Bhutan Private Honeymoon Tour for 14 Days

Private Bhutan Honeymoon 14days

Day 1: Arrival Paro International Airport.

During the journey to Paro, one will experience from the left hand side of the plane, breath taking view of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Chomolhari and Mount Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On the arrival at Paro International Airport, The representative of Bhutan Historic Tour, your tour guide will receive you and escort you to the hotel. After brief rest, tea/coffee drives to the National Museum (Ta-Dzong). This was actually the Watch Tower of Paro Rinpung Dzong. It was converted to the National Museum in 1968. Visit the Paro Rinpung Dzong. This massive fortress is located on a hill top above the Pachu (Paro River) of Paro Valley. You have to walk about 15 minutes by crossing an ancient wooden bridge built in typical Bhutanese architect. The Dzong houses the District Administration Office and the District Monk Body. It was built in 1645 A.D.

Overnight: Hotel in Paro

Day 2: Paro – Paro.

Drive for 15kms and reach the base of Famous Tiger’s Nest “TAKTSANG” Monastery and hike up which would take Two Hours up and approximately One Hour down. Stop at Taktsang Tea House “Cafeteria” for refreshment of Tea & Coffee and on your return back from monastery you will have your Lunch here.

Taktsang is at 2900mts. Hike for another half an hour and you reach the Great and Magnificent Taktsang where you will be greets by the monks who live there and Special Bhutanese Butter Tea will be served with Snacks.

Visit the most important monastery were the Guru Rimpoche was flying on a Flamming Tigress from Singye Dzong in Eastern Bhutan to here and meditated for Three Months and flourishment of Buddhism in Paro started from 8^th Century.

Walk down to the Tea House for Vegetarian Lunch.

After Lunch walk down hill and drive to Drugyal Dzong and on the way enjoys the view of the Taktsang Monastery, also known as “Tiger’s Nest temple”. Near the Drugyal Dzong, if the sky is clear we can see the Mt. Chomolhari on the background. Kyichu Lhakhang (Lhakhang means Monastery). Kyichu Lhakhang was built in 659 A.D. by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet. It is considered one of the holiest places in Bhutan as it marks the advent of Buddhism in the country. It is one of the 108 such temples built by him for spreading Buddhism in this region. Drive to the Paro village town and explore the town. Altitude of Paro is 2260m.

Overnight: Hotel in Paro.

Thimphu is the Capital City of Bhutan but for the Buddhist Monk body moves to Punakha in Winter and their Summer Capital District is Thimphu but Winter s Punakha because it is cold in Thimphu during winter and Punakha is just perfect at 1300mts

Day 3: Paro – Thimphu

After breakfast drive to Thimphu will take roughly Two Hours. Thimphu is the capital city of Bhutan since from 1974. Punakha used to the capital city of Bhutan before that.

For the first one hour you will follow the Pa-Chu (Paro River) and reach Chuzom where the Thimphu River meets the Paro River and forms Wang-Chu (Chu means Water, River or Stream). Chuzom is a four direction motor road junction where one road leads to Thimphu, one to Phuentsholing the border town to India, one to Haa valley and one where you drove from Paro. It will take another One hour from here to Capital city, Thimphu. Check in the Hotel. After a brief rest tea/coffee drive to National Memorial Stupa, built in 1874 by Royal Queen Mother and dedicated to the father of Modern Bhutan, the Late His Majesty the Third King of Bhutan. Visit the Post Office with Money exchange as the bank is next door. BBS Tower to get the magnificent picture and view of Thimphu and you can also see our Queens Palaces.

Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu

Day 4: Thimphu – Thimphu

After breakfast drive to Thimphu Mini Zoo where you can see our National Animal “TAKIN” which has a head of a goat and body of a cow, believed to be made by great Devine Madman in the 16^th Century. Visit to Thimphu Tashi Cho Dzong, the office of the King and the Throne Room and also the Summer Capital of Monastic Body lead by His Holiness the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot) who spend six months here during summer and move to Punakha for winter for another six months.

Visit national Library, School of Thirteen Arts and Crafts, National institute of Traditional Medicines. Visit the Simtokha Dzong (Dzong means Fortress). Simtokha Dzong is one of the oldest Dzongs in Bhutan. It was built in 1629 A.D. by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel the founder of Bhutan, and was the first Dzong to be built by him.

Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu

Day 5: Thimphu – Punakha 142kms 5Hours

After breakfast drive to Winter Capital for the Monastic Body, Punakha at 1300m.

One hour drive reach you to Dochula Pass at 3150mts where you can see and enjoy the Eastern Himalayas in a Panoramic View and best picture time for group of Bhutanese Style of Stupas, as there are 108 Stupas built by Her Majesty for the well being of the Nation and Love Live His Majesty. It descends to Punakha and Wangdue at 1300mts which will take another two hours. The Punakha Dzong lies between two rivers known as Phochu and Mochu which means “Male River and Female river “. It is one of the most important Dzongs in Bhutan and now houses the District Administration office of the Punakha district and the winter residence of the Monk Body and its Chief Abbot. It was built in 1637 A.D.

Overnight: Hotel in Punakha

Day 6: Punakha – Trongsa

After an early breakfast, drive to Trongsa (142kms). The journey takes about 6 hrs with lunch stop on the way. After crossing Pelela at 3340 mts. Decend down to Rukhubji and then to Chendibji where your lunch will be served and circumambulate the Nepalese Style Stupa built in 15th Century.

Overnight: Hotel in Trongsa

Day 7: Trongsa – Bumthang

Morning visits the Trongsa Dzong and the Watch Tower.The Trongsa Dzong was the ancestral home of the ruling dynasty. It is also the district administration office of the Trongsa district. It was built in 1648 A.D. The landscape around Trongsa is spectacular, and for miles on end the Dzong seems to tease you so that you wonder if you will ever reach it. Backing on to the mountain and built on several levels, the Dzong fits narrowly on a spur that sticks out into the gorge of the Mangde River and overlooks the routes south and west. The view from the Dzong extends for many kilometers and in former times nothing could escape the vigilance of its watchmen. Furthermore, the Dzong is built in such a way that in the old days, no matter what direction a traveler came from, he was obliged to pass by the Dzong. This helped to augment its importance as it thus had complete control over all east-west traffic. The Ta-Dzong, an ancient Watch Tower of the Trongsa Dzong is located on top of a steep hill about 1 km beyond the Trongsa Dzong. The watch tower displays many interesting armors used by the Bhutanese soldiers during the olden days. Lunch at the hotel and leave for Bumthang. The Journey takes about 3 hrs (68kms.) and is over one of the most scenically beautiful routes in Bhutan. Check in at the Guest house. (Bumthang has only guest houses but they are very comfortable with good facilities.)

Day 8: Bumthang –Bumthang

Visit the historical Jakar Dzong built by Minjur Tenpa, the third Druk Desi (Temporal ruler) in 1646 A.D. It was later repaired and expanded by Gyalse Tenzin Rabgay, the fourth Desi of Bhutan in 1683 A.D. It is probably one of the biggest Dzongs in Bhutan with the surrounding walls about 1 km in circumference. Visit several ancient and important monasteries such as, Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang, Kencho Sum Lhakhang, Tamshing and Pema Samba Lhakhangs. Also visit the Bumthang Swiss farm and the Member Tso” The flaming Lake” which is considered one of the most important pilgrimage spots.
Overnight: Hotel in Bumthang

Day 9: Bumthang – Bumthang

Day excursion to remote and beautiful Ura Valley. Picnic lunch will be served.
Overnight hotel in Bumthang

Day 10: Bumthang – Gangtey

After an early breakfast, drive to Gangtey. 174kms from Bumthang. Overnight in Gangtey. Gangtey is a beautiful place situated at an altitude of 3000m. From Gangtey, one can closely view the picturesque black mountain ranges as well as the beautiful Phobjikha valley which is one of the biggest and the most beautiful valleys in the country. During winters, we can also see the famous Black Necked Cranes there. Overnight: Hotel in Gangtey

Day 11: Gangtey – Thimphu

After breakfast drive to Thimphu (1250kms.) Lunch at Dochula Pass 3150m.
Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu

Day 12: Thimphu – Thimphu

After breakfast hike to Tango and Cheri
Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu

Day 13: Thimphu – Paro

After breakfast drive to Paro. Check in Hotel and excursions to Chelela pass.
Overnight: Hotel in Paro

Day 14: Drive to Airport Depart Bhutan

Early morning drive to border gate and exit Bhutan for onward destination.

