The Bhutanese Leading the way.
In the quiet hills of Thakhorling village, Tsirang, a humble farmer is leading a remarkable movement, one that may shape the future of Bhutan’s rural poultry farming.
Mon Bahadhur Sunwar is not a scientist or a policy maker, yet his work has caught the attention of national institutions. Tending to a thriving flock of over 500 indigenous chickens, he has quietly become a key figure in the conservation of Bhutan’s rich poultry heritage.
Recently, a team from the Animal Genetic Resources (AnGR) program under the National Biodiversity Centre (NBC) visited Sunwar’s farm. What they found was more than a collection of birds—it was a living gene bank. His flock includes five distinct strains of native chickens, among them the hardy Native Black, the feather-curled Frizzle, and the unique Naked Neck variety. These are not just poultry; they are genetic treasures shaped by centuries of adaptation and cultural tradition.
What sets Sunwar apart is not just the number of birds he keeps, but the system he uses. By combining age-old free-grazing methods with a keen eye for careful breeding and strain management, he ensures that each lineage remains healthy and distinct. His approach is grounded in traditional knowledge but strengthened by modern thinking—a model of rural innovation that could be scaled across the country.
Sunwar’s long-term vision is as ambitious as it is clear. He plans to expand his flock further, using systematic segregation and improved management to enhance each breed’s purity and resilience. This is not just about raising chicken, it is about safeguarding a part of Bhutan’s natural and cultural heritage for future generations.
The NBC has commended his work, recognizing it as a vital contribution to the conservation of indigenous livestock genetic resources. In a time when local breeds are often overlooked in favor of high-yield exotics, Sunwar’s efforts are a reminder of the value hidden in Bhutan’s backyards.
His story is more than personal success. It is a call to action for farmers, youth, and policymakers alike: that biodiversity conservation does not always start in laboratories—it can begin in a village, with one farmer, a vision, and a flock of native chickens.
