Celebrating Life & Life Forms

There can be absolutely no doubt - the month of June has got to be very special – atleast for Bhutan and the Bhutanese people. Everything seems to be falling into place during this month – I mean look at the number of events that have been celebrated during this month – I have lost count. Some of them are still ongoing!

But for me personally, something that is truly fulfilling, is the documentation and release, early this month, of three powerful books of meaning and celebration – books that prove that Bhutan and the Bhutanese people matter – that even in the face of utter helplessness, that even when we are quite sure that humanity cannot help but bring doom to itself through our greed and recklessness, that we care – and that we are willing to give it a try, nonetheless.

Two books released by the Royal Society for Protection of Nation (RSPN) documents two of the world’s rare birds: one bird - the Black-necked Crane – a bird that has been rescued from the brink of extinction and, another, the White-bellied Heron – a bird that, from all indications, is headed for extinction.

The Black-necked Crane
The bird is still in the IUCN's (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Near Threatened list – but happily it is now out of the Vulnerable list – thanks to the efforts of Bhutan’s earliest environmental NGO – RSPN, in collaboration with other range countries.

But I suspect that Bhutan has paid a heavy price in the process. I fear that the beautiful valley of Phobjikha – the principal wintering grounds for the birds – is terminally ill and needs urgent resuscitation. I believe that it was in part because of the restrictions put on the valley - in our relentless quest to protect and safeguard the Black-necked Cranes.

The White-bellied Heron
This is the world’s rarest heron. Its global population is said to be fewer than 60 birds. Bhutan holds the pride of place as the country with the largest known and recorded population of this near-extinct birds. As of this year, we have 31 of these birds. This places huge responsibility on Bhutan. Due solely to the competent and dedicated stewardship by the RSPN, the birds’ population has seen steady rise over the years. But this could change fast.

RSPN’s book on the bird released early this month is a peerless record and science on everything related to the birds. I am proud that minuscule Bhutan can actually produce such a towering work – the invaluable information and knowledge related to everything about the birds contained in this book is unmatched anywhere else in the world. RSPN does the country proud – and their many donors who have contributed generously.

Birds of Bhutan - Habitat and Distribution
The third book I speak of – published by Bhutan Birdlife Society (BBLS) is another humongous book – it features a staggering 611 bird species. I mean that is close to 80% of the total birds so far recorded in the country!! That is a near impossible feat. As a bird photographer myself, I am aware as to what it takes to achieve such a record. What a book!

The sum total of these three books go to prove that Bhutan is a country worth protecting ….. and fighting for. Let no one tell you otherwise!