Hundred throng at Dungkar - Ancestral home of our Kings

Dungkar Ngaktshang - ancestral home of our His Majesty the Kings

Dungkar Village, Lhuentse: The majestic structure of Dungkar Naktshang, the palace of Penlop Jigme Namgyal glowed like flying fortress in clear winter sun. The building is not only unique but the biggest and most elegant in the village. The giant structure is the testimony of the Bhutan’s history from where originated the Monarchs of our Country. In its 100 years transition, nothing much has changed. The village virtually has withstood the ever-changing time. 
  
The roaring of excavator is first sign that development is slowly seeping in. The farm road extension is underway in the village and natives are embracing the multi-facets development. People in the village have always lived in perfect harmony with livestock rearing, agriculture practices and nature. Hence, development of new RNR technologies is a benefit which will fit like a weeding ring. This is because all people in the village are largely associated with RNR.

Friday, January 14, 2010 – People slowly gathered in Dungkar village. Some came tailing reluctant cattle behind while other came with their whole family. Slowly, as the winter sun warmed up, the whole area is littered by people and cattle. Soon, the mooing cows and chattering of people filled the air, making it a big hustle and bustle. All the people have gathered for one purpose – to witness RNR Exhibition showcased by RNR sectors of Lhuentse Dzongkhag.
Different RNR information and technologies were on display. The forestry stall housed multiple information on Private and Community Forest, Subsidized rural timbers, Climate change, Forest Fires etc. As they entered, the visitors are greeted by a question on a table, who is the greatest enemy of the natural environment? The answer reflected back when they removed the curtain and found their own face on the mirror.

The ‘Eco-Balance’ was also one interesting tool to disseminate and advocate the vaguely understood principle of middle path development. The ‘eco-balance’ is a simple devise with model of the house and tree perfectly balanced on the replica of traditional weighing balance. Add a small weight on either side; the whole structure comes collapsing down. This is how vulnerable it is if middle path developmental philosophy is not pursued. Farmers nodded in consensus as they left the stall.
The agriculture and livestock stalls were also filled with rich information display on the sector specific. The cattle show also involved the visitors fully where different categories and breeds of cattle were led in the show ring. The panel of judges assessed each cattle of the hopeful owner. At the end of the day, winners took home on the horseback, sags of karma feeds.

The day was graced by Dasho Dzongda as the chief guest and attended by all RNR Sector heads and RNR Extension staff. Hundreds of farmers from Dungkar and neighbouring villages cramped the area for whole day grasping all information relevant to their farming profession.
The exhibition at Dungkar is the 4th in the series with 3 other such showcasings done at Dhomkhar, Nganey and Tangmachu villages. It was initiated in 2007 by the RNR family of Lhuentse as an annual feature.