1 TRANSLATION OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND ... - APFA News

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. This is due to the understanding that benefits
accrued from the forests are crucial to the livelihood of Bhutanese people. This
will enable Bhutan to contribute to the protection of global ecological diversity.
Some of the major initiatives taken in the previous year to conserve and
promote the natural environment are as follows:
1. To reduce pressure on the natural environment, taxes on domestic electrical
appliances have been exempted.
2. A system for obtaining clearances for projects with regard to environment
impact assessment has been framed.
3. Environment Assessment Process has been institutionalised.
4. Environmental Codes for implementation in urban areas in sectors such as
Sewage and Sanitation Management, Solid Waste Management and Urban
Roads and Traffic Management have been instituted.
5. Clean technology is being promoted in major industrial establishments.
As a signatory to the UN Framework for Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC), Bhutan submitted the inventory on sources and sinks of greenhouse
gases in November 2000 at the Sixth Conference of parties to the UNFCCC.
The issue of climate change is important for Bhutan as there are significant
potential negative impacts of such changes on the fragile mountain ecosystem.
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