Rhododendrons festival, a tribute to the fourth Monarch

Tanden Zangmo/Thimphu

Bhutan today is still among the top biodiversity hotspots in the world and major chunk of the land is still under forest due to the farsighted vision of His Majesty the fourth Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuk.

Hence the third Rhododendron festival is the best tribute to His Majesty the fourth Druk Gyalpo who has done so much for the forests and nature conservation.

“this little effort from us is a tribute to what he has done”

Rhododendron locally known as Etho Metho is a woody flowering plant and Bhutan today is home for over 40 species of rhododendron which among four are known to be endemic like R.Kesangiae named in honor of Her majestry The Royal Grandmother of Bhutan Ashi Kesang Choden.

Recognizing the crucial part the communities residing within the park plays in its management, the Royal Botanical Park at Lamperi will bring communities such as Chang, Kawang and Dagala gewog under Thimphu and Toeb gewog under Punakha Dzongkhag together in celebrating the third annual Rhododendron festival for three days from today (18 April).

During the three day long festival the park would actively engage the community members in all sphere of the festival and the festival would feature the rhododendron garden walk and exhibition as a mark of respect to the fourth Druk Gyalpo.

This is done through engaging the community members in staging various cultural and entertainment programme.

In addition, the community members will also put up food and beverage stalls so that it provides them avenue to generate income. This, according to the park official, is to make the people realize that they can derive benefits from park. “Most think that establishment of park in their areas is more of imposition.” Imposition, in terms of restricting the extraction of forests and natural resources.

So, such festival is also expected to clear such misconception.

The festival will also bring together almost all the stakeholders engaged in park management. Hence, during such congregation, they are expected to interact and share views and opinion.

Besides, several other representatives will speak to the gathering and pass on crucial messages of the importance of park management.

Free talks by different stakeholders will also be delivered. Further, numerous audio-visual documentaries will be screened. All this, the park official said is their effort to provide education and awareness about the park.  

In addition, the visitors wishing to know more about the park is also entertained in the village and given the opportunity to freely interact with the park experts.

The Royal Botanical Park at Lamperi is also known for its prominent walking trails and camp sites. The trail such as Serichu nature trail runs through virgin and undisturbed part of the park where the trekkers get to smell the freshness of the forest floor with many species of birds chirping. 

The visitors will also get to experience boating in Baritsho while others can join in horse riding. The visitors can also participate and enjoy playing variety of traditional Bhutanese games.       

The festival is organized at Royal Botanical Park with support from Department of Forests and Park Services (DoFPS), Tourism Council of Bhutan and World Wildlife Fund – Bhutan and 60^th Birthday Celebration Committee, Royal Government of Bhutan.

The Royal Botanical Park which is spread over an area of 47 sq. mile incredibly harbors over 46 species of rhododendrons which is two less of having all the 48 species of Rhododendron found in the whole Country.

Sixth nomad festival  
Tanden Zangmo /Thimphu
Nomads in the country will once again get together to celebrate the unique nomad festival initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forest which has proved to the most excellent platform for the nomads and herders to show case their varied cultures, traditions and experiences.
Every year semi nomad from Haa, Paro, Thimphu, Gasa, Wangduephodrang, Bumthang, Trashi Yangtse and Trashigang participates in the event but this year nomads from Bumthang and Wangduephodrang are only called for participation.
This year the two day long festival which will take place from February 23 till 25 in Thangbee in Chokhoer gewog under Bumthang dzongkhag is dedicated to the 60^th birth anniversary of the fourth Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuk.
With the theme of the festival ‘promoting harmony for bio-culture diversity’ would see nomads showcasing their tradition and culture of the nomads such as nomadic life style, handicrafts, weaves etc.
Further the nomads would also exhibit their traditional games like Soksum, pungdo, Khuru and variety of nomadic dances that are prominent in their locality.
According to the Park Manager Tshering Dendup with the Wangchuk Centennial National Park, the festival held every year is dedicated to the nomadic communities in the country to bring together these communities and herders to showcase their varied cultures, traditions and experiences.
Nomads in the country not only have exclusive culture but they are also known to have a sacred and indispensible duty of contributing towards sovereignty and border integrity of the Country by acting as a buffer zone at the bordering areas.
Park Manager Tshering Dendup further said that organizing such festival would encourage the young nomads to retain back in their home and continue to take care of their ancestral farmland.
 The park manager added that organizing such festival would create a platform where nomads of different districts to showcase their transhumance practice (transfer of livestock from one grazing ground to another, as from lowlands to highlands, with the changing of seasons), foods, culture and traditions.

