April 19, 2009: Thanks to inbreeding, the genetic makeup of the present stock of takins at the Motithang Takin Preserve is weakening, studies prove. The absence of a plan to scientifically manage the present 8.55 acre animal enclosure is one of the reasons for inbreeding, according to the Nature Conservation Division (NCD).
Inbreeding within the animals of the same parental origins resulted in the present stock of takins to reproduce with inferior genes. The takins eventually die due to their high susceptibility to diseases and low capability to defend from natural challenges.
The present Takin Preserve will be upgraded and will undergo a major facelift soon which will house not only takins but also other unique animals found in Bhutan, like the Red Panda, Himalayan Serow and other rare animals and birds.
It will also serve as a center for creating conservation awareness among people, said the head of NCD, Sonam Wangyal Wang (PhD).
The NCD aims at improving the present stock by bringing Bhutan takins from the wild to prevent further in-breeding. “This will improve the genetic stock,” said Sonam Wangyal Wang.
The NCD will also look into releasing juvenile takins born at the Preserve into the wild to study their survival and adaptation rate.
The Preserve will also serve as a center to educate and create awareness on the importance of wildlife conservation.
Eight adult takins and four new born calves died at the Motithang Takin Preserve due to the inferiority of the second generation, caused by inbreeding.
The new center will have a clinic to care for the sick takins and the deer species.
An office will also be build at the northern corner of the 19.34-acre new enclosure. This building will house the laboratory and the animal clinic at the first floor, educational centre at the second floor and the office for the coordinator in the third floor.
The enclosures for different species of animals will surround the animal feeding bay. Visitors can walk along the enclosures and watch the animals.
The present enclosure is divided into five paddocks, fenced with galvanized iron mesh-linked chain, dominated by blue pine forest and is situated at an elevation of 2666 meters.
A creek which runs through the Preserve is the main source of drinking water for the animals.
Presently, apart from the natural grass which grows within the enclosure, the animals feed on Bengal gram (commonly known as chana), green grass, hay and salt and paddy straw in the winter.
A concrete footpath which goes around the enclosure with three metal bridges over the creek for the visitors to walk around was built by the then Department of Tourism.
The enclosure houses seven takins, eight sambars and six barking deers rescued from different parts of the country.
The Preserve will also serve as a rescue center for wild animals which are mostly at different stages of recuperation from injuries either domestic dogs or traps set by farmers and poachers.
The Preserve receives more than 100 animals, mostly deer species every year.
“We would like to feel that our animals are safe and well looked after,” said Karma Drukpa, the Director of Forests.
With the mortality rate of the takins on a constant rise since the 2000, there are presently only four females of which one is sterile. One to two females give birth every year but the calves are usually under weight and not cared by its dam.
Thursday 1 December 2011
Whither food security?
May 9, 2009: Sometimes, not for any particular reason, this 72-year-old man from Semtokha pays for a taxi ride along the black-topped serpentine stretch of the Thimphu expressway.
Until a few months back Dorji Khandu used to look out the window when the taxi reached Chang Jiji, letting the breeze catch his receding hairline. Over the paddy fields he once owned to feed his family of eight, sprawls the road. Where his 180 apple trees bloomed once, now stand tall neon street lights.
Along with Dorji Khandu’s rice fields turning into roads, the contribution of Bhutan’s agriculture to the GDP also decreased. Over a period of 10 years, Thimphu itself saw about 469 acres of agricultural land being rapidly eaten up by construction.
Just the Chang Jiji Housing Complex and the expressway took away most of 327 acres allocated for town planning.
“We are losing very productive agricultural land to developmental activities,” said the agriculture minister, Lyonpo Pema Gyamtsho (PhD).
Where laws exist only on paper
However, discussions on needs to preserve wetlands for cultivation are always shadowed by mega development plans. Concerns about food self-sufficiency never survived outside seminar halls and documents.
Bhutanese, however, were jolted last year when India stopped rice exports to preserve the food grain reserve in the country.
It was the honeymoon days of the DPT government and the cabinet had to act quickly as shopkeepers started hoarding rice in Thimphu and the prices were shooting up.
On Bhutan’s request the Indian government lifted the rice export ban to Bhutan, staving off potentially a major food shortage crisis.
“I personally don’t think we had adequate contingency plans to cope with such an event at the time,” the agriculture minister told BT.
Environmentalists say the loss of massive land for developmental activities will lead to the loss of more agrarian land in the coming years.
“Land transformation is one of the most important fields of human-induced environmental transformation,” said an environmentalist. “It disrupts the whole ecosystem.”
Though a land act has been in place for 30 years, rules in paper have failed to conserve the fertile agricultural land.
The preamble of the revised Land Act of Bhutan 2007 is written to ensure that proper regulations are in place for the effective use of land resources and conservation of the ecosystem.
“For a country like Bhutan, with a large population dependent on agriculture, land degradation has clear implications for food security and sustainable livelihoods,” the Act states.
