1.Paro: Its Name and Legend
Before the advent of Buddhism to Bhutan in the 7th century, Bhutan was known as ‘Monyul’and the practice of Bonism was prevalent.Thus, Paro, being nearest to Tibet and as in the rest of the country, had in days of yore ritual practices of Bonism.
The legend has it that a certain Tibetan saint in ancient time came to Paro, carrying a handful of food (‘pa’) made out of the wheat flour (‘dro’). Thus, the place, the most fertile valley in Bhutan, aptly came to be known as ‘Padro’ commonly spoken and written as ‘Paro’.
Built in 1646 AD by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the Rinpung Dzong (literally, the heap of treasure) has been the legislative, executive, judicial and religious centre for the people of Paro. A descendant of Lam Phajo Drugom, Pha Drung Drung, after subduing a demon who inhabited the place that resembled a heap of treasures, constructed a monastery there, which was later converted into the Dzong by the Zhabdrung. Since then, the Dzong has been the hub of developmental activities and the religious pivot of Paro.
The presence of the Kyichu Lhakhang built by Gyalpo Srongtsen Gonpo, Taktshang Pelphug by Desi Tenzin Rabgye, Drukgyel Dzong by the Zhabdrung and of many more monasteries in the valley has accelerated the pitch and momentum of these activities and led the people to more Gross National Happiness.
No wonder, Paro, having been blessed by the presence of such eminent saints such as Guru Rinpoche, Phajo Drugom, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, Yudrung Dorji Pel, Lam Ngawang Choeje and Drupchhen Thangthang Gyalpo etc., has an unrivalled place in the history of Bhutan.
2.Physical Features
Paro is situated in the north-western part of the country. It lies 2200 meter above the sea level and it also lies in between the parallels 2709’00” and 27052.5’00” of north latitudes and 8907.5’00” and 89034.5’00” of east longitudes. To its west lies the Thimphu Dzongkhag, to its east Haa Dzongkhag and to its South Chukha Dzongkhag. It has a total area of 1285.5 Sq.Km.
The fertile valley of Paro is quite wide and it lies at an elevation of 7,000 feet. It has about 65.2% of forest coverage and the rest arable land suitable for agriculture and horticulture. The Pachhu joined by Dochhu flow just behind the Ugyen Pelri Palace. It is the most important river in the country since the valley is fully fed with water through irrigation. The Pachu joins Wangchu at Chhozom and Hachhu at the foothills of Chapcha to generate hydroelectric power at Chukha and Tala. There are four main passes (outlet and inlets) - Jelela pass to Thimphu, Chelela to Haa and Chhuzom to Thimphu, Haa and Chukha. Within the valley there is a very good road network, mostly blacktopped and some farm roads besides bridges, all connecting the villages, schools, institutes and organizations, with the main town, Tshongdue. It has many government offices, schools, institution, hotels and residential houses. Paro is a very rapidly growing settlement today.
3.Population
The Paro valley is often known as the “rice bowl” of the kingdom and is one of the most densely populated districts in the country. Also, with the recent growth of developmental activities, by virtue of its moderate climatic conditions, the fertility of the land and the existence of the Airport, there has been an influx of people from other parts of the kingdom to Paro.
The Dzongkhag is distinctively divided into 10 gewogs of Dogar, Dopshari, Doteng, Hungrel, Lamgong, Lungnni, Naja, Shaba, Tsento and Wangchang. These 10 gewogs are further divided into 86 chewogs. The Dzongkhag has 2413 households and a total population of about 23,051 according to the 2002 census records. Surprisingly, women outnumber men i.e. 11,211 men against 11,840 women. This statistics does not, of course include those in schools, institutes and organizations which are subject to frequent changes and are also very mobile in nature.
The Health indicators for Paro Dzongkhag reveal very interesting facts. For instance, the population growth rate has increased from 1.6% in 1999 to 1.7% in 2003. The infant and maternal mortality rate has decreased sharply from 19.9% and 18.71% in 1999 to 0 in both cases in 2003. This probably explains the slight increase in the population which is good for the economy.
Another interesting fact is that 85% (2003) of the Dzongkhag population has access to safe drinking water supply compared to 58.78% in 1999.
4.Social Structure and Its changes
It is still, quite predominantly, a patriarchal set up within a family where the father is the head of the family. In terms of family classification too, it is matrilocal, where the husband goes to live in the house of the wife. However, the hold on such traditional family bond is loosening its grip. In many cases, the husband no longer dictate, but the wife is seen an equal partner. The youth are less subjected to the parental control concerning with whom and when they shall marry. The wife can divorce her husband as the husband can divorce her. She can sue the husband for her rights and likewise be used. The traditional joint family is gradually vanishing. The tendency to have a smaller family prevails quite well and the health message “small family happy family” is seen to be seeping through effectively.
