Dagana District (; ; also ) is one of the 20 districts of Bhutan. Covering an area of , it is located in the lower foothills of the mid-Himalayan ranges. The district had a population of 24,965 people as of 2017, living across 14 gewogs (village blocks). Economically, Dagana's population follows mixed subsistence agriculture and livestock rearing.

History

The history of Dagana district is centered around the castle of Daga Dzong. The dzong, a prominent feature of the district, was originally established in 1651 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the unifier of Bhutan. The dzong serves as the administrative and religious center of the district. There are three megaliths– Do Namkhai Kaw (sky pillar rock), Do Kelpai Genthey (rock of ancient steps), and Tha Namkhai Dzong (frontier sky fortress), associated with the legend of the building of the dzong. The district has several Buddhist monasteries, major of which are the Shathong Lhakhang and Nyindukha Lhakhang. The district covers an area of approximately . Portions of the Dagana district forms part of the Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary in southern Bhutan.

Climate

The district has a warm temperate climate, with most of the rainfall in summer. It is classified as Cwb in the Köppen-Geiger climate classification.

Administrative divisions

thumb|Map of the Gewogs of Dagana Dzongkhag

Dagana District itself is divided into fourteen village blocks (or gewogs):

  • Dorona Gewog
  • Drujegang Gewog
  • Gesarling Gewog
  • Goshi Gewog
  • Karmaling Gewog
  • Karna Gewog
  • Khebisa Gewog
  • Lajab Gewog
  • Lhamoy Zingkha Gewog
  • Nichula Gewog
  • Tashiding Gewog
  • Tsangkha Gewog
  • Tsendagang Gewog
  • Tseza Gewog

In April 2007, Lhamoy Zingkha Dungkhag (sub-district) was formally handed over from Sarpang Dzongkhag to Dagana Dzongkhag.

Demographics

The district had a population of 24,965 people as of 2017, with 51.9% male, 48.1% female. The population is spread across various communities and settlements, with 81% of the population residing in rural areas. The district is home to diverse ethnic groups, and the population is mainly composed of Lhotshampas and Ngalops. The district has several cultural and religious sites, and is the centre of the annual Tshechu festival.