A Burden We Need

Even as the Tiger Conservation Conference is taking place in Paro, let us look at some passion that has been expanded ---- in an effort to do our share in the conservation and promotion of tigers’ right to free life and passage in a minuscule pocket of the earth, called Bhutan.

https://yesheydorji.blogspot.com/2022/03/honoring-brilliant-reader.html

My fight to halt the Shingkhar-Gorgan Road construction that would have imperiled the global initiative to conserve the tiger population started in 2011, running into 16 blogs so far. You can read all the articles at the following:

https://yesheydorji.blogspot.com/search/label/Shingkhar-Gorgan%20Road

I am happy that a renewed tiger conservation effort is being initiated in Bhutan. Lest we forget, as the host country, it gives us added responsibility - a burden that we need: to keep us on the lean and the straight.

Image of a Tiger Lamp put together for the Conference - sourced from PemC of Yeewong Magazine, Bhutan

Buddhist scriptures tell us that the tigers lived in Bhutan as far back as the 10th Century, if not earlier. We have to ensure that they continue to do so until the end of time.

Of Rare Birds & Pretty Butterflies

A legally protected butterfly in India, Kaiser-i-Hind (Teinopalpus imperialis) is the State Butterfly of the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. This beautiful Swallowtail Butterfly was supposedly discovered around Dochu-La Pass, Thimphu by some Japanese Lepidopterologists many years back - a claim sadly not backed by evidence.

In 2021, Sonam Dorji, a driven conservationist doing pioneering work in the area of bird life and their habitat, and butterflies, in the East of the country discovered a dead specimen of the butterfly, in an area called Kheng-Thong Mani - close to Kanglung/Yonphula areas of Trashigang - conclusively proving that Kaiser-i-Hind - Emperor of India - does exist in Bhutan. The specimen is currently lodged at the UWICER, Bumthang. Sonam also observed that during season the butterflies could be seen flying above and around the tree crowns - sadly, just too high for him to photograph them.

Sonam is currently documenting the life cycle of Bhutan’s other rare butterflies - the Ludlow’s Bhutan Swallowtail (Bhutanitis ludlowi) (Bhuan's Naional Butterfly) and the Bhutan Glory (Bhutanitis lidderdalii). By the by, he is also studying the habitats of some of Bhutan’s rare and beautiful birds - the world’s three vulnerable varieties of Tragopans: Satyr Tragopan, Temminck's Tragopan and Blyth's Tragopan.

More than a decade ago, Sumit Sen, one of India’s foremost birders got 38 birders - among them I was one - to short-list 10 of India’s prettiest birds. Thereafter, he put them to open vote. He received a total of 544 votes. I fielded above image of the very pretty Fire-tailed Myzornis captured at Dochu-La in 2007. The bird was adjudged the second most beautiful bird in India.

This bird is one of the few that the lady embroiderer in the East is attempting to replicate on tapestry.

In an effort to educate the local populace on the importance of conservation, Sonam has been encouraging local youth to engage in efforts that help conserve and protect species that are fast disappearing elsewhere in the world. One of the initiatives he has undertaken is to get young talents to reproduce rare species such as butterflies and birds - on tapestry. He has been supported with a small grant from the Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation.

My small cash contribution to augment Sonam’s admirable conservation work helped a young lady purchase much needed threads - so that she could practice her skills at embroidery. For a novitiate, the work she produced was pretty remarkable. She sent me her first work - as a gift. In appreciation of her thoughtfulness, I honor her by reproducing her work as part of my Blog’s latest Masthead, above.

Please Stop Acting God

Recently, Nilanga Jayasinghe, Manager, Asian Species, Wildlife Conservation Team, WWF-US, wrote:

The long-term survival of some of the world’s most iconic species, including elephants and tigers, is at risk from a significant and escalating threat: human-wildlife conflict. Human-wildlife conflict is when encounters between humans and wildlife lead to negative results, such as loss of property, livelihoods, and even life. Defensive and retaliatory killing may eventually drive these species to extinction.

In my last blog on Biodiversity Bill being discussed in the Parliament, I too wrote: “When conservation is at the cost of human development - conservation will eventually suffer”.

When one species is given primacy over another, an imbalance will be created. Creating an imbalance is not conservation – it is antithesis to sound and workable ecosystem conservation concept.

The following video is an example of how terribly wrong we are going with our conservation policy. The bear was seen yesterday at about 1.30PM close to the IT Park in Babesa that is bang within the Thimphu metropolis.

Proof of the failure of our conservation policy

In recent times, the KUENSEL reported many sightings of the Himalayan Black Bear in the capital city – in places like, Lungtenphu, Serbithang, Upper Motithang, Taba, Chamjeykha, Tango & Chari and Jemina.

