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Anne Lanham, Lillian Mwanri

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Issues of Land and Forest of Bhutan

Jatin Mech*, Abhijit Bhuyan

Furkating College, Golaghat (Assam), India

Abstract: There is one historically isolated nation which overwhelming the atmosphere of every other nation, by not only being carbon neutral but carbon negative. The nation is also called the Thunder dragons and last living place of Shang-gri-la. Bhutan is the name of the nation situated in the Eastern Himalaya. In the 1970s the king of Bhutan famously proposed the Gross National Happiness index as a key matrix for the country’s success. The constitution mentioned nation's forest cover should never be below 60%. Bhutan’s current exceed this to 72%. The annual carbon emission of Bhutan is 2.2 million tonnes, but due to their exceptional forest cover, the country absorbs around 6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide every year which is three times more than it emits. This leads to a holistic approach to social development, cultural preservation, and environmental sustainability. The government provides significant subsidy LED lights to its people with a key partnership with NISSAN electric vehicle. Bhutan has also implemented banned on plastic bags, fast food, and smoking, tobaccos, hunting, and mass tourism. Bhutan is a part of the Tibetan plateau and massive glaciers reaching covering mainly China, but also Bhutan, India and several other countries. It is referred to as the third pole. If freeze its ten major rivers across Asia, will affect 50 billion people. Bhutan is a shining example to other nations to follow. Of course, Bhutan is a low-impact country. There is no reason other countries cannot adopt a more humanitarian and eco-friendly policy. We should see Bhutan as an inspiration for the fight against climate change, as carbon neutrality is a key factor for the decision-making of the government.

Keywords: Bhutan, carbon, environment, forest

Received November 22, 2021; Revised December 27, 2021; Accepted January 05, 2022

Citation: Jatin Mech, Abhijit Bhuyan, Issues of Land and Forest of Bhutan. Applied Ecology and Forestry Science, 5 (1). 1-8. January 2022. doi:10.12691/aefs-5-1-1

1. Introduction

Bhutan is situated Southern part of Tibetan plate. Like the other plateau, Tibetan plateau is also suffering from the climate change. In Bhutan, there are 983 glaciers and 2,784 glacial lakes. Bhutan glaciers are receding about 77 meters every year. Receding 77 m/year increased the risk of flooding. A study from a satellite images shows that just over 25% Bhutan glaciers are lost from 1980 to 2010 due to global warming. Another study shows that even for a conservative warming of 1 degree Celsius, at minimum 25% of the glacial areas in Bhutan will be lost very soon [1].

For centuries Bhutanese depends on agriculture and the agricultural output depends on glacier water which local people referred to as “White Gold”. Global temperature is increasing more than our prediction and resulted melting of glacier in high rate. Glaciers are retreating rapidly and dramatically which increase the risk of catastrophic floods living below the valley. According to the experts all glaciers of Bhutan will be disappear completely by 2025 due to meting for rising global temperature. Bhutan largest glacier Lake Thorthormi full of waters and cannot hold any more water. There are more than 2700 glaciers like Thorthormi. By contrast Lake Rapstreng fully forms lake. Between Thorthormi and Rupstreng there is only a small wall of thirty meters. Usually the water level rise of any one glacier melting, the pressure on the dam will increased, lower throw the lake Rupstreng, a super glacier lake with 53 million tones cubic water will burst and causing flood three times size compare to the flood of 1994. The Himalayan meltdown is creating hundreds of high altitude lake which contains massive amount of glacier water. At any movement an Earthquake can destroy all part of lower valley. In 1994, a dam near by glacier lake blast and flood killed 28 people and devastated the entire valley below [2].

