[Bhutan] Sustainable Happiness: Bhutan Development Project

-Bhutan Local Survey Stories (1)-
Bhutan Local Survey Itinerary Begins

On February 3, 2024, Chairman Ven. Pomnyun Sunim of JTS and JTS activists started their survey in Bhutan. At 4:40 AM, they took a flight from Delhi Airport to Bhutan, passing by dazzlingly beautiful snowy mountains outside the window. They arrived at Bhutan’s Paro International Airport at 6:40 AM. The Royal Bhutanese Secretary greeted them at the airport and helped them swiftly complete the entry procedures after which they set out for the Bhutan Nuns Foundation (BNF) in Thimphu.

The first day of the survey: A model for sustainable living in the age of the climate crisis

Around 8:30 AM, they arrived at the Bhutan Nuns Foundation (BNF) in Thimphu. Tashi, the General Secretary of the Bhutan Nuns Foundation, warmly welcomed Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. There, they met with Kesang Deki, the Cabinet Secretary of Bhutan, and held a meeting to review the survey itinerary and discuss future project plans.

After the meeting, they met with Dasho Karma Tshiteem, the former chairman of the Royal Civil Service Commission, to continue discussions on Bhutan’s development. Dasho Karma Tshiteem, recommended by Professor Park Jin-do from Korea as a must-meet individual, is in charge of Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness (GNH) index.

Ven. Pomnyun Sunim spoke about his purpose for visiting Bhutan, emphasizing the creation of a model for people who, although impoverished, can lead a happy life that is sustainable even in the era of climate crisis. He outlined two key considerations for enhancing the happiness index:

“Firstly, there needs to be development that improves living standards to a certain extent. If life is too impoverished, people will not want to live that way, making it unsustainable. Therefore, basic living infrastructure, education, and medical facilities must be ensured. Secondly, development should be pursued without desires, which aligns with the Buddha’s teachings. Taking these two aspects into account, we plan to develop the most disadvantaged areas. This sustainable development project aligns with the Bhutanese government’s concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH), and we are in discussions to pursue this together with the Bhutanese government.”

“While challenging from a developmental perspective, the environmental aspect requires reviewing whether excessive mechanization is sustainable for the planet. Therefore, we must carefully consider the extent to which machines are introduced. I anticipate that at least the bottom 20 percent of regions need improvement in living standards.  However, our goal is to increase the happiness index. Improving living standards is a secondary objective. This project is half developmental in nature, and the other half comprises environmental and Buddhist Dharma aspects. Buddha’s teachings guide us towards living happily despite our poverty.”

JTS combined these two considerations when seeking to enhance the happiness index. JTS’s sustainable projects align with the Bhutanese government’s concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH), which is why we are in discussions to pursue these initiatives together.

Dasho Karma Tshiteem responded positively to JTS’s goal of ‘improving living standards’ and supported the environmental perspective as well. He also explained the current economic situation in Bhutan. Despite government support, local residents find it difficult to achieve economic independence, and since most work in the villages is done manually, there is a critical need for the introduction of efficient production methods to sustain economic activities. He also advised meeting first with village leaders when visiting the villages to understand their overall situation.

Pomnyun Sunim expressed his hope that the sustainable projects being undertaken in Bhutan would not only succeed in Bhutan but also spread to other countries.

“If one country succeeds, others can do it more easily, having seen a model. There will be many trials and errors ahead. I hope we can discuss and create a model together. If this project succeeds in Bhutan, it would be great to expand it to other countries.”

Pomnyun Sunim explained to Chitim that everything at JTS is done by volunteers, and suggested that the young people he was teaching join the project.

Day 2: Survey for Selecting Sustainable Project Areas

On the morning of February 4th at 7 AM, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, Chairman of JTS, began a survey of Bhutanese regions to select areas for sustainable development projects. Rinchen Samdrup from the Bhutanese Cabinet Secretary’s office and Tashi accompanied him.

