18 Nov Bhutan: Between Happiness and Challenges – A Conversation with Sonam Nyenda”
We get to know Bhutan, the challenges it faces, and the strengths of this Buddhist kingdom in the Eastern Himalayas through an interview with Sonam Nyenda.
The interview is divided into two parts. The first focuses on Bhutan, highlighting the difficulties it faces in these times of crisis and its key strengths. The second part explores the role of international cooperation in Bhutan and discusses strategies to improve our contributions while respecting local specificities.
Bhutan is known as the ‘Land of Happiness,’ but we are aware that there are needs requiring concrete interventions. What are these needs, and what are the main challenges Bhutan faces?
I won’t disagree that Bhutan is a “Land of Happiness,” but perhaps not THE Land of Happiness. It largely depends on how you define happiness. Bhutanese people are generally happy, which is deeply rooted in our Buddhist culture. However, I believe some people may have misconceptions when they hear the term “Land of Happiness’’, often due to Bhutan’s developmental philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH). This philosophy guides the government’s plans and activities toward the general happiness of the country. This means Bhutan is indeed forging its path toward happiness, not that it’s a small country where everyone is happy without any challenges. We face our own set of problems and needs.
For example, while we pride ourselves on our rich culture—one of the four main pillars of GNH—we are currently facing challenges in preserving and promoting it amid changing times. Agriculture in Bhutan is practiced in smaller plots and arable land is scarce. Further, due to tough landscapes which are not mechanizable, farmers are abandoning their lands, and we know that food security and sustainability is the most important aspect. Additionally, sectors like health and education require significant interventions to meet global standards and address their growing needs. These are just some of the areas where Bhutan needs support and development.
This year, the Bhutan Department of Tourism is celebrating fifty years of tourism in the Kingdom. Bhutan has always been committed to sustainable tourism, long before it became a global trend. One of the latest projects aims to create an eco-trail, a path for preserving the natural and cultural heritage in three counties of Bhutan. Looking to the future, what kind of changes do you envision in this sector that could enrich your country and connect it with the rest of the world?
You are absolutely right. This year marks fifty years of tourism in Bhutan, a sector that contributes the second-highest revenue to the country’s economy. Therefore, sustainability is crucial. In alignment with Bhutan’s tourism policy and our commitment to preserving and promoting culture and environment, Nyo Foundation, in partnership with ASIA, is implementing the Nyo Heritage Eco-Cultural Trail project. This trail traces an ancient route of a 13th-century Tibetan Buddhist figure who traveled from Tibet and established the Sumtrhang monastic center in Ura. It spans three counties, passing through three historically and culturally significant monasteries.
The need for this project is urgent, not just in Ura but also in other parts of the country: Bhutan’s rich indigenous culture and pristine nature are increasingly at risk from human greed and commercial pressures. Thus, it is essential to protect and preserve these valuable cultural and natural heritages. Our approach is to incentivize local communities by offering income opportunities tied to the preservation of these cultural and natural sites. Our foundation’s goal is to empower communities to value and protect their heritage and environment by demonstrating how sustainable practices benefit both their livelihoods and future generations. Through this project, we aim to integrate preservation with economic opportunity, enabling community members to benefit financially while safeguarding their heritage. At the same time, we seek to offer visitors an authentic experience rooted in Bhutan’s natural and cultural richness. This trail is part of a broader objective. Ultimately, we envision piloting Sumthang village as an eco-tourism destination that fosters a sustainable local economy, harmonizing the well-being of local residents with enriching experiences for national and international visitors alike. Through this project, we strive to create a lasting legacy that preserves Bhutan’s unique culture and natural beauty for generations to come.
One of the projects that we are carrying out together focuses on safeguarding the Sumthrang Monastery, which is part of Bhutan’s invaluable cultural and spiritual heritage. Another, on the other hand, focuses on creating digital classrooms in the poorest and most remote districts of Bhutan. How important is it to connect these two aspects: innovation and tradition?