Wishing you safe journey and thanks for visiting Bhutan with us

Bhutan: article that is believed to be the first news report on GNH

John Elliot is one of three foreign journalists to have interviewed the fourth Druk Gyalpo. The interview, which took place in 1987, resulted in an article that is believed to be the first news report on GNH. John was recently in the country for the Mountain Echoes literary festival. Currently, he is the India contributor for Fortune magazine.

As a journalist, you’ve had the rare privilege of interviewing the fourth Druk Gyalpo. What did you talk about?
I didn’t realise until I came back to Bhutan a few days ago for the first time since 1987, that the interview that I had was so unusual. I knew at the time that I had a scoop. I knew that I had a very rare privilege of an interview as a foreign correspondent based in Delhi with the fourth King. But I didn’t realise at the time how few interviews His Majesty had given during his reign. And GNH was the story to be talked about then.

His Majesty’s concerns were about tourism. That was the big issue then, just like the issue now might be the Internet, Facebook, Twitter, and TV programs changing the culture of Bhutan. The issue then was tourism because you had just started letting tourists in and the Tiger’s nest had just been closed because of too many people going there. And the tops of the mountains had just been closed because of people thinking that their traditions were being spoilt. There had been a lot of theft, I believe, of various treasures.

And GNH, it was pegged, as I mentioned in the article, mostly to Nepal. Bhutan didn’t want to become like Nepal. Now remember, Nepal at that time had a stable monarchy. It was simply in reference to the way Nepal had opened its doors to tourism, backpackers, and all the other problems that come with it.

His Majesty was thinking about how to look after this great inheritance that he had received. How to steer Bhutan into the modern world, while at the same time maintaining traditions. The same issue that is an issue now, but then, I felt when I sat with him that I was listening to a young man, who was really puzzled, or maybe he wasn’t puzzled, but he was thinking his way into the problem, of how to manage the conflicting pressures of inevitably having to open up but at the same time, being determined to keep the country with its traditions as much as possible.

How were you able to set up the interview? Anything specific you were looking for?
I met your foreign minister at a SAARC conference at Bangalore, and I said that I was a Financial Times correspondent in New Delhi, and that I would like to come to Bhutan, and write about development and life in Bhutan. I mentioned that I would like to, if possible, interview the king, as well other senior ministers and officials. I brought my family because it was a rare chance. So I brought my wife and two sons, we took them out of school because they may never get the chance again.

So we came and the foreign minister was very helpful. And Kinley Dorji had just launched Kuensel. He was helpful and I learnt as I went. Like a reporter, I don’t think I had any books to read at the time on Bhutan. I may have had a world bank report or something like that but I think I came in, which is often as a reporter the best way to do something, is just to come in and follow the story and see what you find.

You found GNH. Will it work?
The instinctive view of an outsider has to be that there’s little chance because of all the outside pressures. The pressures of the young, the youth, who haven’t got the traditions, who in their teens have not been brought up in the traditions, even guys in their late 20s or 30s, who haven’t got their base. On top of that, the pressures of democracy and political parties, that will need to be more policy oriented and different and have to prove themselves every five years. The pressures of growing consumerism and wealth. The growing pressures of business, and business is not totally honest in any country, not many anyway. With all these pressures how could you possibly, the instinctive reaction of the outsider, think that it could last.

On the other hand, I keep on hearing stories as I’ve heard from your prime minister and other people about how the young are interested in traditions. How there is a strong base and despite all the things that I’ve just said, and all I’ve said is what I’ve heard from other people, there is a strong enough belief in Bhutan for the thing to survive.

Since your last visit what changes have you noticed?
Thimphu - I didn’t recognise. The only place I recognised in Thimphu was when I stood outside the Taj hotel and looked up the hill and thought, “Ah that’s where I stayed, in that hotel.” I couldn’t remember the name of it, so I asked Kinley Dorji and he said, “That’s my office, it’s the ministry of information and that used to be the Bhutan hotel.”

The way the buildings are spreading along the hillsides, along the valley, is in a way awful because it’s a sign of what’s happened to the hill stations in India. I think the thing that I’ve been struck by is this great debate of what you do to this place to keep it as it is, and will the young generation who may be rebelling against it now, and wanting all the benefits of the consumer society, be converted, as they get older to the benefits of Bhutan. I think that’s the main issue. What strikes me is the westernisation, the consumerism, but alongside that, this continuing debate. And it’s fantastic to have a country, which is debating this. I’ve lived in India for many years and there, things are just allowed to happen. There’s no planning, as one has seen with all sorts of things, it all just happens. But here, you’re trying to plan, here you are really thinking of the future, there is a debate, I sense everyone’s involved.

Your impressions of the fourth Druk Gyalpo in 1987?
A very quiet, thoughtful man. I walked into the room in the palace, and it was quite dark, big windows, and I couldn’t see him, I couldn’t see where he was, and I turned around and there he was standing in a window, and I said, “Oh, there you are”, which I guess is not the way to address His Majesty when you first meet him. Then I sat down with him and he was informal, discursive, interested and concerned. I need to go back to my notebook, now I’ve realised how important that interview is in the history of Bhutan...

Source: Kuenselonline

Bhutan Royal wedding in October will have celebrations

The royal wedding in October will have befitting celebrations for the occasion, although not extravagant or overly grand, according to works and human settlement minister, Yeshey Zimba.

This, the minister announced yesterday, during the meet-the-press meeting in Thimphu. His Majesty the King on May 23, at the opening session of the parliament, announced that he would wed Jetsun Pema, and emphasised that the wedding would happen in a simple traditional ceremony.

“This is a very historic occasion and all the people in the country would like to join the celebrations,” said Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba. “His Majesty wants it simple, but the people will be disappointed, as they have awaited it for so long. It must be something that the people of Bhutan would be happy with.”

The minister, wearing an excited look as he shared the plans, said that everyone, from the people in the villages to the prime minister, would have their own roles. “From the prime minister downward, everyone would be assuming a full responsibility for the arrangements,” he said.

The prime minister is personally coordinating the celebrations. The cabinet had already met once for planning and distributing the roles. The prime minister is meeting the secretaries of the ministries today to give directions as to how things have to be done, said Lyonpo.

The home ministry and the zhung dratshang, as expected, were handed the responsibility of arranging the traditional and cultural arrangements.

The home and culture affairs minister, Minjur Dorji, said the celebration was always on his mind. “It’s a very important aspect of our culture,” he said. “We should maintain the tradition and culture. So the events are also being planned, keeping in mind, how best the people could participate in the celebrations.”

The centenary and coronation celebrations, two significant events in the past three years, economic affairs minister, Khandu Wangchuk said, were grand, as people from all walks of life joined and rejoiced the occasions, but it was not expensive.

