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40-470: The broad valley, with its best-known marshland in Bhutan, is popular for its scenic splendour and cultural uniqueness. The valley is rich in faunal biodiversity and has, apart from the globally threatened black-necked cranes Grus nigricollis , 13 other globally threatened species. Within the ambit of the valley, an area of about 970 hectares (3.7 sq mi) has been declared a Ramsar site on May 2, 2014,

80-467: A more conducive climate (during months of January and February) in the Wangdue Phodrang area, which is about 60 kilometres (37 mi) away by road. Two major ethnic groups reside within the valley. The major ethnic group of the people living in the valley has a special identity and their language is a dialect known as Henkha or Nyenkha (inferred to be archaic Tibetan ), a language under

120-667: A strong belief that the cliff actually contains a thousand statues. The Kumbu Lhakhang is located on the northern side of the Gangteng Gonpa. The temple was originally built as a bonpo temple by Zhabdrung Tshanden Dulwa in the thirteenth century. He was a bonpo lama. Another temple was founded by him at Sewagang in Nyisho in Wangdue Phodrang. The temple is believed to be the residing place of the Ma Sripa Gyalmo,

160-786: A wetland of international importance which is managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Nature (RSPN), for the protection of nature. Tsechu , the colourful Mask Dance Festival of Bhutan and the Crane Festival welcoming the black-neck cranes in winter months are held every year in the precincts of the Phobjikha Valley, in the Gangten Monastery courtyard. It also has a popular three-day trek route. The Western regions of Bhutan has been exposed to

200-499: Is environmentally protected . The northern half of the district (the gewogs of Kazhi , Dangchu and Sephu ) falls within Wangchuck Centennial Park , with northwestern pockets (the gewog of Kazhi ) belonging to Jigme Dorji National Park . Southeastern Wangdue (the gewogs of Athang and Phobji ) is part of Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park . Also protected are the biological corridors crisscrossing

240-551: Is a Thromde and dzongkhag (district) of central Bhutan . This is also the name of the dzong (built in 1638) which dominates the district. The name is said to have been given by the Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal who was searching for the best location for a dzong to prevent incursions from the south. The word "wangdue" means unification of Country, and "Phodrang" means Palace in Dzongkha . Wangdue Phodrang

280-543: Is a wetland site designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention , also known as "The Convention on Wetlands", an international environmental treaty signed on 2 February 1971 in Ramsar, Iran , under the auspices of UNESCO . It came into force on 21 December 1975, when it was ratified by a sufficient number of nations. It provides for national action and international cooperation regarding

320-525: Is also inhabited by nomadic shepherds and yak-herders. The ancient animistic religion of Bhutan namely, the Bon religion , is still practiced by some of the villagers. The picturesque Phobjika Valley, in the backdrop of the Black Mountain Range, has a rich biodiversity of flora and fauna. This, coupled with the religious importance of the Gangten Monastery, has attracted religious and ecotourism to

360-566: Is held in the Gangteng Monastery from the 5th to 10th days of the eighth lunar month , as per the Bhutanese calendar. Mask dances are a special feature of the festival. The festival attracts many foreign tourists. The epithet Kumbu could have been derived from Kumbu Bja which is the name of a cliff above the village. The name "Kumbu" have been a derivative name from "Kubum" meaning a hundred thousand statues. The local people have

400-438: Is known for its seed potato crop as the soil and atmospheric conditions in the valley are free from insects and diseases that normally affect this crop. The crop is mainly exported to India where there is great demand for this variety. This has generated interest in the valley to convert the wetlands or marshy lands of the valley into farms by draining the area of its water logging to produce cash crops. However, interest to preserve

440-541: Is located in the Wangdue Phodrang District ( Phobji and Gangteng Gewogs ) in central Bhutan . The valley has about 4,500 people (4,716 has been reported) residing in Gangten and other villages, and in the Gangten Monastery that is strategically located on a spur above the valley. During the winter season, as the valley gets covered by snow, some population of the valley including the monks shifts to

