𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 -𝐃𝐨𝐈𝐃, 𝐌𝐨𝐈𝐓

04/09/2026

𝐆𝐄𝐅 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐭 𝐅𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞-𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧

As part of the GEF Secretariat’s field mission to Bhutan, a delegation led by Ms. Chizuru Aoki, Manager, Conventions and Funds Division, GEF Secretariat, visited selected sites under the Advancing Climate Resilience of Water Sector in Bhutan (ACREWAS) Project in Punakha and Tsirang from 29 August to 1 September 2026.

The mission brought together representatives from the GEF Secretariat, UNDP, government agencies, the ACREWAS Project Management Unit, Dzongkhags, local authorities, and communities to gain first-hand insights into project progress, achievements, implementation experiences, and the tangible results of GEF-supported interventions.

During the field visit, the delegation visited the Mendrelgang Rural Water Supply Scheme in Tsirang, selected climate-resilient agriculture interventions, and the Lobesa Water Treatment Plant in Punakha.

With an investment of Nu. 142.027 million, the Mendrelgang Rural Water Supply Scheme is designed to provide safe and reliable drinking water to approximately 13,484 people across six Gewogs (Blocks). The investment represents an important step towards strengthening water security, climate resilience, and access to sustainable water services for communities in vulnerable areas.
The field mission also highlighted that the success of climate-resilient investments goes beyond infrastructure. Community ownership, sustainable livelihoods, effective operation and maintenance, and long-term sustainability of water services are equally important in ensuring that project investments deliver lasting benefits.

Engagement with beneficiaries and local stakeholders provided valuable insights into the opportunities, challenges, and real-world impacts of the interventions, while creating an important platform for learning, dialogue, and knowledge sharing.
The mission reaffirmed the importance of strong partnerships, local ownership, and continued investment in climate resilience in building a more secure, sustainable, and climate-resilient future for Bhutan.

Together, we can turn climate challenges into opportunities for stronger communities and a more resilient Bhutan.

24/08/2026

𝐓𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐫. 𝐆𝐞𝐦 𝐓𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧

With over 16 years of dedicated experience in water and sanitation, Mr. Gem Tshering brings a wealth of knowledge, technical expertise, and proactive leadership to this vital role.

His leadership and commitment will be instrumental in driving projects that directly improve the quality of daily life for our people, from ensuring reliable access to clean water to strengthening sanitation systems across communities.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations on this well-deserved appointment and wish him continued success and fulfillment as he embarks on this new chapter.

Tashi Delek!

18/08/2026

𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐑𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠 💧🌱

A major milestone for 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞-𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠 was marked on𝟏𝟓 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 with the inauguration of the Integrated Rural Drinking and Irrigation Water Supply Scheme at Mendrelgang Central School.
Inaugurated by the Dasho Dzongdag of Tsirang, Mr. Fadhil Bakeer Markaar, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Bhutan, and Mr. Karma Dupchuk, Director General, Department of Infrastructure Development, Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport. The scheme will benefit 𝟏𝟑,𝟒𝟖𝟒 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟏,𝟒𝟗𝟏 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐠, 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐠, 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐓𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐤𝐡𝐚𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐊𝐢𝐥𝐤𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐠𝐬.

𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
Water source: Kuchikhola
Pipeline network: Approx. 18 km ( Main Transmission Line)
Total investment: Nu. 142.027 million
Completion Date: June 2026
Beneficiaries: 13,484 people (6,726 female and 6,758 male)

The scheme goes beyond infrastructure. It represents a model of integrated, climate-resilient water management, linking watershed protection, forest restoration, climate-smart agriculture and stronger local water governance.
Sustainability will be strengthened through institutionalized Water User Associations, PES, community ownership and regular operation and maintenance.

The initiative is being implemented through the partnership between the Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) and UNDP, with financial support from the Global Environment Facility-LDCF. The project is led by the Project Management Unit (PMU) under the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, with implementation carried out by Tsirang Dzongkhag.

