Bhutan keen to protect its environment

KOLKATA: Bhutan is keen to protect its environment from further degradation and preserving the country’s ecological balance. It is the first among countries of the world which has identified climate change as a major threat to mankind. With no reduction in the threat, the country has made an unconditional declaration to be carbon neutral with or without any declaration from the Copenhagen summit on mitigating carbon emission.

Its commitment to preserving the ecological balance and reducing greenhouse gas emissions would stay firm, regardless of assistance from foreign funds.

This was indicated by Bhutan’s foreign minister Lyonpo Ugyen Tshering while talking to reporters on the sidelines of an interactive session on Indo-Bhutanese relations organised by Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) on Friday.
Bhutan’s prime target isn’t chasing higher GDP growth rates, "but seeing its people living happily in their own country; for which the tiny Himalayan kingdom gives stress on enhancing the gross national happiness of the nation, said Mr Tshering.

Bhutan’s targets are improving the quality of life of its people, through enhanced general education, health and vocational training. For economic development, the areas on which the country wants to focus on are energy, pharmaceuticals, IT, ICT, tourism, and ofcourse harnessing its immense potential in food processing industry.
Currently, several hydro-electric projects with a combined capacity of about 11,500 MW, are underway in Bhutan, in collaboration with India. With the completion of those projects, 10,000 mw would be exported from Bhutan to India.