Amo chu And Her Ecosystem (Doyas in Focus)

Starting off from the glaciers and glacial lakes are numerous streams and rivers that wind down terrain Himalayas through the foothills into Indian plains, Amo chhu is one of the five glacial fed major river systems of Bhutan lying to the south-west of the country. The river swiftly flows down from Chumbi valley through Haa and Samtse into the Brahmaputra touching the lives and living beings, forming a unique ecosystem throughout its course.

Map of Bhutan showing five major river system and lhop land

Between the deeply interlocked landscapes just before the river drains into adjacent Indian plain is the mysteriously misty land of Lhops (lhop literally means southerners a term mainly used by Tibetans in her reference of Bhutan as lho Mon/Lho yul and people as Lhop: considered to be the early inhabitants). Living in the catchment area, I came to understand that lhops have lived, inhabited and evolved as an important element of Amo Chhu ecosystem. Their songs, verses and folktales give us glimpses of their past, myths and mythology. These people resided in the area and depended mostly on fish, wild fruits, wild vegetables and wild animals. They are mostly non-vegetarian and depended on wilds for almost everything and nature in turn provided their needs favorably, that could be one reason that kept them so close to their culture and traditions and helped preserved it through the time.   

They believe that once the whole region around Amo Chu valley was their home stretching far and wide. It’s said that the lhops apparently lived as far as the Bara-Tendu to the west bordering Indian state of Sikkim but probably a deadly epidemic or a war in the neighborhood reduced the population to the present size. Presently there are some 180 households inhabiting six villages namely Sanglung, Satakha, lothu, Kuchu, taba, and Ramtoe. There are so many hypothetical stories and reasoning on drastic decline in population and burial of lhop tribe in the folds of mountain on sloppy banks of Torsa River. 

Namgay Tashi, a good friend of mine who formerly worked with the election commission of Bhutan has toured and learnt a lot about lhop and their culture during voter education program back in 2007. He told me that he could identify a Lhop individual out of millions anywhere in the world during our usual bed time conversation back in Samtse College of education, I took it a big joke back then and the subject did not interest me much, now that I am amongst them and noticing alikeness in every lhops fascinate me, it took me to different sources to build up a concrete basis to uncover the reasons behind such biological alikeness and genetic connections.

One side of the story says a devastating war occurred between the lhops dwelling to the north of foothills and residents of plains (Indian) on the other side of the foothills, it’s said a group of them went into hideaway place and the war almost destroyed the whole of the tribe. The group that went out hiding came out and inhabited the present area during the post war era, so they say the population grew out of this small group and therefore genetically related. Other story says once the entire lhop population was believed to have disappeared due to deadly epidemic. Only a pair of cousins had survived, a boy and a girl. In course of time they grew into adults. There were no one around and knew nothing of reproduction. One day they saw two grasshoppers stuck together (mating) and in next few days saw many young grasshoppers hopping around. The boy and the girl realized that if they did what the grasshoppers did they would have younger ones and would no longer be lonely. They did what they thought should be done and so came the revival of their tribe with reproduction. While other source unfolds a similar story of devastating war that destroyed the tribe but believed to be amongst themselves and not with their counter parts on the other end of the foothills. 

 

 

you can clearly see the similarity in each of them, starting from face cut to height and build up

Here are some more pictures I captured during a short trip to the place recently to prove that they originated from one family 

It’s very hard to conclude with any of these theories as they lack authentic and chronological presentation. No written documents of the time had been found and nothing is known of the existence of writings or paintings till date but their oral traditions and belief notes that writing culture existed long before outbreak of war/epidemic. They belief the cave beneath the waterfall on the other side of the river houses all their ancient documents and belongings and is said to be the palace of their king. It’s also assumed that no lhops are ever allowed to cross that place as it’s believed to be an ancestral demarcation and thus nothing is retrieved to date.

