Chapter 15 GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS
Gasa
Thimphu HaaParo
Punakha Wangdue Phodrang
Chukha
Dzongkhags in Western Bhutan: Chukha Thimphu Paro Punakha Wangdue Phodrang Haa Gasa
WESTERN BHUTAN Seven Dzonkhags form the region — Chukha at 2240m, Thimphu at 2,320m, Paro at 2,280m, Punakha at 220m, Wangdue Phodrang at 1,240m, Haa at 2,700m and Gasa at 2770m. The Black Mountains at 4,200m have traditionally marked the boundary between western and central Bhutan.
234 X FACTS ABOUT BHUTAN
CHUKHA Altitude 2240m Chukha Dzongkhag was established in April 1987. The Dzongkhag has one Dungkhag and 11 Gewogs which includes Chapchha, Bjachho, Bongo, Getana, Geling, Dungna, Metakha, Logchina, Darla, Sampheling/ Bhalujhora and Phuntsholing. The major town is Phuntsholing which is the main entry point for imports and is the commercial hub of the country. Chukha is also the commercial and the financial capital of Bhutan with Chukha Hydro Power Plant, Bhutan’s oldest, completed in 1985 and the Tala Hydro Power Plant commissioned recently. They are the key sources of national income. This comparative advantage has fostered the rapid economic growth of the Dzongkhag. Chukha Dzongkhag has a total area of 1,875.65 sq.km with altitude ranging from 160m to 4480m. Only around nine percent of the total area of the Dzongkhag is cultivable due to terrain conditions. Therefore, the majority of the people depend on livestock and subsistence faming. Mandarin, potatoes and cardamom are the principal cash crops in Chukha.
GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS X
BHUTAN Chukha Chapchha
Bjachho
Metap Dungna Geling
235
Gewogs g : 10 Dungkh : 1 Dungkhag 7 Population : 74,387 (2005) Male : 42,298 4 Female : 32,089 3 Hospitals :3 Hospit BHU :8 B ORCs ORC : 47 Traditional Unit: 2 U Schools Schoo : 36
Chukha
Logchina Bongo
Getana
Phuentsholing
Samphelling
Dala