Expression from an Idiot by birth:

Before beginning, let me make myself very clear here that, I am a Buddhist, believe in religion, eats lots of meat, doesn’t kill any animals, unless required (I kill if I feel the animal would be comfortable after dying instead of suffering; e.g. completely drenched moth making wings un-useable). I recite prayers, visit monasteries, hangs prayer flags, seeks blessings, does not consume tobacco in any forms, BUT, does not believe in “child worship”. Eating meat “most” says in any religion is a sin, but I questioned the easily swallowed “so called fact” for many a time within myself and finally decided to bring it down to papers. Is eating meat, a real sin????...... (I am posing infinite questions here). It may be sin if we look in the same angle as many people does (I don’t need to explain this here; basically how everybody perceive). BUT, let us try peeping in another direction, completely another direction. ANIMALS; do they have their own religion? Do they have common ground of t...

Bhutanese are known for living a simple life but not anymore with more people opting for luxurious cars and greed for more lands and assets. Living standards has never been same for the Bhutanese dwelling in towns and villages. Even, our nomadic herder’s mind set has been changed. Now, our nomadic herders opt for more sophisticated compound bows and expensive hiking boots. Yak herder in their house (Photo: Prof. Jill Belsky) Life has never been easy for our nomadic herders since time immemorial and may change with time. But, Brokpas never complained and lived their life to the fullest with alpine environment, treating themselves with coveted medicinal herbs and Cordyceps. Their main companions were hundreds of Yaks, few horses with one or two Bjob-Chi (Brokpa Dogs). I had a lifetime opportunity to spend a night in their house in Chajeyna. Chajeyna is three days hike from nearest road head situated at an elevation of 4700 meters above mean sea level in Chokor Gewog, Bumthang. The...

Yak herder in Chajeyna, Bumthang. Wood energy has been used since prehistoric times for cooking and heating, and remains the primary energy source for billions of people throughout the world. In Bhutan, fuelwood accounts for approximately 78% of total national energy consumption and is the primary energy source for most rural and urban residents. Despite the tremendous contemporary and historical importance of fuelwood in Bhutan, little is known about household fuelwood consumption, available fuelwood biomass or growth and yield in village collection sites. Information on fuelwood consumption and availability is critically needed in forest management and conservation efforts. In this study I documented fuelwood consumption, standing biomass, and annual growth and yield through a case study in Nasiphel (elevation 2800 m), Bumthang District, Bhutan and an associated high elevation site (Chajeyna, 4800 m) where Nasiphel residents and others rel...