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480-417: Is mostly underdeveloped with least modern facilities of water and sanitation. Transport and communication facilities are also not adequate. But with the development of the country, the two mobile service providers of the country established the cellular networks. This connected the valley to the rest of the world. B-Mobile installed its first cellular network in the year 2008 during the consecration ceremony of

520-461: Is popular trekking that takes three days to complete and is part of the religious tourism and ecotourism that is promoted by the Government of Bhutan and other concerned NGO organizations. Gangtey treks are also popular tourist attractions in the Phobjikha Valley, which covers the Gangteng Gonpa. These trekking routes followed by international trekking enthusiasts start from the Gangteng Gonpa in

560-418: Is the largest dzongkhag in Bhutan by area and is bordered by Dagana and Tsirang dzongkhags to the south, Trongsa dzongkhag to the east, Thimphu and Punakha dzongkhag to the west, and Gasa dzongkhag and a small section of border with Tibet to the north. It is listed as a tentative site in Bhutan's Tentative List for UNESCO inclusion. An historic dzong built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1638

600-783: The Bumthang group of languages. The Henkha is a dialect restricted to certain pockets of the Trongsa and Wangdue Phodrang Districts. Henkha means the early language and the speakers of dialect are confined to the northern, eastern and western areas surrounding the Black Mountains range. The latter ethnic group is those of Ngalong origin speaking the Ngalong Kha which is the same as the Dzongkha. The Black Mountain Region

640-547: The Gangteng Monastery , also known as Gangtey Gonpa, on a spur surrounded by the village Gangtey. The valley also hosts one of the eight Lings built by a great Buddhist saint Longchenpa which is called Ngenlung Drechagling. The valley is covered by a rich sward of grass in the marshy land where special variety of dwarf bamboo (Yushania microphylla) grows on which the black-necked cranes feed. The Nake Chuu and Phag Chuu River runs through this valley. Scenic views of

680-558: The Wangdue Phodrang dzongkhag , has been leased out for Conservation Planning and Management to the Royal Society for the Protection of Nature (RSPN), a non-governmental organization (NGO) set up in Bhutan in 1987 (legally incorporated in 1997). RSPN is involved not only in the conservation management of the black-necked cranes and their habitat but also in conducting research on public education and awareness, community empowerment for conservation, and integrated conservation and development programmes, including community-based ecotourism in

720-431: The conservation of wetlands, and wise sustainable use of their resources. Ramsar identifies wetlands of international importance, especially those providing waterfowl habitat . As of October 2024 , there are 2,521 Ramsar sites around the world, protecting 257,317,367 hectares (635,845,060 acres), and 172 national governments are participating. The non-profit organisation Wetlands International provides access to

760-464: The Bonpo religious protectress. Ngenlung Drechagling Lhakhang is one of the eight temples built by Kuenkhen Longchen Rabjam who is popularly known as Longchenpa. Damche Lhakhang or Damchoe Lhakhang was founded and constructed by Trulku Paljor Gyeltshen who was the son of Longchen Rabjam in the 14th century. This temple is located to the north of Tabiting and southwest of Gophu village. It is located on

800-405: The Phobjikha Valley are best below the spur of Gangteng Monastery and the other side of the valley in the east. It is said that the pho bjikha valley is surrounded by nine great mountain passes, nine mountain peaks, and nine great local deities The valley is enclosed by the mountain ranges, which experience snowfall. The valley also gets covered with snow during the winter months forcing people of

840-824: The Phobjikha Valley. The treks pass through the Kumbu village (east of the Gonpa), goes through the Gedachen and Khebayathang villages, lead to the Kilhorthang village, and terminate in the Kilkhortang Lhakhang. A short trek of about 90 minutes known as the 'Gangte Nature Trail' starts from the Mani stone wall to the north of the Gangteng Gonpa and ends in Khewa Lhakhang. Ramsar site A Ramsar site

