The kingdom’s Gross National Happiness philosophy, which places equal weight on economic progress and environmental stewardship, faces a practical test here.
Experts emphasise that real change requires engaging men and boys, religious and community leaders, and the private sector. Shifting attitudes among the younger generation through comprehensive sexuality education and school-based prevention programmes will be crucial.
A groundbreaking new report by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) reveals that the region requires approximately USD 12.065 trillion from 2020 to 2050 to adequately fund climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.
Bhutan releases Tala dam water after heavy Himalayan rains, worsening floods. West Bengal warns of sudden rises in Torsha, Sankosh, Jaldhaka rivers, impacting Alipurduar and Cooch Behar.
The launch, done together with the Ministry of Health and UNICEF in Bhutan, coincides with UNICEF’s new global child nutrition report, which finds that overweight and obesity are rising fast among children, including in Bhutan.
Bhutan stands at a crossroads between survival and sacrifice, tradition and transformation. Its model is not perfect—but it offers the world something rare: a vision of development that does not cost the Earth.