A few kilometres from Dagapela, a town in the district of Dagana in south-west Bhutan, stand two attractive traditional houses. The houses, which face each other, are in good condition and are big enough to comfortably accommodate a family of seven to 10.
But their windows are covered in thick dust: neither have been lived in for years.
In Bhutan, empty houses are called gungtong. Most people fear that gungtongs are guarded by giant snakes or that ghosts live inside, said Sonam Jamtsho, media spokesperson and planning officer for Dagana. Because of this, the remaining villagers avoid the abandoned dwellings.
