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Journal

Editorial

by The Bhutan Watch March 8, 2022

Democratic days of Bhutan heralded with the transfer of power from fourth to fifth kings with new king accepting the fact that governance should be through the peoples’ elected representatives. In the past the monarchy used to face pressure to relinquish power; the transition to democracy witnessed appreciation and approval. The maturing of democracy did not go well in terms of practice, functioning and delivery. The monarchy remained the central force influencing decision-making and intervening the projects of the elected government. Though the constitution includes enormous royal prerogatives, it was positively hoped that path to democracy will widen as time goes. Many steps taken by the palace are proving to be otherwise. Read full

Journal

The Bhutan Journal 3.1

by The Bhutan Watch February 19, 2022

EditorialGrowing active role of the monarchy in daily governance and creating new agencies outside the constitutional jurisdiction to take over development activities usually mandated for an elected government are testimonies of the king’s interest in being a pro-active politician and weaken the mandate of an elected government. Weakening of an elected government results in death of democracy and returning to the order of absolute monarchy. That’s has been the repeat history of Bhutan under Wangchuk Dynasty. Citation: Bhutan Watch. (2022). Editorial. The Bhutan Journal, 3(1); 1-3. Statelessness Among Former Bhutanese Citizens: An Issue of Public Concern By Ram Karki Much has been studied and written on Gross National Happiness (GNH) and Bhutanese Refugee Issue in the past decades, but scholars and researchers are yet to write on the issue of statelessness among the former Bhutanese Citizens. This paper attempts to find a suitable answer of how a country that propagates the philosophy of happiness could revoke the citizenship of its people and escape from crime. Citation: Karki, R. (2022). Statelessness Among Former Bhutanese Citizens: A Public Issue of Concern. The Bhutan Journal, 3(1); 4-21. Citizenship and Marriage Laws of Bhutan By Govinda Rizal Citizenship of a state is the right of the holder to have rights as any other member of the state. Categorisation of citizenship creates distinct groups with different limitations, rights, and privileges and makes citizens unequal before the law. In Bhutan, there are three major and seven subcategories of citizens created by the government. This article highlights the background of promulgation of citizenship and marriage laws and their implication. Citation: Rizal, G. (2022). Citizenship and Marriage Laws of Bhutan. The Bhutan Journal, 3(1); 22-40. LDC Graduation: Opportunities and Challenges for Bhutan By I P Adhikari Bhutan is graduating from Least Developing Country (LDC) status in 2023. Fair political stability, consistent economic growth, and improved social indicators in the last few decades helped the country achieve this status early on. However, Bhutan will face tough challenges following graduation as the resources allocated…

Journal

The Bhutan Journal 2.1

by The Bhutan Watch January 16, 2021

Editorial This issue also carries many grievances of the past and the agony of unsolved issues. This journal like the first one also carries sentiments and contents of Bhutanese diaspora more than Bhutan. De-Suung: The Orange Army By Dr Govinda Rizal Formed on the principle of volunteerism, the Orange Army is dedicated to crowd control, rescue and operation during emergencies, takes up the role of alert citizens. The Orange Army is now running a parallel government and is growing incredibly popular among the citizens most of whom are not happy with the democratic parliamentary system in the country and victims of calamities. Citation: Rizal, G. (2021). De-Suung: The Orange Army. The Bhutan Journal, 2(1), pp 3-19. Bhutan Watch Democracy, Adult Franchise, and Public Participation By I P Adhikari Bhutan promotes adult franchise, conducts periodic elections and has elected parliament and government. It has political parties contesting elections. But it lacks accountability mechanisms, participatory channels, independent and active civil societies, democracy education, and monitoring system that are central to a functional democracy. Citation: Adhikari, I. (2021). Democracy, Adult Franchise and Public Participation. The Bhutan Journal, 2(1), pp 20-38. Bhutan Watch Integration and Satisfaction Among Resettled Bhutanese in Australia  By Prof Dr Manfred Ringhofer Forcefully evicted out of country, 20% of the Bhutan’s Lhotshampa population spent decades in refugee camps in eastern Nepal. Now they are resettled in developed countries and are starting a new life. They are happy. They have embraced their new country and connection with Bhutan is gradually eroding.  Citation: Ringhofer, M. (2021). Integration and Satisfaction Among Resettled Bhutanese in Australia. The Bhutan Journal, 2(1), pp 39-58. Bhutan Watch Bhutanese Settlement and Community Leadership  By Om Dhungel Refugee resettlement provides opportunities for key stakeholders to work more collaboratively by adopting strength-based approaches in driving positive settlement as well as successful integration outcomes. The focus of this article  is on learnings from the Bhutanese refugee settlement experiences in different settlement countries and the role community leaders can play.  Citation: Dhungel, O. (2021). Bhutanese Settlement and Community Leadership. The Bhutan Journal, 2(1), pp 59-72. Bhutan Watch Bhutanese Refugee Cultural Complex: An Outsider-Insider’s Perspective By Dr Susan Banki The proposed Bhutanese Refugee Cultural Complex in Jhapa in eastern Nepal is worth asking about its purpose(s). Such commemorative structures are used for documenting history, preventing future problem events, reconciliation, individual healing, and tourism. Citation: Banki, S. (2021). Bhutanese refugee Cultural Complex: An Outsider-Insider Perspective. The Bhutan Journal, 2(1), pp 73-83. Bhutan Watch Democracy and Political Prisoners in Bhutan By Ram Karki Everyone said Bhutan attained democracy in 2008. King agreed for…

