Water security and issue has been a key highlight in His Majesty’s national address via Television on 14/09/2020.

Understanding H.M.’s prime focus, evaluate the programs that are targeted to fulfillment of water security through empirical evidence with substantiation of our country’s positive aspects to this achievement.

 

People cannot live without water, yet one third of world population does not have clean drinking water. The water security has turned out to be most discussed topic around the globe. However Bhutan has enough water sources, the question of reliability and efficiency was still there. According to Population and Housing census of Bhutan, 81% of Bhutanese household unit have accessible safe drinking water. However 1.6% of household is still need to walk 30 minutes to water source. In order to bring water security and issues at grass root level, the government has come up with various measures such as formation national plan, Desung National service and awareness programs. 

To achieve uninterrupted access to drinking water, the government and related institution have come up with certain national plans and policies. Firstly, it is included in 12 five year plan’s flagship program with budget amount of Nu.3 billion. The European Union have also supported with additional budget of Nu.7.3 million to address water issues. The water flagship program is fundamental as it will be carried out multiple agencies like National Environment Commission, Gross National Happiness Commission and Ministry of Finance to achieve at greater degree. Secondly, it is also goal number 17 of National Key Result Area (NKRA) of 12^th five year plan. All the central agencies and local government is responsible in achieving national goal of water security. Thirdly, it is also included in long term goal of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of 2015-2030. This goal will ensure to add GNH values with sustainability in developmental works. The water security and sanitation will guide to enhance living standard and health of people with ecological diversity and resilience. Those goals and planning programs are guiding in achieving national goal of water security. However, it is assisted by Desung National program.

 

Another major transformations brought in achieving water security was Desung National Service program. The 42^nd and 43^rd batch of Desung training was focused in water resource managements and they are displaced in various Dzongkha for short term voluntary work. First water management pilot project was carried out in Gume Gewog in Punakha Dzongkha. It has benefited 258 household and 1800 people. They are helping people to alleviate current drinking water shortage as well as provide water for irrigation. The main component of the project includes watershed conservation, construction of reservoir tank for dry land irrigation, piloting micro technology irrigation and improved automation of micro irrigation. So far Desung national service is working in three Dzongkhag. Although Desung national service is assisting in achieving water security of country, awareness program is also much needed here.

 

To the grassroots level, people’s knowledge about water security and sanitation is much needed. To mitigate issues many awareness programs are conducting through numerous means. The relevant stakeholders are educating people on water security and concerns. They are providing training and workshop on maintaining water source, protection of watershed and wetland. The royal center of disease control is also providing facilities like water testing kits in all Basic Health Unit’s (BHU) to maintain water quality. Moreover, the multi-agencies like water agency and water user association were formed to achieved water security and its issues in the country.

 

In nutshell, government and concern authorities have brought various measures to resolve and achieved national water security and relevant issues. They have formulated various plans and program that will bring huge changes for both short term and long term. Desung National Program is advancing in developing water resources through improved technologies.public awareness and educating people on water management have shown positive aspect in achieving national focus on water security and its issues.