Building Bhutan's self-sufficiency with circular economy policies and practices

 

As Bhutan strengthens its national efforts to become more self-sufficient in food production, farmers, other land users and businesses across the country are increasingly being encouraged to adopt new technologies and practices that improve the management of natural resource while reducing the impacts of climate change.
 
The long-term sustainability of the proposed solutions depends on how effective they are in building the resilience of households and communities, while ensuring the direct participation of women and the younger generation, in local ecodevelopment processes.
 
Equally crucial to sustainable development is the concept of circular economy where waste is managed to conserve environmental quality while maintaining economic prosperity and building social equity. For budding entrepreneurs in Bhutan, the application of circular economy principles in agriculture, livestock-rearing and forestry presents opportunities for "green" business development.
 
A study produced in 2021 by the Technical Assistance Complementary Support Project for Bhutan (EU-TACS) for Bhutan's Ministry of Agriculture and Forests examines the application of the circular economy to the renewable natural resources sector through improved waste management strategies.
 
The authors of the report point out the growing problems caused by Bhutan's production, consumption and disposal strategy, where raw materials are made into products – a process which involves the generation of waste – then become waste once these fabricated items are consumed, then disposed of at the end of their life. This pattern contributes to increasing pressure on ecosystems, as well as reducing the availability of numerous ecosystem products and services, such as clean water and air, stable crop yields, fertile soil, energy for cooking and heating, and the habitats needed by a wide range of animal and plant species.
 
“Circular economy describes an innovative socio-economic system that is based on numerous business models which replace the typical 'end-of-life' approach, by instead applying a wide variety of policies and practices that reduce, reuse, recycle, and recover the materials that are involved in a variety of production, distribution and consumption processes,” says Yeshi Dorji, the report’s lead author.
 
While some types of resource recycling already occur in Bhutan, the concept of circular economy concept is largely unknown, with the reuse levels for raw materials varying in accordance with the kind of waste generated. Few technologies that conform to circular economy principles have so far been disseminated within Bhutan.  
 
The study reviewed the agriculture, livestock and forestry sectors to identify their key value chains, the types of waste produced, and the volumes and current usage of waste products. Candidate technologies were then selected, scored and prioritised for each sector.
 
A few of the potential solutions that the authors have identified include:

• Improved recycling of all types of municipal waste produced by urban areas (currently sent to landfill sites).
• The use of wood waste to manufacture fuel briquettes.
• The use of waste bamboo/wood to manufacture charcoal for import substitution.
• The production of biogas from livestock manure, plus more significant investments, such as establishing chemical processing facilities to upgrade and bottle of biogas to reduce the imports of liquefied petroleum gas.
• The production of bio-fertilizer or organic manures from organic waste to reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers.
• The production of biodegradable cups and plates using the leaves of the Areca nut tree.  

 
"Innovative ideas towards a circular economy will always be welcomed and supported by all possible means," says Lhakpa, Program Officer at the Loden Foundation. "For example, some farmers from Punakha are collecting vegetable waste from the market and turning it into compost to sell. Food waste is being used as feed in the livestock industry across the country. The process has started already."
 
The study assessed the social and economic business case for three of the most promising priority technologies: the production and bottling of biogas; the production of organic compost, mainly using vermiculture; and the production of charcoal from bamboo and wood waste. The report also identified barriers to technology research, piloting, and out-scaling, including policy and institutional issues; technical and value chain barriers; capacity and informational constraints; and the lack of available finance and accessible investment.
 
"The application of circular economy principles in the agriculture, livestock, and forestry sectors, plus improved waste management and climate-smart technologies, can strengthen entrepreneurship and lead directly to substantially enhanced livelihoods and improved environmental management. Women and young people can also be supported to enter the recycling economy. Actions must be taken down at district municipal level and be fully integrated within the strategic plans of each province," says Yeshi Dorji.

Taking practical steps that increase the use of circular economy technologies aligns strongly with the external dimensions of the European Union’s Green Deal, and with the focal sectors of the EU Member States' development agencies that are supporting to Bhutan.
 
However, as yet, Bhutan has no formal guidelines, policies, or strategic plans in place for promoting circular economy activities. The report proposes that, steered by an Renewable Natural Resources Waste Recycling Working Group, the Royal Government of Bhutan should adopt a Green Businesses, Renewable Natural Resources Waste Recycling, Circular Economy and Climate-Smart Technologies Industrial Investment Plan to cover the Vision 2040 Strategy period. To ensure the transition towards a circular economy, the report recommends developing a whole menu of holistic low-resource-usage recycling models.
 
The study sets out an action plan which proposes short-term initiatives, such as implementing a Circular Economy Innovation Research and Adoption Agenda within the framework of the Resilient Mountain Villages concept to increase the adoption of circular economy practices and significantly improve the livelihoods of Bhutan's population.
 
Part of the challenge will be to influence the private sector or the behaviour of the public. One example might be establishing systems for waste segregation at the household level in the larger urban areas. These challenges can be overcome using awareness campaigns to alter household waste disposal methods, tax incentives and the increased use of recycling equipment. Applying circular economy principles will increase awareness regarding its benefits among policymakers, entrepreneurs, and rural and urban households, thereby encouraging waste management as a critical lifelong priority.
 
Implementing the report's overall strategies and plans will systematically mainstream circular economy principles and encourage the dissemination of the most effective practices throughout the next two 5-Year Plans.
 