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880-956: The Ramsar database via the Ramsar Sites Information Service. A wetland can be considered internationally important if any of the following nine criteria apply: The Ramsar Classification System for Wetland Type is a wetland classification developed within the Ramsar Convention intended as a means for fast identification of the main types of wetlands for the purposes of the Convention. Wangdue Phodrang District 27°30′N 90°10′E  /  27.500°N 90.167°E  / 27.500; 90.167 Wangdue Phodrang District ( Dzongkha : དབང་འདུས་ཕོ་བྲང་རྫོང་ཁག་; Wylie : Dbang-'dus Pho-brang rdzong-khag ; previously spelled "Wangdi Phodrang")

920-559: The Tabiding area, it was established as a community primary school in 2002 with only five teachers. This institution is a Nyingma monastic college or shedra. This institute is located between Kilkhorthang and Nimphey villages. The health care centre in the valley mainly consists of a hospital and a few outreach clinics. Phobjikha hospital is located at Yuesa near the Phobjikha Central School. Phobjikha Valley trek

960-633: The dzong at Punakha and slightly beyond. This road eventually becomes the trail to Gasa . A second spur departs the Lateral Road near the Pele La pass halfway between Wangdue and Tongsa, traveling south a short distance to Gangteng Monastery and the Phobjika valley where the rare black-necked cranes ( grus nigricollis ) may be found. Wangdue Phodrang District is divided into 15 village blocks (or gewogs ): Most of Wangdue Phodrang District

1000-580: The effect of tourism on cranes in the Phobjika Valley should also be studied. The valley and hills surrounding it are rich in wildlife. The fauna recorded are the muntjacs ( barking deer ), wild boars , sambar , Himalayan black bear , Himalayan serow , leopards and foxes . The Phobjika Valley has several vulnerable species of birds in the Protected Conservation Area established in 2003. The most celebrated species of

1040-411: The entire Phobjikha Valley. The festival is attended by a large number of local people. On this occasion, children wearing crane costumes perform choreographed crane dances. During this period, cranes are seen flying at high altitudes over the mountains. Many tourists also visit the valley to witness this festival. Another special festival observed by the people of the valley is the annual Tsechu , which

1080-488: The habitat of the black-necked crane in the valley, the religious significance that is attached to the black-necked cranes, and the tourism that has developed around the famous Gangten Monastery and the cranes, the institutions like the Royal Society for the Protection of Nature (RSPN) have prevailed upon the Government of Bhutan to stop any conversion of the valley land into farms. Palje "Benjie" Dorji, former Chief Justice of Bhutan, former Minister for Environment, and uncle of

1120-450: The newly built Gangteng Monastery . In view of protection provided to the cranes which visit the valley in winter, as a conservation measure overhead transmission lines for electric supply have not been permitted to be provided. Solar heaters, solar powered cells and diesel generators are used to provide electricity in the past but now the valley is connected to the national grid using underground electrical cable system. The Phobjikha Valley

1160-613: The northeast speak Lakha . Along the same border, in central Wangdue Phodrang, inhabitants speak Nyenkha . In southeast Wangdue Phodrang, remnants of the autochthonous 'Olekha (Black Mountain Monpa) speaking community barely survive. There are three paved roads in Wangdue Phodrang dzongkhag. The Lateral Road enters from the west at Dochu La Pass, crosses the Sankosh (Puna Tsang Chhu) at Wangdue Phodrang dzong, and continues east to Tongsa. One spur road heads north from Wangdue Phodrang to

1200-645: The present King of Bhutan, as the Chairman of the Royal Bhutan Society and as the founder of the Black-necked Conservation Programme helped to drop the proposal to drain the wetlands of the Phobjika Valley to create farms to grow cash rich seed potatoes. However, it has been suggested that as cranes are valued more, the people who cannot grow cash-rich potatoes here need to be compensated. It has also been suggested that

