Sakteng

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