But in the past 10 years, this small country has lost about 2,240 acres of wetland and dry land for development activities, and to natural disasters.
Paying for development
An environment consultant said urbanization is putting pressure on the environment and natural resources of the country. And human activity has caused the displacement of the soil through water erosion leading to land degradation.
For decades, development activities have paved their way with roads, houses, power projects, schools, and towns, swallowing a massive chunk of agricultural land.
Punakha lost 87 acres of agricultural land of which about 85 acres went into the town planning of Khuruthang.
A total of 217 acres of agricultural land was lost to schools and institutes and another 55 acres to power projects.
According to a consultant for environment and social impact assessment, the land lost to hydropower projects were always replaced with government-owned land.
“We normally suggest the farmers to take land for land compensation instead of cash,” he said.
About 300 acres of wetland were converted for various other purposes and an additional 664 acres were lost to floods.
Yet a further 323 acres were lost to unauthorized conversion of dry and wetland for other uses by private parties of which Chhukha topped the list with 111 acres.
Lyonpo Pema Gyamtsho said the ministry has a policy which bans the conversion of wetland to other land use, such as orchards and constructions.
Not so innocent farmers
Farmers normally apply for land conversion with various reasons. In fact there is a procedure where a team of officials from the ministry goes to check whether the reasons are valid.
“There are others who just go for conversion without going through this procedure,” said the minister.
However, the ministry has no mandate to take action against people who convert wetland into dry land without valid reasons.
A discussion paper published by the United Nations Development Program in Bhutan states that agricultural land constitutes only about 7.7% of the total land area; most of this in the form of small highly fragmented landholdings scattered over difficult terrain.
The ministry of agriculture has started several schemes to increase food production, the most significant of which aims to place very fertile land under the National Food Security Reserve Scheme.
With fund from the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the ministry will be looking into incentives and subsidies required to support the farmers in the scheme. “If we are not food secured then we are not secured as a nation,” said the minister. “It is important that we increase the production of food within the country.”
Green Bhutan’s grey buildings
A lot of agricultural land goes to construction because Bhutan has not looked into eco-friendly housing seriously. Modern civil engineering in the country has not thought about green housing ideas that gel into the development philosophy of Bhutan.
Painting roofs green and dumping environmentally damaging cement onto walls ostentatiously made to resemble traditional homes: that is how far eco-friendly Bhutan’s creativity to preserve tradition and culture goes.
Planners and engineers are trained only to construct infrastructure on flat land and not on slopes or hill sides.
As a mountainous country Bhutan should have people who can design structures to suit the natural landscape.
“That is the reason why we have so many towns at the bottom of the valley in flat areas,” the agriculture minister said.
Lyonpo Pema Gyamtsho added the ministry will make sure the fertile agricultural lands are not being converted to other forms of land use.
“We have already lost a substantial area,” he said. “Infrastructure development should be looked at in a much critical manner.”
Until a few months back Dorji Khandu used to look out the window when the taxi reached Chang Jiji, letting the breeze catch his receding hairline. Over the paddy fields he once owned to feed his family of eight, sprawls the road. Where his 180 apple trees bloomed once, now stand tall neon street lights.
Along with Dorji Khandu’s rice fields turning into roads, the contribution of Bhutan’s agriculture to the GDP also decreased. Over a period of 10 years, Thimphu itself saw about 469 acres of agricultural land being rapidly eaten up by construction.
Just the Chang Jiji Housing Complex and the expressway took away most of 327 acres allocated for town planning.
“We are losing very productive agricultural land to developmental activities,” said the agriculture minister, Lyonpo Pema Gyamtsho (PhD).
Where laws exist only on paper
However, discussions on needs to preserve wetlands for cultivation are always shadowed by mega development plans. Concerns about food self-sufficiency never survived outside seminar halls and documents.
Bhutanese, however, were jolted last year when India stopped rice exports to preserve the food grain reserve in the country.
It was the honeymoon days of the DPT government and the cabinet had to act quickly as shopkeepers started hoarding rice in Thimphu and the prices were shooting up.
On Bhutan’s request the Indian government lifted the rice export ban to Bhutan, staving off potentially a major food shortage crisis.
“I personally don’t think we had adequate contingency plans to cope with such an event at the time,” the agriculture minister told BT.
Environmentalists say the loss of massive land for developmental activities will lead to the loss of more agrarian land in the coming years.
“Land transformation is one of the most important fields of human-induced environmental transformation,” said an environmentalist. “It disrupts the whole ecosystem.”
Though a land act has been in place for 30 years, rules in paper have failed to conserve the fertile agricultural land.
The preamble of the revised Land Act of Bhutan 2007 is written to ensure that proper regulations are in place for the effective use of land resources and conservation of the ecosystem.
“For a country like Bhutan, with a large population dependent on agriculture, land degradation has clear implications for food security and sustainable livelihoods,” the Act states.