Nearly eighty percent people of Bhutan depend on agriculture. Due to climate change agriculture is also bearing the brand. Climate change posing great dangers in sustainable development life and livelihood of the people of Bhutan. The cause of soil erosion and land degradation make the land holding getting smaller. Manson has become very erratic. During Manson flash flood, landslide and erosion also threatened property and critical infrastructure. Major portion of national revenue is derived from hydropower sector. But looming a facts of climate change, including melting of glaciers, shifts in rainfall pattern swinging river flow, all of have negative impact for hydropower sector of Bhutan

Presents work is a review of key issues of environment security of Bhutan Available environmental indicators are offered for each significant issue. The problems fundamental causes are examined in terms of the local, national, regional, and global contexts. It finishes with a discussion of the economic growth potential provided by environmental improvements.

1.1. Maintenance of Agricultural Land and Resources

There are five major Agro-Ecologic zones of Bhutan, namely Alpine, Cool Temperature, Dry Subtropical, Humid Subtropical, and Humid subtropical. Thirty percents is under the Topical zone, 42% Temperature zone, and the remaining 28%under Alpine (John Ryle).

Table 1. Land cover

1.2. The Quality and Quantity Forest Covefr of the Nation

According to FAO (2010) annual forest growth in Bhutan is about 0.34% from 1990 to 2010. In a 2015 study by Gilani, it was reported that between 1990 and 2010 the average forest growth rate was 59km2 or 0.22% per year. The total forest loss in 1990 was 91 km². The overall quality and quantity of forest cover is compromised mainly due to the increase in forest fragmentation which has led to an increase in the number of clip and a decrease in patch size (Sharma et al., 2016). According to the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, the destruction of Bhutan 2019 is occurring to a certain extent (Drivers of Deforestation and Deforestation) [3].

Table 2. Fuel wood

According to Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Bhutan, fuel wood alone accounted for 57.7% of the total primary energy supply in 2005, and 33 % percent in 2012.Collection of firewood and forest fire together contributes to more than 50% of annual forest degradation and green house gas emission.

2. Forest Fire

Total 16,214 acres of reserve forest was lost in 2017-2018 with 37 forest fire incidences in twelve dzongkhags. According to Agriculture and Forestry Department, the maximum numbers of forest fire incidents were caused due to human errors. The highest number of forest fire incidents happened in 1999(112 incidents) and the least in 2007 when only eleven forest fire incidents happened. So far as the damage is concerned in 2003 more than 70,000 acres of reserve forests were lost in fire incidents.

Table 3. Allocation of Forest land for Development activities (AREAS IN HECTOR)

Forest based offences are also increasing dramatically in two major cities Thimpu and Paro. Such kinds of Urbanization offence in 2005 was 31% but it increase 38% in the year of 2017.

Road and Power transmission lines alone account for more than 70% of the total forest area converted to other land use (RGOB, 2019).

3. Hydropower Development

Himalayan Kingdom Bhutan is very rich in water resource which is called white diamond considering its importance for its people and economy. The nation estimated 30,000 MW Hydropower potential and installed hydropower capacity is 1,488MW. There are six new hydropower projects with a combined capacity of 4,385MW is going on and expected to complete in the next twenty years.

Table 4. Driver of Deforestation

Table 5. Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) Mapping in Bhutan

4. Major Impacts of Climate Change in Forestry Sector

LOSTAS database data (ILO), World Development Indicators

The reason behind changes in the land use pattern of the state is both natural and manmade. These changes are serious environmental issues in Bhutan. The major impacts are:

a) Lost of forest land.

b) Land erosion and degradation

c) Disorder to watershed and

d) Alteration of prime agricultural land for building infrastructure.

In Table 3 and Table 5, the land-use changes are presented in a border way. Total 507.7 hectares were allotted for the construction of power transmission lines, 424 hectares for road construction, 258.2 hectares for the construction of development buildings, and 123 for agricultural production. Table 5 shows how the diver of deforestation also impacts annual Green House Gas emission in Bhutan though compare to other states it is not very serious because only 2.9 acres was allotted from dense or reserved forests. There are total of 28 mines and 46 quarries (in 2013) on a total area of 3870 acres accounting for 0.04% total land area in Bhutan. The majority of mines and quarries are situated in Samtse Doongkhang of Western Bhutan. There is a total of 12,000 km of roads in 12 various categories under the royal government of Bhutan with the bits of help of many foreign agencies and organization [4]. Rapid growths of roads and communication in Bhutan have a negative impact on forests because most of the roads were made through the reserved forests and biological corridor.

