Forest ecosystem services and the pillars of Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness

Forest ecosystem services and the pillars of Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness
Author: Sears, R.
Publisher: CIFOR
Total Pages: 39
Release: 2017-10-30
Genre:
ISBN: 6023870627

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In the eastern Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan, culture, society, economy and environment are linked in the development framework of Gross National Happiness (GNH). In this literature review, we highlight the relationships between forests and Bhutan’s development framework and current priorities, identifying plausible causal pathways. Due to the mountainous nature of this country, our particular interest is in the impacts of upstream forest activity on downstream stakeholders. Our hypothetical framework identifies specific causal pathways between forests and the four pillars of GNH (environmental conservation, cultural preservation, equitable socioeconomic development and good governance), and evidence was sought in the published literature to test the hypothesis. While conceptual support for many linkages between forests and each of the pillars was found in the literature, evidential support specifically for Bhutan is limited. The strongest evidence is found for the role of forests in socioeconomic development and good governance, particularly through the community forestry program. To develop incentive programs for forest conservation and restoration, such as payment for ecosystem services and pay-for-performance donor funding, the evidence base needs to be expanded for causal pathways between upstream forest condition and downstream security, particularly for services such as water regulation. The evidence should inform public policy and forest management strategies and practices.

Gross National Happiness. Bhutan's Goal of Develpment

Gross National Happiness. Bhutan's Goal of Develpment
Author: Tshewang Dorji
Publisher: GRIN Verlag
Total Pages: 15
Release: 2018-03-27
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 3668670072

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Literature Review from the year 2009 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Topic: Development Politics, , language: English, abstract: Gross National Happiness (GNH) is the philosophy that embraces every aspect of development policies in Bhutan. It is based on the idea that a balance between spiritual and material development for its people is the middle path for development towards the attainment of happiness for its people. In short GNH means development with values. The concept of GNH as a unique and primary development philosophy was initiated and coined by His Majesty, the Fourth King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. His Majesty believes that “Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross National Product” and therefore a people centered development with happiness as the end goal is what it should be for Bhutan. This essay provides an overview over the GNH as a goal of development in Buthan and presents the four pillars of the Gross National Happiness.

Politics of Gross National Happiness

Politics of Gross National Happiness
Author: Kent Schroeder
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 162
Release: 2017-10-03
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 3319653881

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This book explores the practices of governance in Bhutan and how they shape the implementation of the country’s Gross National Happiness (GNH) development strategy. The author examines whether Bhutan’s innovative GNH governance framework successfully navigates competing power dynamics and generates the intended human development outcomes of Gross National Happiness. The analysis is structured around a comparison of the implementation of four GNH development policies – tourism, media, farm roads and human/wildlife conflict – and their larger implications on power, governance and the human development paradigm in Bhutan and beyond.

Sloping lands in transition

Sloping lands in transition
Author: Sears, R.
Publisher: CIFOR
Total Pages: 4
Release: 2017-06-05
Genre:
ISBN:

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Key messages Countries in mountain regions are reorienting forest policies toward a multipronged strategy involving conservation, restoration and production.CIFOR's Sloping Land in Transition (SLANT) research program is expanding to Bhutan with an aim of finding causal pathways between up-slope forest management and down-slope security.Forests figure strongly in Bhutan's philosophical and operational framework of Gross National Happiness (GNH).Expected project outcomes are the following:development of stakeholder capacity in participatory research and decision-making processesincreased awareness by district and national sectorial management units and policy makers about the role of upland smallholder communities in management of forest landscapessupport to a cadre of forestry professionals through their integration into the project team.

Ecosystem Services from Forest Management Units in Eastern and Central Bhutan

Ecosystem Services from Forest Management Units in Eastern and Central Bhutan
Author: Wangchuk, J.
Publisher: CIFOR
Total Pages: 23
Release: 2019-06-07
Genre:
ISBN:

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Forest Management Units (FMU) are areas of state forest that are designated for commercial timber harvest. They also serve subsistence needs for neighboring villages, but there has to date been no assessment of these services for local people. Neither has

SLANT Bhutan

SLANT Bhutan
Author: CIFOR
Publisher: CIFOR
Total Pages: 4
Release: 2019-07-06
Genre:
ISBN:

