11. Gasa Dzong

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It is located in the far north of the county and spans the Middle and High Himalayas.It is the least developed of all the dzongkhags and has a population of just over 3500 although it has become a hot tourist destination because of its pristine forests and notably, the hot springs. The high altitude makes farming difficult, although government programs seek to establish mustard and summer vegetable planting programs. Residents herd yaks and dzos, and a small number benefit from the nascient tourism industry. More recently a small feeder road is being constructed and it shall be completed by the end of 2007. Electricity is also being supplied to some of the geogs and all electrification programmes is expected to be complete by 2012.

Gasa is most famous for its Layap people, and for the Snowman Trek, one of the most challenging treks in the Himalayas. Gasa is bordered by Tibet to the north and by Thimphu, Punakha, and Wangdue Phodrang dzongkhags to the south.

10. Samdrup Jongkhar

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The Dzongkhag has eight Community Schools, seven Primary Schools, six Junior High Schools and one High School with a total of students of 6,995 as of December 2001.
Samdrup Jongkhar is the gateway to and commercial hub for five Eastern dzongkhags. The dzongkhag’s potential is further enhanced by the commissioning of Kurichu hydropower. Availability of reliable hydropower combined with modern Telecom facilities will change the development landscape of the dzongkhag by offering tremendous opportunities for household, business and industries. Lack of adequate road network also has direct impact on socio-economic development and quality of lives of the people in the dzongkhag.

News: Bhutan Today - His Holiness the Je Khenpo inaugurated the first Tshechu of Panbang Dungkhag

His Holiness the Je Khenpo inaugurated the first Tshechu of Panbang Dungkhag at Sonamthang Lhakhang today. This year the Tshechu will only be for a day. However from next year the Tshechu will be performed for three days annually.

Our reporter Sonam Rinchen in Panbang says people from Bjoka, Goshing, Nangla and Pangkhar geogs walked for two to three days to witness the first Tshechu in their Dungkhag.

Meanwhile, His Holiness also visited the Sonamthang Middle Secondary School, the police station and Dungkhag office and performed Lhabsang Thruesel.

Coinciding with the inauguration today, His Holiness also consecrated a Guru Tshengay Thongdrol.

His Holiness arrived in Panbang yesterday. Upon arrival, His Holiness was received by the Dzongda, Lam Neten and the people of Panbang.

His Holiness will leave for Samdrupjongkhar tomorrow.

Source: BBS

News: Gross National Happiness

OUT OF THE PICTURE - A group of homeless people in Thimphu remind society about the difficult search for Gross National Happiness.

Source: Kuenselonline

News: Phuentsholing Thimphu Highway Blocked

The co-passenger of the Wagon R car, which plunged into the Paro river on March 26, is still missing, according to police.

The vehicle, on its way to Thimphu from Paro, fell into the river while maneouvering a bend two kilometres away from the Chunzom police checkpoint. A search team from the Paro police found the body of the driver, who was in his early 30s, on March 28.

Both men were found missing when police arrived at the scene. They found the car entirely submerged in the river. The accident was reported to police by officials at the Chunzom checkpost.

The cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained.

Source: Kuenselonline