Thousands of rural dwellers have been driven out of their ancestral homes – this video is proof that in times to come, the urban residents too are likely to be driven out – but where? Or, it will result in the extermination of the same species that we have committed to shelter.

Please rethink our conservation policy – before it is too late. Don’t become a Tsedhar Tshokpa – an initiative that attempts to defy and challenge and interfere with the natural laws.

Please recollect the confrontational situation of yore that had resulted in the near extermination of the wild dog population, the consequences of which we are still suffering even after many decades.

The above video is a rude reminder to us that our environment cannot be as pristine as we say it is. It proves to us that the wild bear has been forced to risk its life, and invade human habitat, in search of food. The only reason I can think of is that its own habit has no food for it to safely feed on.

This is yet another point I have been making repeatedly - in tune with forestry scientist Dr. Phuntsho Namgyel's - that the quality of our forests have deteriorated so much that it can no longer provide adequate space to support other useful life forms. It is obvious that our forests are overstocked with unproductive and aged trees that choke up life. They need to be removed in order that it can provide space for the proliferation of such life forms that provide sustenance to other life forms - such as the bear.

Save The White-bellied Herons

The last letter written by the famed ornithologist and heron expert - Dr. Heinz Hafner - mentor to a generation of heron biologists and conservationists around the world - is said to have mentioned that the “highlight of his life was the discovery of a White-bellied Heron (WBH) nest”. There has never been a report of the sighting of the bird’s nest, since 1929 - leading Dr. Heinz to believe that the WBH was bound for extinction.

Then, nearly three-fourths of a century since its last sighting, the world became aware of the discovery of a White-bellied Heron nest in Kamechhu, Wangduephodrang, Bhutan in May of 2003.

Five months later, in the same year, in October of 2003, Dr. Heinz Hafner passed away at his home in the Camargue, France - happy in the knowledge that the world's rarest of the Herons had a chance at survival.

I wrote the following article for the KUENSEL (published: 26.12.2015) - to honor the late Dr. Heinz Hafner, and to celebrate the recognition of Bhutan’s leadership position in the bird’s conservation and protection, during the recently concluded international workshop on the Conservation of the White-bellied Herons.

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Early this month (1st - 4th December, 2015), Punakha saw the convergence of close to 70 participants - all with interest in conservation and environment - to an international workshop held at Drupchhu Resort, Punakha. First of its kind in Bhutan, the workshop discussed the conservation of the critically endangered White-bellied Heron (Ardea insignis). All the countries identified as the birds range were represented: Bhutan, China, India and Myanmar. Although pre-2000 records show that the birds’ range included Nepal and Bangladesh, these countries were not represented, presumably because the birds are now extinct in those countries.

The workshop was a collaborative effort between the Royal Government of Bhutan and the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN). In addition to representatives from the range states, the workshop saw participation from the following national and international organizations:

Asian Species Action Partnership, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, College of Natural Resources, Department of Forests & Park Services, Druk Green Power Corporation, International Crane Foundation, International Rivers, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN/SSC/SCPSC), Namdapha Tiger Reserve, Nature’s Foster, Punatsangchhu Hydropower Project Authority - I, Royal Society for Protection of Nature, Synchronicity Earth, Wildlife Institute of India, Wildlife Conservation Society, WWF-Bhutan, Ugyen Wangchuck Institute of Conservation & Environment and Zoological Survey of India.

The Punakha workshop was a follow up to the first such workshop held last year, at the Hotel Brahmaputra Ashok, Guwahati, India (2nd - 4th December, 2014) when a Working Group for Conservation of White-bellied Heron was established.

White-bellied Heron (Ardea insignis)
The White-bellied Heron is the world’s rarest heron and one of the most threatened birds that is listed as “Critically Endangered” in the IUCN Red List. As of 2014, its occurrence was reported from only three countries - Bhutan, India and Myanmar. In August of 2014, a juvenile WBH was captured on the east side of Nujiang River (Salween) in Gaoligong Mountains National Nature Reserve, Yunnan Province, China. However, the bird died within days at the Yunnan Wild Zoo. This juvenile WBH was the first confirmed sighting of the species in China since 1938. Although there have been more reports of the bird’s sightings in other regions of China, particularly Hubei Province, Central China, none of the reports have yet been confirmed.

Although the world population of the WBH was earlier stated as anywhere between 50 - 200, the Punakha workshop determined that the confirmed population is only 60, distributed among the following rage countries.

Confirmed global WBH population

Even while it is nearing extinction, knowledge of these birds is poor, and disparate at best. Thus, the Punakha workshop, and the one that preceded it in India, will hopefully help bring coordinated efforts towards its protection and conservation, among the range countries.

