Monthly Archives: December, 0

From birth to death, astrology or Tsi in Dzongkha plays an important role in Bhutanese life. It is a must for many Bhutanese to consult astrologers to do almost everything as it is believed to provide psychological guidance predicting your best and worst days. However, some astrologers in the country use the Tibetan Book of Astrology which doesn't always tally with the Bhutanese version. To address this issue, Pema Gatshel Rabdhey conducted a workshop sensitizing astrologers in the district on the usage of the astrology book, recently.

With people continuing to battle the pandemic, vulnerable households including those dependent on informal employment are managing by increasing their debts. Likewise, a scrap dealer in Paro is finding ways to survive and support his family with scrap business on halt amid the pandemic.

With travel restrictions and fear of infections amid the COVID pandemic, an increasing number of people are exploring travel destinations within the country. While some go for treks and hikes, many chose to go for religious excursions. The pandemic has given a boost to domestic tourism in the country.

Businesses in the tourism sector have come to a standstill since March last year. But this has not kept the players of the industry from rethinking tourism post-pandemic. Going forward, the stakeholders of the tourism sector want the government to ease the tourism policy of High-Value Low-Volume until businesses in the sector pick up momentum. On the other hand, the Tourism Council says this policy will become even more relevant post-pandemic.

The ongoing covid-19 pandemic has affected most of the economic activities in the country. One of the highest revenue generators for the country has been tourism. But with no tourists visiting the country last year, there has been more than a 90 % drop in direct revenue. From nearly USD 30 M in 2019 to only about USD 2 M last year.

It has been a rough ride for the tourism sector since the pandemic hit the country last March. People lost jobs and businesses toppled. In this story, we look at how some of the country’s top tourist hotspots remain affected and have managed to survive while hoping for things to improve at the earliest.

From casually dropping Doma wrappers to unloading heaps of waste on the street in the cover of darkness, we have never been mindful of our own wastes. We have blamed tourists for littering our pristine environment where they visit most, yet when Bhutan closed its border the littering in these spots never stopped. One such spot is Phajoding in Thimphu and the Tourism Council of Bhutan is literally policing the area to keep it clean. 

Schools in Phuentshogling reopened today to a scene of joy and relief as thousands of students of classes pre-primary to six returned to their classrooms. The students were studying remotely since the schools closed in April because of the lockdown. It has been nearly two months without community cases for COVID-19 in Phuentshogling.

Bhutan is inching closer towards its dream of energy security through a diversified and sustainable energy supply mix. On Monday, the economic affairs ministry (MoEA) officially inaugurated the country’s first grid-tied solar power plant in Ruebisa gewog, Wangdue Phodrang.

His Majesty The King granted an Audience to the De-Suups of the 46th De-Suung Accelerated Training Programme in Chhukha and arrived in Thimphu yesterday after concluding a Royal Tour. During the tour, His Majesty visited Punakha, Trongsa, Bumthang, Monggar and Trashigang.