But in the past 10 years, this small country has lost about 2,240 acres of wetland and dry land for development activities, and to natural disasters.
Paying for development
An environment consultant said urbanization is putting pressure on the environment and natural resources of the country. And human activity has caused the displacement of the soil through water erosion leading to land degradation.
For decades, development activities have paved their way with roads, houses, power projects, schools, and towns, swallowing a massive chunk of agricultural land.
Punakha lost 87 acres of agricultural land of which about 85 acres went into the town planning of Khuruthang.
A total of 217 acres of agricultural land was lost to schools and institutes and another 55 acres to power projects.
According to a consultant for environment and social impact assessment, the land lost to hydropower projects were always replaced with government-owned land.
“We normally suggest the farmers to take land for land compensation instead of cash,” he said.
About 300 acres of wetland were converted for various other purposes and an additional 664 acres were lost to floods.
Yet a further 323 acres were lost to unauthorized conversion of dry and wetland for other uses by private parties of which Chhukha topped the list with 111 acres.
Lyonpo Pema Gyamtsho said the ministry has a policy which bans the conversion of wetland to other land use, such as orchards and constructions.
Not so innocent farmers
Farmers normally apply for land conversion with various reasons. In fact there is a procedure where a team of officials from the ministry goes to check whether the reasons are valid.
“There are others who just go for conversion without going through this procedure,” said the minister.
However, the ministry has no mandate to take action against people who convert wetland into dry land without valid reasons.
A discussion paper published by the United Nations Development Program in Bhutan states that agricultural land constitutes only about 7.7% of the total land area; most of this in the form of small highly fragmented landholdings scattered over difficult terrain.
The ministry of agriculture has started several schemes to increase food production, the most significant of which aims to place very fertile land under the National Food Security Reserve Scheme.
With fund from the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the ministry will be looking into incentives and subsidies required to support the farmers in the scheme. “If we are not food secured then we are not secured as a nation,” said the minister. “It is important that we increase the production of food within the country.”
Green Bhutan’s grey buildings
A lot of agricultural land goes to construction because Bhutan has not looked into eco-friendly housing seriously. Modern civil engineering in the country has not thought about green housing ideas that gel into the development philosophy of Bhutan.
Painting roofs green and dumping environmentally damaging cement onto walls ostentatiously made to resemble traditional homes: that is how far eco-friendly Bhutan’s creativity to preserve tradition and culture goes.
Planners and engineers are trained only to construct infrastructure on flat land and not on slopes or hill sides.
As a mountainous country Bhutan should have people who can design structures to suit the natural landscape.
“That is the reason why we have so many towns at the bottom of the valley in flat areas,” the agriculture minister said.
Lyonpo Pema Gyamtsho added the ministry will make sure the fertile agricultural lands are not being converted to other forms of land use.
“We have already lost a substantial area,” he said. “Infrastructure development should be looked at in a much critical manner.”
Wake Up! PM Tells the World
October 05, 2008 By: Bridge To Bhutan Category: Culture, Environment, Gross National Happiness, News, Sustainable Development
Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, just six kilometers away from the collapsing stock markets of Wall Street, Prime Minister Jigmi Y. Thinley called the world leaders to break away from the shackles of the powerful market forces.
“Economic wellbeing is not human wellbeing,” he told the Assembly on Friday, as heads of nations listened to a voice asking the world to cooperate and not compete.
Standing behind a marble podium bearing the UN logo as the first democratically elected prime minister of Bhutan, the small Bhutan flag pin shone in contrast to the simple black gho he wore.
“We need to wake up from our narcissistic slumber and self-indulgence,” he told the 63rd session of the Assembly.
Referring to global problems from climate change to terrorism, the prime minister said Bhutan did not look at the developments as disconnected events but as interconnected symptoms of a deeper malaise.
“We need to treat the disease beyond the symptom. And the disease, we believe, has to do with our way of life that is just not rational and sustainable.”
Lyonchen Jigmi Y. Thinley said the main cause of the financial crisis nations faced today was the result of “living beyond our means” and of “private profiteering.”
He said people suffered from hunger not because we did not have enough food, but because of the unwillingness to share resources. Calling it “shameful inequities” the prime minister cited a New York example.
“Only yesterday, I was wondering how many tons of food and medicine must go off the shelves of Manhattan stores into the incinerator at the end of each day as they become stale,” he said, adding few developed countries fulfilled their pledge to share less than one percent of their Gross National Product with the developing countries.
Lyonchen Jigmi Y. Thinley said the failure of human relationships was the root to poverty, hunger, instability and insecurity plaguing the world today.
“As communities die, so does the spirit of sharing, of borrowing and giving amid good neighborliness in times of need, as opposed to competing and making gains at the cost of communities, neighbor and even one’s own family,” he said.
Invoking Gross National Happiness, the prime minister suggested the leaders to conceptualize a holistic alternative for the wellbeing of the people.