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Mountain forest ecosystems provide a wide range of direct and indirect benefits to the people who live in the mountains and downstream. Occupying steep slopes at high elevation, Bhutan’s forest ecosystems provide services such as slope stabilization, regu

Bhutan: Conservation and Environmental Protection in the Himalayas

Bhutan: Conservation and Environmental Protection in the Himalayas
Author: Ugyen Tshewang
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 404
Release: 2021-01-15
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 3030578240

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Located in the heart of the Eastern Himalayas, Bhutan practices the philosophy of Gross National Happiness (“GNH”) that embraces environmental conservation as one of the main building blocks for its sustainable development goals. Bhutan’s conservation strategies and success are largely driven by the strong political will and visionary leadership of His Majesty the King of Bhutan The nation’s Buddhist perspectives regarding a deep and abiding respect for nature; and the strategic enforcement of a wide-ranging stringent set of internal regulations and controls have helped ensure ecological gold standards in Bhutan. Moreover, the country is an active member of the international conservation community by fulfilling its implementation of various Multilateral Environment Agreements. While it emerged into the 21st century as one of the 36 global terrestrial “hotspots” in biological diversity conservation ranks, Bhutan’s sheer commitment with more than 51% of its territory being managed under the explicit status of a protected area network, and more than 70% of the land under forest cover, represents Bhutan’s exemplary dedication to protect the planet despite its smallness in size and economy, and the biological fragility exemplified by its hotspot situation. In the face of imminent severe threats of global warming, Bhutan nonetheless exemplifies the truth that “a small country with a big conservation commitment” can make an enormous contribution to the global community. At the regional level, Bhutan is intent upon protecting the Water Towers of Asia (that glacial expanse of the Himalayas) which is a critical resource bulwark for about one-fifth of the global population downstream in South Asia. Such protections invariably help mitigate climate change by acting as a nation-wide carbon sink through its carbon neutral policies. In short, Bhutan has long represented one of the world’s foremost national guardians of biodiversity conservation, ecological good governance, and societal sustainability at a period when the world has entered the Anthropocene – an epoch of mass extinctions. We envision this publication to be ecologically and ethically provocative and revealing for the concerned scientific communities, and governments. Through an extensive review of the scientific and anthropological literature, as well as the research team's own data, the Author's have set forth timely recommendations for conservation policies, strategies and actions. This book provides technical and deeply considered assessments of the state of Bhutan’s environment, its multiple, human-induced stressors and pressures; as well as extremely sound, practical techniques that would address conservation strategies in the Himalayas and, by implication, worldwide.

Bhutan Forest Note

Bhutan Forest Note
Author: Weltbank
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2019
Genre:
ISBN:

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The Bhutan Forest Note articulates opportunities for supporting Bhutan's sustainable development aspirations, including its constitutional commitment to maintain at least 60 percent of the country's land area under forest cover and to better respond or prepare for vulnerabilities such as climate change and natural disasters. The note presents a forward-looking business case for Bhutan to support an increase in forest utilization without jeopardizing the integrity of forest and non-forest ecosystems. The business case is based on an analysis of challenges and opportunities for making the forestry sector a dynamic and effective contributor to Bhutan's gross national happiness. The note is intended to serve as a basis for discussions with the government and other partners to work together on making the identified opportunities a reality. The opportunities are sensitive and responsive to Bhutan's uniqueness with regard to size, geography, and focus on forest conservation. The Note is a deliverable under the World Bank`s Forest Action Plan FY16-20.

Review and Compendium of Environmental Policies and Laws in Bhutan

Review and Compendium of Environmental Policies and Laws in Bhutan
Author: Antonia Gawel
Publisher: Asian Development Bank
Total Pages: 36
Release: 2014-12-01
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9292548166

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This Review and Compendium of Environmental Policies and Laws in Bhutan aims to facilitate access to information for all stakeholders engaged in the environment sector, in particular for the Judiciary and administrative officials responsible for overseeing the protection of the country's natural resources. Moreover, it seeks to empower citizens to take action in support of environmental protection. It provides background information on Bhutan, as well as an introduction and overview of key environment, natural resources, and climate change, laws, rules, policies, and regulations of the country. This publication is one of the key proposals of the Royal Court of Bhutan as a follow-up action to the Second South Asia Judicial Roundtable on Environmental Justice held in Thimphu, Bhutan on 30-31 August 2013.