5.Political, Judicial and Religious set up
With the decentralization policy, there is an increasing demand for people’s participation in the decision making and implementation of the developmental activities. While the judicial and religious branches in the Dzongkhag remained unchanged, there is a break through in the legislative and executive power exercised by the Dzongkhag Administration. The legislative power and function were given to the Dzongkhag Yargay Tshogdue(DYT) in which the elected chairperson conducted the proceeding of the Tshogdue (DYT). The issues and agenda for the session come up from the Gewog Yargay Tshogchung (GYT),respecting the views of the people and their participation. The Gups and Mangmi have a greater say during the session and the outcome of the DYT is to be executed by the executive body. While the autonomy of judiciary in delivery justice was maintained, the monk body was given reverence and respect due for it. The judiciary is managed by a ‘Drangpon’ with a “Drangrab” and other supporting staff. The monk body is administered by Lam Neten with his team of senior monks.
6.Regional Organization
The international airport in Paro makes the Dzongkhag an aerial gateway to the Kingdom. The Druk Air Corporation Ltd. came into being on 27th March 1991. Of course, Druk Air with two German made, 18 seater Dornier 228-200 (the first being totally financed by Government of Bhutan, the second assisted by the UNDP) had started in January 1983. These Dorniers had stopped flying in May 1989, for Bhutan had by then purchased a BAe-146-100 aircraft in 1988 and another in 1992.
The people within the Kingdom, especially businessmen and tourists are benefited by the two Kathmandu-Delhi flights, two Calcutta-Bangkok flights and one Dhaka-Bangkok flight. Besides, from November to March, Druk Air operates on Saturdays scenic flights named ‘Kingdom from the sky’. There are flights to Gaya once a week.
The new, well-equipped Airport terminal was formally inaugurated on 10th April 1999 by the Foreign Affairs Minister, India, ushering in an era of rejuvenated service to the nation.
7.Religion
It is believed that violation of spiritual laws make the guardian deities to retreat too passively, and allow the evils to pervade every where. Religion and its values bring refinement to a person but when it is manipulated and propagated for vested interest, it disturbs social harmony. In Paro, by and large, except for few Hindus, majority of the people are Buddhist. Though religion is a highly personal thing, yet it has a social aspect and a social role to play.
Quite contrast to the past, rituals such as superstition, animism, ceremonies and magic are quite well differentiated from actual Buddhism and people in general avoid killing animals. The presence of the Dzong in the centre of the valley, many Monasteries and Chortens within the valley on the hilltop and on the steep cliffs, also play an important role in shaping the mind of the people into religion. On every 10th, 15th and 30th day of a Bhutanese month, people can be seen offering bigger butter lamps and visiting Dzongs, Monasteries and Religious Sites.
8.Monasteries and Chortens
The rapid spread of Buddhism in the kingdom of Bhutan was greatly aided by the visit of great saints from different countries and the birth of many more within the kingdom, who tirelessly taught the Buddha Dharma in their various capacities. Paro, in particular, received many such saints, some as great as Guru Padmasambhava, who founded great Buddhist centres like the Taktshang and visited many other places, leaving behind sacred marks which many a Bhutanese revere to date with great fervour.
The various Chortens and Temples one can see and visit in Paro valley speak volumes of great saints and the spread of Buddhism in its totality. There are about 176 Temples and 427 Chortens in the valley.
9.Festivals
From times immoral, the Parops seems to be fond of sports, religious and social festivals and dancing. Regular archery contests “Chhoe-dha” formed a common feature accompanied by “Dhachham”. Archery is played both in traditional and compound bow and arrows. The celebration of the birthday of His Majesty the King on the 11th of November and the National Day on the 17th of December has also become a common feature in the valley. Back in the home and communities, the annual “Chogus” and the local “Tshechu” make a very good time for religious satiation and socialization.
The “Lomba” or “becoming one year older” is another common festival in Paro. It is observed from the 29th of the 10th month to the 3rd of the 11th month of Bhutanese calendar. On the 29th evening, there is ritual in driving away the evil – “Lue”. All the members within a family should be present on that evening.
The Dzongkhag observes three days holiday i.e from the 1st to 3rd of the 11th of month of the Bhutanese calendar. It is also a day of feasting and archery game. The young one can be seen playing archery in the paddy fields while the elder ones play in the proper archery ground.