While being actively involved as a partner in the global efforts, Lyonchen Jigmi Y. Thinley said Bhutan has pursued the philosophy of GNH guided by the fourth King from the early 1970s.
Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, just six kilometers away from the collapsing stock markets of Wall Street, Prime Minister Jigmi Y. Thinley called the world leaders to break away from the shackles of the powerful market forces.
“Economic wellbeing is not human wellbeing,” he told the Assembly on Friday, as heads of nations listened to a voice asking the world to cooperate and not compete.
Standing behind a marble podium bearing the UN logo as the first democratically elected prime minister of Bhutan, the small Bhutan flag pin shone in contrast to the simple black gho he wore.
“We need to wake up from our narcissistic slumber and self-indulgence,” he told the 63rd session of the Assembly.
Referring to global problems from climate change to terrorism, the prime minister said Bhutan did not look at the developments as disconnected events but as interconnected symptoms of a deeper malaise.
“We need to treat the disease beyond the symptom. And the disease, we believe, has to do with our way of life that is just not rational and sustainable.”
Lyonchen Jigmi Y. Thinley said the main cause of the financial crisis nations faced today was the result of “living beyond our means” and of “private profiteering.”
He said people suffered from hunger not because we did not have enough food, but because of the unwillingness to share resources. Calling it “shameful inequities” the prime minister cited a New York example.
“Only yesterday, I was wondering how many tons of food and medicine must go off the shelves of Manhattan stores into the incinerator at the end of each day as they become stale,” he said, adding few developed countries fulfilled their pledge to share less than one percent of their Gross National Product with the developing countries.
Lyonchen Jigmi Y. Thinley said the failure of human relationships was the root to poverty, hunger, instability and insecurity plaguing the world today.
“As communities die, so does the spirit of sharing, of borrowing and giving amid good neighborliness in times of need, as opposed to competing and making gains at the cost of communities, neighbor and even one’s own family,” he said.
Invoking Gross National Happiness, the prime minister suggested the leaders to conceptualize a holistic alternative for the wellbeing of the people.
While being actively involved as a partner in the global efforts, Lyonchen Jigmi Y. Thinley said Bhutan has pursued the philosophy of GNH guided by the fourth King from the early 1970s.
Turning a new leaf
Concerns over the state of the environment both at home and globally are causing some influential Thimphu residents to call for a reevaluation of their lifestyles.
“Although our traditional way of life is more environmentally sound and natural, the growing affluence in our society brings new challenges,” says Dasho Paljor Dorji, an advisor to the National Environment Commission. “The question is how do we educate this [new] affluence how not to go over board.”
One of the most visible signs of the new affluence Dasho Paljor speaks of can be seen in the growing numbers of fuel-thirsty Land Cruisers and heavy SUVs that populate our roads, according to environmental officers. Modern kitchen and household appliances also soak up energy, giving many of the capital’s residents a reason to pause for thought.
“We keep belching out more and more carbon dioxide to keep warming up the planet we all live in,” says an exasperated citizen.
“Our lifestyles, especially the city dwellers, have increased our carbon footprints,” says an official from the National Environment Commission.
Fortunately, there’s a lot an individual can do with their lifestyles to fight environmental waste, the NEC Deputy Minister Dasho Nado Rinchen says.
“[Even] small things like switching off the lights or cell phones can reduce the consumption of energy which contributes to climate change,” he says. “We can also plant more trees to offset carbon emissions. For instance, the city corporation, while approving the construction of a house, must make it mandatory to plant trees depending upon the size of the plot. If we do this, in the next few years, Thimphu will still be green.”
Even the minister for economic affairs—a branch of government one might expect to be at odds with environmental restraint—says he believes the time to act is now.
“We have [long] enjoyed the pristine environment our country has to offer,” Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk says. “However, our beautiful natural environment has been taken for granted for too long. It’s time now for every individual to live a green life because the way we have been using the natural resources might ultimately be unsustainable.”
There are indications that the awareness is finally seeping in, some locals say. They think individuals are finally starting to make small changes that have the potential to add up to big differences in the fight against global warming.
From planting trees to walking to work, to generating public awareness about the importance of carbon reduction, many Thimphu residents, according to them, are beginning to “walk the talk”.
As an environmental science major in Bangalore, Dorji Wangda says it hurts him to see the appliances in his mother’s kitchen devouring too much energy. “I always try to tell my mother to use appliances that do not consume too much energy,” he says.
“Many people are becoming more aware of the need to turn to greener lifestyles,” says Ugen Tenzin, chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Environment.
But, in the end, it may not be enough to simply turn off the lights, plant trees and drive smaller cars (or better still) to walk to work. People also have to examine what ends up on their dinner plates, making a strong case for vegetarianism. The United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recently estimated that animal agriculture [which ultimately puts the meat on the tables] is responsible for 18% of global greenhouse gas emissions, much more than the direct emissions caused by all cars and light trucks combined.
