COUNTRY BACKGROUND - Gross National Happiness Commission

CHAPTER 17
RENEWABLE NATURAL RESOURCES
SECTORRENEWABLE NATURAL RESOURCES
SECTOR
17.1 The agricultural sector represents the single largest and most important sector in the Bhutanese economy,
accounting for 45% of GDP in 1989 and 90% of total employment.
I. Basic SituationI. Basic Situation
A. Structure of the SectorA. Structure of the Sector
Land Use Land Use
17.2 The assessment of land resources and land use has been constrained by lack of recent, detailed data. The
Master Plan for Forestry Development (MPFD Draft 1991) has a more recent assessment based on comparison of 2
former studies: Pre Investment Study in 1957/59 based on aerial photography and Negi in 1983 based on 1977/78
Landsat satellite data, with the MPFD survey based on 1989 SPOT satellite data.
17.3 The main finding of the MPFD has been that the total forested area is estimated at 56.8% of land area,
below previous estimates of over 60%. While a large part of the forest area remains unutilized, forests represent a
major source of fuelwood, fodder and construction materials. As livestock graze in forest areas, there is no clear
distinction between livestock and forests land uses. Zonal surveys undertaken in 1987-89 have shown that out of
total area of land being utilised, more than 50% was accounted for in the others category. This includes, Tsamdok
and Sokshin land, i.e. private registered land with forest cover and public land with private grazing rights
respectively. Most of temperate pasture areas are subject to year round intense grazing without showing signs of
overgrazing except close to population centres.
17.4 The area under cultivation has been estimated as follows:
This is higher than the previous estimates of arable production accounting for 8% of total land area.
Table 17.1 Land Under Cultivation 1991 (hectares)
Valley Cultivation
Terraced Cultivation
Unterraced Cultivation
Shifting Cultivation
Orchards
Total
Source: Master Plan for Forestry Development (Draft 1991)
Changes in Land UseChanges in Land Use
46,000
204,000
304,000
75,000
19,000
648,000
17.5 The MPFD has compared land use between the PIS study in 1958 with the most recent assessment and
found the following changes in land use.
1