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.
The divine and the diabolic
Bae-Langdra, 24 kilometers uphill from Chuzomsa, Wangduephodrang, is a highly revered Nye where Terton Dorji Lingpa discovered treasures hidden by Guru Padmasambhava. Today, in an unbelievable twist of history, the hidden place is earning infamy as its villagers take to organised Marijuana cultivation.
Cannabis calling
On a hot summer afternoon when the farmers of Bae-Langdra in Wangduephodrang were sweating in their field, a young native came back home from Phuentsholing.
The year was 2004.
In his early 20s, young Karma Norbu (all names are changed) sported long hair and flaunted his torn jeans. A crude tattoo ran along his skinny arms and his T-shirt almost touched his knees.
Uninterested in farm work, Karma Norbu loitered around the village to kill time until the day he spotted a familiar plant close to his sister’s home.
A year later, Karma Norbu and the plant brought a new dawn to the lives of the farmers of Bae-langdra.
Historical premise
Not until long ago, the people of Bae-Langdra were poor. Like the Lady of Shalott, they were bound by a curse cast by none other than Guru Rinpoche himself.
It is said that when Guru Rinpoche came to Bae-Langdra he met an elderly woman carrying water on her back. When he asked her for a drink, she promptly refused.
Instantly the stream that coursed through Bae-Langdra disappeared. It had gone underground coming out beyond the last house in the village.
For hundreds of years the people of Bae-Langdra had to carry drinking water from faraway places. Their fields went fallow, and people often went thirsty. Instead of potatoes and maize, the fallow fields would see wild cannabis flourish.
The government, however, averted the Guru’s curse by providing a continuous supply of water for farming. People went back to taming the wilderness, planting potatoes and maize again.
But then, Karma Norbu came back home!
The new crop
It didn’t take too long for Karma Norbu to convince the Bae-Langdra farmers the promise of organized marijuana cultivation.
He first chatted up Tshering Choden, a farmer and mother of a two-month old child. She was excited with the new knowledge, and a few conversations later Karma Norbu found his first well-wisher.
Soon, almost every household in Bae-Langdra embraced marijuana cultivation. The wild plant was domesticated in a record time.
Farmers also learnt how to extract hash by rubbing the plants with palms. They learnt that the market for their products was big and growing.
Marijuana farming
It might be naive to compare the marijuana plantations in Bae-Langdra to opium poppy plantations in Afghanistan, but both the businesses are organized.
Sangay Tenzin was one of the first to collect the seeds from female Marijuana plants and sow them in a small patch of land. Today, he is proud of his little plantation.
Like him, many farmers in Bae-Langdra have patches of their land dedicated to marijuana. And some farmers kill two birds with one stone: they grow marijuana and potatoes together. They harvest the two ‘crops’ at the same time.
Some have even sacrificed their land to growing marijuana, replacing maize and cash crops like potatoes and chilies. Moreover, marijuana is a hardy plant. It doesn’t need water, and it doesn’t have to be replanted.
Harvesting hash
Karma Norbu’s ingenuity introduced the farmers of Bae-langdra to quick money. Come peak season (September to October), when marijuana plants are replete with resin, farmers hang up their plow.
Almost everyone is seen rubbing the plants in the open, without any fear of being caught by the law, collecting the black hash (a concentrated resin produced from the flowers of the marijuana plant).
Yonten Dorji, 58, grows marijuana with chilies. He said he works in the farm the whole day, dedicating the first half to cash crops and the rest to the production of hash.
Gyem, who just became a mother, now finds it difficult to make more hash compared to the past. She made about five little containers of hash a week before. Thus, her 60-year-old father-in-law helps her today.
“Growing hash is more profitable than growing cash crops,” she said.
Almost off-season for marijuana plants now, the farmers have uprooted the plants to ready their field for the next season.
Gembo, another farmer, said marijuana didn’t need any weeding like other crops. Farmers in Bae-Langdra said marijuana plantation is a one-time investment where money is hardly involved.
Another farmer, who reaped healthy profits this season, said he will plant more marijuana plants the next season. “Potatoes will wait,” he said.
A garden of knowledge
Farmers in Bae-Langdra are abreast with the know-how of hash business. For example, they know that female plants are more productive than the males.
“Moreover, customers prefer hash from the female plants,” said Gembo.
Most farmers save their products for the winter, when customers don’t mind paying double the price during off-season. They also know who their serious buyers are and who would be willing to pay more.
Sangay Tenzin said he studies his customers before he tells them the price. “If it’s the rich ones from Thimphu, they are willing to pay more,” he said.
Farmers store the hash in plastic pouch as it retains the moisture and keeps it soft and sticky, which is normally considered good quality.
The money involved
Farmers in Bae-Langdra sell their hash in camera film containers. One container fetches Nu 2,000.
However, some farmers blame the rookies for undercutting and selling a container for Nu 1,000 to Nu 1,500.
A Thimphu taxi driver said he bought hash from the people of Bae-Langdra at Nu 2,000 a container and sold it in the capital for Nu 6,000.
Another supplier said he sells for Nu 4,000 to his regular customers, but charges new buyers Nu 5,000 a container.
A private sector employee, who is a regular customer at Bae-Langdra, said he normally bought a container at Nu 1,500 to Nu 2,000 depending on the quality.
However, it is not only money that is involved in the business. When customers are short of money, farmers are willing to barter. Starting from shoes to clothes to mobile phone to cameras, anything works.
Sangay, a 22-year-old dealer and regular of the Bae-Langdra farmers, said his customers preferred the Bae-Langdra hash compared to the Thinleygang one.
The law
The people of Bae-Langdra know the consequences they might face if caught cultivating marijuana.
Gyem, who has a brother in the Royal Bhutan Police, fears a rough time if her brother finds about it.
The Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Substance Abuse Act 2005 states that the owner, operator, or occupier, under whatever title, of land for agricultural or other use shall be required to destroy any opium poppies, coca bushes or cannabis plants found growing there.
But the farmers of Baelangdra are already looking forward to a better season next year.
Cannabis calling
On a hot summer afternoon when the farmers of Bae-Langdra in Wangduephodrang were sweating in their field, a young native came back home from Phuentsholing.
The year was 2004.
In his early 20s, young Karma Norbu (all names are changed) sported long hair and flaunted his torn jeans. A crude tattoo ran along his skinny arms and his T-shirt almost touched his knees.
Uninterested in farm work, Karma Norbu loitered around the village to kill time until the day he spotted a familiar plant close to his sister’s home.
A year later, Karma Norbu and the plant brought a new dawn to the lives of the farmers of Bae-langdra.
Historical premise
Not until long ago, the people of Bae-Langdra were poor. Like the Lady of Shalott, they were bound by a curse cast by none other than Guru Rinpoche himself.
It is said that when Guru Rinpoche came to Bae-Langdra he met an elderly woman carrying water on her back. When he asked her for a drink, she promptly refused.
Instantly the stream that coursed through Bae-Langdra disappeared. It had gone underground coming out beyond the last house in the village.
For hundreds of years the people of Bae-Langdra had to carry drinking water from faraway places. Their fields went fallow, and people often went thirsty. Instead of potatoes and maize, the fallow fields would see wild cannabis flourish.
The government, however, averted the Guru’s curse by providing a continuous supply of water for farming. People went back to taming the wilderness, planting potatoes and maize again.
But then, Karma Norbu came back home!
The new crop
It didn’t take too long for Karma Norbu to convince the Bae-Langdra farmers the promise of organized marijuana cultivation.
He first chatted up Tshering Choden, a farmer and mother of a two-month old child. She was excited with the new knowledge, and a few conversations later Karma Norbu found his first well-wisher.
Soon, almost every household in Bae-Langdra embraced marijuana cultivation. The wild plant was domesticated in a record time.
Farmers also learnt how to extract hash by rubbing the plants with palms. They learnt that the market for their products was big and growing.
Marijuana farming
It might be naive to compare the marijuana plantations in Bae-Langdra to opium poppy plantations in Afghanistan, but both the businesses are organized.
Sangay Tenzin was one of the first to collect the seeds from female Marijuana plants and sow them in a small patch of land. Today, he is proud of his little plantation.
Like him, many farmers in Bae-Langdra have patches of their land dedicated to marijuana. And some farmers kill two birds with one stone: they grow marijuana and potatoes together. They harvest the two ‘crops’ at the same time.
Some have even sacrificed their land to growing marijuana, replacing maize and cash crops like potatoes and chilies. Moreover, marijuana is a hardy plant. It doesn’t need water, and it doesn’t have to be replanted.
Harvesting hash
Karma Norbu’s ingenuity introduced the farmers of Bae-langdra to quick money. Come peak season (September to October), when marijuana plants are replete with resin, farmers hang up their plow.
Almost everyone is seen rubbing the plants in the open, without any fear of being caught by the law, collecting the black hash (a concentrated resin produced from the flowers of the marijuana plant).
Yonten Dorji, 58, grows marijuana with chilies. He said he works in the farm the whole day, dedicating the first half to cash crops and the rest to the production of hash.
Gyem, who just became a mother, now finds it difficult to make more hash compared to the past. She made about five little containers of hash a week before. Thus, her 60-year-old father-in-law helps her today.
“Growing hash is more profitable than growing cash crops,” she said.
Almost off-season for marijuana plants now, the farmers have uprooted the plants to ready their field for the next season.
Gembo, another farmer, said marijuana didn’t need any weeding like other crops. Farmers in Bae-Langdra said marijuana plantation is a one-time investment where money is hardly involved.
Another farmer, who reaped healthy profits this season, said he will plant more marijuana plants the next season. “Potatoes will wait,” he said.
A garden of knowledge
Farmers in Bae-Langdra are abreast with the know-how of hash business. For example, they know that female plants are more productive than the males.
“Moreover, customers prefer hash from the female plants,” said Gembo.
Most farmers save their products for the winter, when customers don’t mind paying double the price during off-season. They also know who their serious buyers are and who would be willing to pay more.
Sangay Tenzin said he studies his customers before he tells them the price. “If it’s the rich ones from Thimphu, they are willing to pay more,” he said.
Farmers store the hash in plastic pouch as it retains the moisture and keeps it soft and sticky, which is normally considered good quality.
The money involved
Farmers in Bae-Langdra sell their hash in camera film containers. One container fetches Nu 2,000.
However, some farmers blame the rookies for undercutting and selling a container for Nu 1,000 to Nu 1,500.
A Thimphu taxi driver said he bought hash from the people of Bae-Langdra at Nu 2,000 a container and sold it in the capital for Nu 6,000.
Another supplier said he sells for Nu 4,000 to his regular customers, but charges new buyers Nu 5,000 a container.
A private sector employee, who is a regular customer at Bae-Langdra, said he normally bought a container at Nu 1,500 to Nu 2,000 depending on the quality.
However, it is not only money that is involved in the business. When customers are short of money, farmers are willing to barter. Starting from shoes to clothes to mobile phone to cameras, anything works.
Sangay, a 22-year-old dealer and regular of the Bae-Langdra farmers, said his customers preferred the Bae-Langdra hash compared to the Thinleygang one.
The law
The people of Bae-Langdra know the consequences they might face if caught cultivating marijuana.
Gyem, who has a brother in the Royal Bhutan Police, fears a rough time if her brother finds about it.
The Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Substance Abuse Act 2005 states that the owner, operator, or occupier, under whatever title, of land for agricultural or other use shall be required to destroy any opium poppies, coca bushes or cannabis plants found growing there.
But the farmers of Baelangdra are already looking forward to a better season next year.
The changing mountains
January 10, 2010: The impact of climate change on water resources and livelihoods in the Himalayas has put a threat to the future of mountains in Bhutan.
Man-made greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Forum for Climate and Global Change Swiss Academy of Sciences, are expected to lead to average global warming of 1.1 and 6.4 degrees centigrade in 1990 to 2100.
Climate change has lead to the rapid melting of glaciers in the country.
Scientists worldwide believe that the changes occurring in the mountain ecosystems may provide an early glimpse of what could come to pass in lowland environments, and that mountains thus act as early warning systems.
Mountain glaciers are the most visible sign of global climate change.
The Himalayan glaciers are retreating faster than in any other part of the world which puts a mountain ecosystem like Bhutan at great risk.
In Bhutan, the Luggye Tsho retreated by 160 m yearly from 1988 to 1993 resulting in rapid growth of the Luggye Tsho. The Raphstreng Tsho retreated 35 m every year on average from 1984 to 1998 but from 1988 to 1993 the retreat rate almost doubled to 60 m per year.
One of the main concerns in relation to climate change in Bhutan is the reduction of snow and ice, which will reduce the country’s water resources, according to environmentalists.
Providing freshwater to half of the world’s population, the Bhutanese economy is also dependent on the mountains for its water resources.
Mountains, according to experts are typically exposed to multiple hazards and climate change is likely to increase this exposure.
This will not just pose a threat to the environment in Bhutan but also threaten the livelihood of the mountain people.
However, to protect and further enhance Bhutan’s profile as a biodiversity hotspot and safeguard the floral and faunal resources of the country, the government has initiated a number of activities.
An area covering 4,914 sq. km serving as a head water source for four major rivers in the country has been designated as the Wangchuck Centennial Park.
With the establishment of this park, about 40% of the country is now under strict protection.
Based on biodiversity and socio-economic studies, a five year management plan for the park has been prepared and approved.
The Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary which forms and important conservation link between the sub-tropical and the alpine ecosystems has been made operational.
The national biological corridor program to connect crucial conservation links between the protected areas was reactivated.
A wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre has been established in Thimphu to rescue and treat captured and injured animals for ultimate release back into the forest.
Since the establishment of the unit, a total of 85 wild animals including sambar, barking deer, Himalayan black bear, wild cats, and monkeys have been treated and released back in to the wild.
The government has also taken a step towards adapting to climate change by developing a National Adaptation Program of Action (NAPA), coordinated by the National Environment Commission (NEC).
The main objective of the NAPA has been to identify and address the most prominent issues related to climate change.
Three projects from the Bhutan Department of Geology and Mines have been prioritized during the NAPA formulation. The three projects are, artificial lowering of lake water level in the Thorthormi lakes; installation of early warning systems in Punakha-Wangdi valley; and hazard zonation mapping in Chamkhar.
