DZONGKHAG PROFILE
(I) Introduction/Background
Punakha Dzong is situated in western Bhutan at the confluence of Phochu and Mochu rivers whereby they form the Puna Tsangchhu. Zhabdrung Rinpoche began the construction of the Dzong in 1637, after completion was named as Pungthang Dechen Phodrang Dzong. It was the winter capital till 1955.The Machey (Sacred embalmed body) of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal is preserved and guarded with great devotion and reverence in the Machey Lhakhang. Dzong continues to be the winter residence of the Je Khenpo and the central Monk Body. The major renovation of the Dzong took place from 1986-2003 at an expenditure of Nu. 609.03 million.
With a total area of 1095.99sq. km. the Dzongkhag consists of nine Geogs, namely: Chhubu, Dzomi, Goenshari, Guma, Kabjisa, Lingmukha, Shengana, Talo, Toewang. With the recent inclusion of Barp and Toep the total number of gewogs comes to 11. The temperature varies from 35 degree Celsius during summers to -4 degree Celsius during winters. It receives an average annual rainfall of 1.5mm. The altitude of the Dzongkhag ranges from 1200 metres to 4800 metres.
The Population and Housing Census of 2005 revealed that a total of 17,715 people inhabit in the Dzongkhag, out of which 50.7% are male and 49.3% are female. A total of 1891 households are there in the Dzongkhag. About 12.9% of the total population lives in urban areas while 87.1% of the total population lives in the rural areas of the Dzongkhag. 60.8% of people are literate while around 39.2% are illiterate.
About 87,978 hectares of the Dzongkhag is covered with forest out of which 30% is Coniferous forest, 42% is Broad-leaved, scrub forest is 2% and pasture is 3%. 22% of the total area is cultivable land, out of which 5314.77 acres is Wetland while 721.54 acres is Dry land.
Punakha Dzongkhag agriculturally well known for rice, vegetables and fruit plants which grow by virtue of its location, soil and its climatic conditions. The Dzongkhag basically grows a little of everything but the main crops grown are paddy, wheat, maize, mustard etc. Though Citrus fruits have been among the main fruits grown in the Dzongkhag, other fruits like Persimom, Guavas, Peaches, Plums, Pears and even Sub-tropical Apples are grown here. The Dzongkhag also grows a variety of Chillies, Raddish, Cabbages, Brinjals, Green leaved vegetables and Tomatoes.
Dzongkhag also has a relatively good network of feeder and farm roads that provide easy access for farmers to market their produces. Main township in the Dzongkhag is situated at Khuruthang which is about 4 Km away from the Dzongkhag Headquarters which also houses the offices of corporate organizations like Bhutan Post, Power, Bank of Bhutan, RICB and Bhutan Development Finance Corporation.
The Punakha Dzong has always been an attraction for Tourists from all around the world because of its rich historical background and for various other reasons. The Dzongkhag also boasts of two hot springs, namely Koma Tshachu and the Chhubu Tshachu.
(II) Administrative Set up
| ADMINISTRATIONS | Number |
| Area | 1095.99sq. km |
Administrative Units
| Gewog (block) | 11 |
| Chiwogs (Sub-Divisions) | 79 |
| Villages | 148 |
| Gup (elected block head man) | 11 |
| Mangmi (elected block representative) | 11 |
| Tshogpa (elected village representative) | 79 |
| Chupon (Village messenger) | 85 |
| DT Members (highest decision making body in the district) | 23 |
| GT Members (highest decision making body in the Block) | 101 |
(III) Population
| Sl.No | Gewog | As per PHCB-2005 (floating pop.) | Registered pop. 2010 |
| Male | Female | Total | Male | Female | Total |
| 1 | Barp | 1,738 | 1,588 | 3,326 | 960 | 911 | 1,871 |
| 2 | Chubu | 1,174 | 817 | 1,991 | 1,020 | 1,126 | 2,146 |
| 3 | Dzomi | 658 | 692 | 1,350 | 920 | 968 | 1,888 |
| 4 | Goenshari | 321 | 301 | 622 | 347 | 353 | 700 |
| 5 | Guma | 2,088 | 2,200 | 4,288 | 1,138 | 1,223 | 2,361 |
| 6 | Kabji | 1,138 | 1,223 | 2,361 | 1,518 | 1,497 | 3,015 |
| 7 | Limbu | 317 | 280 | 597 | 789 | 731 | 1,520 |
| 8 | Shengana | 613 | 644 | 1,257 | 866 | 860 | 1,726 |
| 9 | Talo | 787 | 807 | 1,594 | 1,285 | 1,290 | 2,575 |
| 10 | Toep | 1,252 | 1,169 | 2,421 | 1,007 | 986 | 1,993 |
| 11 | Toewang | 694 | 669 | 1,363 | 945 | 934 | 1,879 |
| 12 | Khuru | 1,199 | 1,093 | 2,292 | - | - | - |
| | Total | 11,979 | 11,483 | 23,462 | 10,795 | 10,879 | 21,674 |
Source : Dzongkhag Census office.
(III)a.As per PHCB-2005(Floating population)
(III)b.Registered Population 2010
IV) List of Lhakhangs (monasteries) and cultural centers – Gewog-wise
| Sl. No. | Gewog | Govt. | Private | Comm. | Shedra | Lobdra | Anim Drat. | Drubdey | Total | Remarks |
| 1 | Shenga Bjimi | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | --- |
| 2 | Chubu | 8 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 15 | Nyingzergang Kukhor Lhakhang |
| 3 | Dzomi | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | --- |
| 4 | Goenshari | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | --- |
| 5 | Guma | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 9 | --- |
| 6 | Kabji | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | --- |
| 7 | Limbukha | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | --- |
| 8 | Toewang | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | --- |
| 9 | Talo | 6 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 12 | --- |
| 10 | Barp | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | --- |
| 11 | Toep | 4 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 15 | --- |
| Total | 25 | 17 | 32 | 4 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 92 |
Source: Dzongkhag Cultural Section.
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