Project summary:
For the community of Tamshing, Bumthang, the stream flowing next to the Kenchosum Lakhang is the lifeline for the communities for Tamshing specially as a source of drinking water for the communities surrounding the village.
The stream is also the source of irrigation for the community for growing crops especially vegetables with the shift in the practice from growing grains such as wheat and buckwheat to vegetables owing to the human wildlife conflict. The shift in the practice of growing crops from the open area to the protected system of practice is gaining popularity in the community.

However, though there is no empirical data, it is observed by the community that the source of the stream is shrinking, especially during winter months. The quantity of the flow of the stream is not adequate as a source of drinking water. Further to add to issue of the inadequacy of drinking water and water for growing vegetables, the existence of the Kenchosum Shedra with more than 300 monks pose the challenge of sufficient water in the community for almost 6 months till the stream is fed by the monsoon.

Further during the monsoon season, at the source, owing to imbalanced gradient and watershed, the stream poses threat of flashfloods and the water is not usable carrying debris and other erosive materials. There is also competing claims over the water and other natural resources by existing and other emerging stakeholders.

For the problem observed in the degradation of the stream and the soil at the source including the water shed, ?Kenchosum Shedra? under the aegis of ?Peling Foundation? proposes to ?Manage the stream?, the ?Watershed? and soil within the environment surrounding the stream and the community.

Problems in the watershed:
1. Lack of management of the watershed and Tamzhing chu at the source.
2. Soil erosion from the source to the downstream through conservation measures.
3. Competing claims over the water and wood resources by existing and emerging stakeholders.
4. Proactive conservation action by Shedra.

b. Key Environmental problem to be addressed
For the project, the key environmental problems to be addressed are as follows:
- Management of the watershed of the stream at the source
- Management of the stream from the source to the downstream through appropriate measures
- Management of the soil erosion from the source to the downstream through plantation of trees

c. The proposed approach-Rationale and Justification

For the project, the following approach is adopted. Kenchosum Shedra will take the institutional lead in securing the project for the lack of capacity in the community. Informal discussions had taken place in the community and the community agreed to the proposal that the Kenchosum Shedra can represent them in securing the project.

The water shed management project is relevant in the context of the importance of the stream to both the Shedra and the community as a source of water for both household purposes and protected crop production through out the year.
Objectives:
1. Watershed demarcation and identification of critical sites (degraded area and key waster source/discharge areas). 2. restoration of degraded areas in the watershed and strengthening of community protocols. 3. Stakeholder mapping and policy dialogue among stakeholder for action plan.