Man-made greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Forum for Climate and Global Change Swiss Academy of Sciences, are expected to lead to average global warming of 1.1 and 6.4 degrees centigrade in 1990 to 2100.
Climate change has lead to the rapid melting of glaciers in the country.
Scientists worldwide believe that the changes occurring in the mountain ecosystems may provide an early glimpse of what could come to pass in lowland environments, and that mountains thus act as early warning systems.
Mountain glaciers are the most visible sign of global climate change.
The Himalayan glaciers are retreating faster than in any other part of the world which puts a mountain ecosystem like Bhutan at great risk.
In Bhutan, the Luggye Tsho retreated by 160 m yearly from 1988 to 1993 resulting in rapid growth of the Luggye Tsho. The Raphstreng Tsho retreated 35 m every year on average from 1984 to 1998 but from 1988 to 1993 the retreat rate almost doubled to 60 m per year.
One of the main concerns in relation to climate change in Bhutan is the reduction of snow and ice, which will reduce the country’s water resources, according to environmentalists.
Providing freshwater to half of the world’s population, the Bhutanese economy is also dependent on the mountains for its water resources.
Mountains, according to experts are typically exposed to multiple hazards and climate change is likely to increase this exposure.
This will not just pose a threat to the environment in Bhutan but also threaten the livelihood of the mountain people.
However, to protect and further enhance Bhutan’s profile as a biodiversity hotspot and safeguard the floral and faunal resources of the country, the government has initiated a number of activities.
An area covering 4,914 sq. km serving as a head water source for four major rivers in the country has been designated as the Wangchuck Centennial Park.
With the establishment of this park, about 40% of the country is now under strict protection.
Based on biodiversity and socio-economic studies, a five year management plan for the park has been prepared and approved.
The Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary which forms and important conservation link between the sub-tropical and the alpine ecosystems has been made operational.
The national biological corridor program to connect crucial conservation links between the protected areas was reactivated.
A wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre has been established in Thimphu to rescue and treat captured and injured animals for ultimate release back into the forest.
Since the establishment of the unit, a total of 85 wild animals including sambar, barking deer, Himalayan black bear, wild cats, and monkeys have been treated and released back in to the wild.
The government has also taken a step towards adapting to climate change by developing a National Adaptation Program of Action (NAPA), coordinated by the National Environment Commission (NEC).
The main objective of the NAPA has been to identify and address the most prominent issues related to climate change.
Three projects from the Bhutan Department of Geology and Mines have been prioritized during the NAPA formulation. The three projects are, artificial lowering of lake water level in the Thorthormi lakes; installation of early warning systems in Punakha-Wangdi valley; and hazard zonation mapping in Chamkhar.
The big rural experiment
Bhutan’s experiment with farm roads began in earnest in the Ninth Plan. People asked, and the government gave.
With the rationale of making rural life more comfortable and attractive, the farm road vision was thus born. In the Ninth Plan several villages were connected, and the roads continue to be taken to some of the remotest corners of the country.
The DPT manifesto promises road to all 205 gewogs as pre-condition for growth and development. The government, therefore, is gearing up to construct about 1,500 kilometers of farm roads in the next four years.
However, people are already beginning to question the rationale behind the experiment. Given the rate at which rural folks are migrating to urban centers, critics say farm roads might not be sustainable in the long run.
Who will maintain the roads? Who will use the roads? Isn’t taking farm roads to all the gewogs a waste of government resources? Is the experiment wrong?
The lengthy miles
In the Ninth Plan a total of 1,132 kilometers of farm roads, including power tiller tracks, were constructed in the country.
Punakha tops the list with 88 kilometers, followed by Trashigang with 81, and Lhuentse 73. Punakha also has the highest number of farm roads, 30, followed by 28 in Bumthang and 22 in Paro. Gasa has the least farm roads, 4.
The highest number of farm roads was constructed in 2007 and 2008, totaling to 289.58 kilometers. Records show that the number of farm roads constructed increased by four times between 2002 to 2004.
Adding another 1,500 km in the 10th Plan will take the grand total to 2,632 km.
The rationale
The DPT manifesto states that connecting every gewog with roads will improve the quality of life and access to health and education services and profitable returns for farm produce.
The agriculture minister, Lyonpo Pema Gyamtsho (PhD), said the major bottleneck for increasing farm productivity is due to lack of infrastructure - roads. He said without farm roads even if there is an increase in production of farm products, the products don’t reach the market.
“And if farmers have to carry whatever little they produce on their back and if it doesn’t even pay the cost of their labor and cover their wages for carrying the goods to town, farming doesn’t make sense,” he said.
For 76-year-old Karsang in Bartsham, Trashigang, farm roads have immensely improved the village life. He said the road opened up avenues to all other services. Bartsham was one of the earlier gewogs in Trashigang to be connected with a farm road.
Today, Bartshampas enjoy a better life. Affluent families own power tillers and even cars. The road has been diligently maintained, and it has brought numerous opportunities to the people.
The agriculture minister said that with road access immense opportunities for farmers to market their products have been created. Roads have also helped farmers bring in farm inputs like seeds and fertilizers.
“Roads facilitate all other development activities. And that is exactly the rationale behind our priority to farm roads,” said Lyonpo Pema Gyamtsho.
A wish list?
Today, farm roads feature in every gewog’s wish list. The local governments are frantically identifying all possible roads in the dzongkhags.
However, Guidelines for Farm Development prepared by the agriculture ministry states that the prioritization or selection of farm roads will be done by the Gewog Tshogde based on the criteria set by the agriculture department.
Dzongkhag Rural Access Planning (DRAP) states that a farm road must serve 10 households a kilometer. It estimates the construction of one kilometer at Nu 3 million, and states that villages with a travel time more than one hour will be given preference. It further states that a farm road will also depend on technical feasibility.
Lyonpo Pema Gyamtsho said the government’s priority will primarily focus on areas where farm roads are feasible.
Will the roads hold back people?
A study by the agriculture ministry states that if the current rural-urban migration trend continues, about half of Bhutan’s population will be living in urban areas by the year 2020.
It states that although it will be difficult to keep people back in villages, the government must, however, make rural life more attractive and meaningful if the rapid drift is to be controlled.
A farmer in Pemagatshel said over the telephone that people from many villages in the dzongkhag have left for urban areas. First, it is the children who move out for education, and once they find jobs parents follow them, he said.
However, the agriculture minister is optimistic that farm roads will play a crucial role in keeping farmers back in the villages.
“We will not be able to stop rural-urban migration altogether but we will be able to create more opportunities for employment and income generation in rural areas,” he said. “A young person will realize that plowing his field with a tractor is much more attractive than with a pair of bullocks. And to reach the tractor there we need farm roads.”
Is the experiment sustainable?
Absolutely, said Lyonpo Pema Gyamtsho.
He explained that before the construction of a farm road, the people benefiting from it must give the assurance in writing that they will carry out the routine maintenance. This doesn’t include major damages, though.
Moreover, in order to enhance the sustainability, the ministry is looking for better quality roads by increasing the construction cost from Nu 1 million to Nu 3 million a kilometer.
The agriculture minister said the priority given to farm roads will not be a waste of government resources. Rather, farm roads are assets.
“Farm roads are assets for people to embrace better lives,” he said. “When we have roads we will have people making use of the land and the resources. In fact, we are creating conducive conditions for people to stay back in villages.”
However, only time will tell if the experiment will succeed or if it is merely a wish-fulfiling stunt.
With the rationale of making rural life more comfortable and attractive, the farm road vision was thus born. In the Ninth Plan several villages were connected, and the roads continue to be taken to some of the remotest corners of the country.
The DPT manifesto promises road to all 205 gewogs as pre-condition for growth and development. The government, therefore, is gearing up to construct about 1,500 kilometers of farm roads in the next four years.
However, people are already beginning to question the rationale behind the experiment. Given the rate at which rural folks are migrating to urban centers, critics say farm roads might not be sustainable in the long run.
Who will maintain the roads? Who will use the roads? Isn’t taking farm roads to all the gewogs a waste of government resources? Is the experiment wrong?
The lengthy miles
In the Ninth Plan a total of 1,132 kilometers of farm roads, including power tiller tracks, were constructed in the country.
Punakha tops the list with 88 kilometers, followed by Trashigang with 81, and Lhuentse 73. Punakha also has the highest number of farm roads, 30, followed by 28 in Bumthang and 22 in Paro. Gasa has the least farm roads, 4.
The highest number of farm roads was constructed in 2007 and 2008, totaling to 289.58 kilometers. Records show that the number of farm roads constructed increased by four times between 2002 to 2004.
Adding another 1,500 km in the 10th Plan will take the grand total to 2,632 km.
The rationale
The DPT manifesto states that connecting every gewog with roads will improve the quality of life and access to health and education services and profitable returns for farm produce.
The agriculture minister, Lyonpo Pema Gyamtsho (PhD), said the major bottleneck for increasing farm productivity is due to lack of infrastructure - roads. He said without farm roads even if there is an increase in production of farm products, the products don’t reach the market.
“And if farmers have to carry whatever little they produce on their back and if it doesn’t even pay the cost of their labor and cover their wages for carrying the goods to town, farming doesn’t make sense,” he said.
For 76-year-old Karsang in Bartsham, Trashigang, farm roads have immensely improved the village life. He said the road opened up avenues to all other services. Bartsham was one of the earlier gewogs in Trashigang to be connected with a farm road.
Today, Bartshampas enjoy a better life. Affluent families own power tillers and even cars. The road has been diligently maintained, and it has brought numerous opportunities to the people.
The agriculture minister said that with road access immense opportunities for farmers to market their products have been created. Roads have also helped farmers bring in farm inputs like seeds and fertilizers.
“Roads facilitate all other development activities. And that is exactly the rationale behind our priority to farm roads,” said Lyonpo Pema Gyamtsho.
A wish list?
Today, farm roads feature in every gewog’s wish list. The local governments are frantically identifying all possible roads in the dzongkhags.
However, Guidelines for Farm Development prepared by the agriculture ministry states that the prioritization or selection of farm roads will be done by the Gewog Tshogde based on the criteria set by the agriculture department.
Dzongkhag Rural Access Planning (DRAP) states that a farm road must serve 10 households a kilometer. It estimates the construction of one kilometer at Nu 3 million, and states that villages with a travel time more than one hour will be given preference. It further states that a farm road will also depend on technical feasibility.
Lyonpo Pema Gyamtsho said the government’s priority will primarily focus on areas where farm roads are feasible.
Will the roads hold back people?
A study by the agriculture ministry states that if the current rural-urban migration trend continues, about half of Bhutan’s population will be living in urban areas by the year 2020.
It states that although it will be difficult to keep people back in villages, the government must, however, make rural life more attractive and meaningful if the rapid drift is to be controlled.
A farmer in Pemagatshel said over the telephone that people from many villages in the dzongkhag have left for urban areas. First, it is the children who move out for education, and once they find jobs parents follow them, he said.
However, the agriculture minister is optimistic that farm roads will play a crucial role in keeping farmers back in the villages.
“We will not be able to stop rural-urban migration altogether but we will be able to create more opportunities for employment and income generation in rural areas,” he said. “A young person will realize that plowing his field with a tractor is much more attractive than with a pair of bullocks. And to reach the tractor there we need farm roads.”
Is the experiment sustainable?
Absolutely, said Lyonpo Pema Gyamtsho.
He explained that before the construction of a farm road, the people benefiting from it must give the assurance in writing that they will carry out the routine maintenance. This doesn’t include major damages, though.
Moreover, in order to enhance the sustainability, the ministry is looking for better quality roads by increasing the construction cost from Nu 1 million to Nu 3 million a kilometer.
The agriculture minister said the priority given to farm roads will not be a waste of government resources. Rather, farm roads are assets.
“Farm roads are assets for people to embrace better lives,” he said. “When we have roads we will have people making use of the land and the resources. In fact, we are creating conducive conditions for people to stay back in villages.”
However, only time will tell if the experiment will succeed or if it is merely a wish-fulfiling stunt.
Taking kidu to the people
BT’s Tshering Chuki Gyamtsho takes the first comprehensive look at the new kidu process
Sept 28, 2008-Thimphu: In order to reach the most vulnerable people in the shortest time, the Office of the Gyalpoi Zimpon (OGZ) has been taking kidu to the people instead of people in need traveling to Thimphu to seek an audience.
“The poorest of the poor will never be able to make it to Thimphu to seek kidu; these people cannot even make it to the dzongkhag offices from the villages for many reasons. And even if they make the effort to walk the distance, the main obstacle is their lack of financial resources and the knowledge of bureaucratic procedures,” said Zimpon Wogma Yeshey Lhendup.
Gyalpoi Zimpon Dasho Penjore said that upon the inception of the new Gyalpoi Zimpon Office, His Majesty had commanded that the kidu system is a social safety net and that it had a clear social and economic role to play. His Majesty had commanded that the kidu system must be professionalized and must be based as much on principles of equity and charity as on scientific method and research. However, the approach must be proactive, His Majesty had commanded. The OGZ must ensure that not for a single extra day should any person suffer the pains of dire poverty, of injustice or of neglect and disability. These Bhutanese must be found as soon as possible and provided kidu.
To identify the needy, the OGZ which includes the Zimpon and six Zimpon Wogmas continuously travel to all the 20 dzongkhags. This is why most of the staff are relatively young and come from varied backgrounds.
For monitoring and evaluation to ensure that the lives of people who have received kidu from His Majesty have improved, His Majesty has set up three regional offices in Bumthang, Mongar and Thimphu headed by Their Royal Highnesses Ashi Kezang Choden, Ashi Dechen Yangzom, and Ashi Sonam Dechan. Meanwhile, Ashi Chimi Yangzom is studying the potential for rural enterprises. Their Royal Highnesses are supported by a small group of young staff from different regions and professions.
“We study the land holding, family members who earn, disabled persons in the family, school-going children, source of steady income, the type of house they live in, and so on,” said Zimpon Wogma Karma Thinley. “It is easy to see poverty in urban areas but in rural backdrops the genuinely vulnerable and poor are difficult to spot without detailed study.”
