BHUTAN NEWS

BHUTAN NEWS FROM VARIOUS NATIONAL MEDIA

Historic visit

12 July, 2008 - Prime Minister Jigmi Y Thinley and a team of 42 delegates are all set for a four-day state visit to India on Monday,
July 14, to strengthen relationships between the two countries and discuss the Tenth Plan and the mega power projects.

On his maiden state visit as the first democratically elected prime minister of Bhutan, Lyonchhen Jigmi Thinley will be accompanied
by the foreign affairs minister, the economic affairs minister, the finance minister and senior government officials.

The foreign affairs minister, Lyonpo Ugyen Tshering, at a press conference yesterday, said that the visit was very significant for Bhutan
because it would further contribute towards strengthening cooperation between the two countries. “India has taken the visit at a state
level and it really shows the extent of good relations between the two countries. It has been accorded the highest level of courtesy a
host can show,” he said.

The economic affairs minister added that this visit would, besides contributing to the overall Indo-Bhutan relationship, also contribute
directly to the 10 Plan implementation, as well as the development of the mega hydro power projects.

“In terms of the Tenth Plan and the mega power projects, an official level talk between the two governments was held earlier this week
in India to prepare the delegation for the state visit,” he said. “Both the Plan talks, as well as the bilateral cooperation on hydropower
projects, have been completed at the official level. We’ll continue these discussions at a political level during Lyonchhen’s visit.”

Both ministers said that there is a broad commitment, made by the Indian government through the prime minister, of Nu 100 billion
but, at this point of time, the government is still discussing the ways and means of allocating this amount to the planned as well as
non-planned development activities, such as the hydro power projects.

“The success of the 10th Plan will have bearings on the success of our democracy and us being able to lay its strong foundations as
this is the first plan to be implemented by the elected government,” said Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk.

Besides hydropower, talks on other areas of cooperation, such as the railway link between Phuentsholing and Hashimara, would also
be discussed, according to the ministers.

During the visit, the Prime Minister will call on the President of India, the Vice President and the Prime Minister of India. He will also
call on the leader of the opposition, the leader of the Congress party and political leaders of the government of India. “Lyonchhen will
also meet friends and well wishers of Bhutan: well wishers who have had long associations with us or who have been posted in Bhutan
at some point of their careers,” said Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk.

The three ministers will also be meeting their own counterparts during the visit.

However, Lyonpo Ugyen Tshering said that the Prime Minister’s visit is first and foremost a goodwill visit. “If there are issues that we
can take up during our visit, we’ll try and sort things out but not everything needs to be sorted out immediately,” he said. “The manner
in which the whole visit has been structured is that it is just an exchange of friendship and goodwill, we will continue to discuss other
matters of bilateral importance to the two countries.”


Bhutan's participation in Smithsonian Folklife Festival 2008.

The Festival will celebrate Bhutan's special approach towards life in the 21st century, which, as national policy, is described as the
pursuit of "Gross National Happiness." The Bhutanese have chosen a different path towards development, rooted in deep respect for
and protection of the Kingdom's unique resources.

With most of its people practicing traditional farming, Bhutan is an agrarian society where people live close to the land that sustains
them. Their eco-friendly practices are in part responsible for Bhutan being one of the most biologically diverse and environmentally
pristine countries in the world today. Bhutan also is the last country where the Vajrayana form of Mahayana Buddhism is practiced
extensively and influences all aspects of daily life.

The Festival will bring more than 100 Bhutanese artists, dancers, craftspeople, cooks, carpenters, farmers, and representatives of
monastic life who will celebrate the living traditions that define and sustain their culture. Artisans will demonstrate Bhutan's thirteen
traditional arts (zorig chusum) and specifically how these link the people to the land. Weavers will showcase the diversity of complex
weaving traditions that have made Bhutanese textiles some of the most coveted in the world today. Sculptors, painters, and carvers
will demonstrate the skilled arts that continue to adorn monasteries and temples, as well as most Bhutanese homes. Monastic dancers
will perform ritual masked dances from the highly choreographed and symbolic sacred festivals (tsechus).


Rare Ocelot Sighting
Another feather in Bhutan’s conservation cap

11 June, 2008 - A rare morph of the Asiatic golden cat (the ocelot morph) has been sighted in the high altitude mountains of the
Jigme Singye Wangchuck national park, which nature conservationists are calling another feather in the cap of Bhutan’s conservation
efforts.

The ocelot morph is considered a separate species of wild cat.

Two pictures of the rare ocelot morph were captured by an intensive camera trapping exercise targeted for tigers and leopards in the
northern part of the park. According to the chief of nature conservation division (NCD), Dr Sonam Wangyel Wang, the photos were the
first of the rare cat caught on camera in the wild. It was captured in the Sephu region at an altitude of 3,738 metres above sea level.

Camera records showed that the pictures dated October 6 and October 9, 2006.

“This is not only the first record of the existence of these cats in high altitude mountains but, for the ocelot morph, it’s the only photo
captured in the wild,” said the chief, who presented the pictures to a group of cat specialists in the United Kingdom. “We didn’t know
what animal it was and sent it to cat scientists in India and the US for identification. We called it the ‘mystery cat’.”

The only available physical evidence of the ocelot morph was so far from a zoo in China. Its presence in many parts of China was
also reported, but no physical evidence was published to support the claim. Dr Sonam Wangyel Wang said the photo from the
Chinese zoo was not the best reference for identifying the morph. “The photo from our camera trap is a bit lighter, with a bushy tail,
compared with the grayish morph with its tail tipping at the end from the zoo,” he said.