“There is no celebration in the country without the schools and children involved,” education minister Thakur Singh Powdyel said. He said that the schools would be celebrating in a befitting way.

Source: Kuenselonline

Bhutan and Nepal began talks in the capital Thimphu

Bhutan and Nepal began talks in the capital Thimphu today to draft a trade agreement between the two neighbouring countries.

Trade between Bhutan and Nepal has been growing steadily though there is no formal trade agreement.

In 2008, the volume of trade between the two countries is estimated at Nu.324 million. The next year it grew to Nu. 455 million and to Nu.625 million in 2010.

The two day meeting will draft the trade agreement, the protocol to the agreement, rules of origin, and the list of exportable items of the respective countries.

The Director of Department of Trade Sonam P Wangdi is leading the Bhutanese delegation. The Nepalese delegation is led by the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies Toya Narayan Gyawali.

Source: BBS

Appreciate traditional cultural aspects of Bhutan

By the last session, the audience had thinned significantly. Only a few seats remained occupied.

Despite the poor attendance, the last two speakers of the Mountain Echoes literary festival got their small audience singing and clapping along to some traditional Bhutanese songs.

Kencho Lham, a farmer from Paro, and Chang Dorji, a local author, ended their session on oral traditions, with a plea to the youth to appreciate traditional cultural aspects of Bhutan and continue its practices. They expressed the worry that Bhutanese youth are today more appreciative of foreign cultures. Perhaps, reflecting their concern, only a few young Bhutanese were seated in the audience, almost all of them media personnel.

The last day of the literary festival also saw a lively exchange of opinions between eminent Indian literalist Shobhaa De, Lily Wangchuk, the executive director of the Bhutan Media Foundation, and the Indian ambassador to Bhutan, Pavan Varma. They were speaking on empowerment and representation of women in decision-making positions.

Lily Wangchuk said that, while the position of women in Bhutan is better, when compared to other countries in the region, there are still wide gender gaps. “Till now we’ve never had a single woman minister, we’ve never had a single woman dzongda, we’ve never a single female ambassador, at the grassroots level, the representation of woman is 0.5 percent against 99.5 male.”

She attributed the wide gender gaps to social, cultural, and religious barriers. She said, as a GNH country, all policies should be looked at with a “gender lens” rather than a gender neutral approach. “It’s very crucial for us to have more women in governance.”

Shobhaa De said that, based on her experience, creating such filters or ‘gender lens’ instead created barriers. “Any kind of quota system eventually backfires, any policy based on a bias, in the case of women of course, the counter argument is we require that leg up, but at what cost?”

She said she preferred gender become a non-issue and that only merit is taken into account. “If we’re going to get women in parliament, who are actually going to be contributing, I’d rather have someone who’s in parliament representing not just women but men,” she said, “and doing so, because that person deserves to be there, not because that person happens to be born a woman.

Ambassador Pavan Varma disagreed with Shobhaa De. He said that saying that affirmative action or the quota system means an absence of merit is a “false assumption”. He added, “The fact that there was reservation and affirmative action for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, who for 2000 years had suffered kinds of oppression, which has not been seen by most societies in the world, has helped in their empowerment.” He pointed out that in the first constituent assembly the two groups had only 4 percent representation. As a result of affirmative action, he said the groups had more seats than they had reserved for them today.

“Affirmative action has given India Mayawati,” said Shobhaa De, referring to the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. She added, “That’s one of the offshoots of the reservation system we have.” Mayawati, a product of the Indian reservation system, faces allegations of using her status to amass personal wealth. Lily Wangchuk said that, in Bhutan, situations, where financially challenged families keep their daughters at home to work, rather than educating them still occurred.

The literary festival also presented the opportunity for book launches by local authors. Kunzang Choden, the author of Folk tales of Bhutan, launched two story books for children: Aunty Mouse and Room in your Heart. Gopilal Acharya launched a collection of poems, Dancing to Death.

Source: Kuenselonline

Red dried chilies must for Bhutanese dishes

The sun dried red chilies are a must have ingredient in many Bhutanese dishes but with their price soaring through the roof of the centenary farmers market, it may have to saved only for rare and special occasions.

A kilogram of red chilies costs Nu.800 to Nu.1000.

Karma Wangmo, a customer, came all the way from Soe Naro in Paro to buy red chilies at the centenary farmers market. She went home without buying a single kilogram. It is simply beyond her meager means.

“There is a huge difference between last year and this year. Last year, a kilogram cost Nu.400. Now it is double,” she said.

Yeshey Namgay, a teacher, cannot do without chilies. “For the Bhutanese, chili is a must. The price has increased but we have no choice,” he said.

Aum Singey Bidha has been selling chilies at the Centennial Farmer’s Market in Thimphu for almost 11 years now. She has never seen the price of dried chilies rise so high.

“The chili yield was poor. I bought at Nu.700 from the wholesale dealer and sell for Nu.800.”

With the Monsoon around the corner, farmers in chili growing areas are already preparing their fields for chili cultivation. The harvest will be dried and sold next year. One can only pray that this year, the rains will come on time and the harvest will be bountiful.

His Majesty the King announced that his married to Jetsun Pema

The 7^th session of the parliament today will be remembered for a long time by the Bhutanese people. It was on this auspicious occasion that His Majesty the King announced that he would be getting married to Jetsun Pema in October this year.

Jetsun Pema was born on the 4^th of June 1990 to Dhondup Gyaltshen and Sonam Chuki. Her father is the grandson of Tashigang Dzongpon Dopola. Her mother is comes from the family of Bumthang Pangtey. Jetsun has two brothers and two sisters. She is the second eldest.

She began her schooling at Changangkha Lower Secondary School and the St. Joseph’s Convent in Kalimpong, India, and continued her studies at Lungtenzampa Middle Secondary School, the Lawrence School, and the Regents College in London, UK.

Her hobbies include the fine arts, painting, and basketball. In recent times, she accompanied His Majesty on royal tours around the country.

Speaking about the would-be-queen, His Majesty said many people will have their own expectations –that “she should be uniquely beautiful, intelligent and graceful.”

“What is most important is that at all times, as an individual she must be a good human being, and as queen, she must be unwavering in her commitment to serve the people and the country.”

His Majesty said while she is young, she is warm and kind in heart and character. “These qualities together with the wisdom that will come with age and experience will make her a great servant to the nation.”

His Majesty said the wedding will be in accordance with age-old tradition and asked the government not to make any plans for a grand celebration saying “the happiness of my beloved father and the blessings of our people will give me the greatest joy and happiness.”

Source: BBS

Air services between Bhutan and Bangladesh can be significantly increased

Air services between Bhutan and Bangladesh can be significantly increased under a new agreement signed this week.

The updated agreement allows daily flights between Bhutan and Bangladesh. It also allows the use of any airport situated in either country by airlines belonging to both countries. The new air agreement also allows national airline Drukair to connect Bangladesh with other countries besides Thailand.

Currently, Drukair operates three flights to the capital city, Dhaka, with two of these flights also connecting Dhaka to Bangkok, Thailand.

Drukair CEO Tandin Jamso said that, “as of now”, the airline would not be adding more flights to Dhaka. But he pointed out that, with increasing passenger traffic between Bhutan and Bangladesh, the airline is studying the financial viability of increasing flight frequency. He said that tourist arrivals from Bangladesh have been increasing. He also said that the airline will be studying potential routes that could be operated from Dhaka.

Passenger traffic between Paro and Dhaka increased by more than 100 percent in 2010, when compared to 2009. The airline carried 5,840 passengers in 2010, and 2,897 in 2009 between Paro and Dhaka. The airline has already flown more than a thousand passengers on the route this year.

