Environment and Ecology:

Bhutan is one of the ecological wonders of the world. Recognizing the deep reverence that the Bhutanese people have for the natural environment and the importance of pursuing a sustainable approach to development, the Royal Government continues to place great emphasis on the conservation of the natural environment. Bhutan is committed to keep 60% of her land under forest cover currently Bhutan is under an impressive 72.5% forestry coverage. This is a result of the enlightened leadership and the strong traditional and environmental conservation and preservation. These factors enable Bhutan to contribute to the protection of global ecological diversity. Forestry, Bhutan’s main natural resource is severely controlled. While many parts of the world have suffered from alarming deforestation rates, the forest cover in Bhutan has actually increased in the last decade.

The country’s geographical situation and topographical extremes, along with its long isolation, are responsible for its extraordinary flora and fauna. The vegetation varies over very short distances ranging from tropical broadleaf forests to alpine shrubs and lush meadows. Bhutan is home to such exotic mammals as Takin (a large, musk-ox-like animal), Black necked Crane, Golden Langur, Royal Bengal tiger, clouded leopards and red pandas. Bird species range from the Himalayan black Eagle, and boreal owl to the Tiny black-throated parrot bill.

There are over 165 species of animals (mammals), and more than 770 species of birds have been identified. Within Bhutan’s borders one can find over 60 percent endemic species of the eastern Himalayan region. Bhutan is a rich home to many endangered species of flora and fauna. In addition, Bhutan’s rich flora includes rare endemic orchids and over 50 species of Rhododendron, and over 30 species of medical plants, mostly alpine that are used in traditional herbal medicines. As a result, Bhutan has been declared as one the ten global “hot spots” for the conservation of biological diversity. Many ecologists believe that Bhutan represents the last best chance for the conservation in the eastern Himalayas, a region considered of critical importance to global efforts to conserve biological diversity.