“Although our traditional way of life is more environmentally sound and natural, the growing affluence in our society brings new challenges,” says Dasho Paljor Dorji, an advisor to the National Environment Commission. “The question is how do we educate this [new] affluence how not to go over board.”
One of the most visible signs of the new affluence Dasho Paljor speaks of can be seen in the growing numbers of fuel-thirsty Land Cruisers and heavy SUVs that populate our roads, according to environmental officers. Modern kitchen and household appliances also soak up energy, giving many of the capital’s residents a reason to pause for thought.
“We keep belching out more and more carbon dioxide to keep warming up the planet we all live in,” says an exasperated citizen.
“Our lifestyles, especially the city dwellers, have increased our carbon footprints,” says an official from the National Environment Commission.
Fortunately, there’s a lot an individual can do with their lifestyles to fight environmental waste, the NEC Deputy Minister Dasho Nado Rinchen says.
“[Even] small things like switching off the lights or cell phones can reduce the consumption of energy which contributes to climate change,” he says. “We can also plant more trees to offset carbon emissions. For instance, the city corporation, while approving the construction of a house, must make it mandatory to plant trees depending upon the size of the plot. If we do this, in the next few years, Thimphu will still be green.”
Even the minister for economic affairs—a branch of government one might expect to be at odds with environmental restraint—says he believes the time to act is now.
“We have [long] enjoyed the pristine environment our country has to offer,” Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk says. “However, our beautiful natural environment has been taken for granted for too long. It’s time now for every individual to live a green life because the way we have been using the natural resources might ultimately be unsustainable.”
There are indications that the awareness is finally seeping in, some locals say. They think individuals are finally starting to make small changes that have the potential to add up to big differences in the fight against global warming.
From planting trees to walking to work, to generating public awareness about the importance of carbon reduction, many Thimphu residents, according to them, are beginning to “walk the talk”.
As an environmental science major in Bangalore, Dorji Wangda says it hurts him to see the appliances in his mother’s kitchen devouring too much energy. “I always try to tell my mother to use appliances that do not consume too much energy,” he says.
“Many people are becoming more aware of the need to turn to greener lifestyles,” says Ugen Tenzin, chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Environment.
But, in the end, it may not be enough to simply turn off the lights, plant trees and drive smaller cars (or better still) to walk to work. People also have to examine what ends up on their dinner plates, making a strong case for vegetarianism. The United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recently estimated that animal agriculture [which ultimately puts the meat on the tables] is responsible for 18% of global greenhouse gas emissions, much more than the direct emissions caused by all cars and light trucks combined.
Total solar eclipse to fall over Bhutan
An exceptionally long total eclipse of the Sun will be visible from within a narrow corridor that will traverse half of Earth on Wednesday, July 22. Bhutan is one of the countries.
According to National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) reports, the path of the Moon’s umbra shadow will begin in India and cross through Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar and China.
The Moon’s umbral is the central cone of darkness which tapers away from the Earth or Moon, whilst the penumbra is an outer cone of partial shadow which diverges instead of tapering.
The eclipse’s central line will reach Bhutan at 00:59 Universal Time (UT) according to NASA reports.
After leaving Bhutan, the track will continue through India in the northeastern states of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
Solar Eclipses occur when the Earth passes through the shadow of the Moon, when the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun.
The Moon’s umbra is about 380,000 km long which is just long enough for the tip to touch the Earth, but not large enough to cover the entire Earth.
Solar Eclipses can be seen only where the shadow passes overhead.
In total Solar Eclipses the moon completely covers the sun.
NASA reports states that a total solar eclipse is probably the most spectacular astronomical event that many people will experience in their lives.
NASA reports state that observing the Sun during an eclipse can be dangerous if the proper precautions are not taken. It could lead to the development of “eclipse blindness” or retinal burns by damaging the light-sensitive rod and cone cells in the retina.
The only time that the Sun can be viewed safely with the naked eye during a total eclipse is when the Moon completely covers the disk of the Sun.
It is never safe to look at a partial or annular eclipse, or the partial phases of a total solar eclipse, without the proper equipment and techniques.
The Buddhist perspective
According to the director of the National Museum in Paro, Khenpo Phuntshok Tashi, Bhutanese astrologers forecast the total solar eclipse which falls on 22 July and corresponds to 30th day of the 5th month of the lunar calendar.
He said this period provides a “rare and special opportunity for Buddhist lamas to practice and dedicate positive blessings for the world through meditation, recitation, and performance of pujas”.
Writing an article on the eclipse, Khenpo Phuntshok Tashi said that in the Buddhist perspective it is believed that either positive or negative activity done on that day will multiply because this is a special event and neutral circumstances or actions can be transformed.
“Therefore, it is said that the three doors of body, speech and mind should remain virtuous and pure as possible on that particular day or time.”
During the time of these extraordinary events the inner feelings or emotions of human beings also become imbalanced depending on individuals. Some people may experience more attachment on that day, others may have more anger, and some may remain in ignorance, while others may feel enlightened and pure.