The ocelot morph is known to occur in tropical and sub tropical forests and grasslands. The pictures captured in Bhutan were at the
highest altitude. But Dr Sonam Wang said that cat family could easily adapt to different altitudes.

There are about 11 species of cats found in Bhutan of the 36 cat species in the world. The director of NCD, Karma Dukpa, said that
the department is proud of the discovery. “It reflects our sound conservation policies,” he said. “When the world is battling to fight
extinction of species, we’re discovering new animals. It motivates us to further commit to conservation of our rich biodiversity.”

Dr Sonam Wang added that Bhutan’s conservation polices made the country the best corridor for wildlife. “We are small, but we have
a number of rare species of wildlife.”

By Ugyen Penjore
ugyenpen@kuensel.com.bt



IT park plus perks

9 June, 2008 - A 15-year tax holiday, 100 percent foreign equity participation, free entry of experts and knowledge workers permitted
are some of the incentives the government is offering to entrepreneurs interested in developing the IT park project at Wangchutaba,
Thimphu.

To be developed at a special economic zone, the park is to be developed in a five acre area and businesses operating within the park
must ensure that 80 percent of their products and services are exported.
“We’re looking at BPOs, research and development, programming and the like to be happening in the park,” said IT officer at DIT,
Karma Tshering.

Developers will have to make their own investments in developing the park and sell the space to interested IT companies within and
outside the country. Subsidiaries of multinational companies will be allowed to take up space in the park.

Even for companiess that take up space within the parksthe government is offering a 10 years tax holiday, 100 percent foreign equity,
minimum investment size of US$ 100,000, instead of the current minimum of US$ 500,000, and flexibility to obtain investment
capital globally with the approval of the government.

To share the investment risk of the developer, the government will lease a 10,000 sq ft space and pay rent to the developer, said
Karma Tshering. The space will be used to develop data and incubation centres.

Water, power, sewerage and fibre connectivity to the park will be provided by the government. ?The main aim is to leverage ICT for
good governance, create an info-culture and create an hitech habitat. The park will be a hub, which caters to development of
entreprenuership skills, where people can come and update business knowledge,? said Karma Tshering. ?It will also have pluck and
play centres, which is a bigger internet café, and facilities for video conferencing.?

The government formally approved the project this week after the tripartite meeting of the information and communication, finance
and economic affairs ministries.

The ministry is hoping that an outside entrepreneur will take up the project after it floats a global tender.

By Tashi Dendup


Local Artisans under import threat

28 May, 2008 - The beating of a dozen hammers does not distract 19-year old Kinzang Tobgay. A hammer and a chisel in hand, the
third year student of the Zorig Chusum institute in Thimphu is fully engrossed in his carving - a mouse drawn on a wooden block.

Before the first bell for break, Kinzang is almost done. He is quick and precise. There is one more year left for Kinzang to graduate. He
wants to open a handicraft showroom in Thimphu.

On Chang lam (street), in a handicraft shop, a group of Thai tourists have made their purchases worth hundreds of US dollars. These
include jewelry, gift items and decorations, but none of them are made in Bhutan.

The handicraft business is booming, but the trend is disturbing for aspiring craftsmen like Kinzang Tobgay.

With a surge in the imports of handicrafts from Delhi, Kalimpong and Kathamandu, proprietors of handicraft shops say that
competition from imported handicrafts has become a direct threat to the survival of traditional products.

“Imported handicrafts will chase us out of the market very soon,” says former instructor of the Zorig Chusum institute, Nim Dorji, who
owns a traditional handicraft shop in the heart of town.

The smell of sang (incense) greets customers at Nim Dorji’s shop with thangkas, bamboo products, dapas, tsholams, and masks on
display. “Sometimes, we don’t earn a single ngultrum. Today is an example,” he says.

Nim Dorji has a workshop on the first floor of his shop where seven craftsmen on contract work on thangkas and masks. “I’m thinking of
sending them away and closing my shop after 2008,” says Nim Dorji, who expects more tourists this year because of the centenary
celebrations. “Import of cheap handicrafts will not only hamper business but threaten the artisans of Bhutan.”

According to the former instructor Zorig Chusum, students are encouraged for self-employment but market realities may prove
otherwise.

The Zorig Chusum institute churns out scores of artisans every year and the principal fears losing the traditional artisans if the trend
continued. “We once lost patang making. Our Zorig skills will deteriorate,” he says. The institute has a mandate to preserve and
promote traditional arts and crafts and create job opportunities for the unemployed youth and school dropouts.

The concern echoes from all the handicraft shops. “Our customers are only local people now,” says the saleswoman of Choki
handicrafts in Kawajangsa. Many others say the same thing.

A range of items from thangkas to masks, jewelry, silver and bronze decorations, statues, and religious instruments are imported. Most
of the imports are oxidized metal products, which give off an antique look.

Salespersons say that tourists, who are the main target (market), take a fancy to oxidized products. “They think that they’re really
antique and are fooled into buying them,” says an owner of a handicraft shop.

Why are Bhutanese handicrafts not selling?

Bhutanese handicrafts are labour intensive and expensive, according to handicrafts shops. The managing director of the national
handicraft emporium, Lungten Wangdi, says that high labour cost is driving prices high, which affects sale. “There is a lack of variety
in Bhutanese handicrafts and they are expensive,” says the director. Even the national emporium started keeping imported handicrafts
to “provide variety”.

