Department of Water

03/08/2026

𝟑𝐫𝐝 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 | 𝐙𝐞𝐫𝐨 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐫 – 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭

The Department of Water joined the 𝐙𝐞𝐫𝐨 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐫 initiative for the month of August, organized by the National Environment Commission(DECC)

By cleaning and maintaining our surroundings, we contribute to a cleaner, healthier, and more positive working environment, one that inspires greater productivity, efficiency, and collective responsibility.

🌿 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲, 𝐀𝐜𝐭 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲. 𝐓𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭.

Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Royal Government of Bhutan
Royal Civil Service Commission, Royal Government of Bhutan

01/08/2026

31/07/2026

🌿 WORLD RANGER DAY 🌿

Department of Water proudly joins the global community in commemorating World Ranger Day.

RANGERS: Guardians of a Changing Planet

On this special occasion, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to all Rangers for their unwavering dedication, professionalism, and selfless service in conserving our natural heritage and promoting environmental sustainability.

Rangers play a vital role in translating national policies and conservation plans into meaningful action on the ground. Through their courage, resilience, and tireless efforts, they safeguard our forests, watersheds, biodiversity, and water resources, ensuring these invaluable assets are protected for present and future generations.

The Department of Water also acknowledges and sincerely thanks all Rangers for their continued collaboration, commitment, and invaluable support in advancing our shared mission of sustainable water resources management and nature conservation.

Happy World Ranger Day! 💚

Your dedication inspires us all, and your service to nature and the nation is deeply appreciated.

Department of Forests and Park Services

01/07/2026

𝐇𝐈-𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐏 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐔𝐊-𝐅𝐂𝐃𝐎 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧

A joint mission comprising representatives from the Himalayan Resilience Enabling Action Programme (HI-REAP) Management Team of ICIMOD and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Delhi Office, visited Bhutan from 14 –18 June, 2026, to review progress in springshed management, rangeland restoration, Bioeconomy development, and air quality to strengthen collaboration with implementing partners of the Royal Government of Bhutan under Key Climate Resilience initiatives.

On 15 June 2026, the mission team met with officials from the Department of Water (DoW) to review the progress and achievements of HI-REAP-supported activities. During the meeting, DoW presented updates on springshed recharge interventions and shared key achievements, challenges, and plans. The discussions facilitated knowledge exchange and explored opportunities for strengthening and scaling successful interventions.

As part of the mission, the team also visited the Lholing Springshed Pilot Site on 17 June 2026. During the field visit, the delegation observed ongoing springshed management interventions and also interacted with local government officials under the Shaba Gewog Administration. The visit provided valuable insights into the implementation of nature-based solutions and their contribution to enhancing water security and community resilience.

The DoW reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with ICIMOD-FCDO to strengthen climate resilience, improve water resource management, and support water security in the country.

04/06/2026

Happy 36th Birth Anniversary la Your Majesty!

01/06/2026

Tarayana Foundation | Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Royal Government of Bhutan

29/05/2026

Proud moment for Department of Water. Congratulations for your special recognition🙏👏.

30/04/2026

24/04/2026

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥, 2025 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐀𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫, 𝐂𝐒𝐎𝐬/𝐍𝐆𝐎𝐬

The Department of Water (DoW), under the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Royal Government of Bhutan, convened two rounds of a two-day consultation on the Water Bill, 2025, in Thimphu. The first round was held with government agencies and academic institutions from April 9–10, 2026, followed by a second round with private sector representatives and CSOs/NGOs from April 16–17, 2026.

Given that water governance spans multiple sectors (health, agriculture, infrastructure, environment, disaster management, and economic development) and requires a multi-stakeholder approach, the primary objective of the consultation was to ensure that the Water Bill is comprehensive, coordinated, and responsive to cross-sectoral needs.

