Bhutan Deforestation and Wildlife Extinction

Bhutan: Deforestation and Wildlife Extinction
Introduction
Considered to be located "on the roof of the world," Bhutan is a mountainous and sparsely populated region that is classified as one of the least developed countries on earth. Bhutanese people have survived many generations, isolated from outside influences which have hindered their technological advancements. However, this isolation has enabled them to maintain strong cultural ties. Nestled in the Himalayan Mountain range with up-and-coming world power neighbors like China and India, the government of Bhutan realizes that they are at a pivotal point in their history. Now is the time to advance to be on par with the rest of the world or at least with their neighbors to the north and south. However, a struggle lies ahead with regards to "How can Bhutan prosper as a nation that provides valuable exports with other nations without falling victimizing its people and its culture through capitalism and consumerism, all while maintaining a mutually beneficial balance with nature and their delicate ecosystem?" The following paper will address potential and on-going issues that Bhutan will face as it confronts the 21st Century and globalization. One issue is the cause and effect of deforestation in this region, with a glimpse of how the threat of global warming even reaches this isolate nation. The second issue addressed is the necessity to preserve their wildlife which is an interval part of their ecosystem. Though these two issues are approached and resolved in different manners, it is not hard to see how these two are connected.
Deforestation
Approximately 64.2% of Bhutan is still under forest cover (Statistics, 2007); however, the potential for exploitation of this resource is imminent as Bhutan 's urban area expand and rural areas advance through the creation of roads for trade routes within their borders and to surrounding countries. Currently, the majority of the country 's forests are protected through government programs like Royal Manas National Park making infrastructure advancement somewhat difficult. These programs enacted to protect Bhutan from commercial exploitation and maintain the balance being Bhutan culture and advancement. They are championed primarily by the citizens of Bhutan with input and guidance from global organizations such as UNICEF.
The presence of these programs does not mean that the forests are safe. The current global warming issue that looms over the entire world affects Bhutan in ways unlike most other nations. According to the United Nations (UN), the Kyoto Protocol is designed to help in the "stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system" (Kyoto Protocol, 1998). Plainly put, the UN is requiring countries to monitor and cut back carbon emissions, the leading cause of green house gases. Countries will be allowed to offset their carbon emmissions through carbon trading with countries that are below their required emmissions mark.
If the Kyoto Protocol were in acted, Bhutan would be at a disadvantage in successfully protecting their forests from their exploitation for economic gain. According to a report published by the journal Public Library of Science Biology on August 13, 2007, low deforestation countries like current-day Bhutan will see the least benefit from carbon trading (Gustavo, 2007). The design of the Kyoto Protocol was purposed to avoid deforestation of areas where it currently runs rampant and compensate these countries for reducing their deforestation rates which in turn reduces green house gas emissions. Compensation is currently assessed based on historical data on deforestation rates. Those countries that currently do not have a deforestation issue are to gain huge incentives from ramping up their deforestation until they achieve the highest value from their carbon credits. When coupled with raising timber prices and the need to establish a flourishing economy, it is easy to see why Bhutan 's forests are in danger.
Fortunately, Bhutan has a commitment to preserving its cultural and natural heritage that is unmatched. One of the larges driving factors of this nation 's people is their pursuit of Gross National Happiness. The majority of the population lives in rural areas where 29% live below the poverty line (World Bank Group, 2007). Most rural areas are located at least several days walk from the nearest roads. In this isolated country, most of its residents are isolated themselves. This means that Bhutanese villagers are left to fend for themselves and live off the land as best they can. They sustain themselves with the crops they produce through subsistence agriculture. The forests of Bhutan are their home from which they reap fodder, fuel wood, and building materials. To the local farmer, fuel wood is the main source of energy. It is used for cooking and heating water (Maithel, May 2001). They have carved their lives out of the mountain side forest which is where they obtain their Gross National Happiness. Maintenance of this Gross National Happiness requires a concerted effort to keep the balance of crop, livestock production, forestry, and creation of access roads to other villages and cities. However, in recent years populations have begun to grow at a rate that is not sustainable on the currently allotted land mass. The most difficult challenge will be the balance of maintaining renewable natural resources like the forest in a country that is severely restricted by size and geographic location.
Wildlife Extinction
Bhutan has a diverse ecosystem teaming with wildlife that until recently has been preserved by geography and the people 's ability to coexist within the limited habitat. However, as the people begin to advance and adapt new technologies, the ecosystem will have to adapt to these advancements. Unfortunately for wildlife and ecosystems, they can not advance at the same rate as humanity and inevitably suffer for this. Currently, of the 5,468 known higher plant species in Bhutan, 7 are threatened by extinction. Of the 160 known mammals, 22 are threatened. Of the 209 breeding bird species, 12 are threatened. There are currently 29 reptilian, 1 amphibian, and 3 fish species in Bhutan, none of which are threatened by extinction (World Resource Institute, 2006). Some species inhabiting Bhutan include: tigers, one-horned rhinos, leopards, sloth bears, panda bears, sun bears, marmots, and Tibetan wolves. From this limited listed of unique mammals it is easily to speculate that Bhutan has diversely populated ecosystem that deserves protection. Though we really have no idea of the far reaching impact of Bhutan 's current rate of advance, we do know that to do nothing would be disastrous. There are key species which have a greater role in ecologies whose reduction in numbers could cause ripple effects that reach further than imaginable (Janetos, 1997).
Through this cloud of uncertainty, the government of Bhutan has implemented several programs to help preserve the wildlife and the ecosystem. Royal Manas National Park is the oldest preserve in Bhutan. Main components of the project include conservation research, institutional and capacity development and ecosystem protection. The poaching of wild fauna and flora pose a serious conservation problem in Bhutan considering the lucrative trade in parts and products of wild animals and plants in the region. Finally, ThrumshingLa National Park occupies 768 km2 of mountain forest landscapes which is where Bhutan 's tiger population has been able to stabilize and begin a slow growth (WWF Bhutan, 2007). The tiger is one of the more notable threatened species in Bhutan. It is an integral part of the ecosystem 's food chain and is symbolic within Bhutan and all of the Himalayan Mountain nations ' culture and history. Even with its importance the species is under a double threat from poaching and the continued advancement of human societies into their quickly shrinking habitat. A three-day international tiger symposium was held April 16-20, 2007 in Kathmandu, Nepal. The focus of this symposium was to find ways to save the endangered tiger species. In attendance were approximately 100 participants which included tiger experts and other representatives from Bhutan (Xinhua, 2007, April 22). This symposium was a representation of what federal, local, and civilians were doing to help in the tiger conservation efforts. The biggest threat to the tiger population comes from poaching and illegal trade. However, habitat loss through deforestation and man-animal conflict is a close second (Xinhua, 2007, April 22).
Conclusion
Bhutan is currently facing what most other advanced countries have faced: How to successfully advance as their civilization while maintaining their culture. Humans are creatures of habit, and for the Bhutanese people to advance they will have to let go of their old habits. They must reevaluate the manner in which they live off the land and no longer utilize the forest to satisfy their needs for fuel wood and farming. Currently, most rural citizens of Bhutan still use wood-burning mud cook-stoves for preparing meals, heating water, and even heating their homes. If the government of Bhutan could establish the means of providing more conventional fuels for its people, it would be one way to stave off deforestation. Currently, Bhutan 's chief export is hydro-electrically power to India. Government officials need to look within their borders and provide some of that power for their rural and impoverished people if they are to maintain their approximately 60% protected forest cover. This will not only help the country advance within their capabilities it will also ensure that their wildlife and ecosystem is maintained.