The OGZ has three broad categories of kidu.
The first and the most urgent kidu is to help the poorest of the poor, including people who are too old to work or disabled people who are not able to earn their own living. This group includes children who need support in order to attend school. This also includes the victims of unforeseen calamities and disasters. Many people are left homeless or penniless during such times as their recourse to standard relief such as insurance and other compensation is either not possible or limited.
In the second category, people who feel that they have been treated unfairly by the system appeal to His Majesty.
Young achievers and citizens who have served the country and people with dedication and distinction are rewarded in the third category.
“His Majesty also grants audiences to students and civil servants leaving Bhutan on scholarships for study and long trainings to acknowledge their achievements and also to grant them a perspective of the history of Bhutan, the challenges that have been overcome and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. We have been told by many of these people that the audiences have changed their outlook and been a source of immense inspiration,” said Zimpon Wogma Yeshey Lhendup.
It was found that His Majesty has taken the time to grant handwritten messages to students who stood first and second in their class in all the schools of Bhutan in appreciation of their hard work and achievement. During His Majesty’s tours of the nation they have received separate audiences as well.
In a new development, Geog Administrative Officers of the GNH Commission have been trained and now function as Geog kidu counterparts so that the Zimpon’s office has a representative at the grass-root level. All kidu petitions can now be submitted through the Geog counterparts making it easier for the people. Gups, mangmis, other village representatives and village elders play a vital part in the kidu process.
Since December 2006, over 3,000 households have received various kinds of kidus. During His Majesty’s visit through Laya and Lunana in August, over 300 households were granted kidu in all the three categories. Zimpon Wogma Karma Thinley said mostly land kidu was granted.
His Majesty, attending his first National Assembly as King, had stated that kidu was a sacred duty of the King and thus all the people’s problems, in particular, those related to land and land records, would be resolved personally by His Majesty. In early 2007, the National Land Commission was instructed to initiate a comprehensive cadastral re-survey exercise.
Dasho Penjore told BT that since the exercise is geared toward solving land problems “once and for all” the resurvey will take at least another year or two. “In the meantime, all excess land payments have not only been deferred till the cadastral re-survey exercise is over, but once the survey is completed, with better information and data His Majesty will address this and other problems within a short span of time, and with only the people’s interests as priority,” he said.
Identifying landless farmers for land kidu has been in progress since the start, he added.
Zimpon Wogma Karma Gyamtsho said the OGZ has also been involved in building houses for the old and infirm and providing financial assistance to educate children from poor families. His Majesty supports children in almost every school in the country and has also sent many children from poor families abroad for further studies. Some of these children are the first from their communities to attend college or university.
Karma Gyamtsho said: “His Majesty’s kidu process is all encompassing and wholesome. We have been commanded to see the grant of kidu as the start of a relationship. If we provide a student scholarship we are also mandated to follow their academic progress, to work with their teachers and parents to counsel and encourage them to work hard and succeed. This means we follow the child from community school to college and beyond. If His Majesty grants stipend to an old person in a village, our village counterparts conduct regular visits to ensure their well-being and health. For poor families or individuals, the office has to study employment opportunities or means for improving their employability, as well as educating their children. This approach extends to all aspects of our work.
Sept 28, 2008-Thimphu: In order to reach the most vulnerable people in the shortest time, the Office of the Gyalpoi Zimpon (OGZ) has been taking kidu to the people instead of people in need traveling to Thimphu to seek an audience.
“The poorest of the poor will never be able to make it to Thimphu to seek kidu; these people cannot even make it to the dzongkhag offices from the villages for many reasons. And even if they make the effort to walk the distance, the main obstacle is their lack of financial resources and the knowledge of bureaucratic procedures,” said Zimpon Wogma Yeshey Lhendup.
Gyalpoi Zimpon Dasho Penjore said that upon the inception of the new Gyalpoi Zimpon Office, His Majesty had commanded that the kidu system is a social safety net and that it had a clear social and economic role to play. His Majesty had commanded that the kidu system must be professionalized and must be based as much on principles of equity and charity as on scientific method and research. However, the approach must be proactive, His Majesty had commanded. The OGZ must ensure that not for a single extra day should any person suffer the pains of dire poverty, of injustice or of neglect and disability. These Bhutanese must be found as soon as possible and provided kidu.
To identify the needy, the OGZ which includes the Zimpon and six Zimpon Wogmas continuously travel to all the 20 dzongkhags. This is why most of the staff are relatively young and come from varied backgrounds.
For monitoring and evaluation to ensure that the lives of people who have received kidu from His Majesty have improved, His Majesty has set up three regional offices in Bumthang, Mongar and Thimphu headed by Their Royal Highnesses Ashi Kezang Choden, Ashi Dechen Yangzom, and Ashi Sonam Dechan. Meanwhile, Ashi Chimi Yangzom is studying the potential for rural enterprises. Their Royal Highnesses are supported by a small group of young staff from different regions and professions.
“We study the land holding, family members who earn, disabled persons in the family, school-going children, source of steady income, the type of house they live in, and so on,” said Zimpon Wogma Karma Thinley. “It is easy to see poverty in urban areas but in rural backdrops the genuinely vulnerable and poor are difficult to spot without detailed study.”
The OGZ has three broad categories of kidu.
The first and the most urgent kidu is to help the poorest of the poor, including people who are too old to work or disabled people who are not able to earn their own living. This group includes children who need support in order to attend school. This also includes the victims of unforeseen calamities and disasters. Many people are left homeless or penniless during such times as their recourse to standard relief such as insurance and other compensation is either not possible or limited.
In the second category, people who feel that they have been treated unfairly by the system appeal to His Majesty.
Young achievers and citizens who have served the country and people with dedication and distinction are rewarded in the third category.
“His Majesty also grants audiences to students and civil servants leaving Bhutan on scholarships for study and long trainings to acknowledge their achievements and also to grant them a perspective of the history of Bhutan, the challenges that have been overcome and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. We have been told by many of these people that the audiences have changed their outlook and been a source of immense inspiration,” said Zimpon Wogma Yeshey Lhendup.
It was found that His Majesty has taken the time to grant handwritten messages to students who stood first and second in their class in all the schools of Bhutan in appreciation of their hard work and achievement. During His Majesty’s tours of the nation they have received separate audiences as well.
In a new development, Geog Administrative Officers of the GNH Commission have been trained and now function as Geog kidu counterparts so that the Zimpon’s office has a representative at the grass-root level. All kidu petitions can now be submitted through the Geog counterparts making it easier for the people. Gups, mangmis, other village representatives and village elders play a vital part in the kidu process.
Since December 2006, over 3,000 households have received various kinds of kidus. During His Majesty’s visit through Laya and Lunana in August, over 300 households were granted kidu in all the three categories. Zimpon Wogma Karma Thinley said mostly land kidu was granted.
His Majesty, attending his first National Assembly as King, had stated that kidu was a sacred duty of the King and thus all the people’s problems, in particular, those related to land and land records, would be resolved personally by His Majesty. In early 2007, the National Land Commission was instructed to initiate a comprehensive cadastral re-survey exercise.
Dasho Penjore told BT that since the exercise is geared toward solving land problems “once and for all” the resurvey will take at least another year or two. “In the meantime, all excess land payments have not only been deferred till the cadastral re-survey exercise is over, but once the survey is completed, with better information and data His Majesty will address this and other problems within a short span of time, and with only the people’s interests as priority,” he said.
Identifying landless farmers for land kidu has been in progress since the start, he added.
Zimpon Wogma Karma Gyamtsho said the OGZ has also been involved in building houses for the old and infirm and providing financial assistance to educate children from poor families. His Majesty supports children in almost every school in the country and has also sent many children from poor families abroad for further studies. Some of these children are the first from their communities to attend college or university.
Karma Gyamtsho said: “His Majesty’s kidu process is all encompassing and wholesome. We have been commanded to see the grant of kidu as the start of a relationship. If we provide a student scholarship we are also mandated to follow their academic progress, to work with their teachers and parents to counsel and encourage them to work hard and succeed. This means we follow the child from community school to college and beyond. If His Majesty grants stipend to an old person in a village, our village counterparts conduct regular visits to ensure their well-being and health. For poor families or individuals, the office has to study employment opportunities or means for improving their employability, as well as educating their children. This approach extends to all aspects of our work.
Takin triumphs
May 17, 2009: Fighting leeches and surprise rains, three ministers walked to Gasa and shot down a mega construction plan on the migratory route of the endangered national animal, the Takin.
With the plan dropped, the expansion will take place only at the present tshachhu (hot spring) site.
Talking to BT at the plan site in Gasa, the economic affairs minister, Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk, said Bhutan cannot afford to lose its pristine environment and rich biodiversity to development. Accompanying him where the agriculture minister, Lyonpo Pema Gyamtsho, and the home minister, Lyonpo Minjur Dorji.
At a time when the voices against the plan were feeble, the agriculture minister threw his weight behind concerned environmentalists.
“We can’t compromise with the conservation of the national animal,” he said in May last year, adding that the Takin issue will test the strength of Bhutanese in their commitment to conservation.
A part of the proposed Nu 30.7-million construction project near Gasa tshachhu across the narrow migration corridor would have affected the migratory pattern of the Takins.
A BT investigation last year found that the previous cabinet had approved land for the project in July 2007 despite objections from the forest department and a field study jointly done by engineers and park officials.
Without any Environmental Impact Assessment Clearance, the previous cabinet approved 4.5 acres land for the plan to construct three double-storey guest houses, a Basic Health Unit, a mani dungkhor (prayer wheel), a cafeteria, a neykhang (religious sanctum), and tenting ground.
If the present government had gone ahead with the plans it would have seriously affected Bhutan’s environmental credentials and the country’s famed conservation policies would have faced the danger of being snubbed as hogwash.
Following a string of BT stories in April and May, 2008, a multi-sectoral team went to inspect the proposed site to assess the environmental and socio-economic impact of the plan.
The team interviewed 19 of the 76 households in Khatey gewog over a period of two days.
Local people told the team that the construction would also disturb the local deities. Except the local gup all respondents opposed the plan.
The team has recommended the already constructed suspension bridge from the tshachhu site to the other side of the river and the migration corridor be removed.
The earlier proposed site also fell within the Jigme Dorji National Park, which is a protected area.
If the construction had gone ahead Bhutan would have been in a clumsy situation with the government flouting its own rules.
The Forest and Nature Conservation Act of Bhutan states that the ministry (of agriculture) may issue rules to regulate or prohibit any activity within a protected area. “Violation of such rule shall be an offence punishable with imprisonment which may extend to five months or a fine.”
The Takins have been protected as Schedule I animals under the Forest and Nature Conservation Act.
According to the Act, “All wild animals listed in Schedule I are declared to be totally protected whether or not in the government reserved forest and may not be killed, injured, destroyed, captured, collected, or otherwise taken.”
Speaking to BT earlier, a wildlife biologist, Tshewang R. Wangchuk, said the proposed site was not geologically suitable for construction and it wouldn’t go well with the spiritual beliefs of the people.
The site is also the habitat for many other wild animals such as sambar, barking deer, wild pig, monkey, goral, serow, Himalayan black bear and tiger.
The construction plan had gone full fledged when BT broke the issue and both National Assembly members from Gasa supported the plan.
But during the ministerial meeting held in Gasa with officials from the National Environment Commission, Jigme Dorji National Park, dzongkhag administration and representatives from the people, it was agreed that the proposed plan site will remain untouched.
The construction plan infact brought to the fore the plight of the ignored national symbol, 24 years after the Takin was declared Bhutan’s national animal.
With the plan dropped, the expansion will take place only at the present tshachhu (hot spring) site.
Talking to BT at the plan site in Gasa, the economic affairs minister, Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk, said Bhutan cannot afford to lose its pristine environment and rich biodiversity to development. Accompanying him where the agriculture minister, Lyonpo Pema Gyamtsho, and the home minister, Lyonpo Minjur Dorji.
At a time when the voices against the plan were feeble, the agriculture minister threw his weight behind concerned environmentalists.
“We can’t compromise with the conservation of the national animal,” he said in May last year, adding that the Takin issue will test the strength of Bhutanese in their commitment to conservation.
A part of the proposed Nu 30.7-million construction project near Gasa tshachhu across the narrow migration corridor would have affected the migratory pattern of the Takins.
A BT investigation last year found that the previous cabinet had approved land for the project in July 2007 despite objections from the forest department and a field study jointly done by engineers and park officials.
Without any Environmental Impact Assessment Clearance, the previous cabinet approved 4.5 acres land for the plan to construct three double-storey guest houses, a Basic Health Unit, a mani dungkhor (prayer wheel), a cafeteria, a neykhang (religious sanctum), and tenting ground.
If the present government had gone ahead with the plans it would have seriously affected Bhutan’s environmental credentials and the country’s famed conservation policies would have faced the danger of being snubbed as hogwash.
Following a string of BT stories in April and May, 2008, a multi-sectoral team went to inspect the proposed site to assess the environmental and socio-economic impact of the plan.
The team interviewed 19 of the 76 households in Khatey gewog over a period of two days.
Local people told the team that the construction would also disturb the local deities. Except the local gup all respondents opposed the plan.
The team has recommended the already constructed suspension bridge from the tshachhu site to the other side of the river and the migration corridor be removed.
The earlier proposed site also fell within the Jigme Dorji National Park, which is a protected area.
If the construction had gone ahead Bhutan would have been in a clumsy situation with the government flouting its own rules.
The Forest and Nature Conservation Act of Bhutan states that the ministry (of agriculture) may issue rules to regulate or prohibit any activity within a protected area. “Violation of such rule shall be an offence punishable with imprisonment which may extend to five months or a fine.”
The Takins have been protected as Schedule I animals under the Forest and Nature Conservation Act.
According to the Act, “All wild animals listed in Schedule I are declared to be totally protected whether or not in the government reserved forest and may not be killed, injured, destroyed, captured, collected, or otherwise taken.”
Speaking to BT earlier, a wildlife biologist, Tshewang R. Wangchuk, said the proposed site was not geologically suitable for construction and it wouldn’t go well with the spiritual beliefs of the people.