Another festival common for all the Parops is the Paro Tshechu. It begins on the 11th to 15th day of the 2nd month of the Bhutanese calendar every year. The Tshechu begins on 10th day of the 2nd month of the Bhutanese calendar and ends on 16th day of the 2nd month of the Bhutanese calendar. The Tshechu ends with Woochupey Zhey in the courtyard of the Dzong. The area from the Dzong to Dayangkha is a slope. It was during the time of Paro Penlop Dawa Penjor, high retention wall was built right from Dzong to Dayangkha. The three storied building, Lhakhang and the Zigrey was constructed at Dayangkha. It is said that the chipdrel ceremony of escorting the chief abbot of the monk body, Penlop and the mask dances are introduced by Penlop Dawa Penjor. Penlop Tshering Penjor is also said to have introduced many Peling chams such as Ngaging, Driging and Juging etc. He himself is a descendant of Pema Lingpa’s lineage. The traditions set up by these earlier leaders are still intact and people in the valley still revere the Tshechu.
They come in with their best garment and food both for religious and socialization purposes. Nowadays, the tourists add to both the number and variety of people attending the Tshechu. Thongdrel “deliverance from hell by the sight of it or attainment of nirvana by the sight of it” on the 5th day of the Tshechu, is a masterpiece of silver embroidery of Guru Rinpoche, his eight manifestations and two consorts. It is brought to Dayangkha at 3 am and displayed covering the entire three storied building and taken away by 7 am before the sun breaks, in case the sunlight decolorize the great religious piece. Maximum number of people is seen on this day.
10.Dzongs, Penlops and Dzongdags
Paro occupies a very important place not only historically but contemporaneously. Historically, Paro was an important administrative centre and the seat of many feudal lords and Penlops. Today, it has the only modern airport of the kingdom. It has many of the kingdom’s prime development projects located in the district.
Paro Rinpung Dzong was originally built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1646 A.D. mainly to make it play a strategic and defensive role against frequent incursions. Three years later, in 1649, Zhabdrung built yet another Dzong only 15 km away from the main Dzong. The Dzong was built to commemorate his victory and is rightly called “Drukgyel Dzong” which literally means “The Dzong of Victory”. It was burnt down in 1958 as of now it lies in ruins. However, attempts are being made to renovate the Dzong, and have already been consecrated by His Holiness the Je Khenpo, Trulku Jigme Chhoeda in 2003.
Given its historical importance, we can look at how many Penlops have taken charge of Paro Dzong. Penlops who ruled from Thimphu, Punakha, Trongsa, Paro, Wangduephodrang and Daga Dzongs were the most important. The Paro Penlop had great territorial powers extending from, “the right of Thimphu Chu to Teesta” (Hasrat:159). The Paro Penlop was also a member of Lhengye Zhungtshog (Cabinet Secretariat) and was the guardian of the defense and trade routes to India and Tibet. The following were the Paro Penlops:
1.Tenzin Drukda (Rebuilt Drukgyel Dzong and Paro Ta-Dzong).
2.Ngawang Chhyoda
3.Ngawang Penjor
4.Druk Dondup
5.Samten Pekar
6.Ngawang Geyltshen
7.Phuntsho
8.Pema Wangda
9.Tenzin Lhendup
10.Tharpa
11.Dalip Rinchen
12.Tyochung
13.Ling Phuntsho
14.Tagri Dolma
15.Yonten Rinchen
16.Nyima Dorji
17.Thinley Zangpo
18.Sherab Wangchuk
19.Agye Haap, Tshultrim Namgyel
20.Yonten Rinchen
21.Tshewang Norbu
22.Ugyen Wangchuk
23.Thinley Tobgay (Elder brother of Gonsar Ugyen Wangchuk)
24.Dawa Penjor (A cousin of Gonsar Ugyen Wangchuk)
25.Tshering Penjor (Son of Gonsar Ugyen Wangchuk’s sister Ashi Pedon)
26.Prince Jigme Dorji Wangchuk
27.Prince Namgay Wangchuk
With the inception of decentralization and modernization in the country and the rapid development seeping into the Dzongkhag, the need for Penlops gradually faded away giving way to Dzongdag. An attempt is being made to track down the Dzongdags and their names are mentioned below:
1.Zoepon Bachu
2.Dasho Babu Nakchung
3.Dasho Karma Dorji
4.Dasho Dago Tshering
5.Dasho Chador
6.Dasho Lhapchu
7.Dasho Angay
8.Dasho Rinchen Tshering
9.Dasho Nakchung
10.Dasho Lhakpa Dorji
11.Dasho Pasang Tobgay
12.Dasho Jigme Tsheltrium
13.Dasho Dophu Tshering
14.Dasho Sherab Tenzin
15.Dasho Jigme Zangpo
16.Dasho Lham Dorji
17.Dasho Namgay Wangchuk
18.Dasho Chencho Tshering......(present Dzongdag)
Dzongkhag Administration, Paro
Vision of Paro Dzongkhag Administration
“A peaceful, dynamic and socio-economically developed Dzongkhag with empowered local communities living with strong tradition and culture in harmony with nature.”
