𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠

Water Conservation Program in Dechheling

Dechheling Gewog located under Pema Gatshel Dzongkhag is characterized by low-lying hills and a cluster of houses spread across the slopes and hilltops. Peling-Tso, a marsh lake, located at the valley bottom at 950m covers an approximate area of 34.219 hectares (85.547 acres) and is the source for Peling-chhu, which is the only perennial stream in the area. The stream, an outlet of Peling-Tsho/wetland is used by more than 200 households for drinking, washing, and feeding domestic animals. However, Peling-Tsho catchment has been declining over the years due to siltation, and access to sufficient and clean drinking water is a major problem in Dechheling Gewog mainly attributed to the loss of forest cover and watersheds. Rainwater is the main source of Peling-Tsho wetland and for drinking; thus, it is very important to trap rainwater for recharging of Peling-Tsho wetland and nearby springs.

As part of improving the restoration and protection of Peling-Tso for sustaining wetland ecosystem services (water and biodiversity), the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) and Dechheling Gewog with technical backstopping by the RGoB through GEF-Small Grants Program of UNDP Bhutan Program Office funding constructed the 34 water collection ponds/trenches (61cm depth by 1m square) 5 numbers of Zabo systems (15m by 5m by 50cm) around Peling-Tsho catchment to recharge rainwater during the monsoon. In addition, the project also supported 86 Sintex Tanks (500 liters) and installed Roof-top Rainwater Harvesting Systems by 86 households under Gonpawong Chiwog. The establishment of water collection ponds/trenches, Zabo systems, and Roof-top Rainwater Harvesting Systems has helped in recharging groundwater and overcoming water shortages for household use and agriculture.