The first round of consultation, it brought together 31 representatives from a wide range of agencies, including the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment, Royal Government of Bhutan (Department of Industry, and Legal Services Division), Ministry of Health, Royal Government of Bhutan (Bhutan Food and Drug Authority, Department of Public Health, and Royal Centre’s for Disease Control), Ministry of Home Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan (Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development, Department of Local Government and Disaster Management, Department of Law and Order, and Legal Services Division), Ministry of Finance, Royal Government of Bhutan (Legal Services Division), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Royal Government of Bhutan (Department of Multilateral Affairs, and Department of Economic and Tech Diplomacy), Sherig Bhutan (Department of School Education), Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, Royal Government of Bhutan (Department of Human Settlement, Department of Infrastructure Development, and Department of Surface Transport), Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Royal Government of Bhutan (Department of Agriculture, and Department of Livestock), Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (Policy and Planning Division), National Land Commission, Office of Attorney General, Royal Civil Service Commission, Royal Government of Bhutan, National Council of Bhutan Secretariat, Office of the Cabinet Affairs and Strategic Coordination, Dratshang Lhentshog Secretariat, and Academic Institutions (Royal University of Bhutan, and Jigme Singye Wangchuk School of Law.

The second round of consultation, it brought together 16 participants from private sectors and CSOs/NGOs, including Bhutan Toilet Organization, WATER-Bhutan, WWF Bhutan, Bhutan Agro Industry Limited, Druk Green Power Corporation, Bhutan for Life, Druk Holding and Investment, Mawongpa Water Solution, National Mushroom Cooperative of Bhutan, RENEW, Bhutan Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Agriculture Association, Automobile Association of Bhutan, Bhutan Ecological Society.

This consultation was built on a series of prior engagements, including internal deliberations within Departments/Agencies under the MoENR, followed by bilateral consultations with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport. These sequential consultations ensured that the Water Bill reflects both sector-specific priorities and integrated national interests, thereby contributing to the development of a robust and implementable Water Act.

08/04/2026

𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐔𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐖𝐔𝐀) 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞

From March 12-27, 2026, the Department of Water (DoW) under the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Royal Government of Bhutan conducted the Formation and Registration Process on Water Users Associations (WUAs) for the beneficiaries/representatives of Water Supply Schemes under the ACREWAS and Adaptation Funded (AF) Project landscapes in Tsirang, Punakha, and Paro Dzongkhags. The program aimed to foster community stewardship for the management and operation of the Water Supply Schemes to ensure sustained water supplies through the WUA. In view of this, the following were the objectives:

• Disseminate the process for the Formation and Registration of WUA,
• Engage the local community on the WUA institutional set-up and filling out of forms, and
• Prepare the local community for the registration of WUA.

In line with these objectives, the program acquainted communities with the Guidelines for Formation and Registration of WUAs in Bhutan (2024), along with the required forms. The program commenced with the rationale, approaches, and an overview of the four key stages for WUA: i) Mobilisation, ii) Formation, iii) Registration, and iv) Operation. This was followed by group breakout sessions to provide hands-on training to help participants fill out the forms and applications in line with the WUA Guidelines. Participants gained detailed guidance on these guidelines, with a focus on completing the essential processes and forms needed for WUA formalisation. Following this, DoW facilitated participants to prepare and consolidate the documents and handed them over to the communities for completion of the process required for the formation and registration of WUA.

The capacity development program gathered more than 615 (F: 221, M: 394) participants and officials from Tsirang (Barshong, Kilkhorthang, Mendrelgang, Patshaling, Puntenchhu, Rangthangling, Tsholingkhar, Tsirangtoed and Sergitahng Gewogs), Punakha (Toedpisa Gewog), Paro (Dopshari, Doteng, Lamgong, Lunyi, Shaba, Tshento and Wangchang Gewogs) and the Department of Infrastructure Development (DoID).

Fund
Tsirang Dzongkhag Administration, Punakha Dzongkhag Administration, Dzongkhag Administration Paro, Adaptation Fund