5. Negative Impact on Agricultural Output

Due to the fragile mountain, the land of Bhutan is not conducive for cultivation though the majority of people depend on agriculture for their livelihood. In 1969 total agricultural land area was only 3,700 km compared to 5,130 km in 2018. So, it is growing average annual rates of 0.72% (MoAF). Urbanization is the additional reason for loss of agricultural land. Bajo and Khuruthang ate the recently developed two new towns of Bhutan whose most of the constructions are done on prime cultivated land. Many governmental approved plans of the city of Bumthang and Trshiyangtse are also taken on cultivated land. According to the report prepared by the ministry of agriculture, many wetlands were converted to another form of land. Terraced rice cultivation is popularly known as wetland farming in Bhutan. Total 21% of agricultural land is covered under wetland. Rice cultivation requires more water than any other crop. So, changing weather patterns due to global warming is made highly vulnerable for rice cultivation.

According to the tradition of Bhutanese society, farmland is divided amongst the siblings. It is the major cause of the rapid fragmentation of agricultural land and the growth of population in Bhutan. It has also resulted in rapid rural-urban migration in search of new jobs in Bhutan in the last few years. The Royal government already made a policy under which a citizen can hold maximum of 25 acres of land. This clearly indicates the limitation of the productive potential of land in Bhutan.

6. Land Degradation

Land degradation is a major environmental issue of Bhutan. Agriculture and forestry activities contribute to soil erosion through the cultivation of steep terrain, poor soil conservation practices, overgrazing of livestock, unsustainable fuelwood extraction, and forest fires. Recently the Royal Government of Bhutan has released a report on soil loss and land degradation. The report highlights the need to reduce the use of fertilizers in an effort to boost production of limited land resources. This results in nutrient depletion and chemical degradation of soil. It is one of the major reasons for not being able to achieve 100% organic nation status by 2020 which was targeted by the RGOB.

Forests and Flora

Bhutan is known for rich biodiversity, high forest cover, and a healthy ecosystem. The total forest cover of Bhutan is nearly 72% and 51% of the land of the nation is under-protected management system. Many plant species are totally protected in Bhutan. Bhutan is trying to be the custodian of the wealth of biological resources. Bhutan is a host of more than 11,000 different species of biodiversity as per the Biodiversity statistics’ released in 2021. It is 0.8% total Biodiversity recorded in the world. Plant and animal species account for more than 93% of the eleven thousand species. Bhutan has 5369 different plants, 5114 species of animals, more than 500 orchids, and 46 varieties of rhododendrons plants in addition to 350 species of mushrooms and countless curbs and wild species. Due to the huge number of medicinal plants growing in the country, Bhutan has renounced the lands of medicinal plants. Even today more than two hundred curbs and plants are used to make Bhutanese traditional medicine. More than 90 species of mammals, twenty-seven are severely threatened and this includes the rare Royal Bengal Tiger, the snow leopard, blue sheep, musk deer, and shy red panda. 770 birds species recorded in Bhutan among them eighty are globally threatened, 900 species of butterfly. Bhutan is home to fifteen vulnerable, twenty endangered, and thirteen critically endangered seeds plants. The nation hosts thirteen vulnerable, eleven endangered, and two critically endangered mammal species.

7. Threats to Biodiversity

Though the data on human-wildlife conflict is uncertain in Bhutan, it is one of a major problem in rural Bhutan according to Bhutan National Human Conflict Strategy (BNHWCS). The predators for crops and domestic animals are wild boars, tigers, deer monkeys, leopards, bears, wild dogs, and elephants. More than forty percent of farmers reported wild animal damages each year. In recent years the incidents of retributive wildlife killing incidents are growing which could have a black lash on conservation policy and efforts of the Royal government of Bhutan.