Drukair will have the option of flying to any airport in Bangladesh. The country has three international and seven domestic airports.

The updated air services agreement comes a week after Bhutan and Maldives also signed an air agreement, allowing flights between the two countries.

Meanwhile, Drukair’s pilot project of operating between Paro-Mumbai, India, commenced with 100 Indian tourists arriving in Paro yesterday. The national airline will fly charters to Mumbai once a week until the end of June. It will also operate a weekly charter to Delhi as part of the project.

India’s largest online travel agency, “http://makemytrip.com/”makemytrip.com, is a partner in the project. The tourists are paying between Nu 40,000–50,000 for a weeklong stay in Bhutan.

While Drukair is looking to explore and expand its market in India, “http://makemytrip.com/”makemytrip.com officials said that more work would have to be done by both the company and the tourism council of Bhutan in India to attract more Indian tourists to Bhutan. Drukair’s passenger traffic on its India sectors increased 26 percent in 2010, compared to the previous year.

Source: Kuenselonline

Bhutan: The monal pheasant is a rare and highly endangered bird species

The monal pheasant is a rare and highly endangered bird species. Its existence has come under even greater threat because of the national sport, archery.

In traditional archery contests, archers use bamboo bows and arrows. The monal pheasant feathers are highly sought after for making the traditional bamboo arrows.

According to the Bhutan Indigenous Games and Sports Association, it is mandatory to use bird feathers for making the traditional bamboo arrows. Archers cannot use alternative feathers like the flexible plastic feathers. While many bird feathers can be used, most archers, if they can help it, want the monal pheasant feathers.

The monal pheasants are found between 2800 and 4200 meters above the sea level. Otherwise seen in large groups, the bird is slowly disappearing.

Hishey Tshering is an avid bird watcher and a keen archer. He is also a tour operator and often takes tourists on bird watching excursions.

“Just four to five years ago, on any mountain pass, if we arrive on time, we could see 20-30 birds at a time but of late it has become extremely stressful taking people there.”

The Indigenous Games and Sports Association also agree alternatives have to be found.

Jurmin Wangdi, the Assistant General Secretary of the Bhutan Indigenous Games Sports Association said “as an individual I feel sad because making a pair of arrows costs the life of a bird. We should give it a thought. Bhutan is a biological hotspot for bird watching. If monal pheasants are vanishing, we should see how we can bring about a good change.”

Arrows made with monal pheasant feathers cost around Nu.1200 a pair. Arrows made with feathers from less exalted birds cost around Nu.300.

Source: BBS

The monal pheasant is a rare and highly endangered bird species. Its existence has come under even greater threat because of the national sport, archery.

In traditional archery contests, archers use bamboo bows and arrows. The monal pheasant feathers are highly sought after for making the traditional bamboo arrows.

According to the Bhutan Indigenous Games and Sports Association, it is mandatory to use bird feathers for making the traditional bamboo arrows. Archers cannot use alternative feathers like the flexible plastic feathers. While many bird feathers can be used, most archers, if they can help it, want the monal pheasant feathers.

The monal pheasants are found between 2800 and 4200 meters above the sea level. Otherwise seen in large groups, the bird is slowly disappearing.

Hishey Tshering is an avid bird watcher and a keen archer. He is also a tour operator and often takes tourists on bird watching excursions.

“Just four to five years ago, on any mountain pass, if we arrive on time, we could see 20-30 birds at a time but of late it has become extremely stressful taking people there.”

The Indigenous Games and Sports Association also agree alternatives have to be found.

Jurmin Wangdi, the Assistant General Secretary of the Bhutan Indigenous Games Sports Association said “as an individual I feel sad because making a pair of arrows costs the life of a bird. We should give it a thought. Bhutan is a biological hotspot for bird watching. If monal pheasants are vanishing, we should see how we can bring about a good change.”

Arrows made with monal pheasant feathers cost around Nu.1200 a pair. Arrows made with feathers from less exalted birds cost around Nu.300.

Source: BBS

Bhutan From classroom rules being formed

From classroom rules being formed in consultation with students, to adding to a school’s budget through selling waste collected through student cleaning campaigns, the education sector is in the midst of a major reform.

This became apparent at a seminar in Paro, where principals, teachers, lecturers and even a student spoke about their efforts and experiences in trying to implement GNH in their schools yesterday.

Entitled ‘Stories from the Schools and Classrooms’ the seminar is focused on the results of the ‘Educating for GNH’ program. The vision aims to create teachers, who understand GNH, and who will then establish a GNH learning environment for Bhutanese children, by 2012.

In this direction, schools have introduced various initiatives. For instance, some schools now reserve certain days for causes like being environmentally friendly. There are no vehicle days, no plastic days, and even no junk food days in some schools.

One school in Trashigang, Bartsham primary, takes its environment program even further. The school made Nu 45,000 after selling plastic acquired in cleaning campaigns. The money was used to replace blackboards with a better alternative.

Reflecting a move away from the traditional top down teacher-student model, schools are also trying to create a more equal status between teachers and students. This is done by giving students more voice, responsibilities in school administration and simply more respect.

For instance, in Ghumauney HSS, Samtse, classroom rules are formed involving students, and class captains are elected by their classmates. In Wangdicholing LSS, Bumthang, “nature club” student members have been empowered to record and report “violations” of its ‘no vehicle day’ by both student and teachers. Again in Ghumauney HSS, teachers present khadars to new pre-primary students, and they also make an effort to eat lunch with their students at least once a week.

A Paro college of education (PCE) lecturer, Kinzing Lhendup, emphasised the importance and effort he put into remembering the names of his students. He said that, not only is it impolite, but by not remembering a name repeatedly, it demonstrated to that particular student that the teacher did not care about the student.

Some schools are also introducing new ways to bring about awareness among students of the country’s culture and traditions. Traditional sports, like archery, khuru, and degor, are finding their way into some games periods. Driglam namzha and religious clubs are also being formed in certain schools.

In Peljorling MSS, Samtse, a rule that allows students to only speak in either English or Dzongkha could be implemented in an attempt at promoting the national language. But this rule was questioned by the dean of PCE, Dorji Thinley, who said that Bhutan also had a number of other languages and dialects. He asked if the rule might not have an adverse impact on these languages, “many of which are on the verge of disappearance”.

The school’s principal, Sonam Gyamtsho, pointed out that students would be committed to the rule only within the school.

Surprisingly, there were no concrete results presented on what impact mindfulness or meditation sessions were having on the learning or performance of students. Sonam Norbu, a Ghumaunay HSS teacher, said that, when his class got distracted or tired, a meditation session helped them to refocus. While he pointed out that he would not be able to provide a concrete result, he said that he had conducted a survey on students that practice mindfulness and those that do not. He said that he noticed some improvement in performance.

Concerns were raised on whether students are being “burdened” with work, such as cleaning campaigns, “in the name of GNH”. A participant said that GNH implementation in schools should not be only about working.

Some other GNH initiatives being introduced by schools include increasing parent participation, community service, and also in-house assistance for financially disadvantaged students.

Speaking at the opening of the seminar, education minister Thakur S Powdyel said that, while some schools are doing a “wonderful job” at becoming GNH or “green” schools, some schools have “no idea even now what GNH is and what green schools are.” Lyonpo added, “I’m very worried about certain things, which are happening in the name of green schools.” Lyonpo did not expound on his concerns.

“I’m delighted that a lot of schools have taken this very well and, seriously, they’ve gone far beyond, but many schools aren’t changing and we have to make sure every school succeeds, we have to make sure every child succeeds, we have to make sure this country succeeds,” he said.

The two-day seminar ends today.

