Bhutan Portal

Zhemgang is considered one of the most inaccessible dzongkhags in the country with most of its gewogs still situated far from road heads. Presently, the dzongkhag is divided into eight gewogs i.e. Bardo, Bjoka, Goshing, Nangla, Nangkor, Phangkhar, Shingkhar and Trong. For administrative conveniences, Panbang Dungkhag looks after the four southern gewogs. While there is an ongoing construction of Dakphai-Buli road, it is evident that most part of Zhemgang will have to continue with almost the same situation. This implies that the development cost has been much higher for Zhemgang as compared to many others.
Based on the existing land use patterns, Zhemgang can be divided into three agro-ecological zones: Upper Kheng, Middle Kheng, and Lower Kheng. Upper Kheng coincides with the Chamkhar-chu valley system, and is characterized by high altitudes, remoteness, and infertile soils on steep slopes. The farming system in upper Kheng is, however well established. The Middle Kheng, which is the most accessible part of the dzongkhag, has good irrigation facilities and the people here have begun to specialize in farm production aimed at generating cash incomes. It is here that forest management and logging activities are concentrated. Lower Kheng consists of four southern gewogs and is characterized by relatively fertile soils but has limited irrigation facilities. Farming systems in Lower Kheng are therefore, largely based on shifting or Tseri cultivation. However, with the opening of the Panbang – Mathnguri road, cash crop production in the area has gained significant importance.

Despite the huge development potential, Zhemgang until the beginning of the nineties, was considered as one of the least developed as compared to most dzongkhags in Bhutan. Many communities were and still are remotely located from roads and towns, and rather isolated due to lack of infrastructure. The existence of problems such as high levels of illiteracy, infant and maternal mortality, shortage of skilled and unskilled manpower, limited arable land, limited accessibility to markets and out -migration of young and educated population exacerbated the situation.

Recognizing the situation, the Royal Government launched the Integrated Sustainable Development Program (ISDP) in Zhemgang in 1993. Since then, the dzongkhag has caught up with many other dzongkhags in terms of development infrastructures. Zhemgang can now boast of educational as well as health infrastructures, RNR facilities, suspension bridges and mule tracks in every gewog. Most farmers are now enjoying higher living standards and the capacity of the people to plan, decide and implement development activities that affect their lives are far pronounced as evidenced in the gewog plan proposals. The most recent estimates indicate 49% adult literacy and the overall health coverage have reached 70%.

Zhemgang has come a long way and in many aspects it is different than what it used to be a decade ago. It is, however, clear that for Zhemgang, no development effort would accrue the desired impact if important infrastructure like roads are not built in the first place.