The negative impact of excessive grazing of forest lands creates many problems like soil erosion, reduction of land productivity, and loss of useful plant species. Plant species that are no longer reproducing cause changes in the vegetation. Domestic animal overgrazing has an impact on the availability of fodder for wild ungulates. When forest fodder becomes sparse, this might lead to increased raiding of agricultural crops by wild ungulates. Furthermore, any decrease in wild prey in a region owing to a lack of food will lead to predators stealing livestock, As a result, the human-wildlife conflict continues.

In 2015, Bhutan burned almost 8,000 truckloads of firewood. According to Ministry of Agriculture and forestry total 63,000 m3 of firewood were burned schools and temples across the country in the year of 2016-2016. The total annual intake of the wood based industry in Bhutan is the range of 1, 00,000 -2, 00,000m³ which is harmful to forest biodiversity. Not only timber but nontimber firewood demands are increasing both domestic and international levels which gives rise to unsustainable harvesting practices.

People have taken up poaching, particularly in border areas, because of the easy money and high prices provided for endangered plant and animal species with great commercial value on the international market. Due to porous international boundaries in the North and South, it has been difficult to stop poaching by conservation policy. There is also insufficient law enforcement personal and lack of understanding of the legal repercussion of poaching. Furthermore, in contrast to the great commercial worth of wildlife products and components in the international market, the schedule of penalties for poaching is mild and thus ineffective as a deterrent

Forest fires incidents are common in Bhutan. They are largely caused by humans either intentionally planted to stimulate pasture development or occur as a result of public negligence. Forest fires damage around 16,2000 acres of forests in 12 Dongkhags in the year 2017-2018. Despite the fact that the forest and Nature Conservation Act of 1995 outlaws forest fires and imposes severe fines and penalties, including jail, on those who do so. Land degradation from erosion is exacerbated by the loss of forest cover due to fires, especially in steep places and locations where forests have been exposed to several fires.

Bhutan is an underdeveloped nation. Majority of Bhutia people lives in the rural area. Though the national growth rate in the last few years is the highest amongst Asian states, rural poverty is yet a significant feature of the Bhutan economy. It places significant pressure on ecology and biodiversity. Much poor indigenous community lives in forest lands and heavily depends on the forest for their livelihood. Those people are less prepared to participate in conservation. They are also resentful when conservation adversely impacts their crop and livestock.

8. Rapid Urbanization and Environment

The urban population in Bhutan today encompasses 41.61% in 2019. In true sense the only urban areas in Bhutan are Thimphu and Phuentsholing. Thimphu is the one of a fastest growing city in Asia with a population of around one and a half lack. Phuensholing and Paro are two other urban centers. Rural to urban migration has resulted in substantial increase in urban population over the last two decades, fueled by a national population growth rate of roughly 1.1 percent per year in 2019. According to available data, the primary causes for urban migration in terms of family relocation are business or education.

Urbanization has put a strain on urban infrastructure, housing and land, affecting the environment as results. With the influx of migrants from rural areas, the rate of urbanization is expected to accelerate quickly in the coming days. By the end of this decade, it is expected that more than half population will live in cities. The constraints of Bhutan urban environment are enormous. Water pollution, Air Pollution, problems related to waste management, limited land availability, especially the lost of agricultural land are the key environmental challenges associated with urbanization.

In urban areas, air pollution has become a major problem. Vehicle emissions from major rapid growth in vehicle numbers, fugitive dust from new construction sites and unpaved roads, domestic use of fuel wood, heating of bitumen along road construction sites and waste burning in satellite towns due to a lack of waste disposal are all major contributors to poor urban air quality. The increase in vehicle numbers in Bhutan between 1997 and 2018 is seen in Table 8. The number of vehicle on the road climbed by 9.18 percent from 2016 to 2017, and increased more than 100 percent since 1997. The emission levels of 1060 cars were investigated in 1995-1996 in order to determine the emission standard of the state [5]. According to the report of the research, 66 percent of gasoline vehicles and 96 percent of diesel vehicles failed to fulfill pollution standards. Vehicle emissions are exacerbated by the low quality of imported fuel, according to the report, and most vehicles are not equipped with altitude compensations.