White-bellied Heron and Bhutan
As of 2015, Bhutan has recorded the highest number of WBH’s in the world - at 28 individuals. The birds’ primary habitats are the Punatsangchhu and Mangdechhu river basins.

His Majesty King Jigme Singye Wangchuck reported the first confirmed sighting of the White-bellied Heron in Punakha sometime during 1974. However, going by the motifs woven into our ancient textile called the Chagsipangkhep, it is safe to assume that the birds existed in Bhutan - in larger numbers in the distant past.

The motif of a large bird woven into the Chagsipangkhep has a striking resemblance to the WBH

Bhutan’s leadership in WBH conservation
Bhutan leads the world - both in confirmed numbers, as well as in efforts towards its conservation and protection. The Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) started their systematic field investigation and ecological study of the birds in 2003. Under the guidance of Peter Frederick, PhD, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, RSPN’s research team of Rebecca Pradhan and late Tshewang Norbu published the world’s first scientific research paper titled “The Critically Endangered White-bellied Heron” in 2011. Bhutan also became the first country in the world to attempt captive breeding of the WBH - successfully hatching a chick that was later reintroduced to the wild.

History of Bhutan’s WBH conservation efforts
Dr. George Archibald, Co-founder of the International Crane Foundation visited Bhutan in 2002 along with the late Ms Ellie Schiller, a professional fisheries biologist and Head of Felburn Foundation, USA - an organization dedicated to preserving nature. During a trip along the Mochhu, their guide Hishey Tshering of Bhutan Birding & Heritage Travels pointed out a large bird to Ellie, explaining to her that the bird was among the world’s rarest birds, called the White-bellied Heron. Ms Ellie Schiller took a picture of the bird through the eyepiece of Hishey’s spotting scope. The film roll was sent to Bangkok through Druk Air’s Captain Tenzing Tshering who developed the film and brought back the prints to be handed over to Ellie who was still in Bhutan. She loved the bird and offered Hishey Tshering the necessary funding for the study and conservation of the WBH. Hishey Tshering declined the offer - citing inadequate knowledge and expertise. Instead he suggested that the funding be channeled to the RSPN with the condition that Tshewang Norbu, a jobless aspiring birding guide be attached to the project. Consequently, Felburn Foundation, in partnership with the WWF-Bhutan and the International Crane Foundation became the principal supporter that funded the RSPN’s concerted efforts to study and conserve the WBH, beginning 2003. Tshewang Norbu died in a vehicle accident few years back.

The WWF-Bhutan and Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation (BTFEC) are other major donors that fund the RSPN’s conservation efforts.

In partial fulfillment of their corporate-environmental responsibility, the Punatsangchhu Hydropower Project Authority provided funding amounting to Nu.2.00 million. The RSPN used the money to embark on the first-ever pilot project of captive breeding of the bird. Technical assistance for the project was provided by the San Diego Zoo, USA.

Threats to the White-bellied Herons 

There are a number of threats to the WBH - principal among them are habitat loss, impacts of climate change and hydropower development and activities related to it. In Bhutan particularly, it is significant that the country’s largest hydropower projects are located in the middle of the WBH’s most populous habitat.

Rebecca Pradhan at the RSPN says that her records show that they have so far sighted over three dozen chicks since the start of their study of the birds. Regardless, their adult population has not seen any significant increase over the years. She thinks that predation could be another threat to the healthy growth of the bird’s population.

Mitigating the challenge of possible extinction 

There is a real threat that the birds may disappear from its local range. Thus, the RSPN is working on an ambitious project for the bird’s captive breeding. A detailed proposal is under preparation, to start a captive breeding center at Basochhu, Tsirang - so that the birds can be introduced to other suitable sites around the country - both to propagate the numbers as well as to improve diversity in the gene pool. The Punatsangchhu Hydropower Project Authority has indicated that they would provide the funding to start this important conservation initiative.

Photographing the WBH 

The photographs that appear in this article is the culmination of fours years of dogged pursuit of the birds - year after year - from Phochhu/Mochhu in the West; to Basochhu/Changchey in the South and Berti in Central part of the country. Finally, I managed to photograph these rare birds in Rurichhu, Wangdue. My photographs of the WBH are featured in the Guinness Book of World Records as well as the Archive in the UK - the images are among the rarest in the world.