“All the raw material has to be imported which adds to the price,” says another handicraft shop owner. “Imported handicrafts are
produced in mass and become cheaper. For example, it takes about three months to finish a intricate designed kira.”

However, those selling imported handicrafts tell a different story. According to the proprietor of Lungta handicrafts, there is a short
supply of Bhutanese handicraft items. “They cannot supply what we want. They take months to finish one item,” she says. One reason
why Bhutanese products don’t sell, according to the proprietor, was because Bhutanese handicrafts were not for utility. “It’s very rare a
tourist buys an expensive koma. They prefer a simple imported brooch to an expensive koma,” she says. “Most Bhutanese products
were only bought for decoration and they are overpriced.” For instance, a thangka imported from Nepal still sells at a huge profit
margin although thangkas are one of the most produced handicrafts in Bhutan.

Some even say that Bhutanese handicrafts are poor in quality and do not attract attention when displayed together with imported
items.

Not long ago, a handicraft association was formed but it could not have much impact, according to Nim Dorji. “We’d like the
government to support our trade by bringing traditional handicraft sellers under one roof in an identified area,” says Tshewang
Chogyal of Druk bronze casting works.

Back at the Zorig Chusum, principal Thinley is hoping that the seal of excellence will protect quality Bhutanese products. “We hope
the seal, once in function, will help our traditional products,” he said.

By Ugyen Penjore
ugyenpen@kuensel.com.bt


Enforcing the law brutally?
23 May 2008
The law is clearly defined on paper but what about its enforcement?
Is there too much force used by the enforcers, defying the written law itself? The issue is about police brutality.
There is no denying that it happens nationwide but such cases have always been kept out of the media. Not anymore.

People are now coming forward to inform the public about what is going on inside the confines of the police stations.
Requesting anonymity, an adolescent in Thimphu said, “Police have engaged in unnecessary
rough treatment both physically and verbally. While the proportion of abusive officers is generally small, responsible authorities often
fail to act decisively to restrain such acts.”

The issue of brutality became the forum for discussion after a letter published in this paper by the brother of Kesang Wangyal
Tshultim, concerning his treatment by the Thimphu police. There was a response from the police but it was not a refutation of any of
the charges made by the brother, Jigme Tshultim. It was about the past record of the brothers.
Kesang Wangyal Tshultim. 28, was allegedly beaten until he was unconscious, dumped in the back of a patrol car and taken to the
station. At the station, he was half stripped and handcuffed to the flag pole and beaten by several officers. He was not allowed to visit
the hospital except for the MI room and kept in handcuffs for a month.

The Civil and Criminal Procedure Code states that a person arrested shall not be subjected to restrain than is reasonably necessary to
prevent his/her escape.

He was arrested in the early hours of March 2, on his way home with friends from the Buzz Club, on grounds of disturbing public
peace, obstruction of justice and raising hands on a police officer.

“The way my brother was treated by the police officers was not fair. They can’t take the law in their hands. Somebody has to start the
fight. It’s not about me, us and we, it’s about the whole society,” said Kesang Wangyal’s brother, Jigme Tshultim.

“If we clean up the police organisation, it will be safer for society. We are regulated by a rule of law,” he added.
Jigme did not deny that his brother may have broken the law saying that he should be punished accordingly. “The law must prevail,
but it should be all encompassing, including to those that are entrusted with its upkeep,” he said.
The officers ignored all the rules and regulation set by the government and its various institutions,
ignoring every human decency and rights, he said.

Police ill-treatment involved two people on the same day. Kesang’s friend, Yeshi, went to visit him after finding out that he was in
custody only to be meted out the same flag pole treatment. The police then searched his car and claimed that they had found some
drugs inside. “A person has to be insane to go inside a police station with drugs thrown about openly in his car,” said the friend, Yeshi.

Later, he was asked to write a statement where he wrote about how Kesang Wangyal was beaten. Thereafter, he was also put in police
custody for a week. When his case reached the court, it was dismissed on grounds of lack of evidence.
However, a witness, who was with Kesang Wangyal throughout the scene, was also made to write a statement after which no action or
search was conducted on him.

“Why did the police let go of the other witness and not me. Why this differentiation,” said Yeshi. An official from RBP said that Kesang
Wangyal was involved in a series of assault cases in the past for which he was penalised by the court.
The RBP reports that it is their duty as the custodian of the law to safeguard the lives and properties
of all people and uphold the law regardless of socio-economic background, race, culture and religion.

The police say that it was not easy to uphold law and discharge responsibilities given the increasing challenges of violence,
substance abuse and alcoholism, especially among the youths.

The RBP refused to comment further as the case was still sub judice. “The issue is not about crime, it’s about torturing the person,”
said Jigme Tshultim. He now expects an enquiry as soon as possible and hopes for a civil agency controlling the conduct of the
police.

The home minister, Lyonpo Minjur Dorji, said that police usually don’t and are not supposed to manhandle people. “However, it
depends on the situation and circumstances,” he added.

He is hoping the police organisation will come under the MoHCA, most probably by the next National Assembly session this year after
the endorsement of the Police Act.

A spokesperson from the Thimphu District Court said that Kesang Wangyal could not be let out on bail because of his numerous past
records. “He might not be let out by paying monetary penalty after the verdict is out. Though the case is not so serious, he is a
habitual offender.”