The site is also the habitat for many other wild animals such as sambar, barking deer, wild pig, monkey, goral, serow, Himalayan black bear and tiger.
The construction plan had gone full fledged when BT broke the issue and both National Assembly members from Gasa supported the plan.
But during the ministerial meeting held in Gasa with officials from the National Environment Commission, Jigme Dorji National Park, dzongkhag administration and representatives from the people, it was agreed that the proposed plan site will remain untouched.
The construction plan infact brought to the fore the plight of the ignored national symbol, 24 years after the Takin was declared Bhutan’s national animal.
Supreme Court
March 15, 2009: The palpable sense of urgency among some quarters of the Bhutanese people for the establishment of the Supreme Court seems to be missing in the government.
It’s been almost 10 months since the Constitution was adopted last year. But its protector and guardian, the Supreme Court, is still absent.
Will its absence not affect Bhutan’s young democracy?
Chief Justice Lyonpo Sonam Tobgye said there is the need for the Supreme Court but not immediately. He said the necessity of the Supreme Court will arise only when constitutional cases are filed and when there are appeals from the High Court.
No constitutional cases have been filed as of now.
“The absence of the Supreme Court has not affected my government in any way,” said Lyonchen Jigme Y. Thinley. “What is important is that we have a Supreme Court that can serve its intended purpose. The question of when is less important.”
Parliamentarians, however, insist on having the Supreme Court as soon as possible. They say the Court will act as a constitutional lighthouse and mitigate the growing animosity between the two houses.
Prime Minister Jigme Y. Thinley said the need for interpretation of laws by the Supreme Court has not risen as of now because there has been no constitutional crisis.
Speaker Jigme Tshultim reiterated what the prime minister said. “I agree we did have had some differences in opinion in the first session. But in the second session everything was clear. We came a long way,” he said.
The Chief Justice said Parliament is a deliberative body and the deliberations were going exactly as it was envisaged in the Constitution.
“To have a total harmony or (total) disagreement is not democracy,” he said.
Lyonchen Jigme Y. Thinley said differences of opinion between the two houses of parliament have risen and will continue to rise. For this reason parliament has its own inbuilt mechanisms and procedures to resolve such differences.
He added that the need for a positive but adversarial relationship between the two houses has to be accepted.
Lyonpo Sonam Tobgye said if disagreements persist then obviously the Supreme Court can come in. And matters requiring judicial reviews will also be handled by the Supreme Court.
However, in the absence of the Supreme Court judicial reviews cannot be conducted and precedents recorded.
The Chief Justice said the presence of the Supreme Court can neither aggregate nor mitigate the grievances of the two houses.
Observers have differing views.
They say the issue is not so much the establishment of the Supreme Court itself but the choice of the chief justice of Bhutan.
“It is important to ensure that the person remains unaligned to the existing three power bases - the monarchy, the ruling government and the opposition party,” said an observer.
He said the protracted delay can be because of the difficulty in agreeing on such a person.
Lyonpo Sonam Tobgye assured that the Supreme Court will be established in a few months’ time.
It’s been almost 10 months since the Constitution was adopted last year. But its protector and guardian, the Supreme Court, is still absent.
Will its absence not affect Bhutan’s young democracy?
Chief Justice Lyonpo Sonam Tobgye said there is the need for the Supreme Court but not immediately. He said the necessity of the Supreme Court will arise only when constitutional cases are filed and when there are appeals from the High Court.
No constitutional cases have been filed as of now.
“The absence of the Supreme Court has not affected my government in any way,” said Lyonchen Jigme Y. Thinley. “What is important is that we have a Supreme Court that can serve its intended purpose. The question of when is less important.”
Parliamentarians, however, insist on having the Supreme Court as soon as possible. They say the Court will act as a constitutional lighthouse and mitigate the growing animosity between the two houses.
Prime Minister Jigme Y. Thinley said the need for interpretation of laws by the Supreme Court has not risen as of now because there has been no constitutional crisis.
Speaker Jigme Tshultim reiterated what the prime minister said. “I agree we did have had some differences in opinion in the first session. But in the second session everything was clear. We came a long way,” he said.
The Chief Justice said Parliament is a deliberative body and the deliberations were going exactly as it was envisaged in the Constitution.
“To have a total harmony or (total) disagreement is not democracy,” he said.
Lyonchen Jigme Y. Thinley said differences of opinion between the two houses of parliament have risen and will continue to rise. For this reason parliament has its own inbuilt mechanisms and procedures to resolve such differences.
He added that the need for a positive but adversarial relationship between the two houses has to be accepted.
Lyonpo Sonam Tobgye said if disagreements persist then obviously the Supreme Court can come in. And matters requiring judicial reviews will also be handled by the Supreme Court.
However, in the absence of the Supreme Court judicial reviews cannot be conducted and precedents recorded.
The Chief Justice said the presence of the Supreme Court can neither aggregate nor mitigate the grievances of the two houses.
Observers have differing views.
They say the issue is not so much the establishment of the Supreme Court itself but the choice of the chief justice of Bhutan.
“It is important to ensure that the person remains unaligned to the existing three power bases - the monarchy, the ruling government and the opposition party,” said an observer.
He said the protracted delay can be because of the difficulty in agreeing on such a person.
Lyonpo Sonam Tobgye assured that the Supreme Court will be established in a few months’ time.
Stand by me, dear prime minister
The Prime Minister’s Grievance Cell continue to receive cases, some pathetic and a few hilarious
April 26, 2009: At least a few people in Bhutan strongly believe that there is no better guarantor in the country than the prime minister himself. Of the hundreds of people who approach the Prime Minister’s Grievance Cell, 15 of them wanted Lyonchen Jigmi Y. Thinley to be their loan guarantor. “We haven’t ruled them out, we have asked the BDFC to help them get a loan according to the existing rules taking their property as mortgage,” said a grievance cell official.
Another curious case that reached the Cell is that of a dzongrab who requested for a one year service extension as senior dzongrab.
A former driver from Trashiyangtse, who was allegedly involved in the sale of dashboards and car parts, came to request to reinstate him as a driver in the ministry of health.
He was referred to the health secretary.
An old childless man from Paro, with no job to rely on and no land or property to claim as his own, visited the Cell looking torn and tattered from within.
As the only one in a big family in the civil service, he had taken a loan under his name for the family. After distributing the family property to his siblings, he became a loan defaulter. Having given five days to service his loan by the court, he approached the Cell.
Respecting the independence of the judiciary, there was very little that the grievance cell could do. So, an official took a loan in his name to clear the man’s loan and helped him get a job as a caretaker in a private apple orchard.
Since its inception in April 2008, the Cell has received 697 cases, of which 363 were addressed and another 334 cases are being looked into.
Looking into a broad six categories of cases, issues related to security clearance certificate, census and naturalization topped the list with about 253 cases. An official from the Cell said the cases have been referred to concerned agencies.
Several BDFCL loan defaulters have also approached the grievance cell who have been given clear deadlines by the court.
“We respect the independence of the judiciary but we don’t ignore them (the defaulters) completely,” said an official.
Going one step ahead, the grievance cell discusses the issue with the defaulters and employs their children who are school dropouts in the private sector. The Cell then makes arrangements to repay the loan in installments through the company the children work for.
Around 170 unemployed people have registered with the Cell till date. Of which, 105 cases were solved and another 74 cases are being looked into. The Cell also received nine cases requesting early bail from prisons.
April 26, 2009: At least a few people in Bhutan strongly believe that there is no better guarantor in the country than the prime minister himself. Of the hundreds of people who approach the Prime Minister’s Grievance Cell, 15 of them wanted Lyonchen Jigmi Y. Thinley to be their loan guarantor. “We haven’t ruled them out, we have asked the BDFC to help them get a loan according to the existing rules taking their property as mortgage,” said a grievance cell official.
Another curious case that reached the Cell is that of a dzongrab who requested for a one year service extension as senior dzongrab.
A former driver from Trashiyangtse, who was allegedly involved in the sale of dashboards and car parts, came to request to reinstate him as a driver in the ministry of health.
He was referred to the health secretary.
An old childless man from Paro, with no job to rely on and no land or property to claim as his own, visited the Cell looking torn and tattered from within.
As the only one in a big family in the civil service, he had taken a loan under his name for the family. After distributing the family property to his siblings, he became a loan defaulter. Having given five days to service his loan by the court, he approached the Cell.
Respecting the independence of the judiciary, there was very little that the grievance cell could do. So, an official took a loan in his name to clear the man’s loan and helped him get a job as a caretaker in a private apple orchard.
Since its inception in April 2008, the Cell has received 697 cases, of which 363 were addressed and another 334 cases are being looked into.
Looking into a broad six categories of cases, issues related to security clearance certificate, census and naturalization topped the list with about 253 cases. An official from the Cell said the cases have been referred to concerned agencies.
Several BDFCL loan defaulters have also approached the grievance cell who have been given clear deadlines by the court.
“We respect the independence of the judiciary but we don’t ignore them (the defaulters) completely,” said an official.
Going one step ahead, the grievance cell discusses the issue with the defaulters and employs their children who are school dropouts in the private sector. The Cell then makes arrangements to repay the loan in installments through the company the children work for.
Around 170 unemployed people have registered with the Cell till date. Of which, 105 cases were solved and another 74 cases are being looked into. The Cell also received nine cases requesting early bail from prisons.
Small measures that will go a long way
January 10, 2010: While climate negotiations in Copenhagen last month turned out to be a big disappointment for everyone who believed in the fight against global warming, back home small measures are being taken by individuals to curb the issue of climate change.
A group of young civil servants are taking an extra initiative by saving energy in Thimphu.
Sangay Chophel forfeits using his car once in a week. Following the agriculture minister, Lyonpo Pema Gyamtsho’s Helping Environment, Health and Economy (HEHE) walk, many individual have followed the minister’s initiative to reduce carbon emission.
“I was surprised to know that my Alto car emits 120 grams of carbon per kilometer,” he said. “I might have been contributing about two kilograms of carbon everyday just by driving.”
Like Sangay Chophel and his friends, Bhutanese today are becoming more cautious about their lifestyles. From gas guzzling cars many are making an extra effort on switching to a greener lifestyle.
Global warming is a worldwide challenge that threatens every nation. Although Bhutan has been negative on the carbon emission scale, many Bhutanese have begun to realize that even Bhutan can’t escape the impact of climate change.
Considering that fact that it will be the youth who will have to live for an extended period of time in this ever deteriorating world of climate change, a group of young Bhutanese individuals have formed a youth network called the Bhutanese Youth for Climate Action (BYCA).
According to the spokesperson from the youth network, BYCA’s main objective is to create awareness on the issues of climate change, and to take responsibility and action to fight climate change.
“We would first of all like to concentrate on educating the youth,” said Phuntsho Wangmo, a core team member of BYCA. “Each youth with us will be our ambassador to take the message back home to their family.”
In the meanwhile, with the increasing impacts of climate change many Bhutanese are taking the issue as a challenge which is everyone’s responsibility.
Karma Wangmo, a graduate from India said she has been encouraging her relatives in her village to refrain from using too much pesticides and fertilizers in their farms.
Likewise, Dorji Drakpa, a corporate employee said he makes it a point to visit his relatives and friends in his village where he tells them the importance of saving water.
“Since water is found in abundance in our country, many people take it for granted,” he said. “I always make it a point to turn off the tap when I don’t use water.”
Most people BT spoke to said the easiest way to contribute to the fight against global warming was to reduce the consumption of energy.
And it’s true that charity begins at home.
From reducing energy waste at home, reduction in the use of appliances and gas guzzling cars, most Bhutanese are opting for clean energy to reduce carbon emissions.
“It is quite alarming to see the result of your carbon footprint,” said an environmental consultant. “We might be emitting negative carbon but it’s not that we are not emitting carbon at all.”
Environmentalists say the fight against global warming is not just the governments or the people who believe in the cause.
“Infact, as carbon emitters, we are all responsible,” he said.
Bhutanese do know the way to fight global warming, now all that is needed is the will to do it.
A group of young civil servants are taking an extra initiative by saving energy in Thimphu.
Sangay Chophel forfeits using his car once in a week. Following the agriculture minister, Lyonpo Pema Gyamtsho’s Helping Environment, Health and Economy (HEHE) walk, many individual have followed the minister’s initiative to reduce carbon emission.
“I was surprised to know that my Alto car emits 120 grams of carbon per kilometer,” he said. “I might have been contributing about two kilograms of carbon everyday just by driving.”
Like Sangay Chophel and his friends, Bhutanese today are becoming more cautious about their lifestyles. From gas guzzling cars many are making an extra effort on switching to a greener lifestyle.
Global warming is a worldwide challenge that threatens every nation. Although Bhutan has been negative on the carbon emission scale, many Bhutanese have begun to realize that even Bhutan can’t escape the impact of climate change.
Considering that fact that it will be the youth who will have to live for an extended period of time in this ever deteriorating world of climate change, a group of young Bhutanese individuals have formed a youth network called the Bhutanese Youth for Climate Action (BYCA).
According to the spokesperson from the youth network, BYCA’s main objective is to create awareness on the issues of climate change, and to take responsibility and action to fight climate change.
“We would first of all like to concentrate on educating the youth,” said Phuntsho Wangmo, a core team member of BYCA. “Each youth with us will be our ambassador to take the message back home to their family.”
In the meanwhile, with the increasing impacts of climate change many Bhutanese are taking the issue as a challenge which is everyone’s responsibility.
Karma Wangmo, a graduate from India said she has been encouraging her relatives in her village to refrain from using too much pesticides and fertilizers in their farms.
Likewise, Dorji Drakpa, a corporate employee said he makes it a point to visit his relatives and friends in his village where he tells them the importance of saving water.
“Since water is found in abundance in our country, many people take it for granted,” he said. “I always make it a point to turn off the tap when I don’t use water.”
Most people BT spoke to said the easiest way to contribute to the fight against global warming was to reduce the consumption of energy.
And it’s true that charity begins at home.
From reducing energy waste at home, reduction in the use of appliances and gas guzzling cars, most Bhutanese are opting for clean energy to reduce carbon emissions.