According to National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) reports, the path of the Moon’s umbra shadow will begin in India and cross through Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar and China.
The Moon’s umbral is the central cone of darkness which tapers away from the Earth or Moon, whilst the penumbra is an outer cone of partial shadow which diverges instead of tapering.
The eclipse’s central line will reach Bhutan at 00:59 Universal Time (UT) according to NASA reports.
After leaving Bhutan, the track will continue through India in the northeastern states of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
Solar Eclipses occur when the Earth passes through the shadow of the Moon, when the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun.
The Moon’s umbra is about 380,000 km long which is just long enough for the tip to touch the Earth, but not large enough to cover the entire Earth.
Solar Eclipses can be seen only where the shadow passes overhead.
In total Solar Eclipses the moon completely covers the sun.
NASA reports states that a total solar eclipse is probably the most spectacular astronomical event that many people will experience in their lives.
NASA reports state that observing the Sun during an eclipse can be dangerous if the proper precautions are not taken. It could lead to the development of “eclipse blindness” or retinal burns by damaging the light-sensitive rod and cone cells in the retina.
The only time that the Sun can be viewed safely with the naked eye during a total eclipse is when the Moon completely covers the disk of the Sun.
It is never safe to look at a partial or annular eclipse, or the partial phases of a total solar eclipse, without the proper equipment and techniques.
The Buddhist perspective
According to the director of the National Museum in Paro, Khenpo Phuntshok Tashi, Bhutanese astrologers forecast the total solar eclipse which falls on 22 July and corresponds to 30th day of the 5th month of the lunar calendar.
He said this period provides a “rare and special opportunity for Buddhist lamas to practice and dedicate positive blessings for the world through meditation, recitation, and performance of pujas”.
Writing an article on the eclipse, Khenpo Phuntshok Tashi said that in the Buddhist perspective it is believed that either positive or negative activity done on that day will multiply because this is a special event and neutral circumstances or actions can be transformed.
“Therefore, it is said that the three doors of body, speech and mind should remain virtuous and pure as possible on that particular day or time.”
During the time of these extraordinary events the inner feelings or emotions of human beings also become imbalanced depending on individuals. Some people may experience more attachment on that day, others may have more anger, and some may remain in ignorance, while others may feel enlightened and pure.
The politics of women’s rights
Women’s participation in politics has been given due importance ever since Lydia Chapin Taft became the first legal woman voter in America in 1756.
For many decades, women have struggled and fought over their rights and made their political empowerment a high priority. The role of women in politics is no longer a mere matter of discussion. Women like Hillary Clinton have made great strides for women in politics but even she has opined that women have still not succeeded fully, and need to continue to work towards gender equality in politics.
According to the International Parliamentary Union, women’s participation in politics stands at 18.6 percent worldwide and 18.3 percent in Asia. Women are still under-represented in politics.
At home, it took a long time for women to break to break into politics even at the local government level before democracy was formally established in Bhutan.
Although gender relation in Bhutan has been more egalitarian, Sultana Kamal, member and Executive Director of Human Rights and Legal Aid Organization, said women are politically under-represented in Bhutan. Women members accounted for only 8.5 percent of the National Assembly and 24 percent of the National Council.
A Bhutanese member of parliament said women in Bhutan were reluctant to join politics and that eventually translated into political under-representation.
“Women in Bhutan need to change their mindset. There has to be a readiness to mentally accept that women also belong in politics,” he said.
But do Bhutanese women generally have the confidence to enter politics or stand up for their rights? According to one male member of the national council, that will take a long time.
“It is important to know how many Bhutanese women are really interested in politics,” he said. “They just can’t sit there and defend their mentality thinking it’s a man’s show.”
However, BT spoke to women from different backgrounds who admitted that there were many aspects to why they were not interested in politicking.
A corporate employee with a political science background said societal attitudes in Bhutan are very patriarchal. Women are discouraged by their families and by society from getting involved in public and political life.
“Times are changing now and women’s aspirations are changing but the belief that women will always be the weaker sex hasn’t changed at all,” she said.
The law in Bhutan treats men and women equally. However, behind closed doors and in individual lives, there always appears to exist some sort of gender gap.
Chulani Kodikara, a research associate for the International Center for Ethnic Studies in Sri Lanka, said that even if there are no formal discriminations there certainly are other less perceptible barriers that all women face, even in Bhutan.
A senior government official said there actually was no discrimination against women in politics. What really exists and is often misconceived as discrimination was the cultural belief that men belong in politics and women should be involved in different arenas. Politics is perceived as a field requiring aggression and assertion, qualities traditionally not associated with women.
‘I don’t think it is gender discrimination but it is just about the readiness of a country to accept more female politicians,” he said. “It is high time the government changed it perceptions about women.”
The Royal Civil Service Commission statistics of civil servants shows that only 13 out of 186 civil servants in the executive category, six out of 56 specialists, and 3,180 out of 7,117 in the professional and management category, are women. Out of a total of 20,698 civil servants in the country today, only 6,333 are women.
