Monthly Archives: December, 0

The forest protection and surveillance team in the Department of Forest and Park Services received the third Jigme Singye Wangchuck Outstanding Environmental Stewardship Award.

More than 400 participants from 56 countries are taking part in the 14th International Society of Ethnobiology Congress in Bumthang. The theme this year is regenerating bio-cultural ecosystem resilience and transmission of traditional knowledge.

The National Council today endorsed the Local Government Amendment Bill 2014. Much of the discussions revolved around having Dzongkhag Thromde and Yenlag Thromde in all the Dzongkhags.

More than 700 people took part in the 7th annual Coronation Marathon was held in Thimphu today. The marathon is dedicated to the Coronation of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo. The marathon was divided into three categories- 42.2 kilometres full marathon for men, 21 kilometres half marathon for women and 5 kilometres for youth. The annual coronation marathon was funded and organised by the Bhutan Olympic committee and the Bhutan Amateur Athletics Federation.

Fifteen members from five political parties left for Denmark today. The trip, a learning journey for the politicians, is the first of its kind. It is aimed towards capacity building of the political parties. The party members will meet and interact with their counterparts in Denmark. The trip is organised and sponsored by the Danish Institute for Parties and Democracy, and facilitated by the ECB.

Despite studying English at all levels of education, Bhutanese students do not gain ability to speak English as expected. This was one of the findings revealed by Dr. Mark LaPrairie from his study on “English medium education in Bhutan: Is it working?”

Hopes have rekindled once again for the villagers of Baeyul Kinza, one of the remote villages under Chhukha Dzongkhag. They are now looking forward to growing oranges once again, their only cash crop. The villagers had lost this cash crop to a citrus greening outbreak in the area in 2003. The ministry of agriculture and forests launched the citrus rehabilitation programme last month.

A first group of 49 Thai tourists under the “Bhutan-Thailand Friendship offer” arrived in Paro today. The scheme was launched earlier to celebrate the 25 years of Diplomatic relations between the two countries.

A 200-kilometre marathon kicked-off today from Punakha. Thirty six international runners from 18 different countries, including a runner from Bhutan are taking part in it. The runners will run from Punakha to Paro Taktshang, on the existing trekking routes for six days.

Monggar saw the first ever cycling race on Saturday. Titled Sharchog Khorlo Mountain bike race, it was organised by the Bhutan Olympic Committee in collaboration with the Dzongkhag Sports Association.