1240-592: The region is the black-necked crane. The other vulnerable species are the chestnut-breasted partridge ( Arborophila mandellii ), wood snipe ( Gallinago nemoricola ), Blyth's tragopan ( Tragopan blythii ), greater spotted eagle ( Aquila clanga ), imperial eagle ( Aquila heliaca ), Baer's pochard ( Aythya baeri ), Hodgson's bushchat ( Saxicola insignis ), dark-rumped swift ( Apus acuticauda ), and grey-crowned prinia ( Prinia cinereocapilla ).The Conservation Area of 163 square kilometres (63 sq mi), which includes Gewogs of Phobji, Gangte and Bjena under

Phobjikha Valley - Misplaced Pages Continue

1280-455: The school location fell within the Ramsar site, it was relocated to the present location with financial assistance of JICA. Since 2016, the school became a central school. Bayta Primary school is located below Gangtey Gonpa and was constructed in 2005. The school name has its origin to the location of the school where it was used as a grazing land for the cattle. "Raam" referring to the grazing place of cattle. Located at around 8 kilometers from

1320-479: The settlements that pre-existed the rise from the darkness. The valley has been known by the name Lhoma Ngönlung in the 13th century when the Bon religion was predominant in the valley. Longchen Rabjam, a buddhist lama who visited Bhutan also established the Ngenlung Drechagling in valley in the 14th century. Even during that time the valley was known as Ngenlung. It is however not clear as to how

1360-624: The valley floor. Built in the 15th century, the temple features three stories with each story featuring present, past, and future Buddhas. The temple was built by Trulku Paljor Gyeltshen. The school was initially established as the first non-monastic school within the Phobjikha valley and was located near the Gangtey Gonpa. Later it was moved to the wide plain area which now falls within the Phobjikha Ramsar site until 2010. Since

1400-686: The valley got its present name but few local stories relate to the Buddhist Lama Drukpa Kunley and another story relates to the Gesar of Ling. The Phobjikha Valley is a vast valley at an elevation of about 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) on the west side by the Black Mountains (Bhutan) (range above 5,000 metres (16,000 ft) elevation) that separates western and central Bhutan. The valley covers most of Phobji and Gangteng Gewogs and some parts of Athang Gewog and contains

1440-585: The valley to shift to more pleasant climes during the months of January and February. The mean minimum temperature recorded in December is −4.8 °C (23.4 °F). The mean maximum temperature recorded in August is 19.9 °C (67.8 °F). The rainfall incidence varies from 1,472–2,189 millimetres (58.0–86.2 in). The Phobjikha Valley is aligned northwest–southeast and composed of two major lateral valleys. The Phobjikha Valley, with its agrarian economy,

1480-471: The valley. The Phobjika valley is marshy land and has a sward of grassy pastures where cattle and horses graze. A special kind of dwarf bamboo grows here, which attracts the black-necked cranes to roost and feed in the valley during the winter season. Potatoes are the main cash crop grown in the valley. Turnips are also grown. Other tree species seen are coniferous vegetation of blue pine , birch , maple and several species of rhododendrons . The valley

1520-528: The valley. The black-necked cranes arrive in this valley in late October and depart in mid-February. In the Phobjikha valley, in particular, the black-necked cranes have a celebrity status, as witnessed by the Crane Festival held every year on 12 November, soon after their arrival from the Tibetan Plateau in late October. The festival is celebrated in the courtyards of the Gangten Gonpa and in

1560-439: The visitors and traders around 11 Century AD. This brought significant exposure to these areas which brought economic, social and religious gains. These benefits have enabled them to incorporate enormous Buddhist Dharma language into their dialect. The people were called as Ngalong meaning early riser and the language called as Ngalong Kha . On the contrary, the Phobjikha Valley have been referred to as Ngoen Lung which refers to

1600-481: Was located at Wangdue Phodrang. The dzong was burnt down by a fire in June 2012. However, as the dzong was being renovated at the time of the fire, most of the historic relics had been put into storage and so were saved from destruction. The dominant language in Wangdue Phodrang is Dzongkha , the national language, spoken in the western two-thirds of the district. Communities along the border with Bumthang District in

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