Environment Conservation - The Bhutanese Way :

Nestled amidst the folds of the Himalayan range is Bhutan, a small Buddhist Kingdom. The country on the southern slops of eastern Himalayas, bordering the Tibetan autonomous region of China in the North and the Indian states of Sikkim in the West, Assam in the South and Arunachal Pradesh in the East.

Bhutan displays a reach heritage and vibrant culture. The people are of mongoloid origin, with distinct and unique traditional and cultural custom. The clothes, religion, culture, traditions, festival and its pristine environment mingle to provide a unique cultural setting in the Himalayas and the and last bastion of the Mahayana form of Buddhist civilization. 

Development came to Bhutan in the early 1960s when the Kingdom opened its doors to the world in the first time in its history. Until then Bhutan was a country shrouded in mystery untainted by any foreign influence.

Today much of the country’s culture, traditions and environment are still thriving. Bhutan has been sustained by its vision of being a self-reliant country where its rich legacy of culture and traditions are intact and people live in harmony with nature and the environment. Above all, the people are happy and contented. 

Bhutan can be divided into three climatic zones: sub tropical, mid mountain and alpine. The sub tropical zone starches to altitude of about 1800 meters above sea level. This zone receives heavy rainfall and has dense broad-leafed forests. The mid montane zone covers areas from 1800-3500 meters. This region receives moderate rainfall and has dense conifer forest. The alpine zone extends beyond 4000 meters and has mainly tundra vegetation. This region mostly covered in snow clad peaks and has very low population density with only nomadic groups residing. 

In 1988 Bhutan was identified by Norman Myers as one of the ten-biodiversity hotspot in the world. It has also been identified as the center of 221 global endemic bird areas. Bhutan’s eco system harbours some of the most exotic, endemic species of the eastern Himalayas. It has an estimated 770 species of birds and over 50 species of Rhododendron. The mountains brim with other exotic species like blue poppy and different medicinal herbs. Animals like takins, snow leopards, golden langur, tigers and elephants roam its forests. 

Bhutan signed the convention of Biological Diversity and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Rio-De Jeneiro in 1992. hese conventions were ratified in 1995 at the 73rd session of the national assembly. The Royal Government of Bhutan has also made a national commitment to uphold its obligations to future generations by charting a path of development called the Middle Path. This is development, which upholds both environmental and cultural preservation as an integral part of the development process. Development will not be material development alone but will incorporate cultural and spiritual enhancement.

Commitment to Preservation of Biodiversity :

• A trust fund has been set up for environmental conservation.

• Formulated adequate laws to protect wildlife, biodiversity and the people

• Ruled at the 73rd session of the National Assembly, 1995, that the country must maintain not less than 60 per cent of its area under forest cover. Bhutan currently has 72.5 per cent of the country under forest cover.

• Set aside 26 per cent of the kingdom as protected area. There are nine national parks and wildlife sanctuaries that harbour some of the rarest and most significant animals in the world like the rhinoceros, tiger, the snow leopard, takin, blue sheep and the golden langur. For many of these animals protecting them in national parks represents the last hope for survival.

• Controlled farming and agricultural activities in areas close to forest and wildlife sanctuaries.

• Drawing up management plans for protected areas and for forest management.

• Conducting biodiversity inventories and socio-economic studies to establish a comprehensive natural resource database in the kingdom.

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