02/08/2026
𝐀 𝐕𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
This is Gungtong (empty houses) under Bartsham Gewog, Trashigang Dzongkhag.
According to the Gewog officials, out of around 520 households in Bartsham, nearly 180 are now Gungtong. What makes this particularly striking is that these villages have access to roads, drinking water, schools and nearby health facilities. Yet, they have chosen to leave their ancestral homes.
At the same time, in Merak Gewog, many households face a shortage of tsamdro (grazing land) while raising nearly 3,000 yaks, an important source of livelihood and an integral part of Bhutan’s highland way of life.
These two situations, though very different, reflect the diversity of challenges and opportunities across our country. They also remind us that the reasons people choose to stay, move or return are often shaped by a combination of social, economic, cultural and livelihood factors.
As Bhutan continues its development journey, understanding these changing patterns can help enrich discussions on rural communities and sustainable livelihoods. Every community has its own unique story and listening to those stories is an important step toward shaping the future together.
