A Country Profile Of Bhutan

Bhutan is a small landlocked country hidden deep in the Himalayas between India and China, with high mountains and deep valleys that have resulted in dispersed human settlement patterns. Gross National Happiness (GNH) is the country’s distinctive ideology that informs its development plan. Bhutan’s political and economic situation is stable. It has achieved significant progress in eliminating severe poverty and increasing gender equality, with continued efforts to address social injustice and regional imbalances. Bhutan’s economy is suitable for cultivation, and the country’s vast range of elevation and climate allows Bhutan’s farms to support a diverse range of crops and cattle. The quantity of land suitable for agriculture, on the other hand, is a small percentage of the total area of Bhutan; the predominantly harsh climate, poor soil, and steep slopes have forced the government to leave a huge area of land covered in forest growth, meadows, and grasslands. The central Bhutanese valleys, which are relatively low, well-watered, and fertile, contain the highest percentage of farmed land. Bhutan has been implementing progressive modifications in farming and forestry practices to boost agricultural productivity since the late 20th century. Numerous orchards have been built to popularise fruit farming, and thousands of fruit plants have been handed to farmers. The development of small-scale irrigation schemes has also been prioritised. The sector is still a major contributor to Bhutan’s GDP and major employment of the country’s workforce in the early 21st century.

History of Bhutan

Bhutan has seen limited archaeological exploration, yet evidence of civilisation in the region dates to at least 2,000 B.C. Monpa, or indigenous Bhutanese, are thought to have migrated from Tibet. Bhutan is a constitutional monarchy whose state religion is Vajrayana Buddhism. Bhutan is known for its brilliant and colourful celebrations.

People of Bhutan

Bhutia (also known as Ngalop), Nepalese, and Sharchop are Bhutan’s three primary ethnic groups. The Bhutia are the most populous, accounting for roughly half of the population. In southern and southwestern Bhutan, there is an ethnically mixed population.

Religions In Bhutan

Almost 75% of Bhutan’s population is Tibetan Buddhist. Tibetan Buddhism was formerly the official state religion and is described in the 2008 constitution as the country’s spiritual heritage.

Education in Bhutan

Bhutan had no official schools except for religious schools until the early 1960s. Since then, education has advanced significantly, and primary and secondary schools have been created around the country. By the end of the 20th century, a strategy had been implemented that allocated a significant percentage of the annual government budget to educational activities. The Bhutanese government is taking important decisions to educate its people.

Manufacturing in Bhutan

Manufacturing began in Bhutan around 1970, and by the early 21st century, four industries had emerged as pillars of the sector: cement, chemicals, wood products, and processed foods.

Resources and Power

Although geological surveys have discovered various important mineral reserves in Bhutan, mining is still a small part of the country’s economy. Coal, limestone, gypsum, dolomite, quartzite, marble, and talc are the primary products of Bhutan’s mining activities. Calcium carbide is the country’s main mineral export. 

Development in Finance

Bhutan did not have a currency until the 1960s, and its inhabitants bartered for commodities they could not manufacture themselves. The country now has a cash economy, with the ngultrum, the national currency, issued by the Royal Monetary Authority. There are a few commercial banks in Bhutan; most are jointly held (in various combinations) by the Bhutanese government, the Indian government, and private interests. 

Transportation and Telecommunication

Bhutan’s development plans have stressed the improvement of transportation and communications, and by the early 21st century, the combined sectors had become a significant contributor to the country’s GDP.

Government and Society

Bhutan’s government has always been autocratic, with no laws, courts, or other aspects of modern government. The third king, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (reigned 1952–72), began to reform the country’s government, sharing administrative responsibility that had previously been his sole job. Bhutan is a constitutional monarchy whose state religion is Vajrayana Buddhism. 

Health and Welfare

Bhutan was a low-ranking country in terms of health metrics in the 1960s and 1970s. Even in South Asia, infant mortality was high, and the country’s physician-to-general-population ratio fell below that of its neighbours. Because most of the population lacked access to adequate drinking water, infectious gastrointestinal disorders were common. However, over 30 public hospitals and approximately 200 clinics (called basic health units) and dispensaries operate throughout the country. The government has increased its focus on public health and hygiene. The Bhutanese are recognised for living in peace with nature. Bhutan is one of the world’s few major biodiversity hotspots, with much of its natural environment left untouched. It is also the only country where renewable energy is the main export.

Conclusion

Bhutan is facing multiple social problems which pose major challenges for the government. Bhutan requires significant funding to deal with unemployment and poverty and improve the healthcare system. Its ecological landscape, which promotes tourism and its flourishing hydropower sector, are under threat due to the growing impact of climate change. Bhutan faces several socio-economic challenges. Youth unemployment and poverty are rampant, the healthcare system is in a state of disorder, the ecological landscape faces climate change risk, and violence against women is high. Bhutan requires more long-term development policies to improve its status.