COUNTRY BACKGROUND - Gross National Happiness Commission

CHAPTER 4
ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENTENVIRONMENT AND
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
I. Status of the EnvironmentI. Status of the Environment
4.1 Bhutan is in a rare, possibly unique position amongst developing countries, in its preservation of a wide base
of natural resources. Bhutan is also one of the countries with the greatest biological diversity, not only in terms of a
large number of species, but also several species unique to Bhutan's environment. However, knowledge of the
status of these species is limited as there have been few studies on Bhutanese flora and fauna.
4.2 The preservation of natural resources has been possible because of Bhutan's recent entry into the economic
development process, the cause of environmental degradation in many developing countries. The maintenance of a
traditional subsistence economy enabled preservation of the environment until the 1960s and despite economic
growth rates of 7.5% in the last decade, the natural resource base has remained largely intact. This has been the
result of the RGOB's cautious approach to development and awareness of possible negative impacts on the
environment. In addition, the fact that hydroelectric power has been the major source of economic growth has
meant that development has had little impact on the environment to date.
4.3 The Buddhist faith, which plays an important role in all aspects of Bhutanese life, also stresses respect for all
forms of life and thus the preservation of natural resources. Traditional subsistence farmers have developed
environmentally sustainable practices over the centuries, which have only recently come under pressure from
changes resulting from economic growth and population increase.
4.4 Because of Bhutan's fortunate position, it is still possible for the RGOB to plan for the sustainable
development of the economy, with great caution and learning from the experiences of other countries. Both
developed and developing countries have become increasingly concerned about the degradation of the environment
and have sought ways of achieving growth without placing further pressure on their natural resources and the
global environment. In an effort to develop long term strategies on the environment, the World Commission on
Environment and Development was constituted in 1987. One of the major contributions of the Commission has
been the popularisation of the concept of sustainable development:
"to ensure that it meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to
meet their own needs. The concept does imply limits- not absolute limits but limitations imposed by the
present state of technology and social organisation on environmental resources and by the ability of the
biosphere to absorb the effects of human activity. But technology and social organisation can both be
managed and improved to make way for a new era of economic growth."
II. Environmental ConcernsII. Environmental Concerns
4.5 While Bhutan has been successful in maintaining its stock of natural resources, the Royal Government is
concerned that development may lead to certain trends which are likely to have negative impacts on the
environment:
- The rate of population growth will be accelerated by better health programmes resulting in lower child
mortality and longer life expectancy.
- It has been estimated that virtually all land suitable for arable production is being utilized. As the population
increases, there will be greater pressure to open new, more marginal areas for production. This may lead to
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