Phongmey

Phongmey Gewog is located at 33 km away from Dzongkhag headquarter and comprises 28 villages with 690 households, five Chewogs with the population of 5008 (Population and housing census: 2020). Gewog area sprawl about 99.4 Sq. Km with altitudinal ranges 1300 mts to 3300 mts experiencing mild summer to extreme winter. It shares boundary with India (Aurunachal Pradesh) to north, Sakteng Gewog to the east and Merak Gewog to the south, whereas Radhi and Bidung geog share their boundaries from west and west-north respectively. Rice production being one of the staple food crop in the geog, most of the farmers in geog own wetlands. With this, wheat, maize, soya-bean and garlic are also cultivating substantially to fulfil the category of self-sufficiency and to aid incomes. Farmers of lower belt of altitude, produces cash crop like garlic, banana, ginger, guava, orange and ground nut for the extra earnings to family. In addition to this livestock products (milk, cheese, butter, poultry and piggery) also constitute secondary income for them.

The Gewog has two significant religious sites, Firstly, Ralang locates magnificently 3 hours walk from the Gewog Centre. It is a panoramic geographical landscape and has got various historical backgrounds. In the mid eighteenth century, Lopen Drubthob Donga Rinchen, eminently known as Drupthob Khezhey, visited the plateau and blessed the sites after subduing the wrathful deities. Later, highly revered saints Lama Tenzin Jamtsho from yabrang village and Meme Gelong Dawa Norbu from Lem village visited and augmented its sacredness by meditating and sanctifying the site. Currently the Gonpa is taken care by Memi Gelong’s successive disciples. To commemorate the accomplishments of predecessors, on the auspicious day, Sermon of Lord Buddha, the community group conduct ritual offerings annually.

Tshongtshongma accounts to second religious landmark, which also demarks the international border with India (Aurnachual Pradesh) and is also highest mountain peak in Phongmey goeg. Historically, it is the holy place being blessed by Late His Holiness Tshongtshongma Rimpoche and it is also believed to be the resident of Local deity Chukpo Jambay Wangpo, who is supreme deity of Phongmey Goeg. Monastery still exist which was built by Tshogtshongma Rimpoche, encompassing the statue of eight manifestation of Guru Rimpoche.

Gewog Profile Merak Gewog 2023

Population and land use

Area(Sq Km) 99.4

Km from Dzongkhag head Quarter to Gewog center 33 km

Population Figure Total 5008

Male 2549

Female 2459

population Density ( per Sq Km)

Administrative units

Gewog Center 1

Chiwogs 5

No of villages 21