Journal

Editorial

by The Bhutan Watch January 16, 2021

We offer TBJ Second Issue of BW to readers. It gives us an immense pleasure and satisfaction to some extent. It is the unofficial link between the Bhutanese Diaspora and Bhutan. This issue also carries many grievances of the past and the agony of unsolved issues. This journal like the first one also carries sentiments and contents of Bhutanese diaspora more than Bhutan. The political prisoners detained on charges of demanding democracy in the country are still in prisons even after 12 years of democracy. The king who is above the law is raising an army and is in an early phase of running a parallel government. Read full here

Journal

The Bhutan Journal 1.1

by The Bhutan Watch January 12, 2020

Editorial Welcome to the first issue of Bhutan Journal. Citation: Bhutan Watch. (2020). Editorial. The Bhutan Journal, 1(1); 5. doi.org/10.55564/tbj11edtr20 Waters of Bhutan Govinda Rizal On average 75 billion tons of freshwater exit from Bhutan every year. Bhutan is perhaps one of the few countries rich in freshwater. Bhutan’s per capita fresh water was 108,476, 557 liters in 2014. Yet, the water on each person’s share is of little use, as they don’t get to use it. Citation: Rizal, G. (2020). Waters of Bhutan. The Bhutan Journal, 1(1); 6-16. doi.org/10.55564/tbj11gr20by Bhutan Within the Indo-Pacific Strategies C M Niroula The security threat posed by rising China in Indo-Pacific region has raised fear of possible shift in the world order. China is flexing economic and military muscles. As China crawls to Asia Pacific region, the US has unveiled its new strategy to counter the rise of Communist China. Citation: Nirola, C.M. (2020). Bhutan within the Indo-Pacific strategies. The Bhutan Journal, 1(1); 17-25. doi.org/10.55564/tbj11cmn20dw Contemporary Bhutan’s Faulty Policies & Remedies Ram Karki Bhutan is no exception when it comes to effect of globalisation and its tight measures to avoid wind of globalisation, liberalisation and privatisation will bound to fail sooner if not later. Internet and social media have already been playing their influential roles in connecting both former and present Bhutanese citizens. Citation: Karki, R. (2020). Contemporary Bhutan’s faulty policies and remedies. The Bhutan Journal, 1(1); 26-35. doi.org/10.55564/tbj11rbk20az Climate Change Impact in Bhutan I P Adhikari The Himalayas is serious victim of climate change. Melting ice and decreasing ice reserves indicate a disastrous future. The impacts are already visible. Results are declining agricultural production, scarcity of water resources and deterioration of human health. Citation: Adhikari, I. P. (2020). Climate change impact in Bhutan. The Bhutan Journal, 1(1); 36-51. doi.org/10.55564/tbj11ipa20cx Jumpstarting Nepal-Bhutan Relationship John Narayan Parajuli A breakthrough in Nepal-Bhutan relationship in the past had been rendered near impossible. With resettlement of Bhutanese…

Journal

Climate Change Impact in Bhutan

by I P Adhikari January 12, 2020

ABSTRACT The Himalayas is a serious victim of climate change. Consequences of the change will be the hardest for the people there. Residents in downstream will be no less affected. Melting ice and decreasing ice reserves indicate a disastrous future for those who rely on the Himalayas for water sources. The Himalayas are source of life for millions. Impacts are already visible in the form of flash floods, GLOF and unpredictable monsoon. Results are declining agricultural production, scarcity of water resources and deterioration of human health. Growing vehicular pollution, tourism and mega hydropower dams are some of the internal factors raising alarms in the Himalayas. Moreover, human activities in the vicinity of Bhutan not within its control are bigger influencers of climate changes. Keywords: Carbon, climate change, glaciers, health, Himalayas rainfall, water, flood Introduction Bhutan sits on the southern slope of the Himalayas that is known for serene natural environment and pure air quality. The northern region of Bhutan is covered by snow throughout the year while its southern part is used for human settlement. Southern belt is suitable for agriculture and is the food basket of the country. Hilly region has sparse settlement except for the valleys. The capital Thimphu houses the largest congregation of population. Southern belt with tropical climate is home for a large population. Quick changes in altitude and monsoon from the Bay of Bengal influence climatic conditions in Bhutan. Temperatures in Himalayan foothills of the southern belt ranges between 15-30 degree Celsius (59-86-degree Fahrenheit). The Inner Himalayas in central region has warm summers and cool and dry winters. This region has temperate and deciduous forests and fruit trees. Greater Himalayas in the far north is extremely cold and is mostly without vegetation. Climate change Climate change has become a cliché of our generation. The phenomenon is impacting not just a country but the whole human civilisation. Governments and authorities lack adequate commitments and resources to…

