Bhutan’s biggest industrial estate will intensify human-wildlife conflict

The 700-acre Jigmeling Industrial Estate in Gelephu slated to be the country’s first special economic zone could seriously question Bhutan’s conservation credentials as it falls…

National Talent Hunt show ends in style, Season 3 on the cards

All eyes were on the top six contestants of the National Talent Hunt show on February 21 as they celebrated His Majesty’s 32nd birth anniversary with the ‘Grand Finale’ at the YDF hall, which also coincided with the National Education Day. The lavish celebration was highlighted by a birthday cake worth Nu 120,000 with the contestants singing songs including patriotic compositions. The show which was aired over the weekends…

At Athang, the last frontier of education, a school is downgraded

The lazy, sleep-all-you-want holidays of the winter approach, sadly, an end and the hustle and bustle of students gearing up for another academic year stretch country wide. Athang Community School, the last frontier of education in Bhutan, will wake up to classes, albeit a bit dampened.

Easier urban lives, the need to continue education and over five hours of steep…

ACC yet to review ‘memory loss’ fame Bangkok Embassy case

The government has forwarded the controversial Bangkok Embassy case to the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) for investigation. The government forwards cases to the ACC if there is a prima facie case of corruption that needs to be further investigated.

“The Bangkok embassy case was forwarded to the ACC by November end 2011,” said a senior government official who did not want to be named.

This development will put to rest speculation…

Christians want a graveyard, govt. says it’s illegal unless they are registered officially

Sonam Choden / Thimphu

Three years ago, an elderly woman, a Christian convert, was buried right in front of her house  in Gelephu triggering a backlash from the community.

Very soon, reportedly, a dungkhag kasho was issued saying that that such burials should not happen. However, the Lekithang tshogpa said she saw burials last year happening right next to people’s houses. “The Christians still continue with the burials and we are…

Government T-bills oversubscribed by Nu 210mn

BoBL takes a major chunk of the T-bills for the second time in a row

The government’s 30-day Treasury bills (T-bills) worth Nu 1 billion was oversubscribed by Nu 210 million. It was sold at a discount rate of 3%.

The T-bills floated by the Royal Monetary Authority on government’s behalf for its cash management was allocated to the investors by…

Goenpa threatened by wild life to be relocated

Retsho Goenpa which was built by Drubthrob Samten Nidup will be relocated to Guentsephu. In the past the route to the goenpa was used as a bypass between Tibet and Bhutan. Presently, the Goenpa is  around  three to four hours’ walk  away from the nearest human settlement.

The wild life around the area was becoming a serious menace to the Goenpa so its being relocated. Statues have already been moved…

Lhakhangs from Zhabdrung era renovated, and a new farm road

Two   lhakhangs at Talo in Punakha Dzongkhag are presently being renovated by the people of  the gewog. In the 10th Five year Plan, the lhakhangs were allocated with Nu 0.5 million each.

The renovations are being carried out in Talo and Labstakha chiwogs; the temples were built during the time of Zhabdrung Ngwang  Namgyal,  according to the Gewog Adminstration Officer, Tshewang Dorji.

Besides renovation, a  3-km farm road costing Nu 1.2…

BHU nearer than hospital

Before, the people of Goenshari community had to travel all the way to Punakha Hospital,  to get treated for serious illnesses since they had only an outreach clinic at their village to cater totheir medical needs. But now, the outreach clinic will be upgraded so that people can have more specialized  treatment.

A water source 4km away

Three kilometers of the 10-km farm road construction from Kalapang to Resa have been completed.  To overcome shortage of water, the Gewog is  also renovating its water source which is four kilometers away from the village. About 30 people will benefit from the construction fo the farm road