“It is quite alarming to see the result of your carbon footprint,” said an environmental consultant. “We might be emitting negative carbon but it’s not that we are not emitting carbon at all.”
Environmentalists say the fight against global warming is not just the governments or the people who believe in the cause.
“Infact, as carbon emitters, we are all responsible,” he said.
Bhutanese do know the way to fight global warming, now all that is needed is the will to do it.
Parliament in winter session
His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar graced the opening of the fourth session of the first parliament of Bhutan on Friday.The speaker of the National Assembly Jigme Tshultim, chairing the session, highlighted the important events that took place after the third session of the parliament.
The main agenda for the fourth session will be the Bhutan Standards Bill, Royal Monetary Authority (amendment)) Bill of Bhutan, Tobacco Control Bill of Bhutan and Marriage Bill which were earlier deliberated and endorsed in the third session of the National Council.
During the 22 days of the session, the Civil Service Bill of Bhutan which was deliberated by the two Houses in the third session will again be discussed and possibly passed in this session.
Tshogpon Jigme Tshultim said he hopes that all the bills will be passed in the fourth session.
Besides, the people of Pemagatshel dzongkhag has submitted for an approval of raise in the land ceiling allocated for construction of gewog office which has been fixed at 45 decimals. The people pointed out that the small size of land not only hinders the basic infrastructural development but also the implementation of local government programs and activities.
Tshogpon Jigme Tshultim said most of the issues submitted through the local government pertain to development issues, and these have been forwarded to the respective ministries by the National Assembly.
“It is crucial that the ministries take necessary and timely actions on these issues,” said the Speaker.
The Chairperson for Ethics and Credentials Committee will present the Anti-Corruption Commission report to the Parliament and the finance minister, Lyonpo Wangdi Norbu will move the motion for re-deliberation on the Entitlement and Service Conditions Bills for the constitutional post holders.
If a joint sitting of the two Houses is deemed neccesary, it may happen on December 10. But such a sitting is quite rare in other countries because most diffrences between the two Houses are generally resolved between respective committees.
From November 23, the respective Houses will hold their own sessions and except for the closing cermony on December 11, there may not be a joint sitting.
In the National Council session, there will be report of status of amendment of Anti-Corruption Act 2006, Penal Code 2004 and Civil and Criminal Procedure 2001.
This will be followed by the presentation of annual report of Anti-Corruption Commission, status of NC's past resolutions, ratification of SAARC convention on mutual assistance on criminal matters, Standards Bill, and Tobacco Control Bill and Amendments of RMA bill and Marriage Act 1980 and possibly, Declaration of Thromdes
The main agenda for the fourth session will be the Bhutan Standards Bill, Royal Monetary Authority (amendment)) Bill of Bhutan, Tobacco Control Bill of Bhutan and Marriage Bill which were earlier deliberated and endorsed in the third session of the National Council.
During the 22 days of the session, the Civil Service Bill of Bhutan which was deliberated by the two Houses in the third session will again be discussed and possibly passed in this session.
Tshogpon Jigme Tshultim said he hopes that all the bills will be passed in the fourth session.
Besides, the people of Pemagatshel dzongkhag has submitted for an approval of raise in the land ceiling allocated for construction of gewog office which has been fixed at 45 decimals. The people pointed out that the small size of land not only hinders the basic infrastructural development but also the implementation of local government programs and activities.
Tshogpon Jigme Tshultim said most of the issues submitted through the local government pertain to development issues, and these have been forwarded to the respective ministries by the National Assembly.
“It is crucial that the ministries take necessary and timely actions on these issues,” said the Speaker.
The Chairperson for Ethics and Credentials Committee will present the Anti-Corruption Commission report to the Parliament and the finance minister, Lyonpo Wangdi Norbu will move the motion for re-deliberation on the Entitlement and Service Conditions Bills for the constitutional post holders.
If a joint sitting of the two Houses is deemed neccesary, it may happen on December 10. But such a sitting is quite rare in other countries because most diffrences between the two Houses are generally resolved between respective committees.
From November 23, the respective Houses will hold their own sessions and except for the closing cermony on December 11, there may not be a joint sitting.
In the National Council session, there will be report of status of amendment of Anti-Corruption Act 2006, Penal Code 2004 and Civil and Criminal Procedure 2001.
This will be followed by the presentation of annual report of Anti-Corruption Commission, status of NC's past resolutions, ratification of SAARC convention on mutual assistance on criminal matters, Standards Bill, and Tobacco Control Bill and Amendments of RMA bill and Marriage Act 1980 and possibly, Declaration of Thromdes
Mass arrest in Bae-Langdra
Following a tip-off from informants and the BT story on organized marijuana cultivation by the Bae-Langdra farmers, the police have arrested 13 people over the weekend.
The people arrested include one woman, Phub Gyem, the daughter of the Kazhi gup, a 46-year-old man, and eleven youths.
A team of police officials in plain clothes went to Bae-Langdra on September 25 and managed to strike a hash-deal with Phub Gyem who owns a shop at Damchoethang.
Twenty minutes after the deal was made, the team raided Phub Gyem’s shop seizing a container with 95 grams of hash and other tobacco products.
Five men who were under the influence of alcohol and controlled substance were also arrested from the shop.
Singye Phub, 24, was carrying about a gram of hash and both his palms were green from the remains of the freshly rubbed marijuana resin.
When the team searched the house of 18-year-old Nim Penjor, who was also present in the shop, a self-made hooka used for smoking hash was found.
The preliminary investigation revealed that the five men supplied hash to Phub Gyem who was one of the main suppliers for customers from Thimphu and other dzongkhags.
The arrested people confessed that the hash was produced from marijuana plants cultivated among the potato fields. They said about 40% of the people in Bae-Langdra were involved in the production and sale of hash.
Among the five men arrested was Ratu (earlier mentioned as Karma Norbu in the BT story) who had introduced the Bae-Langdra villagers to hash business.
Based on the information the first group of arrested people gave the police, another five people - Tshering, 18, Tandin Wangchuk, 20, Gyem Phuntsho, 11, Pema Dorji, 18, and Wangdi Tshering 46 - were arrested.
All the eleven arrested were put under urine test. However, Phub Gyem, Kuenga Tshering, and Gyem Phuntsho tested negative. The rest eight tested positive for marijuana abuse.
Three more farmers were arrested on the evening of September 29. However, two brothers, Namgay Thinley, 29, and Namgay Tenzin, 36, have been released.
Another farmer, Dawa Gyeltshen, 30, arrested along with the two brothers, has been remanded as he is suspected of producing and selling hash.
Eleven-year-old Gyem Phuntsho who tested negative was handed over to his parents.
The police also carried out a verification of the Bae-Langdra fields. Although there was no trace of marijuana cultivation, plants being rubbed for extracting hash was evident.
However, two potato fields owned by Dorji Khando and Dorji were not harvested and had marijuana flourishing.
Ten of the 13 arrested are being detained for further interrogation.
Bae-Langdra is a highly revered Nye where Terton Dorji Lingpa discovered treasures hidden by Guru Padmasambhava.
The people arrested include one woman, Phub Gyem, the daughter of the Kazhi gup, a 46-year-old man, and eleven youths.
A team of police officials in plain clothes went to Bae-Langdra on September 25 and managed to strike a hash-deal with Phub Gyem who owns a shop at Damchoethang.
Twenty minutes after the deal was made, the team raided Phub Gyem’s shop seizing a container with 95 grams of hash and other tobacco products.
Five men who were under the influence of alcohol and controlled substance were also arrested from the shop.
Singye Phub, 24, was carrying about a gram of hash and both his palms were green from the remains of the freshly rubbed marijuana resin.
When the team searched the house of 18-year-old Nim Penjor, who was also present in the shop, a self-made hooka used for smoking hash was found.
The preliminary investigation revealed that the five men supplied hash to Phub Gyem who was one of the main suppliers for customers from Thimphu and other dzongkhags.
The arrested people confessed that the hash was produced from marijuana plants cultivated among the potato fields. They said about 40% of the people in Bae-Langdra were involved in the production and sale of hash.
Among the five men arrested was Ratu (earlier mentioned as Karma Norbu in the BT story) who had introduced the Bae-Langdra villagers to hash business.
Based on the information the first group of arrested people gave the police, another five people - Tshering, 18, Tandin Wangchuk, 20, Gyem Phuntsho, 11, Pema Dorji, 18, and Wangdi Tshering 46 - were arrested.
All the eleven arrested were put under urine test. However, Phub Gyem, Kuenga Tshering, and Gyem Phuntsho tested negative. The rest eight tested positive for marijuana abuse.
Three more farmers were arrested on the evening of September 29. However, two brothers, Namgay Thinley, 29, and Namgay Tenzin, 36, have been released.
Another farmer, Dawa Gyeltshen, 30, arrested along with the two brothers, has been remanded as he is suspected of producing and selling hash.
Eleven-year-old Gyem Phuntsho who tested negative was handed over to his parents.
The police also carried out a verification of the Bae-Langdra fields. Although there was no trace of marijuana cultivation, plants being rubbed for extracting hash was evident.
However, two potato fields owned by Dorji Khando and Dorji were not harvested and had marijuana flourishing.
Ten of the 13 arrested are being detained for further interrogation.
Bae-Langdra is a highly revered Nye where Terton Dorji Lingpa discovered treasures hidden by Guru Padmasambhava.
Marijuana leads the kick
The Royal Bhutan Police made a unique catch in 1989. For the first time in the country, they arrested a man for abusing marijuana.
That was just the beginning, though; the first case the police registered under drug abuse.
Twenty years down the line, marijuana tops the list of substance abused. According to the Narcotic Drug Law Enforcement Unit (NDLEU) records, 566 marijuana abusers were caught in the past eight years alone.
From 11 in 2001, abusers caught sharply rose to 46 in 2003. By 2007 the number spiked to 120. It doubled in 2008, at 240.
A NDLEU official said marijuana abuse topped the list of substance abuse in Bhutan because of its easy availability. Marijuana grows in abundance in most parts of Bhutan.
“The most common substances abused in the country, in order, are marijuana, solvents, and pharmaceutical drugs,” said Major Dorjee Khandu of NDLEU in an interview with BT last week. “Marijuana abuse is the highest.”
Officials say many rural communities supply hash to cities like Thimphu, Phuentsholing, and Paro. Thimphu is their biggest market.
Starting 2007 scores of people from all over the country have been arrested for producing hash. The police arrested people from Chubu Tsachu, Thinleygang in Punakha; Dungdug Naysa, Hebesa in Wangduephodrang; Dalukha, Bjemena, Dawakha, Kabesa in Thimphu; Drametse in Mongar; and Jomotsangkha in Samdrup Jongkhar.
Following a BT investigation last month, the police arrested 13 people, mostly farmers, from Bae-Langdra in Wangduephodrang.
People say the law is a bit lenient on marijuana and other drug-related crimes. A NDLEU official said the fear of legal consequences is less as the law is very lenient on the dealers as well as the abusers.
And many say the situation will go out of control if the law is not strengthened.
“It is time the government takes up marijuana-related cases on a more serious note, because even innocent farmers are getting into hash business,” said Khandu Tshering, a Thimphu civil servant.
People agree marijuana will continue to be a social menace as long as it grows in the wild. They say people must be taught to produce hemp from marijuana plants and not hash.
“Arresting farmers is not the solution,” said another civil servant. “People must be educated and given better farming options.”
Marijuana trading across the border is also on the rise, say police. Sources say Bhutanese hash has a good market in places like Jaigaon, Guahati, Shillong, Siliguri, Kalimpong, and Darjeeling. The reputation of Bhutanese hash has also been bizarrely mentioned in a book.
Taxi drivers are to be blamed again. Sources say Phuentsholing cabbies are the ones who ferry Bhutanese hash to Siliguri.
BT learnt that Samdrup Jongkhar is the main source for the Assam supply. The Khaling and Kanglung hash are mostly abused by students in Sherubtse College.
“In the peak season you can see Sherubtse students and the high school kids extracting hash from marijuana resin almost everywhere,” said a Sherubtse student.
As of 2008, the police seized almost 109 kilograms of hash.
That was just the beginning, though; the first case the police registered under drug abuse.
Twenty years down the line, marijuana tops the list of substance abused. According to the Narcotic Drug Law Enforcement Unit (NDLEU) records, 566 marijuana abusers were caught in the past eight years alone.
From 11 in 2001, abusers caught sharply rose to 46 in 2003. By 2007 the number spiked to 120. It doubled in 2008, at 240.
A NDLEU official said marijuana abuse topped the list of substance abuse in Bhutan because of its easy availability. Marijuana grows in abundance in most parts of Bhutan.
“The most common substances abused in the country, in order, are marijuana, solvents, and pharmaceutical drugs,” said Major Dorjee Khandu of NDLEU in an interview with BT last week. “Marijuana abuse is the highest.”
Officials say many rural communities supply hash to cities like Thimphu, Phuentsholing, and Paro. Thimphu is their biggest market.
Starting 2007 scores of people from all over the country have been arrested for producing hash. The police arrested people from Chubu Tsachu, Thinleygang in Punakha; Dungdug Naysa, Hebesa in Wangduephodrang; Dalukha, Bjemena, Dawakha, Kabesa in Thimphu; Drametse in Mongar; and Jomotsangkha in Samdrup Jongkhar.
Following a BT investigation last month, the police arrested 13 people, mostly farmers, from Bae-Langdra in Wangduephodrang.
People say the law is a bit lenient on marijuana and other drug-related crimes. A NDLEU official said the fear of legal consequences is less as the law is very lenient on the dealers as well as the abusers.
And many say the situation will go out of control if the law is not strengthened.
“It is time the government takes up marijuana-related cases on a more serious note, because even innocent farmers are getting into hash business,” said Khandu Tshering, a Thimphu civil servant.
People agree marijuana will continue to be a social menace as long as it grows in the wild. They say people must be taught to produce hemp from marijuana plants and not hash.
“Arresting farmers is not the solution,” said another civil servant. “People must be educated and given better farming options.”