 The LHOP king was believed to have resided there beneath the waterfall and LHOPS believe their scrip is still there

Lastly as I think deeper and learn more about Lhops, my appreciations for them grows by the days. These people are really conservative and put their culture above anything else, they are shy, simple and modest with lots of dedications to our King, Country and People, and one best quality they were brought up with is not being in sphere of consumerism, they are one hardworking people relying greatly on what they produce…

Note: This is just a glimpse of their lives uncovered through limited sources, so your kind suggestions and add up will be of great help…  

Amo chu And Her Ecosystem (Doyas in Focus)

Starting off from the glaciers and glacial lakes are numerous streams and rivers that wind down terrain Himalayas through the foothills into Indian plains, Amo chhu is one of the five glacial fed major river systems of Bhutan lying to the south-west of the country. The river swiftly flows down from Chumbi valley through Haa and Samtse into the Brahmaputra touching the lives and living beings, forming a unique ecosystem throughout its course.

map of bhtan showing river system and lhop land

Between the deeply interlocked landscapes just before the river drains into adjacent Indian plain is the mysteriously misty land of Lhops (lhop literally means southerners a term mainly used by Tibetans in her reference of Bhutan as lho Mon/Lho yul and people as Lhop: considered to be the early inhabitants). Living in the catchment area, I came to understand that lhops have lived, inhabited and evolved as an important element of Amo Chhu ecosystem. Their songs, verses and folktales give us glimpses of their past, myths and mythology. These people resided in the area and depended mostly on fish, wild fruits, wild vegetables and wild animals. They are mostly non-vegetarian and depended on wilds for almost everything and nature in turn provided their needs favorably, that could be one reason that kept them so close to their culture and traditions and helped preserved it through the time.  

They believe that once the whole region around Amo Chu valley was their home stretching far and wide. It’s said that the lhops apparently lived as far as the Bara-Tendu to the west bordering Indian state of Sikkim but probably a deadly epidemic or a war in the neighborhood reduced the population to the present size. Presently there are some 180 households inhabiting six villages namely Sanglung, Satakha, lothu, Kuchu, taba, and Ramtoe. There are so many hypothetical stories and reasoning on drastic decline in population and burial of lhop tribe in the folds of mountain on sloppy banks of Torsa River. 

Namgay Tashi, a good friend of mine who formerly worked with the election commission of Bhutan has toured and learnt a lot about lhop and their culture during voter education program back in 2007. He told me that he could identify a Lhop individual out of millions anywhere in the world during our usual bed time conversation back in Samtse College of education, I took it a big joke back then and the subject did not interest me much, now that I am amongst them and noticing alikeness in every lhops fascinate me, it took me to different sources to build up a concrete basis to uncover the reasons behind such biological alikeness and genetic connections.

One side of the story says a devastating war occurred between the lhops dwelling to the north of foothills and residents of plains (Indian) on the other side of the foothills, it’s said a group of them went into hideaway place and the war almost destroyed the whole of the tribe. The group that went out hiding came out and inhabited the present area during the post war era, so they say the population grew out of this small group and therefore genetically related. Other story says once the entire lhop population was believed to have disappeared due to deadly epidemic. Only a pair of cousins had survived, a boy and a girl. In course of time they grew into adults. There were no one around and knew nothing of reproduction. One day they saw two grasshoppers stuck together (mating) and in next few days saw many young grasshoppers hopping around. The boy and the girl realized that if they did what the grasshoppers did they would have younger ones and would no longer be lonely. They did what they thought should be done and so came the revival of their tribe with reproduction. While other source unfolds a similar story of devastating war that destroyed the tribe but believed to be amongst themselves and not with their counter parts on the other end of the foothills.

 

you can clearly see the similarity in each of them, starting from face cut to height and build up...

It’s very hard to conclude with any of these theories as they lack authentic and chronological presentation. No written documents of the time had been found and nothing is known of the existence of writings or paintings till date but their oral traditions and belief notes that writing culture existed long before outbreak of war/epidemic. They belief the cave beneath the waterfall on the other side of the river houses all their ancient documents and belongings and is said to be the palace of their king. It’s also assumed that no lhops are ever allowed to cross that place as it’s believed to be an ancestral demarcation and thus nothing is retrieved to date.

