Merak (3500 m) is one of the remotest Gewogs under Merak-Sakteng Sub-District under Trashigang District. Unlike other villages of Bhutan, the high altitude village of Merak, inhabited by Brokpa- a semi-nomadic yak herding community with unique customs and traditions, is made of a cluster of approximately 210 households. The close proximity of rural households to one another poses both environmental and developmental problems and challenges. Lack of proper management of solid wastes, communal tap water /rural household waste water is causing severe land degradation problems. For instance, there are several gullies formed due to freely flowing water from communal tap and household waste water and which are at risk of developing into bigger landslips and landslides if appropriate and timely interventions are not carried out. Merak village also faces risks from potential flash floods and landslides from nearby streams especially during summer. Therefore, the proposed project will prevent land degradation by promoting landscape conservation through catchment protection and by instituting a proper system for managing communal tap water/rural household waste water and solid waste enhancing both environmental and aesthetic value of high altitude village of Merak.

Specifically, this project aims to: i) promote landscape conservation of Merak village by protecting catchment areas of streams which run through the main village of Merak to prevent and mitigate potential flash floods and landslides, ii) prevent gully formation, landslips and landslides through better communal tap water/waste water management, iii) prevent land degradation and protect rural landscape of Merak through better solid waste management especially recycling of PET bottles, plastic wraps and other non-biodegradable wastes and iv) to promote Merak village as a model landscape conservation village for high altitude areas of Bhutan.

Planting of trees in the catchment area, fencing and creation of buffer zone on either side of the streams, construction of stone check dams and river training works comprise the catchment protection component. Proper drainage system would be constructed for communal water taps to prevent soil erosion, gully formation, landslips and landslides. Plugging of gullies formed by unmanaged communal water taps and rural household waste water would be carried out at strategic locations to prevent developing into major landslides in future. In order to prevent land degradation and to improve both environmental and aesthetic value of Merak village, a sustainable community solid waste management system would be instituted. For instance, solid waste management activities such as creating public awareness creation on ill effects of solid wastes on natural environment and the concept of 3 Rs (reduce, reuse and recycle) of solid wastes will be promoted vigorously.

Planning and implementation of the proposed project would be based on community-based approach. Right from the start, community was involved in the design and planning of the project activities. Similarly, community would be made responsible for implementing, monitoring and evaluation of the planned project activities. The Merak Gongphel Puencha (MGP) will serve as the management committee for the smooth day-to-day functioning of project activities. The government agencies in Merak Gewog including Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary, Park Office, Merak, Merak Primary School and Merak Gewog Administration will play proactive roles to provide necessary technical and other organisational and logistical support to MGP and yak herding community for successful implementation of planned project activities.

Objective and expected output: The primary objective is to promote Merak as a model landscape conservation village for high altitude areas of Bhutan. Other more specific objectives are:
Promote landscape conservation of Merak village by carrying out catchment protection and river training works in local streams to prevent flashfloods and landslides during monsoon.
Improving rural household tap and waste water drainage management and system to prevent gully formation, landslips and landslides in future.
Prevent land degradation by instituting a more systematic solid waste management in the locality by encouraging recycling of recyclable and other non-biodegradable wastes through promotion of concept of recycling, reuse and reducing wastes (Three Rs).
Explore potential income generation from recycling of non-biodegradable wastes such PET and PVC bottles and other recyclable non-biodegradable wastes.
Develop appropriate by-laws for sustainable communal tap water/waste water and solid waste management system.
Project Activities:
Landscape Conservation of Merak Village
Planting of trees in degraded catchment areas and fencing.
Creation and fencing of buffer zones on either sides of streams and planting of trees.
Construction of stone check-dams, gabion and retention walls at strategic locations of village streams.
Protection of drinking water source and construction of a water tank.
Improving communal tap water and waste water drainage and management system to prevent land degradation
Plugging of gullies by construction of check-dams and proper drainage system in worst affected areas (tap/waste water drains into three main drainage systems in the village).
Construction of proper drainage systems especially for communal water taps/household waste water to prevent gully formation and landslides.
Drafting of by-laws for efficient and sustainable water utilization and management in Merak village.

Solid waste management and recycling to prevent land degradation and to enhance income generation
Sensitization and awareness creation on solid waste management by promoting 3 Rs (reduce, reuse and recycle) among herding community and school children.
Install separate bulk solid waste collection bins for bio-degradable (Green trash bins) and non-biodegradable (Red trash bins) at strategic locations in Merak village.
Establish centrally located solid recyclable waste buy-back counter(s) and collection depot. Establish a community trust fund (seed money) for sustainable recycling of recyclable solid wastes such as PET and PVC bottles and other recyclables
Supply of 2 waste bins per households on cost-sharing basis (e.g. buy one, get one free)
Drafting of by-laws for sustainable solid waste management including a penalty system for defaulters
Conduct mass cleanup campaign annually.