Marijuana trading across the border is also on the rise, say police. Sources say Bhutanese hash has a good market in places like Jaigaon, Guahati, Shillong, Siliguri, Kalimpong, and Darjeeling. The reputation of Bhutanese hash has also been bizarrely mentioned in a book.
Taxi drivers are to be blamed again. Sources say Phuentsholing cabbies are the ones who ferry Bhutanese hash to Siliguri.
BT learnt that Samdrup Jongkhar is the main source for the Assam supply. The Khaling and Kanglung hash are mostly abused by students in Sherubtse College.
“In the peak season you can see Sherubtse students and the high school kids extracting hash from marijuana resin almost everywhere,” said a Sherubtse student.
As of 2008, the police seized almost 109 kilograms of hash.
It came, we saw, it left
The total solar eclipse last week saw people from all walks of life take to the high points of Thimphu to watch the moon swallow the sun. A German astronomer, Lothar Kurtze, had flown into the country especially to observe the phenomenon.
Bhutan is Lothar Kurtze’s fifth country apart from Germany, Madagascar, Libya and Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, where he has observed different solar eclipses. “This eclipse is historic and it’s a bonus to watch it in Bhutan,” he said.
Starting at six in the morning, the moon started to take away the sun. Lothar Kurtz said the sun was 8 degrees above the horizon which is actually difficult in a mountainous country like Bhutan.
As the moon covered about 75% of the sun, it became darker.
When 95% of the sun was covered by the moon, only the thin outer rim of the sun was visible. As the last bit of the sun remained, the corona appeared and ring around the moon got brighter. “That is the first contact in a solar eclipse,” said Lothar Kurtze.
A silver white halo formed around the black ball of the lunar disc, often referred to as “God’s eye.’ Adding more beauty to the sky was the appearance of other planets like Mercury on the left below the sun and Venus on the right above the sun.
Around 6:58 in the morning, the sun was at a height of 20 degrees above horizon and the temperature was at about 10,000 degrees in Bhutan, he said.
At Dochula, with sophisticated cameras and binoculars with filters, tourists watched the eclipse. A young French couple hugged and said they would remember this moment forever.
However, in Babesa, people were said to have drummed empty containers to drive away the evil from consuming the sun. This is a manifestation of local superstitions. Others recited prayers and lit butter lamps.
The total solar eclipse lasted about four minutes seven seconds in eastern Bhutan and the longest was recorded at six minutes thirty three seconds in the Pacific Ocean.
The eclipse first became total over India at 00:53 GMT, and was last visible from land at Nikumaroro Island in the South Pacific nation of Kiribati. It ended at 04:18 GMT.
Bhutan is Lothar Kurtze’s fifth country apart from Germany, Madagascar, Libya and Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, where he has observed different solar eclipses. “This eclipse is historic and it’s a bonus to watch it in Bhutan,” he said.
Starting at six in the morning, the moon started to take away the sun. Lothar Kurtz said the sun was 8 degrees above the horizon which is actually difficult in a mountainous country like Bhutan.
As the moon covered about 75% of the sun, it became darker.
When 95% of the sun was covered by the moon, only the thin outer rim of the sun was visible. As the last bit of the sun remained, the corona appeared and ring around the moon got brighter. “That is the first contact in a solar eclipse,” said Lothar Kurtze.
A silver white halo formed around the black ball of the lunar disc, often referred to as “God’s eye.’ Adding more beauty to the sky was the appearance of other planets like Mercury on the left below the sun and Venus on the right above the sun.
Around 6:58 in the morning, the sun was at a height of 20 degrees above horizon and the temperature was at about 10,000 degrees in Bhutan, he said.
At Dochula, with sophisticated cameras and binoculars with filters, tourists watched the eclipse. A young French couple hugged and said they would remember this moment forever.
However, in Babesa, people were said to have drummed empty containers to drive away the evil from consuming the sun. This is a manifestation of local superstitions. Others recited prayers and lit butter lamps.
The total solar eclipse lasted about four minutes seven seconds in eastern Bhutan and the longest was recorded at six minutes thirty three seconds in the Pacific Ocean.
The eclipse first became total over India at 00:53 GMT, and was last visible from land at Nikumaroro Island in the South Pacific nation of Kiribati. It ended at 04:18 GMT.
Hanging out! So Be it.
April 5, 2009: Tshering Choden and her friends head home after school. In about an hour they decide to meet at the Nazhoen Pelri.
She perfectly folds her Yangchenphug Higher Secondary school uniform, changes into a pair of jeans and sweat shirt and a skeleton print shoes and rushes to meet her friends.Not very far away, Sangay Dorji walks out of the Mothithang Higher Secondary School.
After a long day at school he has plans for a basketball game with his friends at the court in the Nazhoen Pelri.
With a backpack on his back, he starts to slowly jog. He looks at the time and shakes his head, as if to say, “I can’t be late, I have to be at the court.”The Nazhoen Pelri has become a second home for most youth today.
Be it for a basketball game or just hang out at the center with friends, the Nazhoen Pelri has been hitting the popularity chart amongst the youth.
A perfect place with the perfect facilities, the center has become the place to be at after school.
Gone are the days when the youth hung out at each other’s place as most youth today are not the hang-out-at-home kind.
Tshering Choden rushes to meet her friends, late by almost ten minutes. On the way she meets several other students from other schools in Thimphu. “We get to meet new friends,” she said.
What exactly are the youth doing at the center? Simple, they’re hanging out. Ask any youth what they’re doing with their friends in general; they’ll most likely shrug their shoulders and respond nonchalantly “just hanging out.”
But the center is not just a place where the youth are wasting time hanging out with friends as most adults often perceive hanging out to be; it is a place where youth get socialized into peer groups doing something productive.
The Nazhoen Pelri offers a wide range of facilities as recreational activities for students.The center has a ‘Kids’ Cozy Nook’ where young children can read books, play board games and learn art works including Japanese art.A tutorial room where students get tutored by volunteers on various subjects makes the center all the more inviting.
The Deer Park, a place for Dharma teaching, has made the center popular amongst both young and old.
As a center which offers various places for sports, the Nazhoen Pelri has a badminton court, two basketball courts, squash, tennis and a gym with steam facilities. The center also has a mini mart and a good cafeteria.
Either over a game of basketball or just hanging out catching up with friends and making new friends, Nazhoen Pelri is a second home to many youth in Thimphu today.“Hanging out amongst friends allows youth to build relationships and stay connected, this center is the best place to be,” said a student.
A parent of two teenagers said teens hanging out in towns are perceived as a potential problem. “No one has come up with a perfect solution to get teens to “hang out” in safer places, this center is the best for the youth,” she said.
She perfectly folds her Yangchenphug Higher Secondary school uniform, changes into a pair of jeans and sweat shirt and a skeleton print shoes and rushes to meet her friends.Not very far away, Sangay Dorji walks out of the Mothithang Higher Secondary School.
After a long day at school he has plans for a basketball game with his friends at the court in the Nazhoen Pelri.
With a backpack on his back, he starts to slowly jog. He looks at the time and shakes his head, as if to say, “I can’t be late, I have to be at the court.”The Nazhoen Pelri has become a second home for most youth today.
Be it for a basketball game or just hang out at the center with friends, the Nazhoen Pelri has been hitting the popularity chart amongst the youth.
A perfect place with the perfect facilities, the center has become the place to be at after school.
Gone are the days when the youth hung out at each other’s place as most youth today are not the hang-out-at-home kind.
Tshering Choden rushes to meet her friends, late by almost ten minutes. On the way she meets several other students from other schools in Thimphu. “We get to meet new friends,” she said.
What exactly are the youth doing at the center? Simple, they’re hanging out. Ask any youth what they’re doing with their friends in general; they’ll most likely shrug their shoulders and respond nonchalantly “just hanging out.”
But the center is not just a place where the youth are wasting time hanging out with friends as most adults often perceive hanging out to be; it is a place where youth get socialized into peer groups doing something productive.
The Nazhoen Pelri offers a wide range of facilities as recreational activities for students.The center has a ‘Kids’ Cozy Nook’ where young children can read books, play board games and learn art works including Japanese art.A tutorial room where students get tutored by volunteers on various subjects makes the center all the more inviting.
The Deer Park, a place for Dharma teaching, has made the center popular amongst both young and old.
As a center which offers various places for sports, the Nazhoen Pelri has a badminton court, two basketball courts, squash, tennis and a gym with steam facilities. The center also has a mini mart and a good cafeteria.
Either over a game of basketball or just hanging out catching up with friends and making new friends, Nazhoen Pelri is a second home to many youth in Thimphu today.“Hanging out amongst friends allows youth to build relationships and stay connected, this center is the best place to be,” said a student.
A parent of two teenagers said teens hanging out in towns are perceived as a potential problem. “No one has come up with a perfect solution to get teens to “hang out” in safer places, this center is the best for the youth,” she said.
Great future awaits Bhutan
BT’s Tshering Chuki Gyamtsho talks to India’s ambassador to Bhutan, Pavan K. Varma, about Bhutan’s political transition and Indo-Bhutan friendship
What is your view on Bhutan’s transition to democracy?
Bhutan’s transition to democracy is probably unfolding in the most unique circumstances where a sovereign has willed his people to make the transition to a democratic constitutional monarchy. I can’t think of many other instances in history where people, because of their love and respect for the monarchy, have to be persuaded almost against their will to embrace democracy. It’s a great tribute to the visions of Their Majesties. I have no doubt that this transition will be successful.
How do you think this transition will affect the Indo-Bhutan relationship?
The secret to this special nature of Indo-Bhutan relationship is the exceptional amount of goodwill that underlines it. This is a relationship which is historic and time-tested. It is a relationship based on genuine affection and respect. Therefore, this relationship will only be further strengthened with the advent of democracy. India is the world’s largest democracy and I have no doubt that it will grow even stronger in bonds of friendship with the world’s smallest democracy.
How would you define the Indo-Bhutan relationship?
It is special because of a commitment at the highest level cutting across the entire political spectrum in India to strengthen, reinforce and make it even stronger. That is the aspect of this relationship. From that historic day of September 25, 1958, when Jawaharlal Nehru came to Bhutan, from that day onward this special relationship has grown from strength to strength. Today I am happy to say that our bilateral interaction covers almost every vital aspect of cooperation.
As an Indian, how do you look at India’s journey into 60 years of independence?
I look upon it with pride. Not because everything we set out to achieve has been achieved but because if you draw up a balance sheet I think there are reasons for us to feel some level of satisfaction. If you were to ask me what are the specifics of this balance sheet of achievement, I would say firstly democracy has come as a way of life. It is an exceptionally important instrument in a country of great economic disparities. It provides people a stake in the system; it gives them the sense that they have a voice in the making of the nation. It is in many ways a safety valve and along with democracy there has been progressive economic development in India. On the whole, it has been an exciting journey not without its ups and downs. India has emerged as one of the most important countries in the world.
What lessons can Bhutan learn from the democratic experiment of India?
We are not there to provide lessons. Each country is unique and must follow its own trajectory toward political revolutions. Infact, I would venture to say that there are many lessons India can learn from Bhutan. I can only say that Bhutan’s resolve to become a constitution democratic monarchy will succeed.
What are some of the pitfalls of democracy that Bhutan should be wary about?
No country can seek to guide another country in terms of the other country’s journey. It’s not for India to say what the pitfalls are. I personally see no pitfalls.
What are your views on Bhutan’s evolving politics?
I see great strengths in Bhutan. Firstly, Bhutan is a remarkable country in terms of human resource. I have rarely seen such a high degree of cerebral content in the educated lot anywhere in the world. In addition, Bhutan has a great gift of one of the world’s most sagacious monarchy. Bhutan has a democratically elected government which has a great number of experienced ministers at the helm of important areas. I see a great deal of energy which is always an aspect for a democratic transition. People are committed to the goal of democracy and this commitment overwrites any transition between different institutions of democracy. There is a great deal of patriotism and commitment to the nation.
If you were to address Bhutan’s elected leaders (MPs) what would you tell them?
It is unlikely that I will be addressing the MPs but I greatly benefit by interacting with them. I think they are great patriots and they are genuinely concerned whether on the ruling benches or the opposition. They are concerned about the welfare and development of Bhutan. I would convey to them only one message. You are members of a great country and that country’s destiny is in your hands. Fulfill that destiny.
What is your view on Bhutan’s transition to democracy?
Bhutan’s transition to democracy is probably unfolding in the most unique circumstances where a sovereign has willed his people to make the transition to a democratic constitutional monarchy. I can’t think of many other instances in history where people, because of their love and respect for the monarchy, have to be persuaded almost against their will to embrace democracy. It’s a great tribute to the visions of Their Majesties. I have no doubt that this transition will be successful.
How do you think this transition will affect the Indo-Bhutan relationship?
The secret to this special nature of Indo-Bhutan relationship is the exceptional amount of goodwill that underlines it. This is a relationship which is historic and time-tested. It is a relationship based on genuine affection and respect. Therefore, this relationship will only be further strengthened with the advent of democracy. India is the world’s largest democracy and I have no doubt that it will grow even stronger in bonds of friendship with the world’s smallest democracy.
How would you define the Indo-Bhutan relationship?
It is special because of a commitment at the highest level cutting across the entire political spectrum in India to strengthen, reinforce and make it even stronger. That is the aspect of this relationship. From that historic day of September 25, 1958, when Jawaharlal Nehru came to Bhutan, from that day onward this special relationship has grown from strength to strength. Today I am happy to say that our bilateral interaction covers almost every vital aspect of cooperation.
As an Indian, how do you look at India’s journey into 60 years of independence?
I look upon it with pride. Not because everything we set out to achieve has been achieved but because if you draw up a balance sheet I think there are reasons for us to feel some level of satisfaction. If you were to ask me what are the specifics of this balance sheet of achievement, I would say firstly democracy has come as a way of life. It is an exceptionally important instrument in a country of great economic disparities. It provides people a stake in the system; it gives them the sense that they have a voice in the making of the nation. It is in many ways a safety valve and along with democracy there has been progressive economic development in India. On the whole, it has been an exciting journey not without its ups and downs. India has emerged as one of the most important countries in the world.