References

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References: Gustavo A. B. da Fonseca, Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, Guy Midgley, Jonah Busch, Lee Hannah, Russell A. Mittermeier (2007). No Forest Left Behind. PLoS Biol 5(8): e216 doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.0050216 Janetos, Anthony C. (1997). Do We Still Need Nature? The Importance of Biological Diversity. Consequence Vol. 3, No. 1. Retrieved Sunday, September 23, 2007 from http://www.gcrio.org/CONSEQUENCES/vol3no1/biodiversity.html. Kyoto Protocol (1998). The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Retrieved Saturday, September 29, 2007 from http://unfccc.int/kyoto_protocol/items/2830.php Maithel, S., Mirza, A., & Prasad, R. (2001, May). RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES FOR FUELWOD CONSERVATION IN THE INDIANHIMALAYAN REGION. Sustainable Development, 9(2), 103-108. Retrieved September 27, 2007, from Business Source Complete database. Statistics for Bhutan (2007). Mongabay.com Rhett A. Butler - San Francisco, CA. 2000-2007. Retrieved Saturday, September 29, 2007 from http://rainforests.mongabay.com/stats/Bhutan.htm World Bank Group (2007). Bhutan: Priorities for Agriculture and Rural Development. Retrieved Wednesday, September 26, 2007 from http://go.worldbank.org/X75AEKK9F0 World Resource Institute (2006). Biodiversity and Protected Areas. Country Profile – Bhutan. Retrieved Sunday, September 23, 2007 from http://earthtrends.wri.org/text/biodiversity-protected/country-profile-22.html. WWF Bhutan (2007). Conservation in the Eastern Himalayas. World Wildlife Federation. Retrieved Sunday, September 23, 2007 from http://www.wwfbhutan.org.bt/index.htm. Xinhua: Roundup: International Tiger Symposium Held in Nepal. (2007, April 22). World News Connection, Retrieved September 27, 2007 from International Security & Counter Terrorism Reference Center database.