A few members of the National Assembly indicated economic benefit of Lhuentse is more important than the conservation of environment. They were debating on the 55 KM Shingkhar-Gorgan highway, which will pass through the core area of Thrumshingla National Park; home to the Tigers and other endangered animals.
The highway begins from Shingkhar in Bumthang to Gorgan in Lhuentse.
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“Many people are not able to build or cultivate their land as it falls under the buffer zone in the park area,” said Nganglam MP, Choida Jamtsho.
Other NA members raised their hands to give a go-ahead signal for the construction of the road. The Speaker, Jigme Zangpo, then directed the Works and Human Settlement Ministry to take study the project thoroughly.
The politicians and environmentalists have been at loggerheads over the construction of the road.
The Royal Society for Protection of Nature’s (RSPN) Executive Director, Lam Dorji, said the parliamentarians are aware of the impact on the environment if the road comes through. “We respect their decision.”
