The National Environment Commission Secretariat (NECS) is conducting the Local Government (LG) level consultation workshop on the “Guideline for formation and registration of Water User Association (WUA)” from November 25 until December 6, 2022. The guideline was developed to support implementation of the provisions under the Water Act of Bhutan, 2011 and the Water Regulation of Bhutan, 2014 and provides a detailed framework for formation and registration of WUA, including the roles and responsibilities of the Gewog Administration. WUA is an essential tool to institutionalize the Integrated Water Resources Management principles and promote community participation and ownership in protection and management of water resources within the community.

The consultation workshop was carried out in line with the directives of 55th NEC meeting  to conduct a detailed consultation and advocacy on the draft WUA guideline. The workshop was conducted in four clusters: i). Eastern cluster comprising Mongar, Pema Gatshel, Samdrup Jongkhar, Trashigang and Trashi Yangtse Dzongkhags, ii). Central cluster comprising Bumthang, Lhuentse and Zhemgang Dzongkhags, iii). Western cluster comprising Dagana, Gasa, Trongsa, Tsirang and Wangdue Phodrang, and iv). Southern cluster comprising Chhukha, Haa, Paro, Samtse, Sarpang and Thimphu. The consultation workshop was funded by the United Nations Development Programme through its National Adaptation Plan readiness project and was attended by the Dzongkhag Environment Officers, Dzongkhag Engineers, Dzongkhag Agricultural Officers, Chairperson of the Dzongkhag Tshogdu and Gewog Tshogde Chairperson of the selected Gewogs.