Source: Kuenselonline

Olympic committees of Bhutan and Japan signed MoU

The two Olympic committees of Bhutan and Japan will focus on developing relationships in the field of sports; support each other in developing organised sports, including aspects of sport equipment and infrastructure.

A memorandum of understanding was signed yesterday in Thimphu between the presidents of the committees, His Royal Highness Dasho Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck and Tsunekazu Takeda. A press release from BOC stated that the MoU would mainly focus on developing amicable relationships in the field of sport, for the good health of both the countries, and maintain the principles of their mutual advantages, contributing to the preservation of peace and deepening of understanding between the two countries.

The agreement will encourage planned development of athletes and coach exchanges between the national sports federation of both countries for participation in bilateral and multilateral competitions and training. Both the committees will share international information on the Olympic movement and will support each other, the press release stated.

To give effect to the agreement, the parties will execute an annual protocol of exchange for each year. Each protocol will document intended activities to be undertaken during the forthcoming year.

HRH Dasho Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck, at the signing, said Japan has always been helpful in Bhutan’s development and evolution into the 21st century. Tsunekazu Takeda said, “I hope this partnership agreement becomes a starting point for development of strong sports relationship between the two countries, as well as for the Olympic movement in both countries.”

He said Japan’s national training centre in Tokyo started operating in 2008, and comprises 14 different sport facilities. He encouraged Bhutanese athletes and coaches to visit the centre and have joint training with Japanese teams for judo and other sports like boxing. “It would be beneficial for Japanese athletes to take advantage of the high altitude of Bhutan for training in the highland with rich natural environment,” he said.

The president also said such opportunities and exchanges would improve the competitive level of athletes in the two countries.

Source: Kuenselonline

The Container: co-production between Bhutan and Australia

The Container, a co-production between Bhutan and Australia, and shot in Gaselo village, Wangduephodrang, is screening at the short film corner of the Cannes film festival.

Inspired by a true event that took place in the 1980s, the 15-minute movie, directed by Jamyang Dorji, was shot in less than two weeks, and is about a mother’s devotion to her child, as she travels great distances from her poor, remote community, to get some medicine from a small basic health unit for her very ill child.

In a cruel twist of fate, she learns that, even though the medicine is provided for free, she must have a container to hold the precious liquid. She does not have a bottle and cannot afford to buy one, and the search begins.

At one time, the mother played by Deki Yangzom, who acted in Travelers and Magicians, even tries to sell her dzee (antique jewelry) to get herself an empty bottle. Her desperate search reveals the emotional core of a mother, who is constantly worried about the safety of her child. It also reflects the trials and tribulations of parenthood.

The container symbolises protection from the uncertainties of life. Life itself is difficult to hold and, sometimes, simple things affect it in a big way.

In the end, it also renders a spiritual touch, as the mother finally gets hold of a vase (bumpa) from a lhakhang to hold the medicine. The movie is art-based, focused on a subject and targeted at a select audience. The movie was screened at the Cannes film festival yesterday at 12am.

The purpose of short movies is not to make money, but to convey one’s artistic message, according to Tashi Gyeltshen, a filmmaker, who also said that short filmmaking is almost non existent in the country.

A short-film festival, called the Beskop Tshechu, was organised last year among Bhutanese short filmmakers.

Source: Kuenselonline

Bhutan and the Maldives have signed an Air Services Agreement

Bhutan and the Maldives have signed an Air Services Agreement, paving the way for the two high-end tourist destinations to be connected by direct flights or flights transiting through other countries in the region.

The flight details and routes will be worked out between the airlines of the two countries, one a tourist hot spot on the roof of the world and the other an ultimate destination for those interested in sunbathing and deep sea diving.

The Maldives Minister for Transport and Communication, Mohamed Adil Saleem, and the Secretary for Information and Communications in Bhutan, Dasho Kinley Dorji, signed the agreement on May 8, 2011. They emphasised the fact that air connectivity was vital for tourism and broader economic development. High-end tourists could find the connection a very attractive possibility with the tourism industry viewing both countries as niche markets.

Bhutan, which saw about 40,000 tourists last year, is currently building three new domestic airports. The Maldives, which is constructing its third international airport, has achieved an escalation of tourist numbers to about 800,000 tourists a year and is still expanding.

With Bhutan holding the chairmanship of SAARC, the agreement is also a step forward in one of SAARC’s goals, to connect all the capitals of the region.

Source: Kuenselonling

Divestment of the government’s holdings in Bank of Bhutan

The divestment of the government’s holdings in Bank of Bhutan, or increasing the bank’s share capital through a primary float, must take place by June 1, failing which a severe penalty will be imposed, the central bank announced yesterday.

“The timing is not negotiable,” the central bank’s deputy governor, Eden Dema, said.

The bank was levied a penalty of Nu 5,000 a day from November 8 last year to 8 April 2011, for failing to comply with the central bank’s deadline to issue the prospectus for divestment. “The penalty was imposed almost three and a half years, since the directive to divest was given,” Eden Dema said. The penalty accrued is Nu 750,000 which the bank wants waived, but the central bank has denied.

The central bank directed BoB to go public, based on the regulations for the establishment of commercial banks in March 2007.

But officials of Druk Holdings and Investments (DHI), which holds 80 percent of the bank, said it might not be possible to revalue the bank’s assets to determine its share price before June 1.

Although RMA also provided options on how to determine share prices, based on the banks audited account of December 2010, DHI’s executive director, Damber Singh Kharka, said the recent balance sheet of the bank does not reflect the current value of its assets like land and its investments on shares.

“Valuation of a company assets, which has been in the market for 43 years, may require a great deal of time,” he said. “The bank doesn’t have the capacity to come out with a proper valuation within June 1.” DHI had also considered requesting international consultants to assist with determining the share prices.

On the criticism it received on preempting the parliament with regards to divestment, Eden Dema said, if RMA had to wait for the Financial Services Bill to be passed in the parliament, it would also have to stop the operation of new banks, because it comes under the purview of the FSA.

On April 11 last year, the bank decided to go public on its own accord and offload 33 percent of its holdings and had sought RMA’s approval. However, the next month, DHI sent a letter to the central bank to reconsider the public float.

RMA has suggested that the bank could either make an offer for subscription or an offer for sale.

Offer for subscription would mean enlarging the share capital. The bank’s paid up capital could increase to Nu 533M, if Nu 133M worth of shares was floated to the public.

The offer for sale would require the shareholders DHI and State Bank of India to offload 25 percent of the holdings.

Eden Dema said the offer for subscription is better, since it benefits the company in the long run.

The central bank arrived at a share price of Nu 577 a share, according to figures available with RMA. The banks paid up capital at Nu 400M, its reserves at Nu 1.9B, retained earnings at Nu 883 and the total number of shares at 4M.

According to the procedures and timeframe for the divestment set by RMA, it will require the bank to prepare its prospectus by May 6, submit it before May 20 and publish the abridged prospectus by May 27.

Source: Kuenselonline

Dot Com beat BTCL in BCCB Twenty20 Championship

In a totally one-sided game, team Dot Com beat BTCL comfortably by six wickets, to emerge winners of the Twenty20 championship, the final of which was played yesterday in Thimphu.

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, BTCL were bundled out for 60 runs. BTCL had no answers for Dot Com’s opening fast bowler Lobzang Younten, as he went on to take three wickets, giving away just 11 runs.

On the other side, off spinner Susil Sharma picked up three wickets, giving away only three runs. Captain Jigme Singye and Nima picked up two wickets each.

BTCL’s opening batsman Tandin Wangchuk was the only batsman from the team to reach double figures (17 runs).