Table 6. Increasing numbers of vehicle in the State

Table 7. Total Number of Motor Vehicles as of March 31, 2021

Road Safety and transport Authority of Bhutan

Population expansion, rural to urban migration, and changing consumption habits have all contributed to severe problems with solid waste disposal in urban areas. Domestic garbage accounts for the majority of overall waste generated, accounting for roughly seventy to eighty percent of total waste generated across the state. According to a recent national survey study, Bhutan produces 172.15 metric tonnes of waste per day. The average waste generation is 0.23 kg per day, although recent data suggest that this number may have risen dramatically. Due to the lack of a nationwide inventory, data on municipal solid waste creation, collection, and disposal are unavailable at the national level. Capital city Thimpu solid waste generation is projected to increase 124 MT per day by 2027 from the present 99 MT.

9. Conservation Policy

Besides from natural beauty, Bhutan is also unique country politically. In 1970s the king of Bhutan famously proposed Gross National Happiness index as a key matrix for nation’s success. GNH is a holistic approach to social development, cultural preservation and environmental sustainability. This is also Bhutan optimist side as the happiest country in the world. A vastly difference focus, most of the country uses GDP as the major welfare of the country as a main indicator of success. As national happiness forefront in decision making, in 2008, the king of Bhutan impose a new constitution and impose multi-party democracy. This was done without pressure from Bhutan citizen who were already happy with monarchy. However the king shows the benefits of imposing a democratic system even allowing for his impeachment of his kingdom. The entire GDP of Bhutan is only about 2 billion US dollar. But it is GNH, that they use their limited resources wisely.

The forests of Bhutan sequester 6.6 million tons of carbon die oxide each year. They generate only 2.4 million tones carbon die oxide. Therefore, they are net carbon sink at about 3.9 million tons of carbon die oxide every year. Bhutan commitment to conservation policy of environment is really bigger than the most. Conservation of environment is one of the important pillars of amongst four that that GNH approach of development. This unique approach is not only beneficial for the people of Bhutan but also all Hindu-Kush regions where one fifth of the world population lived. The glacier lakes and rivers flows from Bhutan provide them waters and clean air for breath.

Because of GNH they well preserve their unique culture and heritage. To save from the ill impact on their rich Buddhist culture from outsider, they have applied high value low tourism policy. Within Bhutanese culture development meant enlightenment of the individual. They think that enlightenment is blossoming of happiness.

Because of GNH, they have good governance. Bhutan is the only state in the world where democracy is established not because of the demands of the people but was imposed by the king against the will of the people.

Therefore, within their national boundary, Bhutanese people and government well preserve their nature and resources within a unique framework under holistic approach of GNH, which they called the development of values. But in the age of globalization where happiness is sought through consumption is a biggest threat for environmental security of Bhutan as a part of mother Earth.

The government of Bhutan have taken several measures to address the adverse impact on climate change and glacier melting with support of least developed nation plan, and others donors as part of national adaptation programme of actions by UN inspiring the impact of climate change with pattern of organizations such as United Nations Development Plan, Global environment facilitators, WWF, Government of Austria.

The constitution of Royal government of Bhutan mentioned nations forest cover should never below 60%. The Bhutan’s current exceed this to 72%. In order to remain carbon neutral, growing emission will be mitigated by ensuring the protection of forest sink, and ensuring lower emission development part across all sectors. For dust pollutions, the government provides free electricity to all farmers. A lot of amount of electricity generated to hydro electricity programme.However, Bhutan committed to continue co-active role to remain carbon neutral, while life and livelihood to the people and communities as rapid environment support of the international community will be essential for achieve the ultimate goal.

Though a tiny state Bhutan has already taken pre-active, as it believes that there is an urgent need the principle of inter-generational equity. International community needs to be addressed long terms threat to water security, agricultural and food security and human settlement.

