Limited time, distance, and rapid socioeconomic development were some of the challenges while conducting the study of the Nabji village in Trongsa for cultural landscape site.

Department of Culture’s senior Architecture, Yeshi Samdrup, said that the officials couldn’t get to the site frequently because of the distance and limited time. “To study and understand the community, people and their way of living, one needs to stay and spend time.”

Yeshi Samdrup said that change and development was allowed but the plan would guide the change. “The plan is just to guide community as this would impact their lives and they will live through this plan.” He said that if the development is not brought considering landscape, it could tarnish the landscape.

He said that the team would be revising the management plan and incorporating the feedback provided by panel members.

Nabji was identified due to the land’s connection with the historical past, he said. “In Nabji, the land use pattern, through irrigation system with the settlement to the upper side, and irrigated land at lower profile, has created a unique perception of landscape.”

Several villages such as Korphu, Shengana, Chubar-Aatsho, Khaling and Rukubji were compared before studying Nabji.

Panel member Ganesh B Chettri, said that during winter, it was not known what crops villagers cultivated or if the land was left fallow. “It may be interesting to look at how water is shared among people, and if they have a good management system.”

He said that diversification of crops was important for agriculture to be sustainable and that agriculture should be strengthened and promoted.

Another panel member, Ugyen M Tenzin, said the fact that the village has maintained its unique features despite development was laudable as most land in villages is left fallow.

Yeshi Samdrup said that more consultation with the community was recommended by experts.

Rinchen Zangmo

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