Source-BBC: The mountain kingdom of Bhutan is trying to protect its national animal, the Takin, from extinction.
Legend has it that the creature was created from the bones of a goat and a cow [by the Divine Madman] but there are thought to be fewer than 1,000 left in the country.
Charles Haviland visited the national Takin reserve to discover more about the unusual animal.Check out the short 3 minute video.
Weblink: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7813805.stm
Lotay Rinchen obtained MA Degree in Sustainable International Development from Brandeis University. Previously, he worked as a budget officer in the ministry of Finance for the Royal Government of Bhutan. His strong personal passion and professional background in sustainable tourism, community development and youth empowerment have led him to team up with his brother and launch a sustainable travel venture: Bridge To Bhutan (B | | B).
Bridge To Bhutan is a responsive tourism company that focuses on connecting global travelers with the spirituality and vitality of touring the Land of the Thunder Dragon. For more information you can also visit the (B | | B) Blog. Elevate Destinations has partnered with Bridge To Bhutan to offer two spectacular adventure itineraries (Trail Itinerary and Journey Itinerary) in this responsive travel realm. Continue reading Bridge To Bhutan
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16 December, 2008 – The unique culture and tradition, pristine environment and beautiful trekking routes make Bhutan one of the best tourist destinations in the world. But, for the Christopher family from the United Kingdom, there is more than that.
“Bhutan is very child-friendly,” said Christopher, 51, who has been visiting Bhutan for the last four consecutive years with his family. “My sons feel free and enjoy playing in Bhutan like any other Bhutanese children and people are accepting and open to the children,” said the mother, Joanne, 33. “Bhutan is a special place for family and children to be. We’d love to come back.”
The Christopher family has a special attachment to Bhutan. During a visit to Taktshang monastery, the couple met a lam and received a Bhutanese name for their son, who was then only six months in the womb. Archie is now two years old and is called Samzang (kind-hearted) while in Bhutan. Continue reading Bhutan- child friendly travel destination
15 December, 2008 – It was a tribute to the Wangchuck dynasty for a century of visionary leadership in conservation of Bhutan’s rich natural heritage. And for once, it was the only protected area comprising of all four national symbols-flower, animal, tree and bird.
Prime Minister Lyonchhoen Jigmi Y Thinley inaugurated the second largest protected area in the country, Wangchuck Centenary Park (WCP) in Nasiphel village of Choekhar gewog, Bumthang on December 12.
Covering about 3,736 km sq of north-central region of the country, WCP connected Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Park in the west and Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary in the east.
Adding to its special features was also the park area being a source of Punatsangchu, Mangdechu, Kurichu, and Chamkharchu, the rivers, which would power hydropower projects. Continue reading Second largest protected area inaugurated
A coalition of environmental organizations and travel businesses is forming a global sustainability standard for tourism.
More travelers are desiring sustainable vacations and more destinations are seeking to lessen the impacts of rising visitor numbers. But tourists who want to leave a lighter footprint must currently choose among some 300 different sustainable tourism standards, members of the Partnership for Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria said Monday at the launch of their criteria at the World Conservation Union (IUCN) World Congress in Barcelona. Continue reading Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria Announced
Forestry division provides a space for people to keep in touch with nature
A mix of rugged terrain and manicured oases in the middle of a forest, the royal botanical park is a hub of exotic plants, birds and an unique recreational site. This natural beauty, that encompasses about 47 sq km, is located at an altitude of 2,800 m.
The royal botanical park was built to preserve the existing rich biodiversity within the Sinchula-Dochula-Helela zone under Thimphu and Punakha districts.
“This area is rich in biodiversity, both in flora and fauna, and the main objective is to conserve them and provide a recreational area for the people,” said the assistant forestry officer, Tshering Phuntsho. He said that the area was degrading as it was used to collect firewood and other forest resources. Continue reading Where Conservation and Recreation Come Together
Since September, TITV Weekly, Taiwan’s first indigenous and budding broadcast news program in English, has been doing a special report on “one of the happiest countries on the world, Bhutan.” The report is a series of TV broadcasts introducing “Bhutan’s culture, education, tourism, and a new, modernized Bhutan.”
Preservation of Bhutanese Culture
Click below for more videos
Continue reading Taiwan’s TITV Weekly Reports on Bhutan
October 01: A meuseum was inaugurated at the Dodedra Shedra in Thimphu yesterday. The shedra is located about three hours walking distance from the Samtenling roadhead.
The museum was inaugurated by the Venerable Drabi Lopen of the Zhung Dratshang and the Director of Dratshang Lhentshog Karma Penjor.
Speaking to BBS the Principal of Dodedra Shedra Khenpo Sangay Dorji said the museum is a tribute to the monarchs of the kingdom and is to celebrate the coronation of His Majesty the King.
Continue reading Museum at Dodedra Shedra in Thimphu Inaugurated
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| Tashi Namgay resort – New resort opposite Paro airport |
29 September, 2008 – The resorts business in Paro has gained steam with more than 30 percent of the country’s resorts and hotels for tourists already in the valley and about 19 more under construction.
But do they have enough customers to survive? Many of these resort and hotel owners are private individuals and families who already own properties in Paro. Some of them manage to survive with a limited number of tourists coming in a year, say one of the resort owners. Of the 101 resorts and hotels approved by the tourism council this year, Paro has the highest number with 30. Continue reading Resort Business Boom in Paro
Source: Kuensel
By Kencho Wangdi
One out of four Bhutanese live in poverty. While covering the elections, Kuensel’s chief reporter came across some of them.
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| Living off the land: A life of relentless toil |
Sangay, 57, didn’t have to hear the thunder – he could see a gray mass of clouds stalking the western horizon. He eyed the clouds in the way all farmers do. Too much rain would ruin his maize seedlings, too little would parch and stunt them.
Sangay is a resident of Pangthang, a hamlet at the bottom of one of Pemagatshel’s perpendicular ridges. It’s a six-hour walk from a road at the hilltop. I was in Pangthang to gauge the political leanings of the inhabitants after a party leader had campaigned there a day or two ago. But, on that day, politics was the last thing on Sangay’s mind. He was clearing an area of weeds and the sudden change of colour in the sky had hastened his pace. Continue reading Glimpses into (almost) forgotten lives
