NATURAL HERITAGE: The Middle Path
Ours is a nation with some of the world’s most extensive bio-diversity, of which we are exceedingly proud. The importance we place on our natural heritage is reflected in our constitution which requires every Bhutanese – as a “fundamental duty” – to protect our natural resources and environment for the benefit of present and future generations.
Our success in conserving our environment can be squarely attributed to the enlightened leadership of our farsighted Kings. And we have been rewarded by international appreciation for our success. But it is us, the Bhutanese people, who have benefited most from our natural heritage – whether it is through the clean air we breathe, or the tourists who are attracted to Bhutan for its unspoiled natural beauty.
Our resolve to protect our environment will, however, be tested like never before in coming years. Our prized natural heritage will face increasing pressure from economic growth with increasing industrialization, urbanization and changing lifestyles, from climate change, and from the continued high dependence on natural resources for livelihoods.
In the face of these challenges, the PDP will uphold our extraordinary commitment to the conservation of our natural resources, while maintaining a healthy balance between economic development and environmental conservation – “the middle path.”
Conserving our Natural Heritage:
- Closely monitor the exploitation of natural resources to ensure long-term sustainability;
- Promote sustainable land management – protect your phazhing;
- Support local communities in sustainable utilization of natural resources;
- Improve the long-term ability of natural resources to support livelihood and reduce poverty by piloting interventions – bio-prospecting and commercialization of forestry products such as high value herbs, plants and niche products, community forestry for sustainable harvest of biomass, private forestry, and development of conservation areas for tourism;
- Support the establishment of the Ugyen Wangchuck Forest and Environment Institute in Bumthang, and elevate the Institute and the NRTI into centres of excellence in the field of conservation and natural resources.
- Work together with educational institutions, civil society organizations, and affected private sector such as tourism to raise citizens’ awareness and sustained actions on environmental issues, including household waste management and litter;
- Safeguard the environment as transportation and other infrastructure expand including through encouraging the use of mass transport;
- Explore innovative measures and introduction of cutting-edge practice to reduce crop loss through wildlife depredation, and provide suitable compensation; and
- Establish effective solid waste management focusing on the three R’s program of reduce, reuse and recycle.
Climate Change and Bhutan:
Even a small increase in average global temperatures can lead to extreme variability in weather patterns, incessant rain or drought, drying up of water sources, glacial lake outburst floods, and accelerated glacial retreat in the Himalayas.
Recent studies predict that climate change poses a threat mainly to our rural population whose livelihoods depend on agriculture. It also poses a serious risk to our hydropower resources, the mainstay of our economy.
These possible consequences of global warming require us to take immediate action. The PDP will, as a matter of priority:
- Develop strategic plans to undertake the integrated management of our water resource including the effective management of our watersheds;
- Support the implementation of the disaster management strategies including preparedness, and address the risks of glacial lake outburst floods and set up early warning systems;
- Support measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in appropriate multilateral forums, and continue to reduce our own emissions through the efficient use of clean energy;
- Promote use of green technologies in the housing sector such as – the use of indigenous materials; use of insulation to save energy; using alternative energy sources such as solar and wind; phasing out of incandescent lights bulbs for energy efficient compact fluorescent lights (CFLs);
- Implement Clean Development Mechanism Projects that can defray the cost of maintaining a pristine natural environment through carbon trading opportunities; and
- Support green businesses through tax incentives and duty exemptions on environmentally friendly technology.
Leave a Comment