Chompoonute Kakornthap, advisor to the Foreign Minister of Thailand, believes there is a need to improve women’s participation at the higher levels of politics in Bhutan.
“But Bhutan is still only a year into democracy and it might already have had a good beginning,” she said.
Most Bhutanese women BT spoke to said education plays a very important role in raising political profiles and in giving women opportunities to access political arenas.
A female student of Kelki High School said women must be given extra priority in politics or else women’s voices in parliament will be subdued by men.
According to the National Advisor to the Millennium Development Goal project in Mongolia, Hulan Hashhbat, women’s reluctance to participate in politics also depends on the background that they have, on their families, upbringing and whether husbands supported the careers of wives in political professions.
“It is very rare to find a husband supporting his wife’s political career,” she said.
For many decades, women have struggled and fought over their rights and made their political empowerment a high priority. The role of women in politics is no longer a mere matter of discussion. Women like Hillary Clinton have made great strides for women in politics but even she has opined that women have still not succeeded fully, and need to continue to work towards gender equality in politics.
According to the International Parliamentary Union, women’s participation in politics stands at 18.6 percent worldwide and 18.3 percent in Asia. Women are still under-represented in politics.
At home, it took a long time for women to break to break into politics even at the local government level before democracy was formally established in Bhutan.
Although gender relation in Bhutan has been more egalitarian, Sultana Kamal, member and Executive Director of Human Rights and Legal Aid Organization, said women are politically under-represented in Bhutan. Women members accounted for only 8.5 percent of the National Assembly and 24 percent of the National Council.
A Bhutanese member of parliament said women in Bhutan were reluctant to join politics and that eventually translated into political under-representation.
“Women in Bhutan need to change their mindset. There has to be a readiness to mentally accept that women also belong in politics,” he said.
But do Bhutanese women generally have the confidence to enter politics or stand up for their rights? According to one male member of the national council, that will take a long time.
“It is important to know how many Bhutanese women are really interested in politics,” he said. “They just can’t sit there and defend their mentality thinking it’s a man’s show.”
However, BT spoke to women from different backgrounds who admitted that there were many aspects to why they were not interested in politicking.
A corporate employee with a political science background said societal attitudes in Bhutan are very patriarchal. Women are discouraged by their families and by society from getting involved in public and political life.
“Times are changing now and women’s aspirations are changing but the belief that women will always be the weaker sex hasn’t changed at all,” she said.
The law in Bhutan treats men and women equally. However, behind closed doors and in individual lives, there always appears to exist some sort of gender gap.
Chulani Kodikara, a research associate for the International Center for Ethnic Studies in Sri Lanka, said that even if there are no formal discriminations there certainly are other less perceptible barriers that all women face, even in Bhutan.
A senior government official said there actually was no discrimination against women in politics. What really exists and is often misconceived as discrimination was the cultural belief that men belong in politics and women should be involved in different arenas. Politics is perceived as a field requiring aggression and assertion, qualities traditionally not associated with women.
‘I don’t think it is gender discrimination but it is just about the readiness of a country to accept more female politicians,” he said. “It is high time the government changed it perceptions about women.”
The Royal Civil Service Commission statistics of civil servants shows that only 13 out of 186 civil servants in the executive category, six out of 56 specialists, and 3,180 out of 7,117 in the professional and management category, are women. Out of a total of 20,698 civil servants in the country today, only 6,333 are women.
Chompoonute Kakornthap, advisor to the Foreign Minister of Thailand, believes there is a need to improve women’s participation at the higher levels of politics in Bhutan.
“But Bhutan is still only a year into democracy and it might already have had a good beginning,” she said.
Most Bhutanese women BT spoke to said education plays a very important role in raising political profiles and in giving women opportunities to access political arenas.
A female student of Kelki High School said women must be given extra priority in politics or else women’s voices in parliament will be subdued by men.
According to the National Advisor to the Millennium Development Goal project in Mongolia, Hulan Hashhbat, women’s reluctance to participate in politics also depends on the background that they have, on their families, upbringing and whether husbands supported the careers of wives in political professions.
“It is very rare to find a husband supporting his wife’s political career,” she said.
The paradox of agricultural economy
January 10, 2010: In developed and developing countries the world over, farmers have traditional knowledge, expertise, skills and practices related to farming in order to ensure food security.
Like in any other developing country, agriculture for Bhutan is not just a trade issue but concerns implications on food security, rural employment and livelihoods, and economic and social stability.
However, a survey conducted by the ministry of agriculture and Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) in 2008, states that one in four Bhutanese households is undernourished in terms of daily calorie intake.
The minimum daily energy requirement for a Bhutanese is 2,124 kilocalories and the national average intake for an adult was 3,112 kilocalories.
Zhemgang dzongkhag had the lowest consumption with an average caloric consumption of 2,555 kilocalories.