Bhutanese parliamentarians appreciate Indian prime minister


22 May, 2008 - As the joint sitting of the National Assembly resumed on Tuesday, members of parliament expressed their gratitude to
the Indian government and the prime minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, who addressed the joint sitting on Saturday and committed Nu
100 billion in assistance for the next five years.

Opposition leader Tshering Tobgay said that the visit by the prime minister of the largest democracy, India, was a significant event
especially when democracy in Bhutan was initiated by the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and when the first elected government in Bhutan has
come to power.
“We owe this help and affection to our kings, who laid strong foundation of Indo-Bhutan friendship. We profusely thank our kings and
the Indian government for their continuous support and this year’s huge financial help,” he said.

“Despite no proper transportation, Pandit Jawarlal Nehru visited Bhutan 50 years ago and sowed the seeds of our friendship. What we
see today is the fruits our friendship has borne,” said national council member Kinley Tshering.

“We’re grateful to the Indian government and its people for their unwavering support to our country’s development, especially in terms
of human resources and the judiciary. We owe the improvement in these sectors to the Indian government and hope that this support
will continue to grow.”

Education minister Thakur Singh Powdyel said that the prime minister’s address during the first national assembly session was an
historic event because it coincided with the start of democracy and the beginning of His Majesty the Fifth Druk Gyalpo’s reign. “We’re
grateful for the prime minister’s valuable advice on the responsibility of parliamentarians,” he said.

The Ngatshang- Drametse Thuemi, Ugyen Wangdi, said that the prime minister’s valuable advice to MPS has made them proud. “We’
re immensely grateful for the prime minister’s assurance to treat Bhutan like his own country and people. We pray that henceforth our
relation becomes stronger than before.”

Works and human settlement minister Yeshey Zimba said that, at a time when there were three significant events taking place in the
country, the commitment of Nu 100 billion would help in fulfilling all the hopes and aspirations of our people. “We’re extremely
grateful,” he said.

Labour and human resources minister, Dorji Wangdi, said that the visit of the then prime minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi to Bhutan was
a like a dream to him. “The present visit of India’s prime minister and the opportunity to see him was overwhelming,” he said.

Lhamoizhingkha representative expressed his gratefulness and said that the prime minister’s address to the parliamentarians was an
auspicious event for the relationship between Bhutan and India. “We remain grateful for India’s support and help to lay a strong
foundation for democracy in Bhutan.”

By Dema




Tiger in snow leapord Territory
7 May, 2008 - Fresh pictures and pugmarks from the Jigme Dorji national park (JDNP) show that royal Bengal tigers in Bhutan are
being found at altitudes never seen before. In fact, authorities say that the tigers are going so high that they are overlapping the
habitat of the elusive snow leopard.

“We’ve realized that Bhutan is now officially the only country in the world to have tigers at such high altitudes and also the only
country where the habitat of the snow leopard and the tiger are overlapping,” said ‘Tiger Sangay’ of the nature conservation division
(NCD). Sources say that pugmarks and pictures can be seen between 3,700 to 4,300 m in the latest study.

The study, which started in April 2008, is using 38 strategically placed GPS-marked and infrared-trigger cameras to find out the total
number of tigers in the country. At the moment, the study is focused in JDNP and will move to other parks. According to Tiger Sangay,
each tiger has a unique stripe.

The study will also extend to get a solid photographic record of the total number of snow leopards in the country. The rough estimate
was around 100 but there is now confirmed data that can support this guesstimate. These cats have been known to reside in heights of
up to 5,500 m coming down to 2,000 m in the winters.

The implications and reasons for tigers being found at such high altitudes will hopefully emerge from the study. “We may also get
data on how the overlapping of territory of these two big cats may be affecting each other, if at all,” said Sangay.

“Global warming with warmer temperatures in the higher reaches is a logical but not confirmed explanation,” said animal specialist Dr
Sangay Wangchuk of NCD.

Another possible explanation could also be habitat pressure on tigers forcing them to extend their hunting area upwards with growing
habitat disruption at the lower reaches.

Officials also say that the latest data is an indication of the good health of Bhutan’s forests because they allow the tiger to easily
reach high places due to continuous forest cover in a diverse landscape. Another explanation, say experts, could be that it may
always have been there but it is only now that we are learning about it.

“We’re also hoping to see if tigers at these altitudes have developed any extra features by which we can classify them as being
different from their cousins in the plains,” said Sangay. “We’re looking for features like if they’re bigger than the plain version or if they
have more fur to deal with the cold.”

He is already looking forward to compiling a comprehensive report on Bhutan’s unique and little known high altitude tigers for
scientific journals like Biological Conservation, Journal of Wildlife Management, etc.

Also, an area of interest will be a study on how tigers and snow leopards are affecting each other. “The worst case scenario will be the
bigger tiger going higher and minusing out the smaller snow leopard, since they don’t tolerate other predators in their area, but
generally we hope that they’ll not impact each other nor come into close contact.” Tigers and snow leopards so far have moved
higher and lower, according to season, in winter and summer, but the record altitude of these tigers may also test this theory. Another
data emerging is that tigers and snow leopards are also following the migration pattern of domestic yaks and cattle.