An adult WBH keeping watch over the nest

One parent keeps watch over the nest while he/she waits for the other to return with food

A five weeks old WBH chick in the nest at Rurichu, Wangdue

A WBH chick preening - sign that it is now ready to learn to fly

Responsibility and leadership 

The Punakha workshop has established that Bhutan is the country that has the highest number of these near-extinct birds. This recognition is an endorsement of the pristine condition of our environment as well as the re-validation of our standing as the front-runner in environmental conservation. However, this honor comes with responsibility.

Bhutan’s leadership position and pioneering work in the study and conservation of the WBH is undisputed. We are years ahead of other range countries in the knowledge base of the birds’ biology, ecology, habitat and its known and perceived threats. Therefore, it is now our responsibility to ensure that the birds not only survive, but multiply in the coming decades.

To allow the bird’s population to decline would be a national shame.

Pedestrians' Day: The Acid Test

-->Yesterday was Tuesday, another day of the celebration of the Pedestrians’ Day. I greeted its arrival with a child-like glee. I was waiting for it because, after the first day’s experience, there was something I needed to test out.

Last Tuesday, I had an appointment to meet Damcho Duba of the Ministry of Home Affairs whose office is located inside the Tashichho Dzong. As I wrote in my earlier post, since I would have had to be walking, I had worn my walking shoes. As a result, I could not gain entry into the Dzong since sneakers are not allowed inside the Dzongs. So I had called up Damcho Duba and told him that I would come and see him the next day.

As I was walking away from the Dzong, I noticed a couple of RBG johnnies in Gho walking into the Dzong - wearing ankle high, black boots. I wondered! Is it possible? An idea stuck me :)

I decided that I would not go and see Damcho Duba the next day but on coming Tuesday - yesterday - another Pedestrians’ Day. I had an idea I wanted to try out.

Early morning of yesterday, I put on my all-leather, ankle high Gore-Tex Zamberlan trekking boots and matching thick knee-length Swiss stockings bought from Sherab’s at the Changlam Plaza area. Exactly at 10.15AM, I climbed up the first flight of stairs of the mighty Tashichho Dzong through which I would gain entry into the courtyard of the Dzong and from there on into the office of Damcho Duba. There were about 6 policemen manning the entry gate. I was apprehensive but I gave no indication that I was nervous. I emptied my miscellaneous articles from inside my hemchu and into the plastic trays, to be run through the scanner. I walked in confidently through the scanning gate, retrieved my belongings from inside the plastic trays at the other end and wobbled up the second flight of stairs - all the while waiting for the restraining voice of one of the policemen to stop me from walking any further. Nothing! I had gained entry into the Dzong and the policemen did not object. I met Damcho Duba and after chatting him for a while, I departed, still apprehensive that the police personnel might yet raise objections on my way out. Still nothing!!

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As I walked further away away from the Dzong, I wondered if every one of the policemen had failed to notice that I was wearing a boot that they might qualify as “casual”. So, in order to be doubly re-assured that the boots were not infra-dig, I decided to undergo another acid test. I walked to the National Assembly Hall building across the river where the Parliament is currently in session. There were, at that time, 5 policemen manning the entry point. I repeated the process of emptying my hemchu’s contents into the plastic trays for scanning and confidently walked in through the scanning gate into the corridors leading to the offices. NOTHING!

No objection to the boots - I was not stopped for wearing inappropriate footwear. I sauntered off to the right and walked the long corridor with my boots’ rubber soles squeaking away over the freshly polished wooden floors.

I passed the test. Leather boots were welcome - even if they are trekking boots. So I will not be getting knock-knees walking long durations in dress shoes during the Pedestrians’ Day :)

I have to say this: If the policemen had asked me about the boots, I was going to tell them that I was wearing Swiss boots. Most Bhutanese people understand and accept Swiss boots - they have no understanding of what trekking boots are :)

To this day I have not understood why trekking/back-packing boots came to be called Swiss boots in Bhutan. Perhaps, it was the Swiss people who first brought this class of boots into Bhutan and thus, they were called Swiss Boots.

Bhutan Declares Tuesdays as Pedestrians' Day

-->Beginning June 5, 2012, Bhutan has declared every Tuesday of the week as “Pedestrians’ Day”. On this day, other than public transport such as taxis and buses and vehicles belonging to the armed services and hospital ambulances, no vehicles will be allowed to ply in the core zone of Thimphu city.

This is ingenuity at the highest level; a stroke of genius! We should have done this much earlier. It is good for our health and it is good for our environment. Best of all, it is good for our pocket.

I had a number of offices to go to. I pulled out my Thorlo trekking socks and dusted my New Balance sneakers in preparation for the 3-4 Kms of walking I would have to do during the day. I decided that I would call for a taxi to drive me to town. Before I could make the call, I was informed that our Prime Minister was seen walking to his office. That did it. If the Prime Minister of a country can walk to his office, I can certainly do it. So I gave up the idea of taking a taxi. Instead, I drove my car to the parking of the National Assembly and left it parked in the parking lot. From there I walked to all the places that I needed to visit.