Dot Com took 14 overs to reach their target for the loss of four wickets. Subash remained not out at 21, while Dechen scored 10 runs. Phuntsho Wangdi was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets.

“We’re looking to make a tour to Kolkata and get our boys some tournament practice,” DK Chhetri, Dot Com enterprise and club owner, said after the emphatic win.

“We promised to support two students for further in-country studies in the next academic year and, at the same time, we’re looking to form a permanent club website and continue to support students financially for their academics as much as possible,” team manager and player, Ashish Chhetri, said.

Dot Com took home the winning amount of Nu 30,000; while runners-up BTCL won Nu 20,000.

Dot Com captain Jigme Singye won the man of the match award and a cash prize of Nu 3,000; while teammate Susil Sharma bagged the best batsman of the tournament award. Rigsum’s Sampath was awarded the best bowler of the tournament.

The tournament was organised by the Bhutan cricket board.

Source: Kuenselonline

Bhutan GNH: Part IV - Corporate responsibility and the potential for oil and mineral exploration in Bhutan

Between the 1970s and 1990s, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) did the mineral exploration in Bhutan and covered 33 percent of the country. The GSI found potential for oil in Bhangtar, in Phuentshothang gewog of Samdrupjongkhar, traces of gold, silver and copper in the Black Mountains and tungsten in Sarpang dzongkhag with an estimated value of Nu 50 – 60 billion.

Now there is an American mining company willing to follow up on these finds and to explore the rest of the country with a few strings attached. In 2009, Kuensel reported that US-based Cline mining corporation is trying to gain mineral exploration rights for the entire country. J Matthew Fifield, managing director of the Cline Group, proposed he would get a group of American investors to invest in Bhutan’s mining sector “in a big way.” The Department of Geology and Mines (DGM), and Druk Holding and Investments (DHI) — through which Fifield communicated with the government — expressed interest in the proposal and were studying it, said the newspaper report. If an agreement were reached, the mining company would get exploration rights, and the government would get mining shares and royalties.

According to DGM, nothing has yet been done to implement the 2009 Cline mining corporation proposal, which is still in the conceptual stage. The department reportedly would not consider or act upon any proposal until the draft mineral development policy is finalised.

Druk Holding and Investments, however, is currently encouraging interest in potential mineral exploration and extraction by “seeking partners to invest” in mineral-based industries, among other areas. According to DHI, “With the development of the mineral development policy, there will be opportunities for investments in extraction of minerals and mineral-based businesses.”

Both these statements, and that of DHI in particular, indicate the potential for the proposed policy to open the floodgates to mineral exploration and extraction throughout Bhutan. Certainly DHI is explicit in referencing the new policy as providing “opportunities” for mining activities. While the Cline mining corporation proposal has been stalled since August 2009, approval of the draft mineral development policy may well provide the means through which the Cline “conceptual” proposal becomes reality.

Before dealing with Cline mining corporation or similar mining corporations, the government needs to assess these inevitable aforementioned long term costs that have been associated with mining operations worldwide, and to determine whether such activity is in keeping with GNH values, principles, and practices. Needless to say, in negotiating with any foreign company, RGoB will also certainly want to ensure that the company is indeed responsible, without any past negative social, economic, and environmental record, and therefore likely to operate according to GNH principles and practices in a country with the avowed philosophy and policy of adhering to those values and practices. However, recent news reports out of the U.S. raise a red flag regarding the Cline Group’s past environmental record in its home country. For example, concerns are currently being expressed at public meetings by residents and environmental groups over a highly contentious proposal by the company for an open-pit iron mine, slated to destroy an ancient mountain range in Ashland counties, Wisconsin. Investigation of such past and present activities is clearly essential to establish a clear profile of any foreign company invited to participate in this country’s unique development strategy that can be a model for the world.

A caveat
Impact of the best of intentions, policies and strategies will be less in the existing environment. Unless the prevailing environment of weak enforcement, poor monitoring, poor accountability, lack of professional capability in particular in assessing the total costs of exploitation of natural resources, which, I believe, must be computed to rationally fix rents, fees, royalties and evaluate bid offers and compensation for communities change, creation of new bodies or policies will not bear much value. Public interest that the paper is expected to protect, during implementation will give way to private interest, which generally is the case now. Institutions will be abused to legitimise wrong decisions and to peddle private interests. Community elites and local officials will be mobilised by the influential proponents for their gains.

Choosing a development path for the future
More disturbingly, such immediate concerns about whom we might be inviting in to exploit our land should provide a deeper invitation to the government and the people to assess the real purpose and potential impacts of the proposed mineral development policy. Certainly DHI, at least, appears to see the new policy as opening the door to what could be a sharp increase in mining activity nationwide, and is already “seeking partners to invest” in this activity, among other areas. But who are these potential partners? And would such a move exchange an apparent short-term economic gain for a potentially devastating long-term loss that could carry huge and irreparable costs to our nation’s precious earth and ecology? And does our future lie more with the massive, profit-hungry multi-national corporations that are inevitably associated with large mining operations or with smaller, more self-reliant Bhutanese endeavours with a real commitment to the land and its people (hopefully)?

The National Environment Commission’s answer to those questions is crystal clear, and points to a clear choice between two different visions of our country’s future that deserves to be invoked at this crucial point in history. As stated in Bhutan’s NEC 2008 report:

“The concept of large-scale industrial development is in direct conflict with the country’s policy of environmentally sustainable development especially when bearing in mind the country’s fragile mountain ecosystem and limited usable land…. The potential for future industrial development in the country lies in the development of a network of small-scale and cottage industries based on sustainable management of cultural and natural endowments, especially focusing on niche products such as hand-woven textiles using natural dye and organically produced food and medicinal products.”

The goals and values of GNH are clearly aligned with the above statement of the NEC. But, how effective is NEC with its strong team of well educated and well exposed professionals? We have managed thus far to act as superbly responsible stewards of a land rich in biodiversity and aesthetic beauty—guardians of some of the world’s most precious natural heritage. That remarkable legacy of stewardship was formally acknowledged in 2005, when the United Nations recognised Bhutan as “Champion of the Earth” for placing the environment at the very centre of all its development policies, and thereby setting a vital example to a world with a sad history of destroying its natural assets at incalculable cost to human society and other species.

Only if our deeply-felt ecological “conscience” and commitment to GNH - the extraordinary legacy of its wise and benevolent monarchy, the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, and its profound ancient wisdom tradition - continue to be put into practice in policies today will we continue to protect our own precious heritage. And only then can Bhutan act, in the words of world-renowned ecologist Dr. Vandana Shiva, in a recent visit to Samdrupjongkhar, as “a lighthouse for the way the world should be if the world has to have a future.”

I strongly feel that this is the context within which the proposed draft mineral development policy must be assessed, and within which the deeper question must be asked whether a pro-active mining policy, with all its known ecological and health impacts, is compatible with the country’s deepest held values and principles. The decisions made today will have far reaching implications for us, for its unsurpassed natural assets, and indeed for the world.

By the way, what does NEC have to say on the policy?

As I sat solemnly in the kuenrey of Tashichhodzong on March 18, praying for Japan and our Japanese friends, I hoped for a different world order that is determined by the intrinsic values of interdependence, impermanence and wisdom. Only tough choices and tough decisions will testify our conviction and sincerity in GNH. Was I idealising? Maybe?

Source: Kuenselonline

Ministry of health of Bhutan to recover Nu 70-80 million worth of partial

The ministry of health is exploring means to recover Nu 70-80 million worth of partial, defective and non-supplied medical equipment from its two suppliers based in India.

A committee of six officials was formed after the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) recommended the ministry to study the government of India-funded supply of medical equipment.