The annual festival is also aims to acknowledge reinforce and value the special role played by the highland people in the conservation of bio cultural heritage of Bhutan,

Apart from such festival the government has also a policy of taking education and other social amenities closer to them hoping that taking such amenities would help retain the economically productive members of the family.
The festival encourages and brings together people from all sections of the society thus minimizing the social stigma attached to some sections of the society.
The nomads would demonstrate their local dances and further cook their traditional nomadic cuisines like Jagbuli, Khuli and Puta and sell their livestock products; for local communities to supplement their income through home stays and catering services.
During the festival, those visitors interested in trekking would be guided by the local people to trek the popular Bumthang cultural trek.

In return agriculture ministry would showcase economically viable farm technologies, programs and entrepreneurial activities geared towards alleviation of rural poverty.

On the whole the festival is intended to provide them with an avenue for interaction with other fellow Bhutanese, promote the idea of linkage between ecotourism and conservation to boost the socioeconomic status of the nomads and provide tourists with the opportunity to experience the culture and traditions of rural Bhutan.

The festival also aims to disseminate information to the nomads on the values of conservation of flora and fauna, watershed management, economic development, animal and plant husbandry etc.

The two day long festival is organized by Wangchuck Centennial National Park and supported by Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB), Bhutan Trust Fund for Environment Conservation (BTFEC) and Wild Wildlife Fund Bhutan.

One Man arrested in connection to Homicide and another still in search

Tanden Zangmo/Thimphu

A 39-year-old man, Gyembo from Punakha is arrested by the police in connection to the Olokha Homicide case happened on January 13 this year. The man was handed over to  the Punakha police by one of the public.

The Chief of Police during the press conference declared that the police have dispatched Nu 20,000 in the morning of February 12 as a reward to the person who helped the RBP to find him.

The man after his arrest have undergone extensive investigation and found out criminal record in the past where he was convicted for about one year and three months. He was also learned drug addict.

History of the crime

The incident has happened in the evening of January 12 this year in the suspect’s house at the central Plaza building and a man called Dorji Wangchuk was also in the suspect’s house where the deceased has also joined the two afterward.

The deceased under the drug influence has asked for dinner and in the process while preparing the curry they had an argument.

As per the Gyembo’s conviction the police was told that the victim acted wild and started attacking with the blade in between their argument and Gyembo has attacked the deceased back with the same blade.

And Gyembo has confessed to the police that he strike the victim about nine times with the blade until the deceased fainted. Later when Dorji Wangchuk left the house, Gyembo has pushed the deceased from the balcony so that the dead would presume due to the fall from the balcony.

On January 13 at around 7:30 AM the body was found and the police after reaching the crime scene has found out blood draging to the ground from Gyembo’s house and later found his clothes drenched with blood being thrown in the river.

According to the Chief of Police Brigadier Kipchu Namgyel, Gyembo was confirmed murderer beyond reasonable doubt by the police instantly after the crime was reported and to further strengthen the evidence the police has retrieved his clothes and has locked his apartment.

The second person involved in the homicide case is still in search by the police who according to arrested Gyembo has played no role during the incident.

However the Chief of Police said that that Dorji Wangchuk is wanted as a witness to the case and would be sensible if he surrender himself to the police to prove innocent, else he would be given heavier charges if arrest by the police. 

According to the Chief of Police such heinous crime has happened out of petty issue and the youths today initiate with minor issue for many atrocious crimes recorded so far.

The police have recorded 19 homicide cases in 2013 and nine cases in 2014 in the country.

