Gasa
is one of the 20 dzongkhags (districts) comprising Bhutan. It is located in the far north of the county and spans the Middle and High Himalayas. It is the least developed of all the dzongkhags and has a population of just over 3500 although it has become a hot tourist destination because of its pristine forests and notably, the hot springs. The high altitude makes farming difficult, although government programs seek to establish mustard and summer vegetable planting programs.
Residents herd yaks and dzos, and a small number benefit from the nascient tourism industry. More recently a small feeder road is being constructed and it shall be completed by the end of 2007. Electricity is also being supplied to some of the geogs and all electrification programmes is expected to be complete by 2012.
Gasa is most famous for its Layaps people, and for the Snowman Trek, one of the most challenging treks in the Himalayas.
Culture
The inhabitants of Trashigang district are mainly Sharshops, which means "easterner" in Dzongkha, the national language. The Sharchops appear to mix Indian and Tibetan blood whereas the Ngalops of central and western Bhutan appear to be mainly Tibetan.
Economy and education
While it has no major urban area, Trashigang dzongkhag has the densest population in Bhutan. It used to be part of an important trade route connecting Assam to Tibet, and still is a primary route for Bhutanese trade with India. Major towns include Trashigang, Radhi, Rangjung, and Phongmey. The district produces a lot of rice and lavender.
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