The committee members visited three referral hospitals, 21 district hospitals and 18 grade-I basic health units from January to March, to review the equipment, and made a presentation to the ministry on April 5.

A member of the committee said the health ministry received about Nu 300M in 2007 to buy medical equipment for the referral hospitals in Thimphu and Mongar; and ACC, after reviewing the procurement of medical equipment, recommended the ministry to study the procurement procedure, and put in place an internal control mechanism to make it transparent and accountable. “Of the Nu 300M, Nu 200M was for JDWNRH and Nu 100M was for Mongar regional hospital,” he said.

The official also said that the ministry is exploring means to make the two suppliers supply all the equipment.

Citing an example, officials said the Thimphu national referral hospital and Mongar regional referral hospital received only six operation theatre lights of the 12 ordered. The official said that the health ministry had to recover the other six OT lights. “There are defective and partial equipment supply in physiotherapy and pediatrics department also,” he said. “We have to recover that too.”

But, with the two suppliers refusing to respond to calls and messages, the ministry is planning to send a team to talk and solve the problem.

“The two suppliers were frightened after ACC arrested and detained them,” an official said, adding, “We should have first recovered the supplies and then taken appropriate action.”

The committee also pointed out that there were inefficiencies in drugs procurement and supply division. “We streamlined the whole process to make it transparent,” an official said.

BHUs and district hospitals would now maintain an equipment inventory register, a log book to record how many times a particular equipment had been used and the problems it gives.

Unlike in the past, where the ministry decided and procured medical equipment for all hospitals, the district hospitals would identify, specify and quantify the health equipment needed in the particular district hospital and BHUs. “This is a major change in the procurement system that would save a lot of government budget,” an official said.

A committee member said the finding indicated that there is inefficiency at various levels in health system, but corruption is not institutionalised. “Those who have accused the ministry of institutionalised corruption, should be able to prove it,” the committee’s chairman, Dr Ugyen Dophu, said.

He said a few individuals are corrupted and they have been charged by ACC. “A few might be caught again, but that doesn’t necessarily mean everyone in the ministry is corrupted.”

Source: Kuenselonling

Facebook, Social Networking ban in offices in Bhutan

The recent government decision to disallow the civil service from accessing the social networking site Facebook during office hours was regularly questioned by audience members at a ‘social media and democracy’ panel discussion held in Thimphu, yesterday.

Namgay Wangchuk, a royal institute of management trainee, asked panelists on what basis the government had passed the ban, and whether any kind of research had been conducted to validate the basis.

Panelist Tenzing Lamsang, who is also the news editor of the Business Bhutan weekly, explained that the intent of the ban is to increase productivity by civil servants. He pointed out that a consequence of the ban was a perception among civil servants that the government is trying to “clamp down on opposition.” He was referring to Facebook sites, such as the ‘amend the tobacco act’ and the ‘right to information’ pages. “I think it’s somewhere in between, not entirely on either side.”

An audience member asked how banning social sites would lead to productivity. Tenzing Lamsang pointed out that, as a journalist, he has encountered how Facebook can affect the civil service. “One flaw about the civil service, not all of them, when you go there they’ll be playing their video games, they’ll be on Facebook, and they wouldn’t have time for work,” he said. “I’ve faced that many times.”

He added, “You can’t use office resources, when the office is paying the internet bill, for your own personal purposes, but what do most civil servants do? Let’s be frank about it, guys looking for girls and the girls looking for guys.” But he also pointed out that, while the banning may curb such activities, the issue still remained a grey area, when it comes to freedom of expression.

A lecturer of the institute of language and cultural studies said that, by banning the social site, the government is “moral policing”. She pointed out that the government’s role is not to be a moral police. She said that instead offices should ensure that civil servants have “work to do”.

Another issue discussed at the event included why Bhutanese are so active on online forums that allow anonymity. The questioning audience member asked whether this could be because of a lack of laws offering protection on free speech.

Panelist Sangay Khandu, who is the parliament member for Gasa dzongkhag, pointed out that the constitution of the country guaranteed freedom of expression for all Bhutanese. “In no way is a Bhutanese at threat for speaking out his or her mind,” said the MP, “given that you can substantiate with reason and logic.” He added the tendency of Bhutanese to be active on online forums is not because “of an absence of a law that protects the rights of Bhutanese to speak or express.”

A Royal Thimphu college student said that social media is only available to a minority of Bhutanese. She asked what measures existed to get majority voices included in the media.

Panelist Kinley Tshering, who moderates the ‘amend the tobacco act’ Facebook page, pointed out that the government, as a first step, is looking to connect all dzongkhags with high speed broadband internet access by this year. He added that the next step would be to explore ways to get more people to engage in social media. He said that such internet literacy needed to be created by the media, civil society organisations, and the government.

The social media and democracy event was organised by the Bhutan centre for media and democracy and Royal Thimphu college. It was held to mark World Press Freedom day, which falls on May 3.

Source: Kuenselonline

GNH og Bhutan requires a new accounting system

If the draft mineral development policy’s stated vision “Create a vibrant mineral sector that contributes to the achievement of GNH” is to be realised, then all current and proposed mining activities must be assessed in a holistic manner, and undergo a full-cost accounting that together can actually function to make the market economy much more efficient, if adopted and implemented in practice.

Internalisation of external costs
Full-cost accounting internalises ‘externalities’, such as the social and environmental impacts of economic activity, and thus assesses the true costs of production, which in turn should be reflected in market prices. If, for example, the full costs of pollution and greenhouse gas emissions were included in the cost of production, and in market prices, imported food might become considerably more expensive than locally grown produce. Externalities related to the coal industry in the USA in 2008 have been estimated at $US345 billion. That is $1,124 for every man, woman and child in the USA. These externalities included land disturbance, methane emissions, carcinogens, public health costs, fatalities, loss of productivity and climate damage. (Source: American Journal of Public Health, April 2008, Vol 98, No.4).

The economic valuation of non-market assets
Full-cost accounting recognises and accounts for the economic value of non-market assets that are not traded in the market economy, but which nevertheless have real economic value. In assessing the value of a forest, for example, a full set of natural capital accounts will include not only the market value of the timber (as in conventional balance sheets), but also the value of the forest in regulating the climate and sequestering carbon from the atmosphere, in protecting watersheds, in preventing soil erosion, in providing habitat for many species, and in providing aesthetic and recreational enjoyment.

From the perspective of a full-cost/benefit analysis, therefore, a ‘healthy forest’ is one that performs all these functions optimally. Indeed, the scientific evidence clearly shows that, when the non-market values of a forest are compromised, the quality of the wood cut also declines.

The replacement of fixed with variable costs to the extent possible
This essentially means that costs would vary according to usage. To give a concrete example, fixed annual payments for car registration and insurance provide no incentives for conservation, and no penalties for unsustainable behaviour. If payments varied by type of vehicle, fuel efficiency, and number of kilometres driven annually, they would reflect a far more accurate picture of the actual social, economic, and environmental impacts of driving.

The mineral development policy states (page 9):

“The adverse social and environmental impacts of mineral extraction can be prevented or mitigated only with effective administration and monitoring of the mining sector, for which creation of an autonomous body with a specific mandate is found very essential at this juncture.”

Thus, perhaps this autonomous body could be charged with the explicit responsibility of coordinating full-cost assessments of current or proposed mining operations. The cost of these assessments would be borne by the mining operators. By ignoring the value of natural and social capital and ecosystem services, GDP is in fact putting an arbitrary value of zero on these vital assets, which is not only far less accurate than an attempt to assign a proper value, but treats these assets as mere externalities that therefore do not get proper policy attention.

