𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥-𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐀𝐢𝐫 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐆𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲

…𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒉𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒉𝒏𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒄𝒐𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒅𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒔

By Kezang Choden

Bhutan, the world’s only carbon-negative country and a global leader in environmental protection, has launched its first dedicated national air quality monitoring platform, AQ Watch-Bhutan, as concerns grow over rising pollution from domestic and transboundary sources. Despite its low-carbon status, air quality in Bhutan has shown signs of deterioration in recent years. In response, the government has taken a proactive step by introducing a digital dashboard that allows users to monitor air pollution trends across the country in real time.

The dashboard was officially launched on October 30, 2025, in Thimphu. On the same day, it was formally handed over by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) to the Department of Environment and Climate Change under the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of the Royal Government of Bhutan.
AQ Watch-Bhutan enables users to select any region on an interactive map to view changes in air quality over time. The platform provides detailed information on key pollutants, including fine particulate matter (PM2.5), ozone, and carbon monoxide.

The dashboard was developed by a team of air pollution experts and software developers at ICIMOD in collaboration with the Government Technology Agency, Bhutan. It was jointly launched by Sonam Tashi, Director of the Department of Environment and Climate Change, and Ashish Tiwari, Action Area Lead for Air at ICIMOD.
Sonam Tashi highlighted the role of reliable and accessible data. “This AQ Watch-Bhutan plays a pivotal role in ensuring that reliable air quality data are accessible to guide informed decisions to improve air quality. Regional cooperation and technology-driven solutions are critical in addressing the intricate challenges posed by air pollution,” he stated.

The initiative is supported under ICIMOD’s Himalayan Resilience Enabling Action Programme (HI-REAP), which is funded by the UK Government. Following the successful completion of User Acceptance Testing and Quality Assurance processes, AQ Watch-Bhutan has been made fully operational. The platform now enables real-time visualization and analysis of air quality across the country.

The dashboard brings together recent and archived air quality data from multiple sources, including ground-based monitoring stations, satellite observations, reanalysis datasets, and air quality forecasts. Officials say the platform will strengthen evidence-based policymaking and support Bhutan’s long-term commitment to environmental sustainability.

Ashish Tiwari emphasized the policy relevance of the initiative.
“The successful launch of AQ Watch-Bhutan will derive evidence-based policies and bridge the ambient air quality monitoring data gaps in Bhutan to understand the population exposure, hotspots, and emission sources, which help in designing actionable plans,” he said.

Samtse Dzongkhag is emerging as one of Bhutan’s fastest-changing industrial hubs, with expanding factories, mines, and manufacturing units reshaping the dzongkhag’s economic landscape. The rapid growth is creating new employment opportunities and contributing to national revenue, but it is also intensifying concerns over air pollution, community safety, and Bhutan’s ability to safeguard its status as a carbon-negative nation.
As industrial activity accelerates at an unprecedented pace, Samtse has become central to a wider national conversation on whether cleaner technologies, renewable energy, and stronger environmental safeguards can guide Bhutan toward a more sustainable industrial future. The discussion has gained further relevance following the launch of Bhutan’s national air quality monitoring dashboard, AQ Watch, which allows real-time tracking of pollution levels across the country.

Local leaders say the changes bring both promise and uncertainty. Yadu Raj Ghalley, Gup of Norbugang Gewog, described industrial development as a double-edged sword for communities.
“On one hand, it is a blessing that because of the Gelephu Mindfulness City, the industrial park is coming up for the country,” he said, highlighting its importance for national economic growth. “At the same time, there are many misconceptions, or perhaps uncertainty. People believe that the presence of industries and factories will increase pollution. We are still at an initial stage.”

He added that strict enforcement of regulations could help address these fears.
“If government regulations are made strong and properly enforced, pollution should not become a serious issue because today’s technology is far more advanced,” he added.
The dashboard is a key outcome of ICIMOD’s broader regional initiative to strengthen air quality data sharing and visualization across the Indo-Gangetic Plain and Himalayan Foothills and the Hindu Kush Himalayan regions. In the future, the platform is expected to evolve with potential enhancements, including expanded analytical functions and the validation of Aerosol Optical Depth through ground-based observations and satellite cross-comparisons. These improvements aim to increase data reliability and support informed decision-making.

The Bhutan-specific module marks a significant milestone in this regional effort and is designed to strengthen national air quality monitoring, promote data-driven policy decisions, and improve public awareness.
As Bhutan balances economic expansion with environmental responsibility, Samtse’s experience is increasingly seen as a test case for whether industrial growth can align with the country’s long-standing commitment to sustainability. With tools like AQ Watch now available, policymakers and communities alike will be watching closely to see how development and environmental protection move forward together.