What lessons can Bhutan learn from the democratic experiment of India?
We are not there to provide lessons. Each country is unique and must follow its own trajectory toward political revolutions. Infact, I would venture to say that there are many lessons India can learn from Bhutan. I can only say that Bhutan’s resolve to become a constitution democratic monarchy will succeed.
What are some of the pitfalls of democracy that Bhutan should be wary about?
No country can seek to guide another country in terms of the other country’s journey. It’s not for India to say what the pitfalls are. I personally see no pitfalls.
What are your views on Bhutan’s evolving politics?
I see great strengths in Bhutan. Firstly, Bhutan is a remarkable country in terms of human resource. I have rarely seen such a high degree of cerebral content in the educated lot anywhere in the world. In addition, Bhutan has a great gift of one of the world’s most sagacious monarchy. Bhutan has a democratically elected government which has a great number of experienced ministers at the helm of important areas. I see a great deal of energy which is always an aspect for a democratic transition. People are committed to the goal of democracy and this commitment overwrites any transition between different institutions of democracy. There is a great deal of patriotism and commitment to the nation.
If you were to address Bhutan’s elected leaders (MPs) what would you tell them?
It is unlikely that I will be addressing the MPs but I greatly benefit by interacting with them. I think they are great patriots and they are genuinely concerned whether on the ruling benches or the opposition. They are concerned about the welfare and development of Bhutan. I would convey to them only one message. You are members of a great country and that country’s destiny is in your hands. Fulfill that destiny.
GAB is back, to guide the guides
June 28, 2009: Though the Guides’ Association of Bhutan (GAB) was formed in 2006, it couldn’t even register a single member as the man who formed it joined politics.
“It is all because of me, the GAB crashed after I joined politics,” said Garab Dorji, the defeated Gelephu candidate of the People’s Democratic Party.
But now GAB is back.
With 200 members registered and support from the Tourism Council of Bhutan, GAB under Garab Dorji hopes that the membership will increase to 400 in another month.
Often quoted by the guides themselves, a guide is the first and the last Bhutanese a tourist will meet in Bhutan.
But think of this. What if the guide is shabbily dressed, stinks of booze and has doma stained teeth.
If there are any such guides, GAB is determined to change them.
“Guides are unofficial ambassadors of Bhutan. What we portray of the country to them (the tourists) is what they take back with them,” said Tashi Tenzin, a cultural guide.
Getting tips in green notes, being called the guy who walks around with white people, many guides wear a prince-from-fairyland aura.
This is what presumably makes a tour guide’s job attractive.
However, life as a tour guide is not what it seems to be, says Phurba Dorji, another guide.
Their job gets tougher when they have difficult tourists to take around, and that includes taking a lot of troubles with the hotel owners too.
With about 1,300 tourist guides in the country, only a handful has chosen guiding as a full time career. Most have still opted for it as a part time job.
“It’s a seasonal job,” said Thinley Wangchuk who has been a part time guide for the last five years. “I run a small business and work as a tourist guide when it’s tourist season,” he said.
However, the GAB is looking into promoting guiding as a full time career.
“We will create better opportunities to make guiding a permanent career,” said Sangay Phub, the secretary general of GAB.
The GAB has plans on organizing training programs and refreshers’’ courses. The association also plans on having advanced specialized courses.
“We will imbibe professionalism in the career, which we don’t have right now,” said Garab Dorji.
No matter how glamorous or difficult the career seems to be, there has been numerous complaints about how down and dirty guides get.
A driver for a private vehicle said while he was on a tour to the east with a group of university students, the guide was trying to fix a drug deal with them.
“He was selling them marijuana, that too for a very high price. He told me he charged the guest three times of what it is worth,” he said.
In the second bi-annual general meeting held by the GAB, the president of the Hotel Association of Bhutan (HAB), Ugen Wangchuk, said the hotel owners have often complained about the misuse of facilities.
He added that the guides often harass the hotel staff and at times even demand for free rooms and meals.
There have been cases of theft and drug dealings reported against the guides.
A handicraft owner, Dhondup, said some of the guides take their guests away from their shops if they do not give the guides a hefty commission.
“There was a time when a tourist bought a silk on silk kira for a high price,” he said.
“The guide came back and asked for 25% commission, we had a fight,” he added.
Complaints about guides getting drunk while on duty has also been made, punctuality has been a big problem for many tour operators, and male guides trying to lure women tourists into bed have been reported.
However, with the reformation of GAB a lot of things will be taken care of, said Garab Dorji.
The GAB will represent the guides and uphold their interest.
“We will protect the guides, some of them have gone through a lot of bad experiences,” said Sangay Phub.
The association will also look into the safety of the profession and reassure them of their job security as a guide.
The GAB has also drawn a code of conduct for the guides and defaulters will be penalized.
However, they are also facing a lot of fundamental problems.
The president of GAB said the definition of a guide in Bhutan is still unclear. He added that even civil servants and corporate employees take leave from work to go as a guide.
Another major constraint is the fund for which the GAB has approached the Tourism Council of Bhutan.
“It is all because of me, the GAB crashed after I joined politics,” said Garab Dorji, the defeated Gelephu candidate of the People’s Democratic Party.
But now GAB is back.
With 200 members registered and support from the Tourism Council of Bhutan, GAB under Garab Dorji hopes that the membership will increase to 400 in another month.
Often quoted by the guides themselves, a guide is the first and the last Bhutanese a tourist will meet in Bhutan.
But think of this. What if the guide is shabbily dressed, stinks of booze and has doma stained teeth.
If there are any such guides, GAB is determined to change them.
“Guides are unofficial ambassadors of Bhutan. What we portray of the country to them (the tourists) is what they take back with them,” said Tashi Tenzin, a cultural guide.
Getting tips in green notes, being called the guy who walks around with white people, many guides wear a prince-from-fairyland aura.
This is what presumably makes a tour guide’s job attractive.
However, life as a tour guide is not what it seems to be, says Phurba Dorji, another guide.
Their job gets tougher when they have difficult tourists to take around, and that includes taking a lot of troubles with the hotel owners too.
With about 1,300 tourist guides in the country, only a handful has chosen guiding as a full time career. Most have still opted for it as a part time job.
“It’s a seasonal job,” said Thinley Wangchuk who has been a part time guide for the last five years. “I run a small business and work as a tourist guide when it’s tourist season,” he said.
However, the GAB is looking into promoting guiding as a full time career.
“We will create better opportunities to make guiding a permanent career,” said Sangay Phub, the secretary general of GAB.
The GAB has plans on organizing training programs and refreshers’’ courses. The association also plans on having advanced specialized courses.
“We will imbibe professionalism in the career, which we don’t have right now,” said Garab Dorji.
No matter how glamorous or difficult the career seems to be, there has been numerous complaints about how down and dirty guides get.
A driver for a private vehicle said while he was on a tour to the east with a group of university students, the guide was trying to fix a drug deal with them.
“He was selling them marijuana, that too for a very high price. He told me he charged the guest three times of what it is worth,” he said.
In the second bi-annual general meeting held by the GAB, the president of the Hotel Association of Bhutan (HAB), Ugen Wangchuk, said the hotel owners have often complained about the misuse of facilities.
He added that the guides often harass the hotel staff and at times even demand for free rooms and meals.
There have been cases of theft and drug dealings reported against the guides.
A handicraft owner, Dhondup, said some of the guides take their guests away from their shops if they do not give the guides a hefty commission.
“There was a time when a tourist bought a silk on silk kira for a high price,” he said.
“The guide came back and asked for 25% commission, we had a fight,” he added.
Complaints about guides getting drunk while on duty has also been made, punctuality has been a big problem for many tour operators, and male guides trying to lure women tourists into bed have been reported.
However, with the reformation of GAB a lot of things will be taken care of, said Garab Dorji.
The GAB will represent the guides and uphold their interest.
“We will protect the guides, some of them have gone through a lot of bad experiences,” said Sangay Phub.
The association will also look into the safety of the profession and reassure them of their job security as a guide.
The GAB has also drawn a code of conduct for the guides and defaulters will be penalized.
However, they are also facing a lot of fundamental problems.
The president of GAB said the definition of a guide in Bhutan is still unclear. He added that even civil servants and corporate employees take leave from work to go as a guide.
Another major constraint is the fund for which the GAB has approached the Tourism Council of Bhutan.
Father Mackey lives on in a rediscovered journal
An unknown journal kept by Father William Mackey, which a former student discovered lying in his house, was brought to this paper’s notice. The journal is about his initial experiences, the students he taught and life in rural Bhutan. It reveals personal observations, relationships he developed and whatever he learnt from the Bhutanese.
This was at a time when education had just dawned upon Bhutan. Father Mackey would wander through the dormitories every evening before the lights went out in what is now the Trashigang Higher Secondary School. A sight that left a deep impression was seeing his students squatting on their beds, oblivious to the ruckus around them, immersed in prayers.
Father Mackey, a devout Jesuit, began to follow their example. The journal reveals the initial days and months of his time in an intimate observation of what was to become a lifelong affair.
“I can now squat peacefully for 45 minutes every morning, trying to experience the reality of God in my life,” reads one of the entries. It reflects the religiousness he saw around him. There is a growing familiarity as his stay in the school becomes comfortable and he writes, “Bhutanese guluphulus (rascals) have taught me how to pray.”
Father Mackey dedicated the rest of his life to modernizing the nascent education system in Bhutan.
“I was able to give a lot to the Bhutanese, but I received more than I have given.”
Lessons from the village
Father Mackey spent five years in Trashigang before moving to Kanglung for another 10 years. He then moved onto Khaling to start the Jigme Sherubling High School.
Father Mackey notes how he saw a poor village grow and develop in just a few decades.
“We see small is not only beautiful but capable of facing any challenge that may come Bhutan’s way in the first decade of the 21st century,” he notes.
The Bhutanese, according to the journal, were born in small villages in the 1960’s, lived off the land and gradually died in the same place. He takes note of the fact that Bhutanese in general at the time had strong bonds and attachments to their place of birth.
Calling the small villages “fantastic social units,” he was awed by the gomchens who he referred to as “defrocked monks.” His fascination with his gomchen friends is evident in the journal. He saw them everywhere; they were present at birth, marriage, sickness and death.
“In time of disaster, they guided the villagers to face any problem that happened to arise,” he writes.
The journal reveals how the villages were at the centre of everything. Father Mackey was fascinated at the answers he got when ever he asked a kid who they were. They would answer “Mongarpa,” “Radhipa” or a “Bidungpa.”
In his journal, he also recalls how the school (now Sherubtse College) was visited by a group from the United Nations. When a boy in class X was asked by the visiting group if he would die for his country, the boy had just looked at the questioning member, thought for a moment and answered, “No. That would be crazy! Who would want to die for a country?”
Father Mackey intervened and asked the UN member to ask the boy if he was ready to die for his King. The answer was unanimous. All were ready to die for their King.
“The concept of country did not exist,” Father Mackey writes. “Their world was their small villages.”
However, he mentions the impact the construction of roads brought about. After the construction of the first three roads in Bhutan, children from villages along the road came to the bigger schools where they rubbed shoulders, fought and played with boys and girls from other villages.
He also writes that the concept of a bigger political unit grew and slowly the ‘concept of country’ developed and so did the concept of ‘One People, One Nation.’
“They grew into Sharchopas, Nalongpas and Lhotshampas. Any threat from outside unified the different groups making up a country.”
Lessons from Buddhism
“How have I been influenced by Bhutan’s religious thinking and practice?” he questions himself.
Father Mackey, writes Mother Teresa, was invited to Bhutan to set up some of her charitable works. She took one look at the country and refused.
Her remark on the Bhutanese was that there was not an orphan in the country and when their parents died, she said the village took care of the children.
“This was an encouraging feature in Buddhism, the willingness to help each other,” he notes.
Much of Father Mackey’s prayer life, religious reading and other practices, more often than not, stressed an intellectual approach.
For him, Bhutan stressed the fact that an infinite reality can not be grasped by a finite intelligence. “However, it can be experienced,” he wrote.
When the students in boarding schools gathered to recite Buddhist prayers, he would sit with them and recite his own prayers.
“I would recite to the rhythm of the Bhutanese prayer,” he wrote.
To him, the daily religious practices in a Bhutanese home showed how close they were to reality.
The Bhutanese taught him to pray and their religious insights enriched his life.
He wrote that he was a better Christian, Catholic, Jesuit and Priest because of 31 years among the Bhutanese.
“If the love of God is proved by the love of the neighbor, many Bhutanese are very close to God,” he wrote.
Father Mackey was awarded the Druk Thuksey medal for his services to education in Bhutan. In 1985, he was granted Honorary Bhutanese Citizenship.
Born in Montreal, Canada in 1915, Father Mackey came to Bhutan at the age of 48 in October 1963. He passed away on October 18, 1995 at the age of 80.
He dedicated 32 years of his life to education in Bhutan.
“My life and work has been enriched by my contact with Buddhism. I pray the Bhutanese and Buddhism may be enriched by coming in contact with me.”
This was at a time when education had just dawned upon Bhutan. Father Mackey would wander through the dormitories every evening before the lights went out in what is now the Trashigang Higher Secondary School. A sight that left a deep impression was seeing his students squatting on their beds, oblivious to the ruckus around them, immersed in prayers.
Father Mackey, a devout Jesuit, began to follow their example. The journal reveals the initial days and months of his time in an intimate observation of what was to become a lifelong affair.
“I can now squat peacefully for 45 minutes every morning, trying to experience the reality of God in my life,” reads one of the entries. It reflects the religiousness he saw around him. There is a growing familiarity as his stay in the school becomes comfortable and he writes, “Bhutanese guluphulus (rascals) have taught me how to pray.”
Father Mackey dedicated the rest of his life to modernizing the nascent education system in Bhutan.
“I was able to give a lot to the Bhutanese, but I received more than I have given.”
Lessons from the village
Father Mackey spent five years in Trashigang before moving to Kanglung for another 10 years. He then moved onto Khaling to start the Jigme Sherubling High School.
Father Mackey notes how he saw a poor village grow and develop in just a few decades.
