Territorial Forest Division in Tsirang has adopted the old Tsirang Toed Dzong site as the heritage forest and hence named as Pemachoeling Heritage Forest.
Such initiative is to protect and rehabilitate the degraded forest ecosystem around the site, and to preserve the cultural and spiritual significance of the ancient dzong that remains in ruins. The adoption of heritage forest is in line with the Department of Forest and Park Services to develop 20 heritage forests in the country in 11th Five Year Plan.
By developing the area into heritage forest will also support spring-sheds development programme, which can help the locals to promote eco-tourism.
“The other 11 gewogs will have to think along the same line and go for having such a place. From our side we have talked with the gewogs on development of tourism, how we can attract international but more importantly our own local tourists,” said Tsirang Dzongdag Ngawang Pem.
Pemachoeling Heritage Forest covers over 45 acres of land. To have the place fully morphed into heritage forest, several activities such as planting of endemic ornamental plant species, construction of gazebos and picnic spots, and bird sighting views will be carried out within the next 10 years.
