Gelephu, Bhutan domestic airport received its first scheduled flight

More than three years after it was inaugurated, Gelephu domestic airport received its first scheduled flight, yesterday.

The national airline, Drukair, flew seven revenue paying local passengers and four government guests, including the information and communications secretary to Gelephu from Paro. From Gelephu, the airline picked up the information and communications minister and other government officials on its return flight to Paro via Bumthang.

The airline will conduct two flights a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays to Gelephu.

The promotional fare for Bhutanese is currently Nu 6,000 for a return ticket to Gelephu, and Nu 3,500 for a one way ticket. The flight time between Paro and Gelephu is 45 minutes.

Foreigners will be charged USD 250 for a return trip and USD 140 one way.

Drukair CEO, Tandin Wangchuk said that commercially the flights will not be financially sustainable and that the airline is simply following the government’s directive. “We’re respecting a government directive and we’re operating,” he said.

The government instructed Drukair to begin flying scheduled operations to Gelephu in April and in November.

He pointed out that Drukair would operate to Gelephu even if there is only one passenger flying one way. But when there are no passengers, the airline will not operate.

The CEO said that the government could make the business more sustainable for Drukair if it were to provide aviation fuel facilities at Gelephu domestic airport. Up to 30 percent of the cost of a flight is spent on fuel.

Department of Air Transport (DAT) director, Karma Wangchuk said that it may not be commercially viable for the Bhutan Oil Distributor to have in place aviation fuel facilities at Gelephu given the potentially low number of flights to the airport. However, he said that the DAT will ask the fuel company.

Tandin Wangchuk also said that the government should consider expanding Gelephu airport so that both airlines can use it to temporarily halt there when there is bad weather at Paro international airport. He said this would be a cheaper alternative than having to halt at Kolkata or Bagdorgra.

Karma Wangchuk said that there are plans to eventually expand the airport but that significant costs would be involved. He said any expansion would depend on the government and fund availability.

Tandin Wangchuk did not rule out Drukair approaching the government later on if it is found that the route remains unsustainable.

The erstwhile Department of Civil Aviation constructed the airport at a cost of Nu 225.3 million. A further Nu 9 million was spent to build a new terminal at the airport when the runway had to be shifted and it was found that the first terminal was located too far away.

Source: Kuenselonline

Sex tourism, an emerging vulnerablity

Bhutan is slowly emerging as a destination for sex with tourists from the West and the sub-continent looking for young girls and boys in Bhutan.

This was one of the emerging vulnerabilities listed in the recently released study on status of vulnerable children conducted by RENEW (Respect, Educate, Nurture and Empower Women) with support from Save The Children.

While there are no figures to support this “invisible findings” the study states that this has been happening for some time.

“This is the area where high-end sex workers also enter,” the study states. “Tourists are preferred due to the monetary incentive and also the fact that they would leave the country, thus protecting identity of the service providers.”

Other emerging vulnerabilities, according to the study are commercial sex workers, which include children besides children born to HIV/AIDs patients but are negative, family and neighbours of children with mental illness and children of parents serving time in prison.

Based on case studies, the study states that with various categories of sex workers, the profession was slowly becoming well organized. It further states that single women can be picked up at bars and discotheques and are paid a paltry sum of Nu 200 to 500 while school drop-outs and the unemployed, who mostly approach men themselves in intoxicated state, often siphon off everything that the man has.

The study also states that there are commercial sex workers below 18 years, whose identity and phone numbers are known by few people. “High-end girls, both children and youth insist on going to hotels of their choice for sex,” it states.

The study highlighted that under-age girls, including students being engaged in the trade and attributes this trend to poverty. Those serving high-end customers charge a minimum of Nu 15,000 a night.

“Clients are mainly Thimphu’s mobile population, particularly Indian tourists and those working in various hydropower projects, apart from other tourists and few Bhutanese,” the study found.

Tour operators and guides agreed that there could be women catering to tourists with the increase in visitors. However, they said it has to be verified as the information are based on hearsay.

Guides Association of Bhutan’s president Garab Dorji said that from what he heard, it was quite rampant.