Bhutan is home to many endangered species plants and animals. All these forms of lives, human included cannot live without one essential element of water. Four river system, all are fed by the highest glaciers in the world wind to the many river valleys of Bhutan. Hydro-electricity is the Bhutan’s chief export revenue earner followed by tourism. But, Bhutanese are found that the economic development has double edges sward. Like most other developing countries, Bhutan faces many problems brought about by rapid urbanization. Major one is being enticingly launched waste generations and in proper disposals. Increasingly the picture of sitting landscape seen like this is never far from a seen like this. Bhutanese people lives rather simple lives, and respect maintain for all forms of lives.

10. Community Forest

Community forest in Bhutan is government-owned forest land, for which communities- organized as Community Forest Management Groups (CFMG) and are being granted management and use rights and responsibilities under conditions set out in a management plan by the Department of Forests and Park Services (DoFPS).

The community forestry program was first initiated in Bhutan after the declaration of Social forestry Day in 1985 by His Majesty the fourth Druk Gyalpo. Since then the community Forest program has moved from a pilot basis to full-fledged program in the 10th five-year plan. Community Forest program is now mainstreamed in the development program and has to embrace not just sustainable management of forest resources and improved livelihoods but it has to clutch the global issues such as climate change, enterprise development, network and networking association for the betterment of CFMG in terms of economic, capacity and equity.

In Bhutan, forest occupies a total geographical area of 2,730,889 hectares, of which 3.85% of the total forest area corresponding to 205,099.27 is under community forests. Forest and nature conservation Act, 1995 empowered the rural communities to manage and utilize the state-owned forest. The first Community forest in Bhutan was established in 1997 in an area of 937.82 hectares in Dramatic Gewang under Manggar and Dzonkhas. The number of community forests increased from 3 in 2001 to 822 by the end of December 2020.

Number of community forestry established by year

Table 8.

The community forest membership increased from 144 households in 1997 to 34,124 households by 2020. Communist Forest area-wise, the largest is in the Trashegang dzongkhang followed by Monggar. Gasa dzongkhag has 556.08 hectares of CF, the lowest of all with only 7 CF with 186 member households.

11. Numbers of Community Forests and Areas in Hactares by Dzongkhang

There are a total of 34,124 CF member households as of 2020. Trashigang dzongkhag has the highest Community Forest member households followed by pemagatshel Dzongkhag with respectively 3,112 and 2,873 members In 2020 alone, a total of 17 Community Forests were established and the highest was in Dagana with 180 member households with 463.03 hectares of area.

12. Climat Smart Agriculture

Bhutan’s economy is dependent on the agriculture, livestock and forest sectors. Farming in Bhutan is mostly al a small scale and basically dominated by rain fed dry land and wetland farming. Climate change is being manifested in the form of glacier lake outburst, flash floods and windstorms. Bhutan is one of the world’s smallestt and least developed states, with an economy based primarily on agriculture, livestock and forestry. Farmer’s awareness of climate-smart Agriculture and associated opportunities and challenges is poor. There are no safety nets or alternative sources of livelihoods if investment activities fail.

13. Policy to Maintain Healthy Sustainable Environment

Bhutan’s environmental policy and regulatory framework are underpinned by two key strategy documents. The nature of public consultation in decision-making is examined. A review of lessons learned from donor activities is also presented. Bhutan has made rapid progress in shaping the national policy of legal framework. The National Environmental Strategy was prepared with three key principles in mind;

a) Effective natural resources management

b) Integrated rural-urban planning

c) Sensitive to traditional Bhutan National Environment Strategy values

The main avenues of sustainable development identified in the strategy include;

a) Hydropower development based on integrated water management.

b) Agricultural-based sustainable development.

Royal Government of Bhutan initiated Bhutan 2020: A vision for peace, prosperity, and happiness national environment Strategies is a vision statement around the main tenet of gross national happiness. The vision statement charts a course for achieving environmentally sustainable development in Bhutan; it is essentially a strategy document.

