Issues of Environmental Security of Bhutan as a Small State of South-Asia

Abstract

Bhutan is called the land of ‘Thunder Dragon’, the last abode of Shangri-La. Till the sixties of just ending the century; they had no contact with the outside world. They chose the policy of isolation in order to protect their nature and culture from the negative influences of outsiders. The development road map of Bhutan is unique. Bhutanese development is inspired and influenced by their rich culture and their spirituality which is Buddhism. Their holistic approach towards development tries to carefully balance material needs with spirituality. According to Bhutanese ethos, growth should be balanced with environmental sustainability. And all of these should be balanced with the framework of good governance. They designate this unique development policy as GNH (Gross National Happiness). It is an approach to development that is holistic, equitable, inclusive, and sustainable. Because of GNH they well maintain their pristine environment which is gifted by their forefathers. Endowed with outstanding natural beauty, Bhutan's prestigious environment is endowed with rapid mountains and deep valleys that offer an eco-system that is both rich and diverse. Their constitution requires that sixty percent of their land area be under forest cover. Bhutan's present forest cover is more than seventy percent which is the highest in Asia. More than half of Bhutan is protected by law as natural parks, wildlife Sanctuaries, and Biological corridor links with one pass to the next. Today, the global community recognizes Bhutan as a hot spot of the world’s ten most bio-diverse regions. Bhutan is considered one of the hot bio-diversity homes of many endangered species. In 2009 Bhutan declared to have become carbon neutral. But in fact, Bhutan is not carbon neutral but actually carbon negative.