A breathtaking natural environment
With 72% forest on its territory, Bhutan is a real lung and an incredible source of oxygen. The natural parks, nature reserves and sanctuaries are so many places that reveal a fauna and flora to be preserved at all costs. And to realize this, let's go to the Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park, the largest in size. At low altitudes there are pine forests and the higher you climb, the more alpine meadows form the landscape. Plants, mammals and birds have made their home here, and the Bengal tiger, black bear, wolf and snow leopard are among the most popular animal species. The Royal Manas National Park is also home to precious fauna, rhinos, wild water buffalo and other elephants populate an area whose landscapes vary from tropical rainforest to alluvial grasslands and wooded hills. To the south of Paro, how to pass by the Ha valley, dominated by greenery and grasslands that stretch as far as the eye can see. In the Trashigang district, the Sakteng sanctuary is a perfect example of a temperate ecosystem. Here one can wander through coniferous forests, while having the chance to see endemic species such as the black rump Magpie and the eastern blue pine.
Bhutan, an ecological example?
Bhutan is very often described as one of the greenest countries in the world, if not a model. Although the small country still has room for improvement in terms of sewage treatment and waste management, it can still boast of doing everything possible to limit the negative effects of human behaviour on nature. In Bhutan, ecology is taught at school from a very early age and there is no hesitation to grow fruit and vegetables organically with children so that they can eat their crops. Trees are also planted by the thousands, which partly explains why the woodland occupies such a large part of the territory. Bhutan is also betting on clean electricity, using hydroelectricity, but also choosing the electric car. Thus, in order to reduce its oil imports, the country signed an agreement in 2014 with the Japanese manufacturer Nissan for the development of an electric car fleet. The country has made sustainable development the cornerstone of its identity. And as proof that the choices are bearing fruit, Bhutan is the only country in the world to have a negative carbon footprint.
Opening up to the world through green tourism
For the government of Bhutan, the happiness of the people and the protection of culture and the environment are more important than material wealth. This is the concept of "Gross National Happiness", first enunciated in 1972 by the King of Bhutan Jigme Singye Wangchuck. The country can be reproached for remaining a little closed in on itself, but this does not prevent it from understanding that tourism, and thus attracting visitors from all over the world to the interior of the country, is an opportunity to increase income. But not at any price, and that is why Bhutan controls the number of travellers who can enter and travel through its territory. Because mass tourism is too often synonymous with water pollution, a fragile natural environment and large deposits of waste in the countryside. Bhutan is banking on green tourism and the tours offered by travel agencies favour itineraries that are off the beaten track. This also includes the discovery of natural resources and national parks through stays in villages and accommodation with local people. Favouring the unusual and the discovery of local culture is a way for the authorities to lead the country towards development, but always ensuring that the kingdom of happiness can remain so for a long time to come. And this inevitably includes the preservation of its formidable nature by all means.
