60% of Bhutanese are based on subsistence farming. Farming lands are mostly in hilly regions and in remote areas and sparsely scattered. Problems from steep slope agriculture arise mainly because 31 % of farming is on land with more than 50 % slope (NBSAP 2014). Only 2.93 % of the country?s area is cultivated agricultural land (LCMP, 2010). Bhutanese farmers are still dependent on highly climate-sensitive agriculture. Delay in rain (monsoon) and long spell of dry season coupled with high temperature causes unprecedented distress to farmers who depends on rain.

The sparse and scattered settlements are not easily served with conventional piped water supply systems. The streams, springs and rivers are at a lower elevation and the settlements at a much higher location. These rural people, especially women and children, have to walk for hours to distant water sources to fetch water for household purpose, primarily for drinking and sanitation. Furthermore, managing water for even small-scale irrigation purpose in these remote and far flung regions is still a major challenge.


Adaptation to climate change in the agricultural sector in Bhutan remain a major current and future challenge. If Bhutan envision to achieve the National goals and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of ending poverty, achieving food security and promoting sustainable agriculture climate change adaptation interventions need to be implemented at a pace greater that what it is.

For Bhutan, the sustainable development and management of water resources is seen as an important element in the economic growth of the country ? specifically through hydropower development. Also, water resource management is one of the National Key Result Area (NKRA) in the 12th FYP. Under this NKRA, there are four Agency Key Result Areas, namely:
? Enhance management of natural resources for sustainable utilization of ecosystem goods and services.
? Hydropower Security Ensured.
? Drinking water supply improved.
? Water quality improved.

Although, all the above NKRA and AKRAs are relevant to this project, the most directly related AKRAs are drinking water supply improved and enhance management of natural resources for sustainable utilization of ecosystem goods and services. Bhutan has a high per capita water availability but the issue is with the problem of plenty scenario.

Therefore, to address the issue of accessibility versus the availability of water, a new technology called Hydraulic ram pump, which is low cost, environmentally friendly, ?zero emission? and easy to operate would be a blessing to cater water to these far-flung remote population of Bhutan. If water is made sufficient, the overall health and sanitation conditions will improve drastically besides reducing the drudgery for women and children from carrying water manually from a distance source. Reliable access to water can boost economic development in the community and support livelihood activities such as cattle rearing, kitchen gardening, agro processing etc. The main purpose of this project is to supply consistent and adequate water to the communities to improve their livelihood and sanitation.

Project Objectives and Expected Results

The use of water resources is mainly for drinking and irrigation purpose and the Water Act of 2011 has given highest priority to ensuring water availability for drinking. Nonetheless, the sustainable development and management of water resources in Bhutan is seen as an important element in the economic growth of the country ? specifically through hydropower development. Also, water resource management is one of the National Key Result Area (NKRA) in the 12th FYP. Under this NKRA, there are four Agency Key Result Areas, namely:

? Enhance management of natural resources for sustainable utilization of ecosystem goods and services.
? Hydropower Security Ensured.
? Drinking water supply improved.
? Water quality improved.

Although, all the above NKRA and AKRAs are relevant to this project, the most directly related AKRAs are Drinking water supply improved and Enhance Management of Natural Resources for Sustainable Utilization of Ecosystem Goods and Services.

In Bhutan, the source of drinking water is usually from springs, small streams and rivers. There have been several reports on water sources drying, specially pertaining to the spring water sources. However, Bhutan has a high per capita water availability but the issue is with the problem of plenty scenario. The pictorial presentation below (figure 1) explains the scenario of water availability versus water accessibility.

To address the issue of accessibility versus the availability of water, a new technology called Hydraulic ram pump, which is, affordable, easy to use and effective technology has been very successful in providing adequate water in the hilly areas of Nepal. This hydraulic ram has been tested widely in Nepal and have been a successful intervention.

Thus, this project proposed to introduce this technology in Bhutan as it will be administered in the similar terrain. The main purpose of the project is to supply consistent and adequate water to the communities to improve their livelihood and sanitation.