Background
Paro Rinpung Dzong was built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Above it stands the Ta-Dzong, which functioned as a sentinel tower in the olden days but now houses the National Museum.
Paro Dzongkhag is one of the most developed Dzongkhags in the country. The Dzongkhag is especially known for production of rice, wheat, millet, potatoes, apple and seasonal vegetables, which are mostly grown on a commercial scale.
The only International Airport in the Kingdom is also located in Paro Dzongkhag, which offers immense opportunities for growth of employment generating tourism and hotel industries.
Vital Statistics/Information on the Dzongkhag
The Dzongkhag has a total area of 1,300 square kilometers with a population of about 36,000 out which 3,000 people live in the urban centers. And the population density is about 28 persons per square kilometers.
The Dzongkhag boasts 66% forest coverage and it is situated at an elevation of 2,200 meters above sea level.
The Dzongkhag has 10 Gewogs, namely Dogar, Dopshari, Doteng, Hungrel, Lamgong, Lugnyi, Naja, Shaba, Tsentog and Wangchang with 7120 households.
The Dzongkhag has 3 Renewable Natural Resources (RNR) Centers, a total of 22 schools comprising 2 Higher Secondary Schools, 2 Middle Secondary Schools, 8 Lower Secondary Schools, 3 Primary Schools, 3 Community Primary Schools, and 4 Private Schools (including one Higher Secondary School).
The Dzongkhag has National Highway links to both Phuentsholing and Thimphu. Within the Dzongkhag itself there exist a road network comprising of 122 kms highway and 93.5 kms of internal access road. The existence of a good network of roads and feeder roads in the Dzongkhag offers ample marketing access to major markets for any surplus products from the Dzongkhag. Some of the farmers export apples to Bangladesh and India.
Mandates of the Dzongkhag Administration
Being one of the 20 Administrative Units in the country, this Dzongkhag Administration is entrusted with the following mandates by the Royal Government of Bhutan:
•Maintaining Law and Order through proper execution of the Laws of the Land.
•Preservation and promotion of *1Driglam Namzha
•Preparation and implementation of five-year Developmental Plans. With increasing importance given to decentralization, the Dzongkhag is being entrusted with responsibilities to implement all developmental plans/programs at its own level and provide backstopping services to the gewogs.
•Providing administrative, coordination and support services to all Sectors.
•Providing secretarial services to *2Dzongkhag Yargay Tshogdue (DYT) and follow up on the Resolutions. As a legislative forum, the DYT only frames plans and policies at the local level in conformity with the National policies and laws and the Dzongkhag Administration implements them.
•Facilitate gewog development planning.
•Protection and preservation of local resources of the Dzongkhag.
•Verification of land for *3Kidu,land swapping,mortgage,rural house construction,*4Chhimsa, and conversion.
•Maintenance of historial, cultural and religious monuments/heritage including *5Dzongs,*6Lhakhangs and *7Chortens
•Protocol and hospitality services
•Conduct of local events, including *8Tshechus
•Conduct Elections
*1Traditional Etiquette
*2Dzongkhag Development Committee or the highest legislative body in the Dzongkhag.
*3Award of land and others by the King to the destitutes and the underprivileged.
*4Land registered for construction of house.
*5Fortresses
*6Monasteries
*7Stupa
*8Local festivals
Administratively, the Dzongkhag Administration is organized into 17 Sectors/Sections, viz. Administration, Planning and Monitoring, ICT, Agriculture, Livestock, Forest, Health, Land Records, Education, Census and Registration, Culture, Engineering, Accounts, Electoral, Statistical, Environment, Municipal Authority. These Sectors/Sections are manned by total staff strength of 175 (but this excludes school teachers). All the Sectors/Sections are under direct administrative control of the Dzongdag, or the Chief Executive Officer/Governor.
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