“We see small is not only beautiful but capable of facing any challenge that may come Bhutan’s way in the first decade of the 21st century,” he notes.
The Bhutanese, according to the journal, were born in small villages in the 1960’s, lived off the land and gradually died in the same place. He takes note of the fact that Bhutanese in general at the time had strong bonds and attachments to their place of birth.
Calling the small villages “fantastic social units,” he was awed by the gomchens who he referred to as “defrocked monks.” His fascination with his gomchen friends is evident in the journal. He saw them everywhere; they were present at birth, marriage, sickness and death.
“In time of disaster, they guided the villagers to face any problem that happened to arise,” he writes.
The journal reveals how the villages were at the centre of everything. Father Mackey was fascinated at the answers he got when ever he asked a kid who they were. They would answer “Mongarpa,” “Radhipa” or a “Bidungpa.”
In his journal, he also recalls how the school (now Sherubtse College) was visited by a group from the United Nations. When a boy in class X was asked by the visiting group if he would die for his country, the boy had just looked at the questioning member, thought for a moment and answered, “No. That would be crazy! Who would want to die for a country?”
Father Mackey intervened and asked the UN member to ask the boy if he was ready to die for his King. The answer was unanimous. All were ready to die for their King.
“The concept of country did not exist,” Father Mackey writes. “Their world was their small villages.”
However, he mentions the impact the construction of roads brought about. After the construction of the first three roads in Bhutan, children from villages along the road came to the bigger schools where they rubbed shoulders, fought and played with boys and girls from other villages.
He also writes that the concept of a bigger political unit grew and slowly the ‘concept of country’ developed and so did the concept of ‘One People, One Nation.’
“They grew into Sharchopas, Nalongpas and Lhotshampas. Any threat from outside unified the different groups making up a country.”
Lessons from Buddhism
“How have I been influenced by Bhutan’s religious thinking and practice?” he questions himself.
Father Mackey, writes Mother Teresa, was invited to Bhutan to set up some of her charitable works. She took one look at the country and refused.
Her remark on the Bhutanese was that there was not an orphan in the country and when their parents died, she said the village took care of the children.
“This was an encouraging feature in Buddhism, the willingness to help each other,” he notes.
Much of Father Mackey’s prayer life, religious reading and other practices, more often than not, stressed an intellectual approach.
For him, Bhutan stressed the fact that an infinite reality can not be grasped by a finite intelligence. “However, it can be experienced,” he wrote.
When the students in boarding schools gathered to recite Buddhist prayers, he would sit with them and recite his own prayers.
“I would recite to the rhythm of the Bhutanese prayer,” he wrote.
To him, the daily religious practices in a Bhutanese home showed how close they were to reality.
The Bhutanese taught him to pray and their religious insights enriched his life.
He wrote that he was a better Christian, Catholic, Jesuit and Priest because of 31 years among the Bhutanese.
“If the love of God is proved by the love of the neighbor, many Bhutanese are very close to God,” he wrote.
Father Mackey was awarded the Druk Thuksey medal for his services to education in Bhutan. In 1985, he was granted Honorary Bhutanese Citizenship.
Born in Montreal, Canada in 1915, Father Mackey came to Bhutan at the age of 48 in October 1963. He passed away on October 18, 1995 at the age of 80.
He dedicated 32 years of his life to education in Bhutan.
“My life and work has been enriched by my contact with Buddhism. I pray the Bhutanese and Buddhism may be enriched by coming in contact with me.”
ECB warns parties for lapses during elections
Feb 4, 2009-Thimphu: The Election Commission of Bhutan has warned the two political parties, candidates, and party workers in an audit report released last Saturday.
The chief election commissioner, Dasho Kunzang Wangdi, said warnings for financial and other lapses during elections have been sent to all concerned.
Both parties had collected membership fees without confirming the registration of members in the electoral roll, the report says.
The People’s Democratic Party and the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa had 153 and 2,761 unconfirmed members.
Both parties were asked to confirm the registration status of members without further delay.
The parties were also found guilty for accepting contributions without confirming the voters.
Under electoral laws, the names of such persons must be removed from the member list and action taken for the breach.
However, the ECB considered giving time to the parties till the end of February to confirm the status of members.
While DPT has not yet been able to service their loan, the PDP has finally managed to service the loan overdraft taken from the Bank of Bhutan by surrendering the former PDP president Sangay Ngedup’s land.
However, even if the party pays back the money to the former president, it is not permissible according to electoral laws as it will amount to borrowing from individuals. Loans or advances can only be taken from financial institutions within Bhutan.
The audit report points out that money receipts were reported to be missing by both the political parties.
Moreover, the report mentions of PDP members burning receipt booklets after the defeat. The audit report states the receipts were public documents and destroying them is an offence of felony of the fourth degree under the Penal Code of Bhutan.
However, there was no evidence in this case for further action.
The ECB has issued a reprimand to the two parties for their negligence and warned that severe action will be taken for such breach in future.
The audit found that 275 PDP receipt booklets and 63 DPT booklets used for fund collection have not been returned to the headquarters.
It was also found that the PDP has not yet adjusted advances of Nu 104,167 made to the dzongkhag coordinators. The audit requires the PDP to devise a system so that unused funds are not retained for a long period of time.
The PDP had purchased a second-hand Prado and the DPT a second-hand Hilux, the ownership of which has not yet been transferred into the name the parties.
Both parties were asked to transfer the ownership of the vehicles by February end.
A total of 79 National Council and National Assembly candidates who took part in the first democratic elections have not submitted their justifications for audit objections, the report states.
Among the 94 candidates who took part in the National Assembly elections, 88 of them have audit objections.
Only six candidates do not have any audit objections: former PDP president Sangay Ngedup, Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk, Lyonpo Wangdi Norbu, Dr. Tobgyel Wangchuk (the PDP north Thimphu candidate), Ngeema Sangay Tshenpo (the PDP candidate for Lhamoizingkha-Trashiding), and Kinley Dorji (the DPT’s Goen- Khamae-Lunana candidate).
Of the 52 NC candidates 49 have audit objections. Only three candidates have no audit objections which includes Karma Donnen Wangdi from Sarpang, Ugyen Tshering from Paro, and Pema Dukpa from Tsirang.
While 24 National Council candidates submitted their justifications, 25 candidates have not yet responded to the objections.
Nineteen NC candidates exceeded the expenditure limit of Nu 100,000 during the elections amounting to a total of Nu 125,448.
Sangay Tempa of Pemagatshel exceeded the amount by Nu 28, 663, while Jigme Wangchuk of Samdrup Jongkhar exceeded it by Nu 30.
Sonam Penjore, the DPT candidate for Kengkhar-Weringla, exceeded the expenditure limit the highest by Nu 62, 947 while PDP’s Chencho Dorji exceeded it only by Nu 1.
A total of 41 candidates for the National Assembly exceeded the expenditure amounting to a total of Nu 322,265.
The chief election commissioner, Dasho Kunzang Wangdi, said warnings for financial and other lapses during elections have been sent to all concerned.
Both parties had collected membership fees without confirming the registration of members in the electoral roll, the report says.
The People’s Democratic Party and the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa had 153 and 2,761 unconfirmed members.
Both parties were asked to confirm the registration status of members without further delay.
The parties were also found guilty for accepting contributions without confirming the voters.
Under electoral laws, the names of such persons must be removed from the member list and action taken for the breach.
However, the ECB considered giving time to the parties till the end of February to confirm the status of members.
While DPT has not yet been able to service their loan, the PDP has finally managed to service the loan overdraft taken from the Bank of Bhutan by surrendering the former PDP president Sangay Ngedup’s land.
However, even if the party pays back the money to the former president, it is not permissible according to electoral laws as it will amount to borrowing from individuals. Loans or advances can only be taken from financial institutions within Bhutan.
The audit report points out that money receipts were reported to be missing by both the political parties.
Moreover, the report mentions of PDP members burning receipt booklets after the defeat. The audit report states the receipts were public documents and destroying them is an offence of felony of the fourth degree under the Penal Code of Bhutan.
However, there was no evidence in this case for further action.
The ECB has issued a reprimand to the two parties for their negligence and warned that severe action will be taken for such breach in future.
The audit found that 275 PDP receipt booklets and 63 DPT booklets used for fund collection have not been returned to the headquarters.
It was also found that the PDP has not yet adjusted advances of Nu 104,167 made to the dzongkhag coordinators. The audit requires the PDP to devise a system so that unused funds are not retained for a long period of time.
The PDP had purchased a second-hand Prado and the DPT a second-hand Hilux, the ownership of which has not yet been transferred into the name the parties.
Both parties were asked to transfer the ownership of the vehicles by February end.
A total of 79 National Council and National Assembly candidates who took part in the first democratic elections have not submitted their justifications for audit objections, the report states.
Among the 94 candidates who took part in the National Assembly elections, 88 of them have audit objections.
Only six candidates do not have any audit objections: former PDP president Sangay Ngedup, Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk, Lyonpo Wangdi Norbu, Dr. Tobgyel Wangchuk (the PDP north Thimphu candidate), Ngeema Sangay Tshenpo (the PDP candidate for Lhamoizingkha-Trashiding), and Kinley Dorji (the DPT’s Goen- Khamae-Lunana candidate).
Of the 52 NC candidates 49 have audit objections. Only three candidates have no audit objections which includes Karma Donnen Wangdi from Sarpang, Ugyen Tshering from Paro, and Pema Dukpa from Tsirang.
While 24 National Council candidates submitted their justifications, 25 candidates have not yet responded to the objections.
Nineteen NC candidates exceeded the expenditure limit of Nu 100,000 during the elections amounting to a total of Nu 125,448.
Sangay Tempa of Pemagatshel exceeded the amount by Nu 28, 663, while Jigme Wangchuk of Samdrup Jongkhar exceeded it by Nu 30.
Sonam Penjore, the DPT candidate for Kengkhar-Weringla, exceeded the expenditure limit the highest by Nu 62, 947 while PDP’s Chencho Dorji exceeded it only by Nu 1.
A total of 41 candidates for the National Assembly exceeded the expenditure amounting to a total of Nu 322,265.
Earthquakes linked to melting of glaciers
January 3, 2010: Another earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale was felt on Thursday evening.While the September 21, 2009 earthquake has left a scar in eastern Bhutan, an environmental consultant said that frequent earthquakes happening in Bhutan may be attributed to the melting of glaciers.
Scientists say melting glaciers could stimulate tectonic activity.
According to the research into prehistoric earthquakes and volcanic activity, the melting of ice and water run offs lead to the lifting of tremendous amounts of the earth’s crust. When the newly freed crust settles back to its original pre-glacial shape, it causes seismic plates to slip and stimulate volcanic activity.
The Himalayan glaciers are retreating faster than in any other part of the world which puts a mountain ecosystem like Bhutan at great risk.
In Bhutan, the Luggye Tsho retreated by 160 m yearly from 1988 to 1993 resulting in rapid growth of the Luggye Tsho. The Raphstreng Tsho retreated 35 m every year on average from 1984 to 1998 but from 1988 to 1993 the retreat rate almost doubled to 60 m per year.
Although many do not believe that earthquakes happen due to climate change, there is a substantial reasoning that the pressure of ice sheet suppresses earthquakes and the removal of the ice sheet contributes to tectonic activities.
An environmental officer from the National Environment Commission said most geographical disasters are a direct or indirect result of environmental changes due to climate change.
However, he said there is no data or research done on if the occurrence of earthquakes is related to climate change in Bhutan.
“Bhutan has felt a number of earthquakes in recent times and statistics prove that the glaciers have been melting at a rapid pace,” he said. “I truly believe that earthquakes are a result of melting of the glaciers.”
An article in the Science Journal states that when ice sheets retreated some 10,000 years ago, volcanoes became more active.
A geoscientist in North Carolina who studied the phenomenon analyzed an 800,000 year record of volcanic activity and found out that the peaks of volcanic activity occurred when the ice was retreating globally.
Many scientists later found out evidences that climate does affect volcanism.
Researchers attending the conference on Climate Forcing of Geological and Geomorphological Hazards in London suggested that climate change could tip the planet’s delicate balance and unleash a host of geographical disasters.
There have been evidences of a link between climate change and the rumblings of the earth’s crust for many years, with more researchers and scientists concluding that the link prevails.
Scientists say melting glaciers could stimulate tectonic activity.
According to the research into prehistoric earthquakes and volcanic activity, the melting of ice and water run offs lead to the lifting of tremendous amounts of the earth’s crust. When the newly freed crust settles back to its original pre-glacial shape, it causes seismic plates to slip and stimulate volcanic activity.
The Himalayan glaciers are retreating faster than in any other part of the world which puts a mountain ecosystem like Bhutan at great risk.
In Bhutan, the Luggye Tsho retreated by 160 m yearly from 1988 to 1993 resulting in rapid growth of the Luggye Tsho. The Raphstreng Tsho retreated 35 m every year on average from 1984 to 1998 but from 1988 to 1993 the retreat rate almost doubled to 60 m per year.
Although many do not believe that earthquakes happen due to climate change, there is a substantial reasoning that the pressure of ice sheet suppresses earthquakes and the removal of the ice sheet contributes to tectonic activities.
An environmental officer from the National Environment Commission said most geographical disasters are a direct or indirect result of environmental changes due to climate change.
However, he said there is no data or research done on if the occurrence of earthquakes is related to climate change in Bhutan.
“Bhutan has felt a number of earthquakes in recent times and statistics prove that the glaciers have been melting at a rapid pace,” he said. “I truly believe that earthquakes are a result of melting of the glaciers.”
An article in the Science Journal states that when ice sheets retreated some 10,000 years ago, volcanoes became more active.
A geoscientist in North Carolina who studied the phenomenon analyzed an 800,000 year record of volcanic activity and found out that the peaks of volcanic activity occurred when the ice was retreating globally.
Many scientists later found out evidences that climate does affect volcanism.
Researchers attending the conference on Climate Forcing of Geological and Geomorphological Hazards in London suggested that climate change could tip the planet’s delicate balance and unleash a host of geographical disasters.
There have been evidences of a link between climate change and the rumblings of the earth’s crust for many years, with more researchers and scientists concluding that the link prevails.
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