English - JCIC-Heritage

3. Considerations from the Survey
(1) Field Survey Summary
Administration for the Protection of Cultural Heritage
Cultural heritage protection in Bhutan is administered by the Department of Culture (DoC) in
the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs (MOHCA). The Department of Culture is responsible
for the planning and execution of cultural policies in Bhutan, through its nine organizations (1) ,
which include the following: three divisions (the Division of Conservation of Heritage Sites,
the Division for Cultural Properties, and the Driglam Sections); four museums (the National
Museums of Paro and Trongsa, the Textile Museum, and the Folk Heritage Museum); and two
other institutions (the National Library and Archives, and the Royal Academy of Performing
Arts (PARA)). In addition, the Royal University of Bhutan, the National Handicrafts Emporium,
and the Center for Bhutan Studies are certified by the government as cultural activity centers. A
distinctive point of cultural policy is that Buddhist temples, both central and regional, are also
considered as official cultural centers. Bhutan is still governed by a system combining secular
authority, under the royal family, and religious authority, led by the Je Khenpo. Because wideranging
aspects of Bhutanese culture are deeply rooted in Buddhism, protection and transmission
of traditional culture would be impossible without the involvement of religious organizations.
In this field survey, we first attempted to clarify the concept of cultural heritage in Bhutan, the
characteristics of heritage administration, and the nation’s awareness of cultural heritage.
Gross National Happiness (GNH) is a term coined by Bhutan’s fourth King, Jigme Singye
Wangchuck, and well known throughout the world as the basis of Bhutan’s unique development
policy. The DoC was established to promote this policy, with an emphasis on the protection,
conservation and transmission of the country’s unique traditional culture. According to the
provisions for culture stipulated in Article 4 of the 2008 Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan,
the state shall endeavor to preserve, protect and promote both tangible and intangible cultural
heritage, strengthen and facilitate the ongoing progress of traditional values and institutions,
conserve and encourage research on local arts, customs, knowledge and culture. In addition,
Parliament may enact such legislation as may be necessary to advance the cultural enrichment of
Bhutanese society.
However, a basic law for the protection of cultural heritage in Bhutan is not as yet fully
developed. According to the DoC, the existing regulations and laws concerning cultural heritage
are as follows:
The Movable Cultural Properties Act of Bhutan, 2005
This act requires registration of valuable cultural heritage possessed by Buddhist organizations,
the national government, local governments, or individuals, that is 100 years old and over,
(1) The National Museum and the Trongsa Museum are combined in one agency.
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