Bhutan

Culture

The serene country is landlocked between its neighbors China to the north and India to the south. From subtropical Savannah’s to forests to the unforgiving Himalayas that guard the country’s eastern border. It covers an area of about 4500 kilometers and is populated by an estimated 683,000 who live in the central valleys. Its isolation and the policy to limit tourism have helped to protect its culture and its natural beauty. On the other hand, the Bhutanese call their country Druk Yul, Land of the Thunder Dragon, because of the violent snow storms.
The country’s three main ethnic groups are the Ngalongs, Sharchops and the Lhotshampas. The Ngalongs live most in the western and central regions. They are descendants of Tibetan immigrants. The Sharchops, considered the original inhabitants live on the east side of the country. The south is inhabited by The Lhotshampas, ethnic Nepalese. Dzongkha is the spoken language but several dialects are used throughout the country. Dzongkha means, “the language spoken in fortresses.” It has 30 consonants and four vowels.

Gross National Happiness

Gross National Happiness Bhutan has a unique philosophy of Gross National Happiness. Bhutan holds an uncompromising stance on environmental conservation and is known for its policy of ‘high value, low volume tourism’, rich tradition, pristine ecology and abundant wildlife.

Expressed as the country’s philosophy of economic and social development by the fourth king, Jigme Singye Wangchuck in 1972, it sets out social and economic interventions that evaluate societal change in terms of the collective happiness of people, leading to the adoption of policies aimed at that objective. Based on the belief that all people aspire to happiness in one way or the other, the concept promotes collective happiness of society as the ultimate goal in development.

According to GNH, true development of human society occurs when material and spiritual advancement complements or reinforces each other. The means should always be considered in terms of the end and every step in material development and change measured and evaluated to ensure it will lead to happiness, not just development. The philosophy attempts to harmonize economic progress with the spiritual and emotional well-being of the people.

The holistic development of the individual and society can only be developed by a sustainable balance between the economic, social, emotional, spiritual and cultural needs of the people. Development based on GNH values are therefore not restricted to the present population of any society but includes future generations and other societies. The emphasis is that current development should not cause misery to future generations, or other societies.
GNH is Bhutan’s development philosophy that has guided the country’s development policies and programs. Guided by this, Bhutan has made rapid progress in development in a short period of time. Achievements have come with minimal impact on the culture and environment of the country.

The four main pillars of GNH are:
– Equitable and sustainable socio-economic development
– Preservation and promotion of culture
– Conservation of environment
– Promotion of good governance
The GNH indicators include psychological well-being, time use, community vitality, culture, health, education, environmental diversity, living standards, and governance.

In a survey conducted on happiness levels in 2005, 45.2% reported being very happy, 51.6% happy and only 3.2% reported not being happy. The average level of life satisfaction in Bhutan is in the top 10% of nations in the world.

Climate

Bhutan’s altitude ranges from subtropical valleys to alpine peaks. There is something going on all through the year in Bhutan, with the many fascinating and colorful festivals.
The hills and valleys in central and eastern Bhutan are temperate and drier than in the west, with warm summers and cool winters. The northern region has an alpine climate, and is perpetually under snow. Most of the peaks in the north are over 7,000m, with the highest point at Gangkar Puensum, at 7,564m, a sacred mountain and the highest in the world that still has not been climbed.
The southern part of Bhutan is tropical, and in general, the east of Bhutan is warmer than the west of the country. The central valley of Punakha, Wangdiphodrang, Mongar, Tashigang and Lhuntshi enjoy a semi tropical climate with very cool winters, while Thimphu, Tongsa and Bumthang have a much harsher climate, with heavy monsoon rains in the summer and heavy snow falls in winter.

Best times to travel

Winter (November to January) is the best time to come for bird-watching, trekking at lower altitudes and cycling along the mountain roads. The trekking routes in the high mountains are covered with deep snow and are impassable during this time of year. The endangered black-necked cranes winter in Phobjikha (western Bhutan) and the high valley of Bumdelling (eastern Bhutan). Winter is a good season for touring in western Bhutan, bird-watching and visiting the southern subtropical jungles. This time of the year the climate is dry with daytime temperatures of 16-18° C and night-time temperatures falling below zero.
Spring (February to April) is the best time for kayaking, rafting and trekking in moderate altitudes. This is also a very good time for touring and the popular religious dance festival at Paro takes place in the spring. The spring is also a good time for trekking, especially to see the spring flowers and rhododendrons.