Editorial This edition of The Bhutan Journal is solemnly dedicated to the memory of the late Dr. Govinda Rizal—scholar, activist, and co-founding editor of this publication. Since the journal’s inception…
GMC And The Challenges of Geography
Gelephu sits on widest flat land of the country yet Bhutan’s mountain terrain mean the uneven geography is the challenge for any infrastructure development that are necessary for a thriving…
Gelephu Beats Inside Bhutanese in Exile
The relationship between Gelephu and the Bhutanese in exile, particularly the Nepali speaking community, is a complex narrative shaped by socio-political movements, demographic shifts, and state policies. This paper examines…
Political Representation in GMC
The Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) is established as an independent entity with executive, legislative and judiciary independence. The city is unlikely to have political independence though. The ‘one country, two…
Legal Basis For GeSAR
The GeSAR represents a groundbreaking initiative with executive, legal, and policy autonomy. Established by a Royal Charter issued in February 2024, the GeSAR operates under a unique legal framework. While…
Lack of Infrastructure Blurs Mega City Vision
Gelephu faces significant infrastructure challenges, hindering its transformation into a major commercial hub. Despite its flat terrain, which is conducive to development, the town has repeatedly failed to evolve due…
Health Landscape of Gelephu
Significant progress has been made in healthcare delivery, particularly in the areas of infectious disease control, non-communicable diseases, and traditional medicine. There are also several challenges faced by the healthcare…
Gelephu: Bhutan’s Emerging Trade Powerhouse
Gelephu is a significant trade hub. Historically, Gelephu has played a major role in the country’s trade, showing resilience through economic fluctuations and political upheavals. Its proximity to India is…
Demography Dynamics in Gelephu
As the third largest city in Bhutan, Gelephu has the fastest growing population, which would be accelerated with the proposed Gelephu Special Administrative Region (GeSAR). However, there are restrictions already…
The Cultural History of Gelephu
Gelephu and its residents have an enduring capacity to adapt and respond to change when new factors/influences are introduced, while simultaneously preserving that which promotes unique aspects of culture and…