The regulation on strategic environment assessment came into effect in 2002. The purpose of the regulation is to ensure that environmental concerns are fully taken into account by all government agencies while formulating, reviewing, modifying, or implementing any policy, plan, or program including five years national plans. The proposed national environment protection act will define authority for planning and enforcement of environmental legislation. Law will focus on procedures for developing issue-specific regulations and standards and overall planning and coordination. It will also have an enforcement section specifying freedom of access to information, standing, and appeal.

14. Environmental Acts

Bhutan’s majority of environmental act concerns the conservation of land and forests. Some of the import acts environmental acts are National Forest Act 1974, Forest and Conservation Act 1995, Forest and Natural Conservation Act 1995, Mines and Minerals Act 1995, Environment Assessment Act 2000, Environment Protection Act 2007, etc.

15. Role of Private Sector and NGO

All Royal Government of Bhutan environmental rules, applicable codes of practice, and environmental quality standards are expected of the private sector, including the implementations of environmental mitigation measures indicated in the environmental clearance papers. Bhutan has been involved in biodiversity protection by a number of foreign NGOs. The worldwide fund for Nature gas been assisting Bhutan with biodiversity conservation for many years has had by far the most involved of all NGOs. Since 1977, WWF has provided major support for biodiversity protection, including staff training, biodiversity surveys and inventories, national park development assistance, and the institutional support to the Nature Conservation Division.

16. Conclusion

Historically, traditionally, culturally, and emotionally, Bhutanese have been climate champions. For centuries they have been very environmentally friendly. Environment conservation is not a new concept of Bhutanese people and government. It has always been at the center of national development thinking and policymaking for the royal government of Bhutan. The words, carbon negativity have come up in the last decade of just the ending century. But the Bhutanese plans and policies have been in place for the last five or six decades. By any standard, they are carbon negative because they sink at least four times as much as what they produce in greenhouse gases.

The royal government of Bhutan set up strong conservation policies and the law has evolved to endure protection, management, and sustainable use of biodiversity resources. Nation conservation policies and laws are contributing to achieving national development which is measured by a unique metric, known as Gross National Happiness. Environment conservation is a basic killer of GNH. According to the new democratic Constitution of Bhutan makes a compulsion to maintain 60%of land under the forest cover. Presently a total of 72% of lands are covered by national parks, wildlife centuries, and well-connected biological corridors.

Renewable natural resource sector policy is given important in attaining in greater food security of the nation. Well planned conservation policy of Bhutan helps the nation to manage natural resource enhancing rural income and generating best employment opportunities for the section of people.

It is not for in the short term but for generations to come. For them, they get a lot of satisfaction from it because they know this is the right thing to do. But when the bigger economics who could afford to do it are not doing it, it really disappoints them. Bhutanese think that they are just a drop in the world community, as we all can see, on the world map and greenhouse gases do not need passports or visas to cross geographical boundaries. If bigger nations did a bit of what Bhutanese are doing probably they would not be talking a climate change so much these days.

References

[1]   | Our Eden (March 02, 2020). The World’s First Carbon Negative Country (Video file). Retrieved from https://youtu.be/0aW-zlkQe9w.
[2]   | TED (April1, 2016), The country isn’t just carbon neutral- it is carbon negative – Retrieved from https://youtu.be/OaW-zIKQe9w.
[3]   | Ugyen Tshewang, Michael Charles Tobias, Jane Gray Morrison. “Bhutan:Conservation and Environmental Protection in the Himalayas”, Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2021.
[4]   | “The Statesman’s Yearbook”, Springer Nature, 2005.

[5]  
Yeshi Choden, Tashi Tenzin, Karchung K., Karma Norbu, Sangay Wangmo, Pema Zangmo. “Estimation of energy content in municipal solid waste of Bhutan and its Potential as alternate powers source”, Environment Conservation Journal, 2021 18. ”Education in Bhutan”, Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2016 Publication.