Research, piloting, and scaling-out of all the models identified across the three main Renewable natural resources sectors, would be led by the Royal Government of Bhutan and implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, the Department of Local Government, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and other interested parties, especially development agencies.
 
The policies and technical frameworks derived from this study, and from other EU-TACs studies and assessments, should help provide a solid focus for investments that directly help develop the circular economy and waste recycling within Bhutan, over the next 20 years.

From: https://mailchi.mp/56d574ecca27/2jg2l55q6o 

Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Bhutan

Bhutan joins mega-regional conservation project

A project that will plant one billion trees and restore one million hectares of land, the Great People's Forest of Eastern Himalayas, was launched on September 2.  

India (Northeast), Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh are part of the project which is an outcome of G20 Presidency in New Delhi and has the potential to raise US dollars 1 billion. 

 

Last year, 1.5 million people in the eastern Himalayan region were displaced due to extreme weather events—devastating consequences are projected by 2050 if the situation continues.

 

Through this initiative, forest conservationists at the local government level will be involved—the initiative is expected to be completed by 2030.

 

 

Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation (BTFEC) and Bhutan Ecological Society (BES) will lead the project implementation in the country along with other regional implementers. 

 

BTFEC Managing Director, Karma Tshering (Ph.D), said that Bhutan has long played a key role in fighting the climate crisis by putting the environment first, recognising how important the environment is for the wellbeing of its people. 

 

"We are keen to be part of the Great People's Forest initiative and through it, support the scale, expansion and growth of restoration efforts in Bhutan and protect its rich, biodiverse forests," he said. 

 

Founder and Executive Director of BES, Dr Nawang Norbu, said that the climate crisis needs to be addressed at multiple scales, with urgency, intent and ambition. 

 

"The BES intends to play its part by supporting the plantation of 10 million trees by 2030, the partnership with GPF will enable BES to build rural prosperity while helping Bhutan remain carbon-negative and climate-positive."

The Great People's Forest of the Eastern Himalayas

It is one of the largest restorations and conservation efforts in South Asia—a partnership between Conservation International, USA, and Balipara Foundation, Assam, India. 

 

Around 1 billion inhabitants reside between the mountainous Bhutan and Nepal and the mangrove-growing people from India and Bangladesh.  

 

The four countries share a massive single connected ecosystem—Ganges and Brahmaputra which start from the mountainous peaks of Bhutan and Nepal and reach the delta in Bangladesh.

 

The initiative is led by the Balipara Foundation, Assam and Conservation International. 

 

Balipara Foundation, President, Ranjit Barthakur, said that this initiative was a movement to protect the region which has come as an encouragement from India's G20 Presidency. 

 

"This historic effort will put the Eastern Himalayas, and the 1 billion people who rely directly on it, on the international conservation agenda we hope to better the lives of the billion people who rely on the land and water of this beautiful region," he said.  

 

Conservation International Asia Pacific, Dr Richard Jeo, said that the people of the Eastern Himalayas are some of the most climate-vulnerable on our planet, threatened by melting glaciers, rising sea levels, and ever more frequent and more violent storms. 

 

"The Great People's Forest is the response to this crisis. Its ambition and scale should rightly bring international attention to the ecological importance of this region," he said.  

 

He said that people in the Eastern Himalayas have contributed only a fraction of the emissions that have caused the climate crisis that they are now on the frontlines of.

(Kuensel: https://kuenselonline.com/bhutan-joins-mega-regional-conservation-project/)

Olakha urban park renovation promises exciting additions

...the park has been closed for maintenance for over a year.

 

Thimphu Thromde has scheduled the renovation of the urban park at Olakha in Thimphu for the upcoming financial year as part of the Thimphu Structural Plan.

After finalising the estimated budget and plans, the thromde will submit the proposal to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.

According to a thromde official, the park restoration work is expected to be completed by 2024. "For now, the focus is on maintaining the city starting from Thimphu gate."

"There are plans of filling the park with varieties of seasonal flowers with new plants and shrubs. Thromde also plans to host a flower exhibition once the park renovation is completed," the official said.

Additional facilities, including a rock garden, open-air gym, gazebos and benches, will be added. The plan also includes the construction of a 1.5-metre paved footpath connecting important areas around the park.

The existing basketball court will be turned into an open-air venue for entertainment, sports, and performances.

Changzamtog-Olakha tshogpa, Sonam Tshering, said that the park renovation was delayed as certain plans of improving the area are still being developed.

Although the residents of Olakha welcomed the decision, they also expressed some grievances.

Sanju Rai, a resident, said that the mani dungkhor used to be a place where the elderly used to spend their time, the basketball ground was mostly used by youth for basketball and dance practices. "It would be convenient if the space is left open till the large-scale maintenance begins."

"My son and his friends previously used to go there during their free time and weekends for cycling. With the park closed, they are now often seen going toward the highway which is risky," she said.

The owner of Trendy Collections, a store in Olakha, said that the park once used to be a gathering place for people from all walks of life. "The park has remained closed without much development for far too long."

The owner of Dzongchu Checkmart said that it has been a year since her business was set up at Olakha. The park, she said, would bring many people to enjoy the facilities there.

(Kuensel: https://kuenselonline.com/olakha-urban-park-renovation-promises-exciting-additions/)