A remotely activated camera trap has captured a tiger prowling near Lamai Goempa Dzong in Bumthang valley reconfirming that high altitude areas of Bhutan are potential tiger habitat. Researchers of the Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment (UWICE) in Bumthang set up the traps in its research preserve near …

The heart of Bhutan is beating in Gyelposhing, Mongar, where people of the six eastern districts have gathered to prepare and celebrate the first birth anniversary of His Royal Highness the Gyalsey, Jigme Namgyal Wangchuck, on 5th February. “Commemorating the birth anniversary of His Royal Highness the Gyalsey has given …

The maximum retail price (MRP) marked on commodities imported from India cannot be applied to shops in Bhutan according to the Office of Consumer protection (OCP), Ministry of Economic Affairs. “MRP is originally adopted and implemented in India to maintain uniformity of price of a product in India considering the …

A fervent bird watcher and amateur photographer Sherab Jamtsho isn’t interested in portraying the world exactly as it is. Instead his unique vision presents nature as a rustic paradise of fairy tales. “I have learned to see things invisible, to enjoy a million small details to which I previously didn’t …

With cardamom, a high value cash crop in the southern districts, plagued by a drop in yield because of fungal infections such as Chirke and Furkey and wildlife invasion, farmers are exploring Shiitake mushroom cultivation as an alternative source of income. Shiitake mushroom fetches around Nu700 – 800 per kg …

Residents of Changangkha and Motithang in Thimphu are infuriated and embarrassed that garbage is being dumped near the 12th century Changangkha lhakhang, one of the landmarks of the capital and a popular tourist site. “This blatant disrespect is beyond acceptable; it is shameful,” said one resident. Sonam Tshering, a tour …

A total of 65 houses in Tashiding gewog in Dagana are empty, a 21 percent increase over the previous decade. Of the 358 households in Tashiding Gewog 65 are empty households. Tashiding Mangmi, Rajman Blon said, “Behind the increase in empty houses is the graying of the village population and …

Cardamom prices have been falling continuously in Dagapela, Dagana, due to low demand. According to farmers, the prices are half of what they received earlier. “It started falling from the beginning of the harvest season and at present it is around Nu 700 a kg,” a cardamom farmer in Dagapela, …

Come winter and busloads of picnickers from the neighboring state of Assam pour into the bordering areas of Gelephu, Sarpang and Jomotshangkha that offer clean and quiet spots by the foothills and the riverside to revel and make merry. The revelers bring with them either packed food or utensils to …

The electric operated cardamom dryer devised by a Druk Green engineer last year is reportedly helping growers get better prices according to a farmer from Dorokha, Samtse. “The dealer was willing to pay Nu 38,000 for 40 kgs of fire dried cardamom and he demanded one kg free,” said a …