Tourism in Bhutan is the reminder that wealth does not necessarily equate to happiness, meet Bhutan one of the happiest country in the world
Gho for man and kira for women is the national dress of Bhutan – Bhutan would be interesting to talk to, with a charismatic charm you could never quite put your finger on. Bhutan would be kind, humble and sensitive, and incredibly attuned to his emotion self. Bhutan would live self-sufficiently (but not in a preachy way) and his brows would rise every time you chose automobile as your first choice of transport (you know… over those two strong limbs that connect with your feet to the ground).
Bhutan is a Buddhist kingdom of the Himalayas. ‘Mayahana’ (tantric) Buddhism is Bhutan’s official religion, and is practiced by about 75% of its entire population. Buddhist monasteries dot this nation and, while aesthetically exquisite in nature, they also serve as a reminder that the Bhutanese are a people, incredibly reverent towards each other, as well their land and animals.
While Buddhism is Bhutan’s ‘go-to’ religion, Bhutan also has historical ties to several forms of animistic beliefs that are still held by many today.
While most countries measure their success in the form of GDP (gross domestic product) Bhutan measures its national prosperity in the form of ‘Gross National Happiness’.
‘Gross National Happiness’ is a term first coined by His Majesty the Fourth King of Bhutan in the 1970s. It is a concept that implies wellbeing should take preference over material growth. Bhutanese policies have been set up through the ‘GNH’ index, based on equitable social development, cultural preservation, conservation of the environment and good governance.
The Bhutanese are known for living in harmony with their environment. Bhutan is one of the last remaining biodiversity hotspots in the world, with most of its natural environment still pristine and intact. It is also the only country whose largest export is renewable energy.
Environmental sustainability is Bhutan’s primary objective with around 72% of Bhutanese land still covered by natural forest. The government has enacted a law that shall maintain at least 60% of its forest cover for all time. 60% of its land mass already falls under protected areas.