After a probable bird flu outbreak at Yangbari, Mongar, a sample which was suspected positive has been sent to St Jude Centre for Excellence in Influenza Research and Surveillance, USA by National Center for Animal Health in Serbithang, Thimphu. One sample among 17 from birds and pigs was suspected positive to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza …

Times when people involved in court cases had to travel miles to attend court proceedings will now be talk of olden times with e-litigation to be introduced any time this year in the country’s judicial proceedings. Pioneered by Chief Justice Lyonpo Sonam Tobgay, e-litigation will save time through high-quality video conferencing which will be used in all the courts in Bhutan provided that the witnesses have …

The legislative committee of the National Council (NC) was scheduled to hold discussions on the Draft Right to Information (RTI) Bill at the 63rd plenary session of the National Council yesterday but it has been postponed owing to the absence of the proponent, Sangay Khandu who is currently on a constituency visit to Laya, Gasa. NC member, Jagar …

The need to diversify tourism products felt A few tourists visiting Bhutan are known to have said that they’re totally “dzonged out” because they are mostly taken to visit dzongs and fortresses. This, according to some observers, calls for diversification of services and products. In sync with the government’s policy of …

The Agency for Promotion of Indigenous Craft (APIC) in collaborationwith relevant stakeholders is piloting a cane and bamboo cluster in remote Kheng Bjokha under Zhemgang dzongkhag. The craft cluster will bring together within a limited area, the producers, suppliers, service providers, related industries and associated institutions to develop, promote and market the …

Bhutan has dropped six places in the World Press Freedom ranking from the 64th position in 2010 to the 70th position in 2011-2012 out of 179 countries. The organization that conducts this survey ‘Reporters without Borders’ say that indicators like financial pressure on the media, self censorship, freedom to criticize, …

Bhutan made a declaration of remaining carbon neutral in the Convention of Parties (CoP) 15 at Copenhagen, Denmark. This step is bold for a small Least Developed Country (LDC) like Bhutan but this leaves us with a question: Does this step put a cap on our developmental activities? Instances of …

Sir/Madam, The Scholarship and Student Support Division would like to draw your attention to the article “Scholarship students will be sent only to third countries to ease rupee outflow” by Sonam Choki of The Bhutanese in the 2nd May 2012 issue where the information have been misinterpreted and the statistics …

Tingtibi in Zhemgang was planned as a bustling town in the 7th Five Year Plan but years down the line, the plans show no sign of fruition. In fact, the residents of Tingtibi are a frustrated lot because their wetlands have been converted into infrastructural areas without them benefitting in …

Bhutanese businessmen who trade across the border are quietly befriending local gang members of Jaigaon and other neighboring Indian towns so that they do not have to face unnecessary hassles while going about their business, especially while importing and exporting materials, according to reliable sources who wanted anonymity for fear …