Lastly as I think deeper and learn more about Lhops, my appreciations for them grows by the days. These people are really conservative and put their culture above anything else, they are shy, simple and modest with lots of dedications to our King, Country and People, and one best quality they were brought up with is not being in sphere of consumerism, they are one hardworking people relying greatly on what they produce…

Note: This is just a glimpse of their lives uncovered through limited sources, so your kind suggestions and add up will be of great help… 

14 Good Deeds. Good deed A Day…

Challenge14 

As time draws nearer for the completion of mid-term examination, my students had their luggage packed for the vacation, but I have for them a simple social project. A project according to Encarta dictionary is “a task or planned program of work that requires large amount of time, effort, and planning to complete” but the project I have designed requires no formal planning or effort, all it needs is a loving heart to share and ready hands to help.

This idea just stuck my mind while I and my class VIII ‘B’ students were arranging our class for the exam as instructed by school examination committee. After the job was done we sat for a while to wish each other best wishes and had talks on what we would be doing in the fourteen day break. Almost 90% of them would be helping their parents in cardamom field (cardamom/elanche has taken over as the number one cash crop recently) and this is one best thing we see in rural Bhutan where students pick up spades as soon as they rest their pens for vacation. Some would be rushing to continue their town lives even if it’s just for two weeks while some are desperate to see their parents in the far east of the country. Then I just asked what good things they have in mind for vacation other than helping their parents and friends.  Its then I felt pin drop silence in the class.

For a while we were sharing nervousness in silence, then I said; ‘Do you think good for others?’ yes we do, is the immediate answer. I explained to them a little I knew of the virtues of good thinking termed as “Menpa Jangchub Sem” in shanti Deva’s book the path to bodhisattva way of life. The talk of “Jukpa Jangchub Sem” followed our brief session; it’s here that we thought of ‘one good deed a day challenge during the break’. Before we finalized our decision I informed them that it should not be made an obligation or term it a  religious, I just told them to do it once with their true heart to experience the true bliss.

To make it even clearer I provided them few simple examples as follows:-

1.      Helping old/aged person to get on or off the bus, or helping someone to load or unload luggage if you traveling.

2.      Picking few pieces of stone/gravels and fill up pot-holes in the road, or getting footpath or steps in your village fixed.

3.      Uprooting grasses and weeds nearby lhakhangs/chortens/mandirs, or making a flower garden for the same.

4.      Comforting a crying child/fetching a jerry can of water

Teacher and students like two hands at close proximity we agreed to take up the challenge in unison and reminded ourselves that it should be a complete voluntary help we should render to community or individuals and not something of an involuntary one to complete the project.

Since then I had been designing a record sheet for them and finally came up with the following.

“Good Deed a Day Challenge”
Personal Diary for the summer break, 2015

Name…………………………………………………..

Sl.No.	Action (particular help rendered to community/individuals)	Date	Brief description of how the community/individuals respond to your kind gesture (verbal/facial expression/body language)	A brief description of how you felt after rendering your help (happiness/satisfaction/any other feeling)	Name of community or individuals you helped	Signature/thumb print of community head/individuals you helped

Signature of candidate                        Signature of Class Teacher                                    Signature of Principal

NOTE: - This project won’t fetch them or me any marks our reward but a simple satisfaction. plz give me your valuable feed backs

Opening of the Dorokha Book Cafe... (Inaugural speech, 02/06/2015)

2^nd June, 2015

Let’s share books…

‘‘Dorokha Book Cafe

A very Good morning to you all

Honorable Dasho Dungpa, Dasho Drangpoen, distinguished guest, teachers and students of the central school, well wishers and kind supporters, ladies and gentlemen.

It’s a big pleasure to welcome you all to the inaugural of the long awaited Dorokha Book Café, welcome to you all.

speaking through the horn mike is rather a new experience

 I would like to express my sincere appreciation in particular to Dasho Dungpa for your kind approval, guidance and participation in building a dream here.

I convey my heartiest gratefulness to Mr. Passang Tshering for your great Ideologies, willing heart to share and ready hands to help at all times. In fact you and your ideologies inspired me to dream big, sir. I also put across my genuine gratitude to Mr. Ngawang P Phuntsho of (WAB) for the creative ideas, moral support and a lot of books the café received.

