Dorji Wangdi a senior forester with Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park, shares his heartfelt account of being a front-liner and an environment advocator on his own right. The following are excerpts from his writing published in WWF-Bhutan titled: “Journey to the Black Mountain.” On 17 February 2012 I joined the Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park (JSWNP) in the heart of …

By Sonam Choki Bhutan has a substantial proportion of citizens who have opted to join the monastic system, the Zhung Dratshang, as nuns and monks, and which is a vital line of profession in the country. Nonetheless, the lack of a save social security net has never been part of the discourse nor does any religious practitioners, registered nuns and …

EDITORIAL The recent spate of sexual harassments and rape cases, which has seen a significant rise in recent years, has jolted the conscience of the nation. It also comes as a stark contrast to a country which is known globally for propagating happiness and Buddhist values of love and compassion. The distressing news comes in the wake of increasing incidences …

By Chimi Wangmo Around forty participants from various ministries and focal agencies attended a three-day advocacy workshop on a theme “Achieving leadership in the codex process” at Punakha this week. The participants include representatives from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Khesar Gyalpo University …

However, if the allegations labeled against him are found untrue, the Director could counter-charge the accuser for defamation By Tashi Namgyal/Thimphu The Director accused of sexual harassment of a female employee under Bhutan Power Corporation (BPC) has been suspended by the company after the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company issued a suspension order late last Friday. According to …

Staff Reporter According to latest media reports in Bangladesh, exports from Bangladesh to Bhutan could rise rapidly, on the back of the bilateral trade pact signed last year, after shipment between the two southasian nations saw a significant upward trend.  The two countries struck their maiden preferential trade agreement (PTA) on December 6 last year. The deal, albeit only 10 …

By Tandin Wangchuk On September 24 this week, a virtual signing ceremony for the Implementing Arrangement between Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Department of Information Technology and Telecom on the Joint Development of a Small Satellite for Bhutan was held at the Ministry of Information and Communication premises in Thimphu. The ceremony was attended by Ambassador of India to …

This year marks 50 years of Bhutan’s admission to the United Nations By Tashi Dendup On September 21, 1971 His late Majesty Druk Gyalpo Jigme Dorji Wangchuck remained up late into the night on excitedly waiting for the news from New York and giving instructions for the celebrations in the following days after the formal announcement of admission into the …

By Staff Reporter In a milestone for Bhutan, finance minister Namgay Tshering will step in as the Chair of the Small States Forum (a group of 50 countries) and as one of the Vice Chairs of the Board of Governors of the World Bank Group. Bhutan, as the current chair, will lead the forum that brings together finance ministers and …

The move is driven by Bhutan’s desire to enhance digital and cross-border payments. By Staff Reporter The Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) has partnered with Ripple to use its infrastructure to pilot a central bank digital currency. According to an announcement from Ripple, the move is set to expand the country’s financial inclusion efforts and extend its commitment to sustainability as it aims to become …