𝐃𝐨𝐋 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐤 𝐆𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐠, 𝐓𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐳𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐤𝐡𝐚𝐠

On November 25, the Director, along with the Chiefs and team, visited Merak and engaged with the highland farmers of the community. In her opening remarks, the Director expressed gratitude to the farmers for their exceptional efforts in yak herding and enhancing their livelihoods, noting that their contributions are integral to the nation’s development process. She also highlighted the unique cultural heritage of the Merak and Sakteng communities, emphasizing its paramount importance in preserving the country’s rich cultural identity.

Merak Gewog in Trashigang Dzongkhag is a hub of traditional livestock rearing, deeply intertwined with the livelihoods and cultural identity of its highland communities. The Gewog hosts 41 households dedicated to yak rearing, with a total yak population of 1,363. Yaks play a vital role in the highland ecosystem, providing essential resources such as dairy products, wool, and transport, which are integral to the community’s sustenance.

Additionally, 134 households are engaged in rearing Zo-Zoms, hybrid cattle that combine the resilience of yaks with the productivity of domestic cattle.

𝙑𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙒𝙤𝙤𝙡 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙐𝙣𝙞𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙈𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙠

A modern wool-processing centre in Merak Gewog, Trashigang Dzongkhag, is revolutionizing wool production in the region. The centre, established under the *Community-based Mechanised Micro Wool Processing Centre for Economic Empowerment of Brokpa Women and Youth* project, has significantly improved efficiency. Traditional methods, which took six days to process 1 kg of wool into yarn, have been replaced with machinery that accomplishes the task in just one hour. This advancement is helping Brokpa women save time, reduce their workload, and improve the quality of their products.The project not only modernizes wool processing but also empowers women and preserves cultural traditions. It aims to enhance the financial independence of herder women and provide training in wool processing, dyeing, and weaving techniques. These skills have enabled them to produce high-quality wool, increasing its market value.

Funded by the European Union (EU) through Helvetas, along with additional contributions from APIC and the Trashigang Dzongkhag Livestock Sector, the project is managed by Buchung Kewa Zangpo Aumsu Deytshen. This initiative is revitalizing sheep-rearing practices while preserving Bhutan’s traditional attire, such as teodung, chuba, kango shingkha, and zhamu.

By blending innovation with cultural preservation, this project is transforming the lives of highland communities in Merak and Sakteng, ensuring sustainable livelihoods and a brighter future for its people.