Civics, Journal

Waters of Bhutan

by Govinda Rizal January 12, 2020

ABSTRACT On average 75 billion tons of freshwater exit from Bhutan every year. Freshwater of the Himalayas is used for domestic purposes, to irrigate fields and to generate hydroelectricity among many other uses. Bhutan is perhaps one of the few countries rich in freshwater. The per capita share of freshwater may be one of the highest in the world. A Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) report mentioned that Bhutan’s per capita fresh water was 108,476, 557 liters in 2014 – the fifth highest in the world. Yet, the water on each person’s share is of little use, as they don’t get to use it. The methods and policies used in the past were effective in using water. Due to a shift in peoples’ lifestyle and habits, previous system of water management is not enough to meet their future needs. In all cases, water is redirected to rivers or evaporates into atmosphere directly. Here, an academic discussion is carried out on perspective of water use in Bhutan. Keywords: erosion, fresh water, glacial lakes, hydroelectricity, irrigation, pollution Introduction The Himalayas, of which Bhutan is part of, is a natural water condenser that converts water vapor into freshwater. Two factors, high altitude and continuous mountain ranges intercepting monsoon clouds help to complete water cycle. The tall mountains not only convert clouds into water that flows downhill as streams, rivulets, and rivers but also store water in the form of ice for slow release. Himalayan ranges within Bhutan have altitude from 97 m (318 ft) to 7,528 m (24,698 ft) above sea level. The aerial measurement is 305 km from west to east and 145 km from south to north (Dubey, 1978) with an area of 47,000 sqkm (Figure 1). However, approximately 8,500 sqkm is under stake with China and India leaving only 38,500 sqkm in government’s diplomatic references (Rizal, 2013). A report on water resources management plan by Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB)…

Foreign Policy, Journal, Politics

Bhutan Within the Indo-Pacific Strategies

by C M Niroula January 12, 2020

ABSTRACT Security threat posed by rising China in Indo-Pacific region has raised fear of possible shift in the world order – that had remained under tight fist of the United States for over a century. China is flexing its economic and military muscles that is likely to substitute America’s dominance in international politics. As China crawls into Asia Pacific region, the US has unveiled its new strategy to counter the rise of Communist China. Regional allies and stronger security relation are of paramount importance for this strategy to succeed. This paper examines what Indo-Pacific Strategy means for South Asia and Bhutan in particular. How this tiny Himalayan Kingdom would play its role and what are possible advantages? It also includes the role of India in courting Bhutan into the bigger international gambit to surround China and what India and US must do jointly to ensure the success of the strategies. Key words: communism, democracy, diplomacy, military, politics, strategies, Indo-pacific Introduction While unveiling Indo-Pacific Strategies in 2018, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said “American people and the whole world have a stake in the Indo-Pacific’s peace and prosperity. It’s why the Indo-Pacific must be free and open (Hartman, 2019).” US state department describes this statement as ‘an ironclad and enduring commitment’ (US State Department, Office of the Assistant Secretary, 2018) to the region. The strategy basically targets creating more democratic and open society in Indo-Pacific region to counter China’s undemocratic growing influence. Bhutan is small country but can be a major player under this flagship strategy within the Indian domain. India’s involvement in engaging Bhutan on this strategic initiative of the US government is of paramount important. The initiative must not ignore the undemocratic behaviours of Bhutan government– past and present. India is not an alien when it comes to the Bhutanese refugee issue. For decades, a democratic country aligned with an absolute monarchy to curb the voice for democratic…

Journal

Editorial

by The Bhutan Watch January 11, 2020

Dear Readers, We welcome you to the inaugural issue of The Bhutan Journal published by Bhutan Watch. The Bhutan Journal is the first attempt from Bhutanese in Diaspora to look deeper into the Bhutanese issues that are outside the four walls of everyday domain and discussion. It is our sincere effort to engage every Bhutanese into an intensive and fruitful conversation about issues affecting Bhutan and Bhutanese people. Whether inside the country or outside, contribution to Bhutan continues until the Bhutanese spirit is alive. It is our divine duty to keep this spirit alive for generations to come. As we spread across the globe, our busy schedule keeps us disconnected from Bhutan. There is an unintended disconnection between Bhutanese in Diaspora and those living in Bhutan. Bhutan Journal shall make efforts to bridge the extreme ends of the same community and to build consensus in Diaspora about our ability to contribute towards reshaping a fair and just future. The journal shall contain anything to everything about Bhutan. Articles both appreciating and critical analysis of Bhutan’s efforts on modernism, philosophies, development, political process, economy, human rights, discrimination, and current affairs are welcome. We respect constructive criticism and critical appreciation. There is no restriction on what subject you love to write if it is about Bhutan and issues are authenticated with facts and sources. We are eager to hear your comments, suggestions and feedback to improve our future publications. This Journal shall be published once a year, but our website will carry occasional papers, research reports and opinion columns. We welcome short articles/opinions for website too. Editors