“We hear of cases where some tourists indicate or demand female guides and escorts to accompany them during their stay in the country,” he said. “If true, it needs to be monitored as it could lead to bigger issues in future especially if it’s arranged by tour operators, guides or drivers.”

A tour operator said the issue was more prominent among regional tourists than the tariff paying tourists.  “But it’s not right as Bhutan is known as an exotic cultural and spiritual destination,” he said.

The study also states social stigma, low self-esteem, single parents and poverty have made children born to HIV/AIDs patients but are negative, more vulnerable.

Lhak-Sam, the study states was not able to bring this group into their family while there is no record on the number of HIV/AIDs patients who are married and have conceived. “Neither is there a record of children who are negative but born to HIV/AIDs parents,” it states.

Mental trauma such children faced has led to attempted suicide among them, the study states.

The study also categorises children of parents serving time in prison as the vulnerable lot as they are often subject to social stigma,  poverty, negligence, exclusion or deprivation and exposed to abuse.

One of the limitations highlighted in the study was the difficulty in contacting vulnerable groups like commercial sex workers. As conducting focus group discussion with them was impossible, since the girls do not want to know each other, snowballing sampling was adopted to get information on this vulnerable group.

Another limitation was lack of a standard definition of vulnerability or a baseline indicating the prevalence, type and factors making children vulnerable. “For obtaining a nationwide status of the vulnerable, a national level study should be conducted,” the study recommend.

For the purpose of the study, a vulnerable child was defined as “a child in difficult circumstances,” incorporated from the Child Care and Protection Act.

Of the total sample size of 891 children, 459 were in Trashigang, 235 in Paro and 197 in Tsirang. Respondents were children with one form of vulnerability or the other.

Source: Kuenselonline

Bhutan: Increasing number of tourists at Pangbang

The remote community of Pangbang in Zhemgang eyes big from tourism as the dungkhag sees an increasing number of tourists by the year since it opened its doors in 2011.

“Tourism could be huge for Panbang in the future,” said Dorji Yangkey, the proprietor of River Valley. Dorji Yangkey, who also runs Manas eco-lodge added that the number of tourist arrivals has been steadily rising since the eco-lodge was opened in 2012.

Panbang immigration officer in-charge, Karma Dhendup also said the number of casual visitors has risen steadily for the past few years. Between September and April, at least two vehicles of Indian tourists from various states visit Panbang every day.

“While the number of international tourist arrivals has been negligible, over 300-500 casual visitors have been visiting Panbang monthly especially in the winters,” Karma Dhendup said.

Casual tourists are allowed to only visit the town in the daytime and aren’t permitted to halt in Bhutan overnight.

“They can go to town till Panbang bridge but cannot go beyond because no tourist permit is issued from Panbang,” Karma Dhendup said, adding that entries are issued only from Gelephu.

Activities like wildlife safari, rafting, eco-trail, fly-fishing, elephant riding in the Manas park range, bird-watching and camping, among others are on offer in Panbang. The area’s rich biodiversity of flora and fauna, rivers and villages are also on offer. Cycling is to be introduced soon.

Although the River Guides of Panbang (RGP) just opened its office in September, last year, river expedition activities such as rafting fetched Nu 0.49 million in seven months of the tourist season, which ends in April.

This year tourist arrivals have just started and the RGP has already conducted 20 trips earning a revenue of Nu 80,000.

“We have already attended to 100-160 tourists,” RGP assistant operations officer, Sangay Penjor said, adding that it is likely to cater to more guests this year than in 2014.

Tourist arrivals begin by September end and conclude by April, every year.

Manas eco-lodge chairman, Dorji Nado said the number of tourist arrivals have been increasing since it was opened in 2013. This year the eco-lodge has already received around 50 guests compared to 30-35 each in 2013 and 2014.

“This year has been better than last year,” Dorji Nado said.

But casual visitors from India still make up the majority of the arrivals. Only a few international tourists have visited because Panbang is yet to gain popularity as a viable destination.

The lack of an immigration office still hinders tourism growth in Panbang. Sangay Penjor said many tourists find it displeasing to return to India for the night since no halts are permitted in Bhutan.

“The tourists have to return to India for a night halt despite Panbang offering accommodation facilities,” Sangay Penjor said.