Water security is not only about building infrastructure it is about building resilient communities and sustainable livelihoods

17/08/2026

The Department of Infrastructure Development (DoID), in collaboration with United Nations Development Programme Bhutan (UNDP) and with support from the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), successfully conducted a Training on the Planning, Designing, and Management of Disaster Resilient Infrastructure under the Disaster Resilient Infrastructure Project (DRIP).
Held in Thimphu in two cohorts on August 6–7 and August 10–11, 2026, the training brought together 76 engineers, architects, and urban planners from Dzongkhags, Regional Offices for Infrastructure Development (ROIDs), Thromdes, and the department, strengthening awareness in disaster-resilient infrastructure planning nationwide.
Delivered by participants of an earlier 6-day Training of Trainers programme, the training cascaded key knowledge and insights on urban flood resilience and seismic vulnerability assessment to a wider pool of officials. As an awareness programme, it aimed to build a shared understanding of disaster resilient infrastructure principles, laying the groundwork for more in-depth technical training ahead.
DoID extends its sincere gratitude to CDRI and UNDP Bhutan for their invaluable guidance, resource support, and continued partnership in advancing disaster resilient infrastructure development in Bhutan.

17/06/2026

𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐮𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐢/𝐆𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐢-𝐊𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐦 𝐈𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐡𝐚𝐫 𝐆𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐠, 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐫 𝐃𝐳𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐤𝐡𝐚𝐠

On 𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐, the 𝐆𝐮𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐢/𝐆𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐢-𝐊𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐦 𝐈𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞, located at 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐡𝐚𝐫 𝐆𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐠, 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐫 𝐃𝐳𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐤𝐡𝐚𝐠, was formally handed over by 𝐌/𝐬 𝐏𝐊𝐂 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐯𝐭. 𝐋𝐭𝐝 to the 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 (𝐃𝐨𝐀), 𝐌𝐨𝐀𝐋 and subsequently handed over to the 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐡𝐚𝐫 𝐆𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐠 𝐀𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐫 𝐃𝐳𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐤𝐡𝐚𝐠. The project was designed and implemented by the 𝐈𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐃𝐨𝐈𝐃, 𝐌𝐨𝐈𝐓, with the 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 (𝐃𝐨𝐀), 𝐌𝐨𝐀𝐋 as the client agency.

Constructed at a cost of 𝐍𝐮. 𝟑𝟓.𝟏𝟐𝟖 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 with financial support from the 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚 (𝐆𝐨𝐈-𝐏𝐓𝐀), the scheme comprises 𝟕.𝟓𝟕 𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐃𝐏𝐄 𝐩𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 designed to provide a reliable and sustainable irrigation water supply to agricultural lands in the area.

The project directly benefits 𝟏𝟑𝟎 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐬 and provides irrigation coverage to approximately 𝟕𝟖 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐞𝐭𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝, thereby enhancing agricultural productivity, improving food security, and
strengthening the livelihoods of farming communities. The successful completion and handing over of the project mark an important milestone in the continued development cooperation
between the 𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧 and the 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚, and reflect their shared commitment to rural development and agricultural advancement.

29/05/2026

The Department of Infrastructure Development (DoID) concluded its 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 on 27–28 May 2026, bringing together the full engineering service — the Department, Regional Offices, and Chief Engineers from all 20 Dzongkhags — alongside partners from Bhutan Standards Bureau, Bhutan Qualifications and Professionals Certification Authority, the private sector, and the Construction Association of Bhutan.

Held in hybrid format for the first time, the meeting enabled nationwide real-time participation by field engineers and technicians leading to the most inclusive Coordination Meeting to date. The meeting was graced by Hon'ble Minister, Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, Royal Government of Bhutan, and the discussions moderated by the Director General, DoID.

Six priority areas were addressed through structured working groups:

- Standardization of Turn-Around-Times and service SOPs
- Clarifying operational boundaries between Regional Offices for Infrastructure Development and Dzongkhags
- Addressing HR constraints and workforce challenges
- Strengthening Quality Assurance and Quality Control practices
- Professional development
- Structured deployment of trained technicians

Technical sessions also covered emerging construction materials, modern heating and cooling technologies, and Building Information Modelling (BIM).