One office I couldn’t go to was the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs in Tashichho Dzong where I had told an officer that I would come and see him. I had to call him and inform him that I would not be able to make it to see him. Why? Because I was wearing sneakers and the rules in effect does not permit anyone to enter the Dzong unless one is in dress shoes.

 All set for the walk

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Is it possible that the government can relax the sneaker rule - especially for Tuesdays so that people can gain entry into Dzongs even if they are wearing sneakers? Walking 3-4 Kms wearing hard-soled shoes can be very bad for one’s feet. Wearing comfortable footwear will encourage people to walk for longer durations.

The rule encouraging people to walk is very good. But the government must also see that it does enough to make the experience as comfortable as possible.

A Super Guard Dog Called Anatolian

I am still unable to post my fourth post on the BBC and their lies. I have been rather unwell for the past close to 2 weeks since my return from the trek to Mt. Gnagkharpuensum. That is not to say that it isn’t coming - it is coming.

In the meantime, one of the readers of my blog has something interesting to write about a super guard dog called “Anatolian”. The following is one of the 4 emails she sent me on the subject. I have given her the email addresses of some select NCD/WCD officials so that she may write to them and tell them her story.

Ofcourse, Jill recommends the introduction of Anatolian dogs to Bhutan - to protect our domestic animals such as sheep and Yaks from predators. But one never knows - may be we can teach a new trick to these Anatolians - to ward off poachers - now that the BBC has gone and revealed our tiger population to the whole world. Jill, if you are reading this, tell us, is that a possibility?

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Dear Yeshey,

I do apologise for contacting you again as I know you have no knowledge of Anatolian dogs. I have read of your Livestock Protection in Bhutan, Wangchuk Nat Park Report by S.W.Wang/McDonald and also Nublang cattle. If I told you that the Anatolian dog would wipe out at a stroke, Bhutan's loss due to predators, of their livestock (cattle, sheep, goats and any other herd animal) you probably would not have any reason to believe me? If you have no knowledge/info on a matter, then how could you know? I am not writing to "popularise" a pet dog but of an ancient type that we know is thousands of years in the making. Possibly, even Bjops' dogs could have been an ancestor to Anatolians? However, I am writing in the hopes that you can please put me in touch with Wildlife/Parks Office? The above Report mentions loss of livestock through "not herding/corralling at night" the livestock. I am truly amazed that it has never been suggested previously to Bhutan Government how Anatolians not only work at night but do not need training or instruction from Shepherd to protect the flock. They will do this automatically even if no Shepherd is there! So from just writing to suggest these dogs are used in Tiger Corridoor, I would now also go further and tell you that NO LIVESTOCK WOULD BE LOST if placed with any flock. I urge you to please pass on my advice. I read of the Nublang cattle and could 100% truthfully tell you that if young (6/8 weeks) pups were placed with them and left 24/7 constantly, not tied up, as this breaks the "bond" between dog and flock, you would not loose any to predation, whether it be Bear, Tiger, Leopard even wild dogs.

When Wolves were going to be re-introduced in US, of course the Farmers and Ranchers were hostile to this plan. However, through Anatolians coming out as the No 1 Livestock Protection Dog of all the breeds trialled (I think she uses the word “trialled” to mean tried and tested) thoroughly over two years, this was why Dr Laurie Marker took them to Namibia to set up Cheetah Conservation Foundation to save them from extinction. The Farmers were shooting and poisoning to prevent predation. They now have these dogs working with their livestock with no losses encountered. Our Club sent them to Australia for ranchers back in late 1970's and same has occurred with no livestock being lost. I can understand Yeshey, if you have no knowledge of these dogs, you would not understand why I am contacting you. If say, these dogs were brought to Bhutan, trialled and proved successful, I am certain the word would spread quickly even to a Farmer with only a small flock. The dogs would solve Bhutan's problem straight away. All Veterinary care could be the responsibility of Bhutan's Ministry of Agriculture, with a six-monthly check with Farmer present. In Namibia, the Farmers do not pay for the puppy but are given instruction in this breed/type dog. I know Yeshey, how this Scheme would spread all over Bhutan. The Farmers' property and families would also be treated as "same flock" as the livestock by these dogs. In Lost Land film when Leopard was stalking ponies on infra-red camera (No 3?) the dogs stayed with Farmers for protection/safety. This would not have happened had Anatolians been present. I have tried e-mailing Ministry of Agriculture but they have been returned so I cannot contact the right Office. Could you please help me to do this? I am certain Yeshey that if this does take place in future, you will be writing of these brave, large, extremely intelligent dogs. They think for themselves in any situation, are calm, placid dogs, only ever barking if there is a cause. I only wrote in first instance because of the film but having now read of Bhutan's Livestock also needing protection by LPG, I can foresee a time when every Farmer will be asking for such a dog. They also warn of strangers not only arriving but can "read" stranger's intentions, be it good or bad. They love their families and small children, who are also part of "their flock". Please Yeshey, pass on my comments please, as I know how people of Bhutan will be so grateful for this wonderful guardian. I am sure you will then be writing of the Anatolian dog and how you didn't believe such a dog was possible. They are incredible, clever, brave yet kind and placid. You may even end up owning one for yourself? Many, many thanks for reading this. Jill Can I write to the King?