Sharchokpa juice’ to hit market stands soon

The ‘Sharchokpa juice’ produced in the east is on its way and headed to the country’s markets from Shumar in Pemagatshel.

In street lingo Sharchokpa juice refers to a variety of home-brewed alcohol often produced and consumed in excess in the eastern part of the country.

And this time round, it is not the ‘proxy juice’ but the real orange squash which the Dungsam Gongphel Tshogpa have started to produce for the first time from 2 November  in Pemagatshel this year to produce orange pulp.

The tshogpa’s idea fortunately was harmonious with the potential of the dzongkhag in mandarin production. The soil and climatic condition, the altitudinal range favored the boom of healthy citrus trees which promised a good yield every harvest season.

The tshogpa members believed that such initiative could greatly benefit and help orange growers in the area to earn good money. Ultimately all factors gave birth to the farmers’ group called Dungsam Gongphel Tshogpa.

Their idea received further boost when the National Post Harvest Center (NPHC) and the Pemagatshel Dzongkhag Agriculture sector, chipped-in to establish a small fruit processing plant called Integrated Fruit Processing Plant (IFPP). The plant managed by the group, directly benefitted orange growers as they could sell farm produce to the plant rather than carry it to the market.

As planned, the plant started to function and bought small-size oranges for the purpose of pulping. The group paid farmers Nu 6 per kg for the small size oranges.

Unfortunately and unpredictably for the tshogpa things have currently started to go a bit awry.

A main reason for this was because the farmers did not on many occasions supply the small oranges to the plant and effectively it ceased to function. Rather than selling oranges to the group, farmers or orange growers in the area chose to take most of their produce either to the market or auction yards in Samdrup Jongkhar to sell in bulk to orange exporters, with whom they usually could bargain better prices.

The raw materials required to keep the plant running, became erratic and inconsistent.

The problem consequently choked the plant and it almost became a thing of the past except for the majestic building which housed the plant where there was hardly any activity inside.

In the midst of imminent despair a light at the end of the tunnel in the form of the agriculture ministry (MoAF) intervened through agencies such as the NPHC, Department of Agriculture and the Department of Agricultural Marketing and Cooperatives (DAMC).

The ministry realized that farmers could greatly enhance their cash income through establishment of such farm-based agro processing facility.

With the expertise at their disposal, these agencies came through as a savior for the plant as they started analyzing the problems and find ways to make the juice factory roar back to life.

One definite and valid solution was to link this small scale production house with the Bhutan Agro Industries Limited (BAIL) at Wangchutaba, Thimphu.

With such linking in place, the market for pulp was secured and the plant could go ahead with orange juice production. DAMC supported the farmers’ group with equipment required for orange squash production worth Nu 3mn.

This is in addition to the technical assistance provided by the NPHC.

Study underway to help maintain nomads back home

The decline in number of yaks grazing by the patch of pastureland at the base of snow-capped mountains has been a cause of concern for the livestock department under Ministry of Agriculture and Forests (MoAF).

With increasing members of the nomadic community moving to urban centers, only few are left at home to carry on the tradition of yak-rearing. The department attributes such decline in yak farming to the increased incomes of the nomads due to the Cordyceps and more education the youths are receiving.

In the past, the wealth of a household was measured by the number of yaks they owned but this trend has now reversed.

The government has also realized that besides keeping the tradition of yak husbandry alive, these highlanders also play critical role to safeguard the country’s sovereignty. Their presence in the high altitude mountain ranges in the borders, often considered hostile for living has prevented encroachments.

With decreased yaks, the amount of yak products like chugo (hard cheese) and butter have started to become less and less in the market. Hence, the product is losing its popularity making it difficult for the herders who are already lack-luster about the sale of such products.

But, all hope is not lost. The livestock department will make a much called-for intervention through numerous initiatives which include diversifying the nomads’ products and put-up value addition to the existing products.

The yak cheese production at Haa which started last year is one such initiative.

Dzongkhag Livestock Officer (DLO) in Haa, Loden Jimba who is closely involved with the study, said the cheese production was meant for substituting chugo with high value products. He said that the nomads didn’t have such support from government to venture out with such schemes till date but now with the full support the nomads are able to venture into good business.