Thank you for the question. When our late father Sumthrang Choje Wangdrak Jamtsho, founded DNF, one of his guiding principles was to balance support for culture and spirituality, agriculture, and education. He would say that culture and spirituality are the food for the mind and consciousness, while agriculture is the source of food that sustains the body. Balancing these through good and right education, he believed, would create a positive well-being in society. I strongly feel, and I believe many would agree, that we should not let culture become a museum piece—it should evolve in ways that benefit humanity positively. For this to happen, innovation is essential. We need our younger generation to creatively use not only culture and tradition but also agriculture and other resources to move our country forward. Innovation and tradition must go hand in hand, which is why our projects focus on these areas as well.
Which sectors in Bhutan are most in need of assistance and international cooperation? Are health, education, agriculture, infrastructure, or environmental sustainability the most urgent priorities?
I believe Bhutan requires support in nearly all sectors, but among those listed, agriculture stands out. Food security and sustainability should be a top priority, and every country should strive to maintain independence in this area. However, Bhutan remains significantly dependent on India, which highlights an urgent need to prioritize food security and sustainability right now. At the same time, preserving and promoting Bhutanese culture and traditions—and ensuring they remain relevant to the times—is just as essential as agriculture and education. This is crucial to keeping the essence of Bhutanese happiness alive.
How does the Bhutanese government approach international cooperation? Are there specific types of projects they prefer?
Bhutan’s sustainable development approach is rooted in a five-year planned socio-economic development framework that aligns with international goals such as the SDGs and regional initiatives. The emphasis is on integrating social, economic, and environmental dimensions, ensuring that development is inclusive and equitable. By prioritizing poverty eradication and leaving no one behind, Bhutan aims to foster a spirit of solidarity and cooperation. Additionally, Bhutan focuses on promoting sustained economic growth while taking proactive measures to address climate change and environmental sustainability. The types of projects that Bhutan or Bhutanese government priorities are in alignment to these frameworks.
How is sustainability addressed in cooperation projects in Bhutan? What strategies are in place to ensure local community involvement?
Looking at Bhutan’s commitment to balancing development with environmental protection, sustainability is a central theme in cooperation projects. These initiatives often prioritize community involvement by engaging locals in decision-making processes from the outset. This approach includes conducting needs assessments to understand the specific requirements of the community, ensuring that their voices are heard. Capacity-building programs empower residents with the skills needed for effective project management, while environmental impact assessments help identify and mitigate potential ecological risks. Furthermore, many projects integrate traditional knowledge, respecting the wisdom of local practices in resource management. Collaborations with local NGOs like ours and community groups foster alignment with the community’s needs, enhancing the project’s relevance. Through these strategies, Bhutan’s cooperation projects strive to create lasting benefits that support both people and the planet.
How receptive are local communities to external development initiatives?
So far, the local communities involved in our projects have shown appreciation and receptiveness. Additionally, there has been an overwhelming response from schools, with many submitting proposals and applications to our office requesting support for classroom digitization. We’ve also received requests from other counties and district administrations for assistance in areas like culture, eco-tourism, education, and agriculture.
Further, when ASIA’s president visited Bhutan, we were invited by local government leaders and a district governor to discuss potential initiatives to enhance the local economy and improve agricultural practices. I believe this reflects not only their receptiveness but also the importance of these efforts. But the most important have been the students themselves. Some students have expressed to us through youtube videos, expressing their gratitude for the smart boards we supported their schools, sharing how much they’ve benefited from them. It’s incredibly touching to hear directly from students about the positive impact these resources have had on their education!
What are the current policies in Bhutan regarding climate change and environmental adaptation?
Bhutan’s climate change policy calls for building resilience and reducing vulnerability to the impacts of climate change, with an emphasis on “ecologically balanced sustainable development” and remaining carbon neutral. Bhutan focuses on sustainable and moderate development to maintain a good balance between economic growth and environmental preservation.
What kind of vocational training and capacities are needed in Bhutan?
Off the top of my head, I would think some key areas where vocational training is needed include the agriculture sector to benefit from training in modern farming techniques, organic farming, and agro-processing, which can significantly boost productivity and sustainability. The culture sector also stand out in preserving Bhutanese culture through handicrafts and traditional arts such as painting, carving, weaving, and pottery. Training in these 13 traditional arts and crafts can provide sustainable livelihoods while safeguarding our cultural heritage. Additionally, as the country continues to develop its infrastructure, skills in construction management, masonry, carpentry, and plumbing are increasingly vital. These areas represent just a few examples of the potential that vocational training holds for Bhutan’s future.