Signed “JILL SCOTT”

False Claims By The BBC Filming Team: Part III

In celebration of the BBC’s filming and release of the footage of the Royal Bengal tigers living in the alpine jungles of Bhutan which the BBC and the filming team have gone on to claim as the first ever evidence of the tiger’s existence at such high altitude, Gordon Buchanan the cameraman makes the following revealing statement: 

“Back at the start of the noughties I was making Tigers Of The Emerald Forest, a film about an isolated tiger population of about 30 individuals (a healthy breeding population) living in a little known national park in north central India. 

The film was about the success story of those tigers and how, despite the pressures they faced, they were doing really well. 

Within two years of my departure, all of them, every last one had been wiped out by illegal poaching. The news of that tragedy threw into sharp focus the realisation that the very worst was true - that we faced a future where tigers could no longer survive in the wild”. 

Here is the link: 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/tv/2010/09/lost-land-of-the-tiger-filming.shtml 

So, by his own admission, is it possible that he and the BBC may have knowingly endangered our tigers that our government and a lot of people connected with the tiger conservation project have worked so hard to protect and preserve for the past close to two decades? Ofcourse not, because, in the words of Jonny Keeling, series producer of “Lost Land of the Tiger” on the same blog mentioned above; “Knowledge that tigers live in Bhutan can be found widely across the internet”. Now, isn’t that rather contradictory for someone who claimed that they had the first hard evidence of the tiger’s existence in Bhutan? 

Will our tigers face the same fate as those of the Emerald Forests of north central India? Perhaps we should invite Gordon Buchanan to give us a reading on the matter, given his past experience. 

One of the BBC sites also mentions; “Wildlife cameraman Gordon Buchanan searched for tigers in the high Himalayas following rumours from local people that tigers live in the mountains”. What BBC means is that what we know and can prove with photographic evidence is nothing more than rumours and what they show is the real hard evidence. 

In another one of their sites, the BBC also proposes to suggest the establishment of a wildlife corridor for wildlife to move from place to place. Gordon Buchanan writes, in the same blog mentioned above; “If we care enough and can create a corridor spanning the Himalayas from Nepal to Thailand, tigers still have a chance”. This shows clear lack of knowledge and expertise on the part of the BBC filming team. These statements can only mean that they were unaware of the existence of our Biological Corridor that was established in the late 1990’s - specifically, in the words of Karma Jigme of the NCD; “that it was because of tigers that the concept of biological corridors came about and was established in 1998”. 

The BBC claims that they worked closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Forestry officials and staff. If that is the case, how is it possible that the BBC team was not aware of the existence of photographic and other evidences that establishes, beyond doubt, the tiger’s existence in Bhutan? The Department of Forestry is the custodian of all the evidences gathered over the years on all the work done and data collected on the tiger’s habitat, its protection and conservation. Did the Forestry officials conceal the truth from the BBC team or, did the BBC deliberately withhold established facts and evidences so that they can claim full credit for the “discovery” of the tigers? 

Tim Martin, BBC’s Executive Producer responded to the email of Sonam Wangdi of NCD, Department of Forestry who sought clarifications on the matter - but the Producer had nothing convincing to offer by way of reason - other than some vague and lame excuses. 

Jonny Keeling says that what the BBC claimed was that they have proof of tigers breeding at such high altitudes - based on the footage of a lactating female tiger. That is rather strange. If tigers have been known to be living in Bhutan for the past many centuries, isn’t it reasonable to assume that they would have been breeding? Otherwise wouldn’t they have been long extinct? 

Even when criticism of their falsehood is mounting, Keeling is adamant and states; “We made clear in the press release and in the series that people in Bhutan had seen tracks of tigers at high altitude”. Can you believe the audacity of the man? He still does not admit that he is aware of the existence of evidence of the tiger’s existence in Bhutan’s high altitude mountains. Even worst, he credits our biologists and conservationists with having seen only tracks of the tiger. 

