March 18: The renovation work on Lingzhi Dzong has been stalled due to budget constraints.

Situated at an altitude of about 4000 meters, the Lingzhi Dzong was built by third Druk Desi Minjur Tempa in the 17th century to defend the kingdom from invading Tibetan armies. After defeating the Tibetans more than twice, the Dzong was named as Lingshi Yugyal Dzong.

According to the Lam Neten Chencho, the Dzong was once completely destroyed by an earthquake in 1897. Since then he said no major renovation work has been carried out until 2005.

Today, some part of the Dzong’s wall has collapsed, almost blocking the main entrance to the Dzong. Parts of the wall around the Dzong have also collapsed. The Dzong also lacks proper roofing.

The first phase of the renovation work began in 2005 with financial assistance from Germany and the Royal government. In the first phase the main Utse of the dzong was restored.

The project engineer Yeshey Dorji said the second and third phase has been stalled due to budget constraints. He said apart from the budget constraint, timber for the renovation work is not easily available. It has to be transported by yaks for three days raising the cost of construction. Shortage of labourers is another problem.

Today the Dzong houses the office of the Dungkhag administration and a Dratshang comprising of 15 monks.