Article on Bhutan

Ajay0 · Mar 18, 2022

Informative article on Bhutan in Asia by Jack Harries...

A Reverence for the Environment: Treading Softly in Bhutan | SUITCASE Magazine

Closed to tourists until 1974, Bhutan is a country much shrouded in mystery and rumour. A Buddhist nation cradled high in the eastern Himalayas, it is sandwiched between two of the world's most populous countries - India and China - and is perhaps best known for prioritising its population's happiness in place of gross domestic product using a socio-economic index known as "Gross National Happiness".

Less acknowledged is that Bhutan is the only country on the planet that is carbon negative. Despite being one of the smallest countries in the world it has one of the largest commitments to conservation, mandating that a minimum of 60 per cent of land must remain under forest cover forever. In travelling here my intention is to understand the meaning of happiness in a society where Buddhism is deeply rooted, but where the temptations (and collateral damage) of a more affluent, fast-paced way of life are also rising.

. The growing temptation of urban development is at odds with Bhutan's continued ecological integrity, and it's clear that this small country is at a turning point. Breathing in the crisp, clean air, I wonder if it will be able to manage its hunger for economic growth alongside the preservation of its distinctive culture, society and environment. The secret to happiness might hang in the balance. ~ Jack Harries
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