He said the officials from the Department made herd-to-herd visits and trained 20 nomads to boost their potential for dairy products.

However the DLO said that the nomads are still in need of the department’s assistance. Once they are confident, they will venture on their own.

“The cheese production encourages herders to rear more yaks and reduces the need to sell yaks,” said Livestock Extension supervisor, Sangay Dorji.

The program was implemented at Layna and Nubri herds where seven herders of Talung village and three herders of Nubri, Paro engaged the herds at Gomthang, Sep, Nubri, Gep, Layna, Judula, Larey and Kerela.

The production of Gouda rather than hard cheese was chosen since it fetched more returns. In addition, it is known that Gouda cheese has a safer shelf life compared to other types of cheese.

The cheese was produced by individual herds and stored at the cellar at Layna where curing and fermentation takes place. The cheese are then transported to Haa main cellar Chumpa where curing continues till the product is marketed and consumed.

“After having proven that it pays them better to produce Gouda cheese, the herders were convinced of many comparative advantages,” Dairy focal person, Tandin Wangchuk said. “Now, they are willing to continue the technology.”

Most of the herders are ready to take up the technology without the technical backstopping from the experts.

The program will be further strengthened and permeated to other herds in the gewog and to Eusu and Katsho gewogs as well. The product diversification like pasteurization of cream, production of soft cheeses and modification of improved cheeses with taste and flavors will be continued. Officials said there are lots of scope for herders to link with the tourism council to have yak shows and product marketing.

The products will be marketed to the hotels at Thimphu and Paro due to lack of market in local areas. The dzongkhag livestock sector of Haa has seemingly discussed with Tashi-Taj Hotel in Thimphu.  “The hotel management has promised to take minimum of three kgs of cheese per week throughout the year,” said dzongkhag livestock officer, Loden Jimba said.

Syringe wielding teacher earns compulsory retirement for his misconduct

The Dzongkha language teacher Tshokey, of Budhashi Community Primary School under Goshing gewog, Zhemgang, has been sent on compulsory retirement effective from November 20, 2012 after an internal investigation by the Ministry of Education confirmed that he had used a syringe to poke students.

The decision was made by Human Resource Committee (HRC) of the Ministry of Education (MoE) during their recent meeting.

The issue of the Dzongkha teacher poking multiple students with the same medical syringe was first brought to light by this paper in an issue on 17th October 2012, generating public outrage and also concern for the students.

Subsequently the MoE sent an investigation team headed by the District Education Officer which interviewed several parents and students and confirmed the use of the syringe. A report on the issue recommending compulsory retirement was sent to the MoE.

The errant Dzongkha teacher will now have to quit his job with immediate effect and end his career as a contract teacher but he can walk away with certain entitlements like his gratuity under the National Contract Teacher Agreement (NCTA).

The HRC found that the teacher had breached the National Contract Teacher Agreement in punishing students by poking them with a syringe.

Medical personnel from the Dzongkhag are currently in the school and are doing a thorough check up of the students to check for any potential diseases transmitted by the same syringe used to poke many students.

MoE officials said that if any future complications arise due to the actions of the teacher, the government will take care of the students. “The government will bear all medical expenses and the treatment will be done with full support from the government,” said a HRC member.

According to the World health Organization, the use of an unsterilized syringe on multiple occasions can lead to the possibility of dangerous diseases like HIV Aids, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. Further medical literature showed that students are at risk of contracting Sepsis and can die through air bubbles.

According to one of the members of HRC, the official report by the investigation team has confirmed that such a mode of punishment was used. “Although his intention was clear, yet the means of punishment was very barbaric and there is no way the Ministry can protect such employee,” he said.“Although the HRC committee delved on the issue intensively, we went by the recommendation,” he said.

The issue first cropped up when one of the parents of affected child complained to local authorities this year. The issue was brought to the notice by parents expressing their concern over such an unethical and dangerous punishment. They said that if it continued unabated, it would risk their children contracting diseases.

