can. We don’t want to wait until the taps run dry,” he added.

Dorji, a 65-year-old villager, said climate change is no longer an abstract concept for rural communities like Dungna.
“People often assume villagers don’t understand climate change just because we haven’t gone to college or don’t read the news every day,” he said, sitting outside his traditional farmhouse, gazing toward the hills. “But we feel it- in our fields, in the sky, in the water we collect. We may not use scientific terms, but we know when the environment is changing.”

He paused, his face weathered from years of farming. “The fog used to roll in early in the morning during winter, like clockwork. Now it comes late, or sometimes not at all. The flowers bloom before they’re supposed to. The river that used to roar during this time of year is now barely moving. These aren’t just coincidences- they’re warnings. We can feel it in our bones. Something is wrong.”

Dorji said what worries him most is how unpredictable the weather has become.
“Before, we could plan everything around the seasons- planting, harvesting, even family rituals. Now, we just guess. There’s too much rain when we don’t need it, and no rain when our fields are thirsty. It makes us feel powerless.”

He added, “I keep telling the younger generation- store as much water as you can, while you still can. Plant more trees. Don’t throw plastic or waste into the streams. Protect the forests around the springs. These places are sacred, and they give us life. If we don’t take care now, it will be too late. One day, the children will open the tap- and nothing will come out.”

Looking up at the forested slopes above his village, he concluded, “Our grandparents used to say, if you respect the land, the land will take care of you. But if we keep ignoring the signs, we will run out, not just of water, but of time.”
Chencho Lhamo, a 39-year-old villager, said climate change is already affecting daily life in subtle but serious ways.
“The weather has become so confusing,” she said. “Some years, the monsoon arrives too late. Other times, it brings heavy rain that damages our crops and pollutes our water sources with mud and debris. We never used to see this when I was younger.”

She also expressed concern about how climate extremes are impacting basic household routines.
“There are times when we have to wake up as early as 4 a.m. just to fetch a few buckets of clean water because the pressure is too low later in the day. It’s exhausting, especially for women and children.”

Chencho said the community is learning to be more cautious. “We have started talking more about how to save water, how to clean it properly, and why we need to protect the nearby forest. If the spring dries up, we won’t have a second option.”

Looking at the newly constructed tank, she said, “This tank gives us some relief, but the real fear is that if the climate keeps changing, no tank will be enough. That’s why we have to start from the roots- protecting the environment, using water wisely, and preparing for harder days ahead.”