The ad hoc committee of the National Assembly moved the motion on policies and programmes to encourage highlanders to continue to live in their areas and strengthen border security, in the house, yesterday.
The policies included incentives and supports to address challenges faced by the highlanders. The challenges are: highlanders’ changing social norms and behaviour, limited access to resources like timber, stone and sands for construction of houses, fuel and wood for running errands.
The Chairperson of the Committee, the Opposition Leader, Dr. Pema Gyamtsho said, “The current plans and policies are not benefiting much to the highlanders, so we are putting up recommendations which will be helpful for the existing policies or future policies”.
After lengthy deliberation, the house supported the committee’s recommendation.
“The recommendations proposed can be included at ministry or organisational level Hence I don’t see any problem in endorsing the recommendations,” said the Foreign Minister, Damcho Dorji.
There are high altitude areas in 11 districts namely Haa, Thimphu, Paro, Gasa, Wangdue Phodrang, Trongsa, Bumthang, Lhuentse, Trashigang, and Trashi Yangtse.