Dorji Yangkey said relevant agencies must explore avenues to allow night halts in Bhutan since most of the casual visitors wish to stay back. Moreover, business is also affected without halts for casual visitors.

“Even now most of the guests in the eco-lodge are foreign officials who come to Manas park for expeditions,” Dorji Yangkey said, adding the only way to promote tourism in Panbang is to open entry and exit points or at least allow halts to casual visitors from India.

RGP chief operation officer, Kinlay Dorji also requested to allow the casual visitors till Mangdechhu since guests prefer rafting in rapid rivers, which Drangmechhu lacks.

“Right now business is getting affected because casual visitors aren’t allowed beyond Drangmechhu bridge while Mangdechhu rafting starts from over 22km from the bridge,” Kinley Dorji said.

His Holiness celebrates the Fourth Druk Gyalpo’s Birth Anniversary in Lhuentse

His Holiness the Je Khenpo celebrated the 60th Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo with the people of Tsenkhar Gewog under Lhuentse Dzongkhag, today. The celebrations took place in Namdroling Monastery.

The program began with the recitation of Zhabten for His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo’s long life.

Then His Holiness the Je Khenpo presided over the Tsepami Sungchog, conducted for His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo’s wellbeing.

Hundreds of people from Tsenkhar Gewog, including business community from Autsho town and students and teachers of Autsho Middle Secondary School, took part in the celebration.

Following the Tsepami Sungchog, monks from Namdroling Monastery exhibited their intellectual debate to mark the day.

Various cultural and entertainment items were organized to celebrate the day. Also to mark the day, sacred relics from the monastery were displaced for public veneration.

His Holiness the Je Khenpo hosted a tokha for hundreds of people who have come to celebrate the historic 60th Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo.

Source: BBS

Nation comes together to celebrate the Fourth Druk Gyalpo’s unparalleled legacy

The whole Nation came together to celebrate the unparalleled legacy of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo. Thousands of people, dressed in their finest attire, thronged Changlimethang stadium in Thimphu to celebrate the 60th Birth Anniversary of the Druk Gyalpo.

His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo was born on this day in 1955 at the Dechencholing Palace in Thimphu.

People started pouring in at the stadium as early as 5 AM, today. The event began with His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo being ushered in at the Stadium in traditional chipdrel ceremony.

The sacred occasion was made even more special with presence of His Majesty the King accompanied by Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen. Their Majesties the Queen Mothers and members of the Royal Family were also present.

The momentous occasion saw His Majesty the King, along with the people gathered at the stadium, offering Zhabten to His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo for His Majesty’s eternal well-being and long life.

As part of the celebration, people from all walks of life, from Dzongkhags as far as Trashigang and Samdrup Jongkhar, presented cultural and entertainment programmes.

source: BBS

Bhutan to have an heir, His Majesty announces

Bhutanese, in the country and across the world, were treated to exciting news when His Majesty the King announced that Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema is expecting a prince.

The packed Changlimethang stadium in Thimphu burst into a huge applause when His Majesty said their Majesties are expecting a son.

“From my side and from Jetsun’s side, this is a gift to the Fourth Druk Gyalpo. I am about to be a father. Both, Jetsun and I, are happy,” His Majesty told the people gathered.

His Majesty said his son will be the country’s son. “Even though our son is yet to be born, I consider him lucky. Our country is peaceful, happy, and secure. Everything is perfect.” His Majesty said it is His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo who worked tirelessly to get the nation to where it is today.

His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo made an appearance at Changlimethang.

Scores of people, from all walks of life, had gathered at the stadium to celebrate the 60th Birth Anniversary of the Fourth Druk Gyalpo.

His Majesty the Fifth King, in his speech to the nation, said today was an extraordinary day and that he was happy to see many people celebrate the day in the country and elsewhere.

His Majesty reminded people of all the services the Fourth Druk Gyalpo has rendered to the Nation. He said the Fourth Druk Gyalpo has always stressed on the rule of law and its significance to the Nation.

Source: BBS

Celebrating the 60th Birth Anniversary of Drukgyal Zhipa, Jigme Singye Wangchuck