Since December, JTS has conducted three online meetings with the Bhutanese government and designated four regions as model areas for sustainable development projects.  These areas were chosen based on their limited influence from modern civilization, underdevelopment, poverty, small populations, preservation of tradition, and natural beauty. In February, JTS decided to survey two locations: Trongsa Dzongkhag and Zhemgang Dzongkhag.

Bhutan’s administrative divisions are categorized into four levels. There are 20 ‘Dzongkhags,’ which are equivalent to ‘cities’ in Korea and represent large areas. Each Dzongkhag is subdivided into several ‘Gewogs.’ These Gewogs are further divided into smaller areas called ‘Chiwogs,’ and below them are ‘Villages.’ Thus, Bhutan’s administrative divisions are organized into four hierarchical levels: Dzongkhag, Gewog, Chiwog, and Village. Trongsa Dzongkhag is located in the central part of Bhutan, covering an area of approximately 1,807 km², with altitudes ranging from 800 meters to 4,800 meters. Agriculture is the main source of income. Trongsa Dzongkhag comprises five Gewogs. Among them, Drakteng Gewog was the site of the winter palace of Bhutan’s second king, Jigme Wangchuck, in the early 20th century. Drakteng Gewog includes five Chiwogs. JTS has planned to visit the historically significant Jigme Wangchuck Chiwog and the poorest and most remote Samcholing Chiwog.

Traveling by car and passing through snow-covered mountain passes at an altitude of 3,500 meters, it took six hours to finally arrive in Trongsa. A welcoming ceremony was held at Chendebji Chorten within Trongsa Dzongkhag for the JTS survey team. Wangdi Gyltshen, the highest chairman of Trongsa Dzongkhag, and the planner, Dawa Tshering, joined the survey and accompanied the team. Upon reaching Jigme Wangchuck Chiwog, the locals greeted them warmly at the entrance and served homemade rice, milk, alcohol, and eggs. Although they could not take all the food offered, they were grateful to feel the warm hospitality and welcoming hearts of the residents.

Ven. Pomnyun Sunim and the survey team engaged in discussions with the village residents to understand their needs. When asked what the village required, the residents began by expressing a need for water for agriculture, stating that despite repeated requests, there had been no government support. They also shared various village issues, including damage caused by wild animals.

After finishing the conversation with the residents of Jigme Wangchuck Chiwog, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim and the survey team headed to the local school to assess its conditions. The principal warmly welcomed the JTS survey team. Together with the principal, they meticulously inspected the school facilities, including classrooms, computer lab, library, cafeteria, and sports field. Despite being a small rural school, it was well-maintained and had reliable electricity.

At the next location, the public health center, we were greeted by two women who provided medical assistance. At the health center, the survey team found facilities such as a delivery room, injection room, pharmaceutical storage room, and a room where patients could be examined and treated. The electricity was functioning well, and the road to the health center was also well maintained.

This health center receives about 30 to 40 patients daily with symptoms such as indigestion, skin diseases, headaches, and colds. Although the Bhutanese government has established health centers in each Chiwog, there is a shortage of doctors and nurses. A medical assistant conducts simple examinations and prescribes medication. If further treatment is needed, patients must travel to the hospital in the Dzongkhag. The health center staff mentioned that while the internet is currently available only in the outpatient consultation room, it would be beneficial to have a stable internet network throughout the facility for routine use. Next, the survey team visited Samcholing Chiwog, where the local residents welcomed them with a ceremony. They brought homemade rice and alcohol as gifts, and the women of the Chiwog performed a beautiful welcoming dance.

After the welcoming ceremony, JTS talked with the residents to understand their difficulties and needs. Although the government provides adequate support for living necessities, food, and medicine, there were people without adequate housing. They were suffering because they had no homes, thus no comfortable place to rest. Samcholing Kamei Chiok is so secluded that the residents have never seen a foreigner, making it one of the least developed and most remote areas.

The survey team finished a long day’s schedule and plans to tour Korpu Gewog tomorrow before visiting Zhemgang Dzong.