Case study: Coal mining in Samdrupjongkhar
A case study on the coalmine in Deothang was conducted as part of the Samdrupjongkhar Initiative research project, as an example of the kind of investigation required for all mining projects (details at www.sji.bt). The study is not to provide any kind of comprehensive overview of mining impacts, but to illustrate the potential dangers that can result when the full costs of mining are not properly considered.

When people working at the coal mine were asked about the working conditions at the mine, many of the villagers were simply happy to have work and did not want to complain. However, others talked about noise and dust created by the transportation of coal. One individual, who no longer lives in the area, but worked at the mine between 1997 and 2001, said that there were many health problems, mostly respiratory, associated with working there, as well as several work-related deaths. People also noted landslides, erosion, dust creation, reduction of agricultural productivity and houses being affected because of erosion and blasts.

While it was not possible to ascertain the health status of the employees at the mine, since no study has been undertaken, coal is known to be hazardous to health. According to the US centre for disease control, both surface and underground coal miners suffer from coal dust exposure and associated lung diseases such as pneumoconiosis (black lung) or anthracosis. The report states that at most risk are those, who cut the coal directly from the coal seams (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Evidence Package for the National Academies’ Review 2006-2007), as is the case of the coal mine in Deothang.

In 2008, data from communities located near coal mines in the US were analysed by University of West Virginia researchers, who found that residents had an increased risk of developing chronic heart, lung, and kidney diseases. According to the data, people, who live in coal mining communities, had a 70 percent increased risk for developing kidney disease, a 64 percent increased risk for developing chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases such as emphysema, and were 30 percent more likely to report high blood pressure. One of the lead authors of the study concluded: “People in coal-mining communities need better access to healthcare, cleaner air, cleaner water, and stricter enforcement of environmental standards.” (Chronic Illness Linked to Coal-Mining Pollution, March 27, 2008).

Complaints about the dust created by the coal-carrying trucks during the dry season have led the coal mining company to water the roads daily to keep down the dust levels. However, in many places, the result may be just as hazardous to health. The water, when mixed with the spilled coal from the trucks, leaves an iridescent slurry coating the roads and filling the potholes. Invariably, this mixture washes down the hills, polluting agricultural fields, streams, and water sources.

A comprehensive cost benefit study, including both short and long-term costs associated with the existing mines, should be conducted, assessing the full costs of mining against the revenues to the state and employment. The study should also include a study of health impacts on mine workers.

Coal mining also brings to the fore another potentially catastrophic reality for Bhutan: Global warming has serious implications for Bhutan in terms of potentially devastating glacial lake outbursts. Thus, it is highly questionable whether a country committed to climate stability, by vowing to remain a net carbon sink in perpetuity, should be mining and exporting one of the greatest contributors to this global as well as national calamity. The question is particularly pertinent in a country that neither uses nor needs coal for its own development.

Source: Kuenselonline

His Majesty issues Kasho on Local Goverment Elections

During the audience granted to those who had appealed against their disqualification, His Majesty the King said that their appeal and the submissions made by the Prime Minister on behalf of the National Assembly, National Council and the two political parties, was with regard to the failure of the respective political parties to abide by the laws on procedures for de-registration in particular and on the interpretation of the laws on de-registration in general. Thus, the appeal would merit full consideration from the relevant agencies, if the individuals had themselves acted in accordance with the laws.

His Majesty said that the Election Commission of Bhutan was simply abiding by the Constitutional requirement that Local Governments must be apolitical. His Majesty said, “I have always encouraged political participation and the growth of political parties. Having heeded my request to all citizens to participate in the political process in the past, you may now, as prospective candidates for Local Government offices, be surprised that your participation in political parties have hindered your chances to run for office in Local Government. The Constitution requires apolitical Local Governments for very important reasons. Local Government responsibilities are very different from those of political parties or any other institution. Local Governments are the foundation for grassroots democracy. They must have intimate knowledge of the daily lives of the people in their constituencies; work in constant and close interaction with their people and nurture cooperation, consensus and close-knit communities. In a largely rural country Local Governments are even more important not just in carrying out vital duties towards achieving development objectives of their people, but also in bringing about a harmonious society.”

His Majesty said, “As individuals, having a preference for a political party is not bad. The majority of people will always hold certain preferences. However, in carrying out one’s duties as part of an apolitical institution, we must keep our political affiliations aside. It is as simple as carrying out one’s official duties without being biased by preference for family and friends at the cost of the larger community.”

His Majesty said that he always encouraged institutions to resolve issues on their own, through consultation. He said, “Once the Throne is involved, the Throne will protect the Constitution and the laws in place – it has no other path before it.”

His Majesty said that, “the sacred Constitutional duty of the King is to protect and uphold this Constitution in the best interest and for the welfare of the people of Bhutan. As I do so, I shall seek if necessary, the Supreme Court’s opinion, for the Supreme Court is the guardian of this Constitution and the final authority of its interpretation.”

Source: BBS

Bihar CM Visit Bhutan for 5 Days

The chief minister of the Indian state of Bihar, Nitish Kumar, is on a five-day goodwill visit to Bhutan, on the invitation of Prime Minister Jigmi Y Thinley.

In his meeting with Lyonchhoen yesterday in Thimphu, the chief minister said that land to build a temple, an area for meditation and a rest house - dharamsala - had been identified in Rajgir, which is visited by thousands of Bhutanese every year.

Lyonchhoen had made a request for a three-acre plot of land in Rajgir, during his visit to Bihar in September 2010 as the president of the Mahabodhi society.

An exhibition on tourism in Bihar and a cultural performance, followed by a lunch, showcasing the rich cuisine of Bihar, will be held today at the Tarayana centre in Thimphu, organised by the Bihar state tourism development corporation and the tourism council of Bhutan.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who arrived on May 1, leaves the country today.

Source: Kuenselonline

BCCB Twenty20 Final on Sunday

Team Dot Com and BTCL are in the finals of the ongoing Twenty20 tournament being played at the Jigmethang ground in Thimphu.

On Monday, Dot Com brushed aside Rigsum CC comfortably by nine wickets, while BTCL clinched a two wicket victory over Bhutan Telecom.

Choosing to field first after winning the toss proved a correct decision for Dot Com. No other batsman made an impact from Rigsum, except Manoj Adhikari, who scored 35 in 34 balls. Dot Com’s captain Jigme Singye was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Tandin Wangchuk, Lobzang Younten and Nima shared two wickets each.

At the end of their 20 overs Rigsum set a 106-run target. Rigsum brought down Kinley Wangchuk in the fifth over and, thereafter, it was all Dot Com. Leading from the front, captain Jigme Singye hit his first half century of the tournament, while Susil Sharma added a supporting 30 in 31 balls. Jigme Singye was named man of the match for his all-round performance of three wickets and 57 runs.

Later in the afternoon, Bhutan Telecom came close to winning, but it was BTCL, who ultimately passed the pressure situation, beating Telecom by two wickets. It would have been Telecom’s game, if BTCL Ugyen Dorji had not hit four boundaries in the 18th over.

Having won the toss, Bhutan Telecom elected to bat first and set a 123-run target that included 58 runs from Saijo and 20 from Damber Gurung. BTCL’s opening bowler Darjay ripped through Telecom’s opening batsmen, picking up three wickets.

In reply, BTCL scored 123 for the loss of eight wickets. Tandin top scored with 33 runs and Ugyen added a crucial 19 in 10 balls. Vijay Gurung yet again picked four wickets but couldn’t save his team from losing. Sonam Darjay was awarded the man of the match.

The finals is scheduled for May 8.

Source: Kuenselonline