Each person of the 20% urban poor, according to the survey consume only 2,318 kilocalories in a day and 13.8% of Bhutanese is said to have no sufficient access to food for one or more months in a year.
Although agriculture is a major source of livelihood to about 80% of the rural population in Bhutan, productivity is low and constrained by small land holdings, unreliable irrigation and shortage of farm labor.
Only 7.8% (314,746 hectares) of the total land area is suitable for agriculture, other land uses are protected under forest cover (72%), or lost to steep rocky cliffs and deep mountain gorges.
According to a study A Study on the Impact of Agriculture and Agriculture-Related Issues in WTO Agreements on the Bhutanese Agriculture Sector, by Sonam Tobgay, the agricultural sector in Bhutan has performed well as a whole over the last one decade.
Bhutan has maintained a steady growth rate of 6 to 7%, exceeding the projected target of 1.3% over the plan period.
“The main impetus of the growth in the sector has come from forestry and cash crop production,” states the study.
The principal cash crops grown in Bhutan are oranges, apples and potatoes, sold mainly to India and Bangladesh.
Other cash crops include small quantities of peaches, bananas, pears, plums and walnuts, mostly sold in the domestic markets.
The major crops cultivated in Bhutan include paddy, maize, wheat, barley, buckwheat, millet, potato and mustard.
Maize cultivation stands as the highest with 66% followed by 56% of paddy and 32% potato.
Less than 20% each of rural households cultivate wheat, barley, buckwheat and millet, while 51% grow vegetables.
In terms of acres of land, maize and paddy accounted for the largest share, covering over 47,753 hectares.
Sonam Tobgay’s study states that, Bhutan’s agricultural exports are limited to neighboring countries because it is bound by quantity and diversity.
The study also suggests that Bhutanese producers will have to improve their product in quality, grading, packaging and labeling and should be able to sell at competitive price in order to compete with the rest of the world.
As the Bhutanese agriculture becomes more and more market oriented, the study states that the people will prefer to grow more cash crops for the market which will create imbalance in the food basket.
“Bhutan will be more dependent on imported cereals, which could pose a food security threat,” states the study.
It has been suggested that Bhutan needs to look for mechanisms to be protect from such situation in future.
Like in any other developing country, agriculture for Bhutan is not just a trade issue but concerns implications on food security, rural employment and livelihoods, and economic and social stability.
However, a survey conducted by the ministry of agriculture and Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) in 2008, states that one in four Bhutanese households is undernourished in terms of daily calorie intake.
The minimum daily energy requirement for a Bhutanese is 2,124 kilocalories and the national average intake for an adult was 3,112 kilocalories.
Zhemgang dzongkhag had the lowest consumption with an average caloric consumption of 2,555 kilocalories.
Each person of the 20% urban poor, according to the survey consume only 2,318 kilocalories in a day and 13.8% of Bhutanese is said to have no sufficient access to food for one or more months in a year.
Although agriculture is a major source of livelihood to about 80% of the rural population in Bhutan, productivity is low and constrained by small land holdings, unreliable irrigation and shortage of farm labor.
Only 7.8% (314,746 hectares) of the total land area is suitable for agriculture, other land uses are protected under forest cover (72%), or lost to steep rocky cliffs and deep mountain gorges.
According to a study A Study on the Impact of Agriculture and Agriculture-Related Issues in WTO Agreements on the Bhutanese Agriculture Sector, by Sonam Tobgay, the agricultural sector in Bhutan has performed well as a whole over the last one decade.
Bhutan has maintained a steady growth rate of 6 to 7%, exceeding the projected target of 1.3% over the plan period.
“The main impetus of the growth in the sector has come from forestry and cash crop production,” states the study.
The principal cash crops grown in Bhutan are oranges, apples and potatoes, sold mainly to India and Bangladesh.
Other cash crops include small quantities of peaches, bananas, pears, plums and walnuts, mostly sold in the domestic markets.
The major crops cultivated in Bhutan include paddy, maize, wheat, barley, buckwheat, millet, potato and mustard.
Maize cultivation stands as the highest with 66% followed by 56% of paddy and 32% potato.
Less than 20% each of rural households cultivate wheat, barley, buckwheat and millet, while 51% grow vegetables.
In terms of acres of land, maize and paddy accounted for the largest share, covering over 47,753 hectares.
Sonam Tobgay’s study states that, Bhutan’s agricultural exports are limited to neighboring countries because it is bound by quantity and diversity.
The study also suggests that Bhutanese producers will have to improve their product in quality, grading, packaging and labeling and should be able to sell at competitive price in order to compete with the rest of the world.
As the Bhutanese agriculture becomes more and more market oriented, the study states that the people will prefer to grow more cash crops for the market which will create imbalance in the food basket.
“Bhutan will be more dependent on imported cereals, which could pose a food security threat,” states the study.
It has been suggested that Bhutan needs to look for mechanisms to be protect from such situation in future.
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