“With 300,000 cattle increasingly penetrating more forest, they’re beginning to affect the hunting patterns of these big cats,” said Dr
Sangay Wangchuk. Between 2003 to 2006, there were 424 confirmed tiger kills of yaks, cows, horses, bull, mules and sheep.

The last study was done in the Jigme Singye Wangchuck park where cameras were similarly used in 2006 to get data of tigers there.
Old data show that 115-150 tigers are found in Bhutan and have been seen in Bumdeling wildlife sanctuary, Thrumshingla national
park and also in Manas and Sarpang.

With emerging new data on tigers and snow leopards, Bhutan may be the next frontier of research into unlocking the secrets of these
unlikely high altitude competitors.

By Tenzing Lamsang



Bhutan Discover hits the stand
1 May, 2008 - Tourism has forayed into print with the launch of the country’s first travel magazine “Discover Bhutan” yesterday. The
100 glossy paged magazine aims to provide a platform for the tourism fraternity and the general public to highlight information and
experiences, apart from enabling people to make the best choice of destination in Bhutan.

“It’s just another communication tool for those who don’t know about Bhutan and we want it to be a comprehensive tourism magazine
that reaches the grass root level,” said the general secretary of the association of Bhutanese tour operators (ABTO).

Published by ABTO, in collaboration with Rabsell Media Services, the plan to produce such a magazine was there for two years, but
it was not until last December that they actually started working on the first issue.

The first issue dedicates its tribute to Bhutan’s great leaders and includes articles on textiles, architecture, food, indigenous healing,
environment and tourism. It also features regular information on Drukair’s import and export regulations and festival dates.

Chief editor Sangay Wangchuk told Kuensel that the journey to bringing out a magazine was challenging. He is keen to produce
stories on one of its chapters - indigenous healing - by making them simpler to understand.

“We’re trying to connect our Bhutanese with the old traditions; they do have meaning and we have to understand the simplicity of our
traditions.”

They aim to publish Discover Bhutan on a quarterly basis in the coming years. As of now, it’s distributed only in Thimphu and Paro.

“We plan to tie up with big organizations, that have outlets all over the country, so that the magazine reaches every part of Bhutan,”
said marketing and research head Tshering Wangchuk.

A total of 5,000 copies were printed, of which 3,000 will be available in outlets in Thimphu. The outlets include restaurants,
bookshops and a few hotels. Each copy costs Nu 100. The remaining copies will be distributed to tour operators in and outside Bhutan
and at major travel trade fairs.

Discover Bhutan will be a bi-annual magazine. Their second issue will hit the stands in September.

By Sonam Pelden
spelden@kuensel.com.bt



23 April, 2008 - In the presence of a kusung thugten (symbol of body, speech, and mind), that was placed on the Golden Throne to
symbolize the blessing of His Majesty the King, Bhutan’s prime minister and cabinet ministers, the speaker and deputy speaker of the
National Assembly, and members of the Assembly took an oath of affirmation of office on April 21.

Administered by the Chief Justice, Lyonpo Sonam Tobgye, in the National Assembly hall, the parliamentarians pledged to uphold the
sovereignty and integrity of Bhutan, conscientiously discharge their duties in the service of the tsa-wa-sum (country, king, people) and
perform the duties of their office without fear or favour, and to bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution.

The prime minister, cabinet ministers, speaker and deputy speaker took a separate affirmation of secrecy, that they would not directly
or indirectly communicate or reveal to any person any matter brought for their consideration or made known to them as minister or
speaker, except when required for the discharge of their duties.

The National Assembly elected its speaker and deputy speaker on the same day. The members endorsed the nomination of Druk
Phuensum Tshogpa’s candidate from Radhi-Sakteng constituency in Trashigang, Jigme Tshultim, as the speaker and Yangkhu
Tshering Sherpa of Kikhorthang-Mendrelgang constituency in Tsirang as deputy speaker.

A proposal by the opposition leader, Tshering Tobgay, to nominate his PDP colleague, Damcho Dorji, as the deputy speaker was
voted out by the members.

Members of the ruling party said that, if Damcho Dorji was elected as the deputy speaker, there would not be an opposition member to
raise or deliberate issues. Damcho Dorji withdrew his nomination and supported Yangku Tshering Sherpa.

“It was unfortunate that nobody shared my opinion,” Tshering Tobgay told Kuensel after the election.

According to the National Assembly secretary, Nima Tshering, the role of speaker would differ from the past. In the new system, the
speaker’s role would be to maintain the decorum of the National Assembly, conduct the sessions, and grant leave to members. “The
speaker cannot take his own decisions, based on two or three submissions,” he told Kuensel. “Decisions will be based on consensus.”

The members of the National Assembly received an audience with His Majesty the King after the ceremony.

By Rinzin Wangchuk
dz_editor@kuensel.com.bt




Ban on import of rice lifted

Latest 18 April, 2008 - The government of India has lifted the ban on import of popular rice brands like BN20, Basmati, and Boiled
rice to Bhutan with immediate effect.

This special gesture is being considered only to Bhutan in view of the cordial and friendly relations shared by the two countries, stated
a press release from the agriculture ministry.
With the recent surge in food prices, the ministry assured the general public that there was no reason to panic. “We would like to
remind that hoarding of essential commodities, like rice, is strictly prohibited and we request all hoarders to immediately release their
stocks in the market,” stated the press release.

Bhutan's Youngest minister
14 April, 2008 - Some time last year when the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa was finalizing its constituency candidates, an informal “mini
mock election” was held by a small family in Zilukha, Thimphu.