The roles Drungkhag Adm. and each sectors played in building this very café is unparalleled, thank you very much. I also put forward my earnest appreciation to the Gup and the Gewog Administration, community and public of Dophuchen Gewog for the level of awareness you accomplished and the amount of support you rendered  us, I am deeply touched by your kind gesture.

I am so indebted to you Mr. C.B Rai and family for your readiness to sacrifice for this café, your readiness has rather made me over use you. I am sorry and am very thankful for all that you did.

Mr. Buddha Lepcha,(business) Mr/s. Wang Tshering(business), Mr. Deepen Chetri(business), Mr. Dorji(business), Mr. Tashi Tobgay(engineer), Mr. Ghalley and Mr. Bhim (civil servants) and all the individuals for the amount of time, energy, books and money you invested. Actually any society in the world would love to have your presence and I am one such being showered with bliss of your company. Thank you la…

As the count goes by, I am just short of words to describe my gratefulness to the principal, Vice-principal, teachers and students of Dorokha Central School.  The support I received since the day one is immense. The dream would have remained a dream had it not for your presence, you all are the strength and weapon in making this dream a reality. I owe you all the credit yet I know, no superlatives would be enough to elucidate how indebted I am for you all. Thank you…

Let me also share some motives behind the institution of the café…

Vision

“To be the hub of knowledge for all”

Mission

Work hand in hand to provide opportunities to learn, connect, enjoy and discover to enrich lives…

Aims and objectives:-

1.     Dedication to the our 4th Druk Gyalpo His majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuk and His Holiness Chabje Rinpoche on the joyous occasion of 60^th birth anniversary celebration 

2.     To celebrate national reading year 2015

3.     To provide a better place to hangout for the students, civil servants and the general public of Dorokha community

Values we share

Ø Accessibility to book is directly proportional to the quality of life

Ø Reading hands power to improve and enrich lives

Ø Books provide best recreations and safest travel

Ø We believe in sharing, so “share your inspiration, share your books”.

Ownership

“Once set up the café will be the property of students, civil servants and the general public of Dorokha community”. Each individual have the right to use and care the café.

Roles

·        Making information available

·        Providing learning materials for enrichment and growth

·        Presenting a precious hangout place

Slogan

Share Sober Dream:-  If Dorokha offers hundred reasons to get drunk, the café offers you a reason to be sober too…

Functioning

The functioning of the café will be administered by a committee (volunteer members comprising donors, students, civil servants and general public of Dorokha) headed by an elected member secretary.

The roles of the committee:

ü  Keep an account of the donations and contributions received

ü  Maintain the checklist of infrastructures procured in the café

ü  Monitor growth and the future of the café

The infrastructure in the café shall depend solely on donors and contributors, in the form of books (both new and second hand), old/new furniture, any reading materials,etc

General Service will be provided by the founder of the café during the weekends and government holidays but now I am rather happy to announce that Mr. Megnath Chapagai the caregiver of the school volunteered to provide his service during his off hours…

Service norm

1.      Anyone interested to learn can avail the services of the café

2.      Can contact the café administering body any time if need be

3.      Will have to deposit the cost of the book as a security deposit at the time of lending which will be refunded at the time of returning the book back to café except for the students.

Pardon me for making it long, please listen to me, for I have a dream to share:-

1   1. Reading year shall not end with 2015, rather 2015 shall kick start readings forever

      2.May the café grow with days to become a central of knowledge for all times to come

Lastly I would like to thank each one of 
you for kindly making it here and bearing with me…

Thank you one and all

formal opening by Dasho Drungpa & Drangpoen

Ten minutes reading to mark National Reading year after ribbon cutting

Dorokha Deserves a Better Man-Made Setting PART-I

Being an active contributor of empty bottles here in Dorokha for the last three years, I look back to yester years and piled bottles around with much insight and questions. I just wonder how Dorokha could manage to empty up so many bottles.

