Page 35 - • waterfall_8_Jul2020.indd

Thimpu Dzong (DS) Trashigang Dzong – Monastery Monks (DS)

Possessing unusually high biodiversity
and enlightened conservation
practices, the Kingdom of Bhutan is the
jewel of the eastern Himalayas, having
one of the world’s most valuable,
unique and intact ecosystems. The
extreme variations in altitude and
climate also account for its remarkable
assemblage of vertebrates.

There are:
• more than 100 species of mammals
including Snow Leopard, Bengal
Tiger, Blue Sheep, Musk Deer, Bhutan
Takin, Red Panda, Greater One-
horned Rhinoceros, and Golden
Langur (an endemic primate);
• 620 bird species including Rufous-
necked Hornbill, Black-necked
Crane and Pallas’s Fish Eagle; Chorten (Shrine) and Prayer Flags - Dochu La (Pass) (DS)
• and more than 5 400 plant species, of
which 750 are endemic to the eastern limited its investment in tourism is archery although shotput, darts and
Himalayas and 50 to Bhutan itself. to the upgrading of infrastructure, wrestling are also popular, and the
roads and accommodation in the staple diet consists largely of red rice,
The progressive and enlightened western part of the country. wheat, maize, meat (pork, chicken,
conservation policies adopted by the beef or yak), cheese and chillies
Royal Government operate on the Bhutan’s population is around 770 000, (used as a vegetable, not a spice).
premise of environmental and cultural and the people are industrious, very
connectivity with socioeconomic hospitable and friendly, but greatly Our 850km journey commenced
development thereby controlling influenced by religion – Vajrayana in the warm south-east and we
both its pace and direction to ensure Buddhism (75%) and Hinduism. Small travelled west across the breadth of
sustainability. Foreign visitors are in stature, they are thin but tough this remarkable country on a single-
required to pay a minimum tariff of (only one person overweight, a priest, lane paved road which followed
US$250 per day, making it a very observed during my travels). Attire the contours of the land, regularly
expensive destination – as they consists of a gho for the men (a long, crossing dramatic mountain passes
believe that sustainable tourism and knee-length robe tied around the – like the famed Dochu La (pass),
Gross National Happiness matter waist with a cloth-belt known as a littered with prayer flags and chortens
more than Gross Domestic Product. kera) and a kira for the women (an (shrines) – and passing through
Unlike its nearby neighbour, Nepal, ankle-length dress made of a brightly- magnificent forested landscapes
whose economy is largely financially coloured finely-woven fabric with often dominated by imposing and
dependent on tourism, Bhutan has traditional patterns). The National sport impressive dzongs (fortresses of

Waterfall Issue 8 2020 33