The election was not serious, but three of the four-member family voted the family head, Dorji Wangdi, to accept the ticket to run
from the Pangbang constituency in Zhemgang.

On Thursday, this same family, which had just shifted into a newly constructed bungalow, was extremely busy to receive the man of
the house, Lyonpo Dorji Wangdi.

“I can’t believe my father has become a minister,” said Lyonpo Dorji Wangdi’s daughter, Sangay Wangmo, 16. “Actually I voted
against him on running for parliament.”

Lyonpo Dorji Wangdi, who was awarded Dakyen as the labour and human resource minister yesterday, is the youngest minister at 41
years and the first from the Khengri namsum (the three regions of Kheng). “I’m humbled by the trust and the faith my party and the
people have in me,” said the newly appointed minister.

Lyonpo Dorji Wangdi is among the first graduates from Sherubtse College to assume a ministerial post in government. Born in a
simple farming family in Mewangang village, the minister describes himself as a religious minded, hard working person. True to what
he said, he is commonly known among friends as Guru or the prayer captain; he served as prayer captain for 12 years in school and
college.

Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine of becoming a minister. “I always wanted to become a teacher since my school days,” said
the minister. But joining politics was a response to the call of the nation. “I wanted to participate and participate with full dedication
and in an exemplary manner.”

Lyonpo Dorji Wangdi holds a master’s degree in business administration and laughs when reminded of his ambitions and degree. “I
think my greatest strength comes from my spiritual cravings and the academic qualification I pursued,” he said. “I went on to do
things, that are in contrast to my nature, but that has made me a strong person.”

The post of a minister is a huge mandate, according to the minister, who served as planning and programme officer in the finance
ministry and planning commission. Lyonpo Dorji Wangdi was working as deputy cabinet secretary for seven years before joining
politics. “My experience has taught me fairly well of the workings of government,” he said. “I’m comfortable because my ministry has a
huge group of professionals to guide me.”

The Tenth Plan states the need to create 93,000 jobs, but Lyonpo Dorji Wangdi is not worried. “Unemployment is a normal
phenomenon in developing countries,” he said. “What we have to do is take stock of the job-seekers, that would come in thousands.
We’ll have to align our education system to the job market.” Thus, one of his top priorities would be to work together with the
education ministry.

Asked what kind of unemployment picture he could visualize after five years, the minister said that the rate of unemployment would
not drop from 3.5 percent. “Even if we can keep it to 3.5 percent, it will be an achievement,” he said. He reasons that there will be
more people looking for jobs, as thousands of students finish school every year.

The new minister had not prepared much for the huge task that rests on his shoulders. “I’m not prepared because I didn’t think I would
be entrusted with this task,” he told Kuensel. However, he said that he would work closely with civil servants and believes himself to be
a good team manager. “Politicians will come and go, but civil servants will always be there,” he said. “I’ll need their help and
guidance. With our collective wisdom, everything will be smooth.”

Back in Zilukha, his family believes that the new minister will carry out his responsibilities efficiently. “He’s a hard working and sincere
person, who even brings his work home almost every day,” said Dorji Yeshey, 14, the younger of his two children.

Wife Pemo, 36, is quite reserved and more worried than happy at her husband’s new post. “Being a minister means a lot of
responsibilities,” she said. “I was against his decision to join politics, because we had two school-going children to feed,” she said. “I’m
shocked to hear that he is becoming a minister. There are many capable candidates in his party.”

Friends and colleagues call Lyonpo Dorji Wangdi a sincere and a disciplined man. An ardent fan of Newcastle football club
(England), Lyonpo Dorji Wangdi loves watching and even playing football. “He’s more like a friend than a father,” said daughter
Sangay Wangmo, whose friends have already started teasing her by asking for rides in her father’s new ministerial vehicle.

By Ugyen Penjore
ugyenpen@kuensel.com.bt

Global warming guarantees GLOF

10 April, 2008 - If UNDP’s projection of a possible outburst of Thorthormi glacier-lake in Lunana by 2010 comes to pass, the
destruction downstream may be catastrophic. A team from the department of geology and mines, which joined experts in the field
from Austria, found that Thorthormi and Raphstreng lakes pose a serious and immediate threat of glacial lakes outburst floods (GLOF)
to life and infrastructure in downstream communities of the Punakha-Wangdue and Chamkhar valleys.

A UNDP situation analysis on vulnerabilities from GLOF in the two valleys states that about 10 percent of the country’s population lives
in these two valleys.

The report points out that, along the Punatsangchu, the country’s longest river, were emerging townships, important historical
structures, major hydropower projects, farmland and public infrastructural projects. Chamkhar valley in Bumthang was emerging as an
important urban, tourist and economic hub.

Geology and mines officials said that it was impossible to make any predictions as to how long they have to avert nature’s wrath. “They
pose no immediate danger,” said the director of geology and mines, Dorji Wangda, adding that, at the same time, they could not
procrastinate mitigation work.

A geologist, Karma Toeb, who visits the glacial sites every year, said that each time he saw new and disturbing developments.

While all the three glacier lakes, Thorthormi, Raphstreng and Luggye showed signs of bursting individually any time in future,
geologists feared the worst case scenario, where two of the bigger lakes could merge and flow down as one giant GLOF.