Parents alleged that only four out of 80 students in the school were spared the syringe. Accordingly, the gewog authorities dispatched the Tshogpa of the affected chiwog to confirm such allegations. The Tshogpa reported back confirming that the punishment of students, by poking them with the same syringe, has been going on for some time.

This paper ran the story on October 17. All the parents of the victimized children, The Bhutanese talked to unanimously agreed and stood their ground about the teacher using the syringe. In addition to the parents local authorities including the Tshogpas of two affected chiwogs and the gewog Gup confirmed all the facts.

The MoE team visited the school in question, verified the accusation by taking statements from Principal, affected parents and local government authorities.

They also verified the accusation on basis of the evidences present in the form of physical marks and wounds.

After completion of the investigation and having found that the accusation booked against the teacher was true, they submitted the report to the concerned authorities. In the report, they spelt out all charges and possible reprimands.

Hailing from Trongsa, Tshokey was recruited in two years ago in 2010 under ‘Light Drukyul Project’.

Syringe wielding teacher earns compulsory retirement for his misconduct

The Dzongkha language teacher Tshokey, of Budhashi Community Primary School under Goshing gewog, Zhemgang, has been sent on compulsory retirement effective from November 20, 2012 after an internal investigation by the Ministry of Education confirmed that he had used a syringe to poke students.

The decision was made by Human Resource Committee (HRC) of the Ministry of Education (MoE) during their recent meeting.

The issue of the Dzongkha teacher poking multiple students with the same medical syringe was first brought to light by this paper in an issue on 17th October 2012, generating public outrage and also concern for the students.

Subsequently the MoE sent an investigation team headed by the District Education Officer which interviewed several parents and students and confirmed the use of the syringe. A report on the issue recommending compulsory retirement was sent to the MoE.

The errant Dzongkha teacher will now have to quit his job with immediate effect and end his career as a contract teacher but he can walk away with certain entitlements like his gratuity under the National Contract Teacher Agreement (NCTA).

The HRC found that the teacher had breached the National Contract Teacher Agreement in punishing students by poking them with a syringe.

Medical personnel from the Dzongkhag are currently in the school and are doing a thorough check up of the students to check for any potential diseases transmitted by the same syringe used to poke many students.

MoE officials said that if any future complications arise due to the actions of the teacher, the government will take care of the students. “The government will bear all medical expenses and the treatment will be done with full support from the government,” said a HRC member.

According to the World health Organization, the use of an unsterilized syringe on multiple occasions can lead to the possibility of dangerous diseases like HIV Aids, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. Further medical literature showed that students are at risk of contracting Sepsis and can die through air bubbles.

According to one of the members of HRC, the official report by the investigation team has confirmed that such a mode of punishment was used. “Although his intention was clear, yet the means of punishment was very barbaric and there is no way the Ministry can protect such employee,” he said.“Although the HRC committee delved on the issue intensively, we went by the recommendation,” he said.

The issue first cropped up when one of the parents of affected child complained to local authorities this year. The issue was brought to the notice by parents expressing their concern over such an unethical and dangerous punishment. They said that if it continued unabated, it would risk their children contracting diseases.

Parents alleged that only four out of 80 students in the school were spared the syringe. Accordingly, the gewog authorities dispatched the Tshogpa of the affected chiwog to confirm such allegations. The Tshogpa reported back confirming that the punishment of students, by poking them with the same syringe, has been going on for some time.

This paper ran the story on October 17. All the parents of the victimized children, The Bhutanese talked to unanimously agreed and stood their ground about the teacher using the syringe. In addition to the parents local authorities including the Tshogpas of two affected chiwogs and the gewog Gup confirmed all the facts.

The MoE team visited the school in question, verified the accusation by taking statements from Principal, affected parents and local government authorities.

They also verified the accusation on basis of the evidences present in the form of physical marks and wounds.

After completion of the investigation and having found that the accusation booked against the teacher was true, they submitted the report to the concerned authorities. In the report, they spelt out all charges and possible reprimands.

Hailing from Trongsa, Tshokey was recruited in two years ago in 2010 under ‘Light Drukyul Project’.