Working group recommendations will be further developed and submitted for policy action, directly shaping how the engineering service operates in the years ahead.

26/05/2026

𝐌𝐨𝐈𝐓 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐒𝐖𝐀 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲
22 May 2026

Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) is a global partnership dedicated to achieving universal access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services for all. The partnership supports the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) — “Clean Water and Sanitation for All.”

Bhutan joined SWA in 2017, with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, Royal Government of Bhutan (MoIT) serving as the sector ministry representative until 2022. Currently, both the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MoIT) and the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MoENR) serve as sector ministries representing Bhutan in SWA.

The meeting with the Hon’ble Minister of MoIT focused on strengthening collaboration between SWA and MoIT to further improve safely managed water and sanitation services in Bhutan, in alignment with national development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals.

22/05/2026

08/05/2026

𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐲𝐮𝐥–𝐑𝐢𝐭𝐬𝐞 𝐇𝐲𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐈𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐆𝐮𝐦𝐚 𝐆𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐠, 𝐏𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐤𝐡𝐚

On 5th May 2026, the 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐲𝐮𝐥–𝐑𝐢𝐭𝐬𝐞 𝐇𝐲𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐈𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞 under Guma Gewog, Punakha, was formally handed over by 𝐌/𝐬. 𝐆𝐲𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐏𝐯𝐭. 𝐋𝐭𝐝. to the Department of Agriculture, MoAL, and subsequently handed over to the Changyul–Ritse community through the Punakha Dzongkhag Administration.

The scheme will provide supplementary irrigation water to 500 acres of wetland, directly benefiting 255 households that have been facing chronic irrigation water shortages due to the declining Nyakulum water source. With the hybrid solar lift irrigation system, farmers can now have year-round access to water, enabling them to fully cultivate their landholdings, improve crop yields, undertake winter cropping, and reduce their dependency on erratic rainfall.
The project was designed and implemented by the 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, MoIT, in collaboration with the focal agency, the Department of Agriculture, MoAL, with funding support from the Government of India (GoI-PTA) (Embassy of India, Thimphu), at a total cost of Nu. 31.19 million. The 2.13km hybrid solar lift irrigation scheme, with a pumping head of 150 meters, ensures a reliable and uninterrupted water supply by utilizing both solar and grid electricity. It reduces operational costs, lowers dependence on grid electricity, and promotes environmentally sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture. The hybrid system also improves irrigation coverage, enhances agricultural productivity, and provides long-term financial benefits, especially in remote and rural areas with unstable grid power.

Further, the scheme was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Minister for Industry, Commerce and Employment (MoICE) and the Letshog Lopen of the Zhung Dratshang on 26th April 2026, coinciding with Zhabdrung Kuchoe. The inaugural event was also attended by the Dasho Dzongdag, officials from the Dzongkhag Administration and Gewog, and the local community.

13/04/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗱 𝗣𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗚𝗠 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝘇𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗸𝗵𝗮𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗢𝗜𝗗 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀

The Irrigation Division under the Department of Infrastructure Development (DoID), in collaboration with and funded by JICA, is implementing a 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 (𝗧𝗖𝗣-𝗜𝗣𝗗𝗖𝗠) with the objective of enhancing the capacity of engineers in irrigation planning, design, and construction management.

Under this project, Standard, Guidelines, and Manuals (SGMs) were developed covering survey, irrigation planning, design of headworks, canal design, and construction management to support engineers in the development of irrigation schemes.

To promote technical understanding and the effective use of these SGMs, the project conducted the 3rd phase of SGM training for𝟳𝟱 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀 from Dzongkhags and ROIDs in Phuentsholing from 𝟮𝟯 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝘁𝗼 𝟰 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲. The training comprised lectures, practical sessions, and a site visit to a model irrigation site in Samtse.

Furthermore, the project is currently developing a web-based system for irrigation planning and design. As part of the training, participants were provided hands-on practice in using the web-based system for irrigation planning and headworks design.