The Gewog was known as “Chengmari Gewog” in the past pertaining to its historical oral stories of burying dead bodies of people in this particular place where our Gewog Administration Office stands now. Its popularity propagated even more far beyond attributable to existence of baking Cakes since 1952 and it is running good business even today. Once upon a time, cakes from Chengmari were said to be traded cuisine for Royal families too.   And Diana Bridge is one of the longest Bridges in the country and it is located under our Gewog. Local People from nearby areas and from across the border visit this Bridge on daily basis during their leisure times. At present, the Gewog is known by its new name as “Norbugang Gewog” based on directives from our Government. 

Farmlands of the people constitute over 60.9% of the total area in the Gewog. It is one of the main resources on which the livelihood of the people entirely depends on. People of the Gewog will never thrive without this asset. It is on these farmlands, the people cultivate cardamom and Arecanut on large scale for commercial purposes.  Earlier Cardamom is the main cash crop grown but decline in yield, now people cultivate Arecanut at large scale along this beautiful valley on a greater acreage besides vegetables, paddy and Maize. These two cash crops are cultivated in large scale for commercial purpose which after harvest is sold at markets in India and proceeds from its sale is used to buy basic necessities. The Cardamom production in the Gewog was 45.1 MT and Arecanut with 2053 MT last year in 2023(sources; APA 2022-23). It is still deemed to rise even more given proper and on time interventions and favorable weather conditions.

The livestock is another important resource for the people in the Gewog.  It is a crucial source of income from which people are able to generate income substantially next to proceeds from Cardamom and Arecanut productions. There are approximately 5000 livestock in Norbugang Gewog including all domestic Animals such as Cattle, Sheep, Poultry, Pigs and Goats. However, cattle rearing are dominant amongst others for the income generation from dairy products is comparatively higher than products from any other livestock. Last year alone, the Milk, Cheese and Butter production were 282.45 MTs, 5.522MTs and 5.513MTs respectively (sources; Gewog Annual Database 2022). These products are easily sold in nearby markets of Samtse. The income from dairy products is considerably huge and it obviously contributes to enhancing livelihood of the people in the Gewog thereby reducing poverty incidences at an individual household level and national level on the whole.

The Gewog has 78.8KMs of Farm Roads stretched over all the five chiwogs in the Gewog (sources; APA 2023-24). Initially, its maintenance was not possible to the extent it is being done during the last 12^th FYP and recently luanched 13^th FYP plan period. The elected Government has been wise enough in sanctioning SDP (Small Development Project) budgets into respective Dzongkhags through which the Gewog Administrations was able to implement major and routine maintenance & improvements of existing farm roads and other infrastructure in all the Chiwogs. Most of the farm roads are ply-able all the year round irrespective of seasonal change impacts while some are still with ongoing improvement activities ensuring road accessibilities to farm products of all kinds. The people feel that with the continued support of CMI by the past government and SDP budget by new government in their respective Demkhongs, all farm roads will one day become ply-able for all kinds of vehicles.

Although the Suspension Bridges for commuters on foot are not available like it used to be in those old days when farm roads were not there. With two suspension bridges over Diana River to Lamji and Merik village which benefits more than 50 households.

Another inevitable resource is RWSS for all people in the Gewog and in the world in general. Most of the people in many parts of the world do confront with acute shortage of drinking water while many are forced to drink unsafe water. Many infant deaths in the world are attributable and associated with it. We are very lucky ones from many unfortunate ones in the world who are exposed to life threatening risks on a daily basis. People in Norbugang Gewog in particular do not see such kinds of inevitable challenges. There are more than 21 RWSS schemes in the Gewog which has contributed to providing and ensuring clean & safe drinking water to the people. The RWSS coverage is 99% in the Gewog and 1% less accounts to RWSS water sources dried up or are affected by heavy rainfalls during monsoon seasons (sources; Annual health census 2023).

There is a Tsheringang, Diphujora, Norbugang and Kyidsa PS in the Gewog with 3 ECCD at Tinteray, Jorlick and Loden at Norbugang PS.Gewog has also one Center School in Kyistsheling under Dramzegang-Medgang chiwog. It has been playing a great role in making illiterate infants into literate lots who are indeed the future citizens of the country and the stake of our country lies in their hands in future. The Gewog has two ORCs through which they provide maternal and child health service like Antennal care, postnatal care, Child Immunization, family planning and elderly medical care etc for unreached population but patients with other bigger issues do visit the BHU-II at Tshongdukha under Dawaling-Yangphelthang Chiwog. And the referrals are made to Samtse general Hospital and Thimphu JDWRR Hospital.

The power cuts are frequent in the Gewog although the coverage is 100% on aggregate. It is justified that such power cuts are confronted pertaining to non clearance of its right of way passing through the thickest of the forest on higher elevations and cables running through underground along the plains and valleys. On an average, the power cuts happen 2-4 times daily during monsoon season due to lightening and heavy rainfalls which has become a nuisance for the people in general and the civil servants going to their Offices. And same implies to T-Cell and B-Mobile networks’ connectivity despite good coverage in the Gewog. Nothing can be assured about its connectivity too. Sometimes, people experience no services for couple of days and on this note its reliability is a question for the people. Nevertheless, it is critically useful for the people and it has become a necessity for the people in general.

Norbugang Dratshang,two lhakhangs and Shivalaya Mandir has served as a place of worship and spiritual solace for the people in the Gewog. The people of the Gewog are very fortunate to have 3 numbers of Lhakhangs and 1 mandir including both community and privately owned ones. Norbugang Dratshang has become a place of religious learning for Monks.

With upcoming of industries like Ice Beverages limited, Norbugang Industrial Park at Diana, Lhazey pre-form & closure, KP Noodles and Ice Cream (CSI) in the Gewog, people had been benefited with employment opportunities and income generations. The main objective of establishing this firm is to progress towards import substitution of similar raw materials, beverages & food items currently being imported from other countries.