Karma Toeb said that the Thorthormi lake adjoining Raphstreng lake was slightly elevated and separated by just a 75-metre thick (at
the top) moraine dam, which is a mass of earth and rock debris carried and left at the edges by melting glaciers.

The Thorthormi glacier, Karma Toeb said, was solid ice in the 50s. “Glaciers are melting every year and several small ponds have
formed, which are spreading and joining,” he said. “The water from this lake is leaking into Raphstreng.”

Recent studies suggest rates of glacial retreat in the Himalayas as high as 30 to 60 metres a decade.

The geology and mines director said that they wondered how long the moraine dams would endure until gradually giving into
pressure from the melting Thorthormi glaciers. “These moraine dams are cemented by the core ice, which is melting from global
warming,” said Dorji Wangda. “The dams will fail if global warming keeps increasing.”

Should the two lakes join together, geology and mines officials said that it would burst open to unleash some 53 million cubic metres
of floodwater.

During the 1994 flood in Punakha, the 140-metre deep Luggye tsho burst open and let out 18 million cubic metres of flood water,
which damaged more than 1,700 acres of agriculture and pasture land, washed away five mills, 16 yaks and several houses, six tonnes
of food grains, government infrastructure and killed 22 people.

Geologists said that rocks and material, occasionally dropping into the narrow gorge, which was the outlet created by the Luggye tsho
when it burst in 1994, was blocking the thin passageway. This, they fear would allow water volume to rise until another flood hit the
valley down stream.

To mitigate the threat from Thorthormi lake, geology and mines officials will have to dig a channel at the outlet so as to reduce the
water volume in the lake by five metres. “Whenever the water level rises, it’ll flow out through the channel,” said karma Toeb. “That
won’t allow hydrostatic pressures to build up in the lake,” added Dorji Wangda.

The UNDP sanctioned a total budget outlay of US$ 7.8 million on April 8, for the mitigation work. Geology and mines officials said
that the first phase, which begins this year, would be used to prepare logistics, stocking up food and carrying excavating materials and
equipment to the glacial site.

“We can’t use explosives, so everything has to be done manually,” said Karma Toeb. The real work of excavation, which is expected
to begin in the following three years after the first phase, would require about 300 workers.

According to UNDP officials, the project will look into building capacity for disaster risk management at the national, regional and
local levels to address the need to incorporate climate change into ongoing disaster risk management decision-making and practices.

It will also work towards reducing the risk of GLOF from Thorthormi Lake by artificially lowering its water level and enhance resilience
of vulnerable populations in Punakha-Wangdue valley by establishing an early warning system for GLOF and other flash floods.

Bhutan has 677 glaciers and 2,674 glacial lakes, of which 25 pose potentially high risk of GLOF.

By Samten Wangchuk
samme@kuensel.com.bt

DPT endorses Jigme Y Thinley as Prime Minister

5 April, 2008 - A total of 150 Druk Phuensum Tshogpa members and key supporters unanimously endorsed the nomination of the
party president, Jigmi Y Thinley, as the Prime Minister of the newly elected DPT government, at a party meeting today in Thimphu.

The Prime Minister elect outlined the party’s immediate plans, which is adopting the draft Constitution and structuring the draft
10th Plan to the party’s manifesto.

Jigmi Thinley said that corruption will not be tolerated at any level and this will begin from within the party. The party and the
candidates would have to set an example and anyone found corrupt would be taken to task.

The PM elect also said that government would work to strengthen the media and give it as much access as possible. He said
that the media had an important role to play but it must act responsibly and report the truth.

The party’s executive committee, which comprises the 20 dzongkhag coordinators and candidates of the 47 constituencies, also
discussed and endorsed, behind closed doors, the new government’s cabinet profile. Twelve nominations were endorsed to fill
the posts of 10 ministers, the Speaker and the deputy Speaker.

The list of nominations will be submitted to His Majesty the King this week.


Stock market in a slump

12 November, 2007 - Sluggish trading in the Bhutanese secondary stock market is slowing down even further.
Less than 24,000 shares worth about Nu 13.3 million were traded in the first six months of this year, a drop of more than 50 percent
compared with same period last year, according to records of the Royal Securities Exchange of Bhutan. More than 78,900 shares
worth Nu 2.8 million were traded in the first half of 2006.

Shares of seven of the 16 listed companies were traded in the secondary market as of June 30 this year.

Bhutan National Bank shares were the most traded, 10,904 shares worth Nu 7.79 million, at Nu 600-750 a share in 29 transactions.
The lowest transactions were on 20 shares of a value of Nu 13,000.

Penden Cement Authority Limited (PCAL) traded 4,640 shares worth Nu 3.1 million, all in May and June between Nu 550-700 a share.

A total of 2,860 RICBL shares worth Nu 861,920 were also traded as of June this year at a maximum of Nu 300 a share.

The highest single transaction during the period happened on May 25 when 3,020 BNB shares worth Nu 2.12 million were traded.

The Eastern Bhutan Coal Company, Druk Satair Corporation Limited and Druk Stones and Minerals Limited saw between one to two
transactions in the six-month period.

While no analysis has been done to explain this sudden drop, exchange officials explain that initial primary offers (IPOs) by new
companies in past two years have failed to attract investors like they used to in the past.

Observers point out that the culture of buy now to sell later was still absent among Bhutanese investors, who were driven mostly by
dividends declared by companies.

The flow of business information related to performance of the listed companies was also not available to investors on a regular basis
to speculate.