To be continued …………..

False Claims By The BBC Filming Team: Part II

The blatant falsehood currently being broadcast by the BBC to their world audience claiming that their filming crew made a first time discovery of the Royal Bengal Tigers inhabiting the Bhutanese high mountains has caused much consternation among the Bhutanese and, perhaps, without our knowing, even among the conservationists and tiger experts around the world. I will revisit the issue in Part III of my post on the subject of BBC’s distortion of established facts and their callous disregard for the immense work done by others before them.

While still smarting over the BBC’s atrocious claims, something intrigued me. How on earth did the BBC manage to broadcast such a documentary film that the Bhutanese authorities would have known to be totally false? After all, all documentaries, films and news clippings acquired within the soil of Bhutan need to be first approved by the Bhutanese authorities before they are allowed to be broadcast to the general public. This is explicitly covered under the BICMA Act.

Is it possible that the BBC may have, in addition to falsifying facts, broken our rules pertaining to filming, entry into restricted areas, conducting scientific research etc.? Conversely, is it a case of our government officials in various departments not performing their duties with due diligence? Could the spread of the falsehood by the BBC filming crew have been prevented - had our officials done their job well?

Let us examine the processes involved.

When the BBC applies to enter the country for filming purpose, they need to apply through a local tour company. The local tour operator in turn applies for all the permits for the BBC crew before their arrival in the country. The tour operator also arranges logistics on behalf of the BBC crew. The visitation right is granted once the VISA is approved and issued by the Immigration Department.

The BBC crew, through their local tour operator or agent, has to deal with the following government agencies before they can undertake any planned activity in the country:

1. Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB)

2. Department of Immigration

3. BICMA

4. Nature Conservation Division

5. RBA

6. Park Officials

7. Ministry of Agriculture

8. Department of Revenue & Customs

1. Tourism Council of Bhutan: Unless the BBC crew hopes to enter Bhutan as government guests, their Visa Application needs to be routed through the TCB. All guests of the government and those of individuals can apply directly to the Department of Immigration. 

2. Department of Immigration: For Entry Visa clearance

3. BICMA: All filming within the country - whether documentary or commercial - is guided by the Bhutan Filming Regulation 2007 under the Bhutan Information, Communication and Media Act. The rules are enforced by a regulatory authority known as BICMA. Even if the BBC has obtained a waiver of the filming royalty, they still need to obtain a Permit from BICMA and cannot bypass the rules and regulations that govern filming within the country.

Two of the important provisions under the said rules are:

1. Security Deposit of Nu.100,000.00 (even if the Royalty of Nu.150,000.00 is waived off). The rule concerning this payment states as follows: 

8.2 Security Deposit

The security deposit shall be applicable to all types of filming activities carried out in Bhutan irrespective of whether any filming royalty fee has been waived off or not. The security deposit paid shall be forfeited if the requirements of Clause 8.4 of this Regulation are not met. However, the Authority shall not be liable for the payment of any direct or indirect interests on the security amount deposited with it as per this provision. 

2. Preview of Film: Upon completion of filming, the rule requires that the work be reviewed by BICMA and other competent authorities and states as follows: 

8.3. Preview of production 

i. Documentaries and Films: The Authority shall preview the documentaries and films made. The filmmakers shall be required to make changes, if any, to the part or parts of the film, as required by the Examiners. One copy each of the final edited version of the film shall be submitted to the Authority for its records. The security deposit shall be refunded on receipt of the final films. 

ii. Project-related films: Any project-related films or documentaries made with a government partner shall be previewed by the individual ministry or government organization concerned, wherein a member of the Authority shall be present. The government partners for these films shall be responsible for submitting a copy of the final film to the Authority for record. 

Has the BICMA obtained the Security Deposit as per rule? Has the BBC been required to submit their work for preview by the authorities? Have they or the collaborating government partner previewed it? If not, has the Security Deposit been forfeited? 

4. Nature Conservation Division (NCD): The entire Park systems within the country come under the NCD. Before access to the parks are permitted, a host of permits and clearances are to be obtained from the NCD under various provisions in a variety of rules and Acts such as: Forest and Nature Conservation Act of Bhutan, 1995; Forest & Nature Conservation Rules of Bhutan, 2006, Rules on Biological Corridors, Biodiversity Act 2003 etc. Special permits, in addition to those issued by BICMA and any other government agency, are to be obtained from the NCD - for any restricted activities to be performed within the Park area. Has the NCD required the BBC crew to obtain the necessary permits to enter and conduct filming in: 

     a. National Parks
     b. Biological Corridors 

5. RBA: Has the BBC crew entered other restricted areas - other than the Parks and Biological corridors? If so, have they obtained permits from the RBA which is required as per rule? 

