The Bhutanese Leading the way.
The Prime Minister, at the 14th Meet-the-Press held yesterday, said the government will put in its best effort to ensure the safety of the pilgrims and tourists visiting the various tourist and religious sites across the country.
The issue was raised due the recent death of a Thai tourist who fell off the cliff leading to the Taktsang Monastry, Paro. Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay said the trail way to the Taktsang Monastry has been expanded and where it could not be extended, the railings have been put into place.
“Even then, anybody cannot commit that it is 100% safe,” Lyonchhen said, adding that the government has conducted a thorough study on how the incident had occurred. The study has also come up with safety solutions.
Lyonchhen said around 50,000 tourists visit the sacred sites across Bhutan every year. There are also children and elderly people visiting such sites, therefore, increasing the probability such unfortunate incidents happening. The Prime Minister said visitors must take caution and avoid risks, especially the tourists who have never visited or climbed the highlands.
Lyonchhen also said some tourists are amazed to see Bhutan as a Guru Rinpoche’s Baeyul (hidden paradise), and they risk their lives while taking photographs from unsafe areas. Lyonchhen said the tour operators and tourist guides, not only visiting Taktsang but also the other places across Bhutan, must be more careful.
Lyonchhen added that the Bhutanese pilgrimage visiting the holy sites at Dorji Den, India and Nepal should take extra caution and safety measures during this time of the year when thousands leave on pilgrimage.