A tiny place, we called a town here hardly takes five minutes to make a thorough trip. This brief five minutes’ walk would formally and methodically orient any fresh visitors to the actual life we lead and are leading here. Variety of empty bottle mountains, mounded in so many artistic and non artistic ways by the sideways of each shop gives a first impression that bar runs the best here, and with a few more days of hang-about would definitely confirm your first impression the right impression.

I do not have much knowledge about other places owing to less travels I made to date, but I believe we drink a lot here. In the midst of our occasional session I often ask myself; why do we drink? 

Every time the question crop up in my mind, I note different grounds to drink for different people at differing times, but in Dorokha people usually drink to kill the time.

Here, drinking is an entertainment, it’s a work out, it’s a social media, and it’s a news channel and so on… I remember a friend of mine narrating a story of how a teacher placed in a secluded area became addicted to alcohol and had to undergo rehabilitation programme for so long to do away with the habit, at least he succeeded in leaving the drinks to live but there are many who fails. The most interesting part of the story is that every time he presses the switch on button of his Television, he used to murmur “had you been there”, (meaning had there been TV, he would not have gone for drinks) the man finds pleasure in TV and even has myriad stories of how he would pile up stones only to peep into neighbors TV room through well curtained windows. It denotes that human need options to be good or something not so good would tie them up.

I wonder if a similar story could unfold here, because we cannot play here unless one doesn't mind getting hospitalized for a slight fall on stone carpeted grounds, one cannot watch TV unless you don’t mind repairing it on weekly basis due to thunder storm and lighting and on top that hide and seek kind of power supply makes it even worse, reading doesn’t have a place here as of now and recurrent power cuts and slow connectivity doesn’t favor internet either.

Amid such complexity, Dorokha is a beautiful place and one can find so much here if one wishes to find, climate wise you will experience a brief moderate before and after the sub-tropical summer unless one welcomes alpine with the turn of December till March. Our dear Amochu gush down the foot of the very hill you dwell and snow caped mountain up the hill top timely reminds us of growing Himalaya’s presence northward, historically we live in one of the oldest and biggest Drungkhag with the earliest inhabitants (Doyas/Lhops). With all its naturals’ settings, Dorokha deserve a quality man-made setting too…

 what NEXT........??????????    To be continued….

Note:-this article is base on my personal experience and observation over three years and it has no intention to hurt anybody directly or indirectly.... 

Helicopter in Dorokha....

H

elicopter in Dorokha...! are you kidding chum? I joked with Mr. Wang few weeks ago when he first shared the news, but it landed here for the first time in all its history. As it descended down the valley, the children rushed out all in excitement as if they were to invited for a ride around, the villagers from far flung catchments all jumping and soaking in summer’s heat came by to have a closer look. “All my life I saw it fly over like an eagle high above and to see it land here today is a dream like reality, it’s really great and life is changing”, said an elderly man with all smiles. “Yeah bajay! (nepali term for an elderly man). All we need is a longer life to experience all new, new” I replied. Amid our brief conversation, he moves nearer to atleast touch it for himself while all others got busy posing with the best possible smiles on their cameras and cell phones to proudly carve a memory with the best of their looks, whilst some wanted to get in there if permitted.  

Whatever the business, it had the best of impact on education anyhow. Now it would be absolutely easier to teach types of transportation or the advantages of air transport. Over the year I found it easier to teach them land transport due to its everyday association with their lives while it’s hard to teach the advantages and disadvantages of air and water transport especially to smaller kids. Now that they have firsthand experience on air transport I already made the next wish of taking my children to see water transport by Amochu bank, if they would ever do a survey on Torsa Khola power project by water or if tourism council would use this rich resources for rafting in the area.

my memoir with helicopter in Dorokha

Apart from achieving its planed task, BPC did educate the students in Dorokha middle Secondary School (now central school) as students experienced the new experience. Like Bajay said; life is changing and I thought, it’s good that it’s changing, so I pose tapped a memoir myself too, LOL…

note:- This article This article was written on 12^th September 2014, when helicopter came to dorokha for transporting BPC equipments to Sombeykha. The article was inspired by an elderly man’s reaction on seeing the Helicopter… the man poses behind me. the photo will be uploaded very soon...