6. Park Officials: The Park officials in different Parks around the country are supposed to check and monitor the movement of people within the Park area. Has that been done? Did they see that the BBC crew had the necessary permits issued by the relevant authorities in Thimphu - to enter and conduct restricted activities within the Park area? I am also informed that certain Forestry officials and others accompanied the BBC crew. Was that because the work was of a collaborative nature between an agency of the RGoB and the BBC? 

7. Ministry of Agriculture: The filming and study of the tigers ought to fall under “scientific study” category which requires very special authorization from the highest authorities. Given the importance of the study, has the Ministry entered into an agreement with the BBC for “sharing of the research results and relevant information” emerging out of the filming being authorized? 

8. Department of Revenue & Customs: As per Customs rules, a Re-Export Certificate has to be obtained for all the filming and technical and professional equipment that the BBC brings in. Has such a list been submitted to the Customs authorities at the Paro airport and verified by them upon repatriation of the equipment at the end of the filming in Bhutan? 

There seems to be a need to review to what extent all the above named organizations have been involved and taken into confidence - before, during and post filming. The fact that the BBC footages contains atrociously inaccurate and false claims can only mean that the BBC never submitted the films for preview. Who authorized the waiver of the requirement for preview, if there was one?

False Claims By The BBC Filming Team

Matt Walker, Editor, Earth News of BBC writes in (http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8998000/8998042.stm) that experts have been “stunned” by the “discovery” of tigers living and breeding at higher altitudes than were believed possible. He further goes on to say that “their presence in the Bhutan highlands has been confirmed by footage taken by a BBC natural history camera crew. 

These are very strange remarks, particularly coming from the editor of Earth News of the respected BBC.

What kind of people can claim to be experts if they have obviously been clueless about the knowledge of the tiger’s existence in Bhutan for the past many centuries? And what shameless persons can make a claim to having captured the first footage of the tiger when photographic evidence of their existence has been recorded over a decade back?

The recent release of film footage by the BBC showing tigers in Bhutan seems to have created some kind of stir in the western world. The truth is that there is nothing so earth shattering about tigers in Bhutan. The Bhutanese people have been living with them for the past many centuries. Even while we lose many heads of cattle to the tiger every year, we still revere them as the riding stallions of our many protecting deities. The tiger population proliferates in Bhutan because the Bhutanese people do not harm them with the belief that they are under the protection of our protecting deities. In order to protect the tiger, the government of Bhutan even offers cash compensation to farmers who lose their livestock to the tigers.

It is totally false and unethical on the part of Gordon Buchanan of the BBC to claim that his footage is proof of tiger’s existence in Bhutan. The truth is that a wildlife survey team from the Bhutan’s Nature Conservation Division captured an image of a tiger on camera trap in September of 1999. The image was recorded at an altitude of 3,400 Meters. Kuensel did an extensive article on the sighting of the tiger in their issue of May 6-12, 2000 Vol. XV. No. 18.

Image of tiger captured on camera trap in 1999

It is also not correct that there has been no evidence of the tiger’s existence above 4,000 Mtrs. The NCD has records of the discovery of pugmarks at Puchela in the Thrumshingla National Park which is at 4,110 Meters.

It is not fair that the BBC team does not acknowledge the immense contributions made towards the tiger’s conservation by individuals and organizations such at the NCD, WWF and the Save the Tiger Fund who have been working at the tiger’s conservation and protection since the early 1990’s. They even do not make mention of the assistance provided by the local Bhutanese team who must have helped them acquire the images. Without the knowledge base of the local people and organizations, it is impossible that the BBC team could have filmed the tigers as they claim to have done. It is common decency to give acknowledgement where due.

The following is an image supposedly that of either Mongol warlord Gushri Khan or that of Lhasang Khan. He is seen holding what is obviously a Royal Bengal tiger. Rinchen Khandu, a local authority on Bhutanese folklore and religion tells me that these two Mongol warlords attacked Bhutan sometime during early 1600’s after the arrival of Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyal in Bhutan. He says that this image is generally painted next to the main entrance of a house, Dzong or temple. Rinchen Khandu explained to me that any house or temple or Dzong on which were painted these images escaped the wrath of the plundering Mongol armies because they believed that the house was under the protection of their lords.

Gushri Khan/Lhasang Khan painted on the wall of the Jumolhari Hotel’s dinning hall

The above image is further proof that tigers were found in Bhutan even before the 1600’s. Obviously, the venerable BBC can no longer be trusted to be a source for factual and dependable reporting.