Posted on August, 17 2011

Dorjibi Weaving Centre also locally known as Thagrig Thuendrel Tshogpa was officially inaugurated on 14^th August, 2011 in the presence of Bumthang district officials, WWF staff, local district leaders, Wangchuck Centennial Park (WCP) staff and members of the Tshogpa.

Speaking to the gathering, the chief guest Hon’ble Lyonpo (Dr) Pema Gyamtsho, Minister for Agriculture and Forests said “Thagrig Thuendrel Tshogpa has been started primarily to provide an additional source of income for the potato growing communities of Dorjibi, Pangrey and Dawathang and to preserve the culture of weaving using locally available raw materials.”  In his speech, Lyonpo also stressed the important role that the centre could play in creating weaves that could be easily sold in the local market and to visiting tourists.

The weaving centre was built with financial assistance from WWF Bhutan and Elysium Foundation (Helvetas) to enhance rural livelihoods in the buffer zones of WCP. With the support, today, the Tshogpa has successfully began producing traditional wears (Kabney, Rachu, Kira, Gho) and others items like curtain pieces, shawls etc. The center is being managed by a Chairperson and treasurer elected from amongst the weavers.