Legend of the Girgirla Aring

12 November, 2007 - As one ascends to Dangdung village from Langthel gewog in Trongsa, paddy stalks laden with grain sway in the
breeze on either side of the road.

At a glance all one can see are terraced fields stretching far and wide. But a closer look reveals something else - a vast semi-circular
single terraced paddy field, which is locally known as Girgirla aring or field in the shape of a circle.

A single aring measures more than five langdos (a langdo is the land area ploughed by a pair of bulls in a day) makes up more than
half the paddy fields of Dangdung.

The vastness of this single aring makes farmers feel tired even though they have worked on it for years. According to village elders, it
takes a whole day for five pairs of bull to plough the aring. “We need no less than 30 workers to plant seedlings in a single day,” said
Sangla, 50, from Gangphel. “The joke is: a dog running from one end will disappear from sight before it reaches the other.”

Girgirla is often divided into three portions during cultivation or preparation for cultivation. Each portion will have a pair of bulls and a
dozen workers. “A power tiller takes a whole day to plough the field,” Sangla said.

Village elders believe that Girgirla was once a lake. “The water dried and people started cultivating in it,” said a farmer. Unlike other
paddy fields, Girgirla need not be watered frequently. “We just need to irrigate it once. The water never dries even if it doesn’t rain for
months,” said Sangla.

According to Sangla, Girgirla belongs to one family in Bumthang and is cultivated by the farmers of Dangdung on a sharecropping
basis. Fifty percent of the harvest is given to the family that owns the land.

According to sharecroppers, Girgirla yields about 2.7 metric tonnes of rice in a good season. The lowest yield was recorded at 1.2
metric tonnes a few years ago, when wild animals destroyed a major portion of the field.

There is also a legend about Girgirla.

Village elders say that once a couple bet that they could cultivate the field in one day without help. The man ploughed and the
woman transplanted paddy seedlings from dawn to dusk.

When the work was completed, the couple died on the spot because they were too exhausted. “Therefore, the belief prevails that work
on the Girgirla can never be completed in a day,” said Tashi Lhamo, 44, from Wamai village.

Democracy Begins at Home

12 November, 2007 - Twenty-five print, TV and broadcast journalists were cautioned not to take sides and always strive for unbiased
and well-balanced stories and to be aware of the likelihood of political parties using media as their propaganda mouthpiece in a five-
day training on election reporting, which was held in Thimphu from November 5-9.

The training, which was conducted by two senior journalists from Germany, Elke Pickartz and Peter Prufert, taught the Bhutanese
journalists how to organise coverage of political activities, balance arguments, construct interview questionnaires and analyse
speeches and party manifestos.

“Media at this juncture in Bhutan has an incredibly important and difficult role,” said Mr Peter Prufert. “Since all are new to the
system, it will have to explain, inform and convince the voters of ongoing political changes.”

Elke Pickartz said media personnel must avoid using their own opinions in the stories and always cross-check and confirm with
sources. “Individual journalists must weigh their obligations against any involvement with the parties.”

The resource persons pointed out that the most important factor in the whole process was the voters, so the media must always keep in
mind the general interests of people and work fearlessly.

“As long as media mention arguments from all sides and provide balanced stories so that the people in the end can make an
intelligent choice, it is normal to be blamed regularly by the political parties,” they said.

Journalists who attended the training said that they now felt more confident about writing analytical reports on political events.

“I can now prioritize the issues and do more justice to my profession,” said Karma Tenzin from Bhutan Times, who covers political
stories.

The training programme was sponsored by United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and organized by Kuensel Corporation
Limited. At the concluding session, the resident coordinator of UNDP, Mr Nicholas Rosselini, said, “I hope you have understood the
importance of media’s attitude to democracy and you would use that influential power in a responsible manner”.

Hit and run on runway



12 November, 2007 - A 42-year old Royal Bhutan Army personnel was killed on the spot after a speeding Maruti van ran over him at
the Paro International Airport runway.

The incident occurred at around 8:30 pm on November 9 where the runway resurfacing works goes on into the night.
Gopa Thinley and chuma (constable) Tashi were on a routine patrol, checking overtime workers entering or leaving the runway and
making sure that the exit gates to the runway were properly sealed.

Gopa Thinley died on the spot after he was hit head-on by the van, which grazed past chuma Tashi, who was thrown off the runway
and knocked out cold. When he regained consciousness, the van had disappeared and the gopa lay dead. He ran up to his drimpon
at the station and reported the incident. Chuma Tashi escaped with minor injuries to the head, limbs and ribs.

A standing duty, overlooking the entire runway and the airport from a tower nearby, reported that the van was at a very high speed and
changed course from the centre of the runway towards the side where the two soldiers were.

Although the van’s headlights were on, the area where the two soldiers were standing that fateful night fell on its blind spot.

The maruti van driver, who had fled the accident scene, was later caught by RBA personnel at his house after they were informed by
Dantak officials. The driver was handed over to Paro police where he remains in custody.

The driver works for an Indian contractor, who is working with Dantak on the resurfacing work which began in April this year.

Sources pointed out that, on another occasion, a speeding pick-up truck belonging to the same contractor had toppled and injured
some of the resurfacing workers.

Civil aviation officials said that runway resurfacing work begins at 12 noon, after the planes have landed. The runway was then
levelled for planes to land or take off the next day.

Gopa Thinley is survived by his wife and three children.
Cultural Tour itinerary
Trekking Itinerary