Sakteng gewog is a semi-nomadic community, located in the remotest and eastern most part of Bhutan. It is bounded with Phongmey and Merak gewog of Tashigang Dzongkhag and Arunachal Pradesh state of India. It has an area of 910.9 sq.km and it is situated 68 kms away from Tashigang Dzongkhag. Most part of the Sakteng gewog lies within the Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary and the Sakteng wildlife Sanctuary is the only reserve in the world dedicated to protecting the habitat of the Yeti or abominable snowman. The mountainous and rugged sanctuary is also home to the rare Blue Poppies (National flower of Bhutan).
The Sakteng gewog office was constructed in 2005. Sakteng gewog has 5 chiwogs namely Pusa-Tengma chiwog, Sakteng chiwog, Borangma-Borangtse chiwog Thrakthri chiwog and joenkhar chiwog, which are further subdivided into 8 minor villages viz Jonkhar, Murbi, Thrakthri, Tengma, Pusa, Borangtse, Borangma and Sakteng. Jonkhar and Murbi villages are on the lower part of the gewog and rest of the villages are located within the flat Sakteng Valley. Due to high altitude no other cereal crops can be grown except for some bitter buckwheat and vegetables, so the people of Sakteng mostly depend upon livestock and livestock products. Although in the lower area of Jonkhar, Murbi and Thrakthri villages, maize, barley, potatoes and vegetables can be grown.
The important livestock products found in sakteng gewog are butter, cheese, Yak meat, wool, zoetay or yitpa (fermented cheese) a special Bhutanese delicacy.
Sakteng gewog is a semi-nomadic community, located in the remotest and eastern most part of Bhutan. It is bounded with Phongmey and Merak gewog of Tashigang Dzongkhag and Arunachal Pradesh state of India. It has an area of 910.9 sq.km and it is situated 68 kms away from Tashigang Dzongkhag. Most part of the Sakteng gewog lies within the Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary and the Sakteng wildlife Sanctuary is the only reserve in the world dedicated to protecting the habitat of the Yeti or abominable snowman. The mountainous and rugged sanctuary is also home to the rare Blue Poppies (National flower of Bhutan).
The Sakteng gewog office was constructed in 2005. Sakteng gewog has 5 chiwogs namely Pusa-Tengma chiwog, Sakteng chiwog, Borangma-Borangtse chiwog Thrakthri chiwog and joenkhar chiwog, which are further subdivided into 8 minor villages viz Jonkhar, Murbi, Thrakthri, Tengma, Pusa, Borangtse, Borangma and Sakteng. Jonkhar and Murbi villages are on the lower part of the gewog and rest of the villages are located within the flat Sakteng Valley. Due to high altitude no other cereal crops can be grown except for some bitter buckwheat and vegetables, so the people of Sakteng mostly depend upon livestock and livestock products. Although in the lower area of Jonkhar, Murbi and Thrakthri villages, maize, barley, potatoes and vegetables can be grown.
The important livestock products found in sakteng gewog are butter, cheese, Yak meat, wool, zoetay or yitpa (fermented cheese) a special Bhutanese delicacy.
Gewog Profile Sakteng Gewog 2023
Population and land use
Area(Sq. Km) 910.9 Sq. Km
Km from Dzongkhag head Quarter to Gewog center 68
Population Figure Total 2410
Male 1182
Female 1228
population Density ( per Sq. Km) 2.645
Administrative units
Gewog Center 1
Chiwogs 5
No of villages 8
No of Gongtong 12
RNR Center
RNR Center 2
Range office 2
Piggery Farm 0
Poultry farm 1
Milk Processing unit 1
Active/ registered Farmers Group 8 (not registered)
No of community forestry 1
No of Farm Road 11
Length of farm Road in Kms 79.17
No of electric fencing 2
length of electric fencing in Kms 27.6
No functional of Irrigation channel 0
length of functional Irrigation channel 0
Health Center
Hospital 0
No of BHU 1 0
No of BHU 11 2
ORC with shade 1
Education
Higher secondary school 0
Middle secondary school 0
Lower secondary school 1
Primary school 1
Extended classroom 1
Non formal education center (NFE) 2
Early Child Development Center(ECCD) 1
Religion and culture
No of community own Lhakhang 4
No of Government lhakhang 1
No of Private own Lhakhang 0
No of chortens 43
Bridges
Total number of motorable bridge 6
Total number of Non-motorable bridge 1
Demography by chewog wise
Sl No Chewog name Male Female Total
1 Thrag_Thri 123 132 255
2 Brongmang_Brongtse 163 141 304
3 Joenkhar_Moorbi 166 147 313
4 Sakteng 407 300 707
5 Phusa_Tenmang 239 243 482
All chewog 2061