Unknown Facts about Bhutan !

If you’ve lost your smile — This country will discover it. If your eye strolls, this country will catch it. If your soul is starving, this country will feed it. Where happiness is measured instead of GDP. Where Traffic light is not required. Cut down the noise, slow down the rush. It is a tiny landlocked & mysterious country in the Eastern Himalayas, shrouded in mystery and magic.

Yes, this fascinating kingdom holds a great many surprises that you probably won't know until you go. There are so many amazing & interesting facts about Bhutan that will spark your itchy feet.

1. Only Country in The World to Measure Gross National Happiness (GNH) instead of GDP

Yes, you read the right. Being richer does not mean being happier. As you can see despite the fact that Bhutan is one of the least developed countries in Asia, but the government believes in Gross National Happiness (GNH) rather than Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It was invented by Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the fourth king of Bhutan in 1972 as he wanted to develop the nation's economy in a maintainable way.

Happiness measured based on 4 main pillars like Sustainable development, Cultural Value, Health & Environment. Even the United Nations also introduced this idea in 2011, encouraging its member nations to follow the example of Bhutan, and called happiness a “fundamental human goal.”

2. World's Only Carbon-Negative Country

Bhutan is the first & only carbon negative country in the world, which means that it absorbs more carbon dioxide than it produces. Over 70% of the country is covered by forest. As per the constitution country must have to at least 60% of the land remain forested for future generations.

While lots of other countries are working hard to cut down carbon emissions, Bhutan is already carbon neutral and even carbon negative. A ban was placed on log exports, provide free electricity to rural farmers to produce less carbon. Bhutan absorbs roughly seven million tons of carbon dioxide annually and only produces around two million tons.

Through 2030 Bhutan plans to reach zero net greenhouse gas emanations and to produce zero excess. This means putting a wide-ranging plan of action into place, with items such as increasing its confidence on renewable energy sources — like wind, bio gas, and solar power.

3. Tallest Unclimbed Mountain in the World

It is well known that tallest mountain in the world, the Mount Everest, submitted by several mountaineers! But, have you aware of the tallest ‘unclimbed’ mountain in the world? The mountain that no mountaineer had the setting foot on. Right, we are talking about Bhutan’s “Gangkhar Puensum”, also known as ‘White Peak of the Three Spiritual Brothers.”

Gangkhar Puensum stands tall at the height of 24836 ft (7,570.01 m) above sea level, on the border of Bhutan and China. Now, the question is why has Gangkhar Puensum stayed unconquered?

Bhutan has a law wherein mountaineers are prohibited from climbing a mountain higher than 6000 m, Gangkhar Puensum is more than 7500 m. This law was implemented in the year 1994; before that some trips to win over Gangkhar Puensum did take place, though all went in unsuccessful. A number of mountaineers had to turn back or halt the journey in the middle for some inexplicable reasons.

4. Only Country in the World Without Traffic Lights

Do you know Bhutan is the only country without traffic lights in the world? This is because there are dedicated traffic police who stand in booth-like structures in major intersections to direct and control traffic and ensure that there are no untoward incidences.

Also, World economic forum claimed that traffic signals are the flash point for pollution. Traffic lights are also known to increase rear-end impacts due to rapid braking. Even the failure of traffic signal also would lead to confusion for the commuters leading to numerous accidents.

However, there was an attempt to install traffic lights on the heart of Thimphu but proved too inconvenient for the travellers, even stop to greet each other in the middle of the way. Roads are a rather dangerous adventure in Bhutan with sharp curves in the mountainous regions and have to drive very slowly and cautiously, so traffic lights are not required.

5. First Country in the World to Ban the Production and Sales of Tobacco Products

Not only smoking and usage of tobacco products was prohibited in public places in Bhutan like cinema halls, restaurants, streets but also cultivation, harvesting and sale are strictly restricted. There are designated areas for smokers in a few hotels, and if anyone is caught breaking the law, harsh fine or imprisonment for 3 to 5 years can be imposed which make Bhutan the first smoke-free nation.

Also, in alternative of smoking, you can find them chewing betel leaf with betel nuts, which are also consumed with a shade of tobacco leaves.

6. Isolated Entirely from The World Until 1974

Bhutan was open on 1974 to the outside world, an effort to raise revenue and to promote Bhutanese unique culture and traditions, opened its isolated country to foreigners. In 1974 a total of 287 tourists visited the Kingdom of Bhutan. The number of tourists visiting Bhutan increased to 2,850 in 1992, and rose intensely to 7,158 in 1999. By the late 1980s tourism added over Two million Dollar in annual revenue.

As they aware of the environmental impact on Bhutan's unique and virtually unspoiled landscape and culture, they have restricted the flow of tourist activity from the beginning, preferring higher-quality tourism which was known as "high value, low impact". For tourists a daily fee is imposed of anywhere @ 250 dollars per day, indicating that the government was prepared to welcome more tourists, although "cultural and environmental" values should be preserved.

7. Free Education and Healthcare

In spite of being a poor country, Bhutan provides free basic education and healthcare to all its citizens. The Education is considered a basic right, and as a prerequisite for achieving the nation's social, cultural, and economic goals. Until 1950s, the only education available in Bhutan was from monasteries, around 30 percent of males and 10 percent of females were literate. Government charges no tuition fees and even provides free stationery and textbooks to rural children. The literacy rate has significantly increased over the past several decades. Most schools have an English curriculum.

Besides, the Bhutanese enjoy basic healthcare service through 32 hospitals & 205 basic health units and there are no private medical practitioners & private hospitals. As of now, there are 345 Doctors and 2,364 nurses & Health Assistants in the country. The best health facility in Bhutan is at Jigme Dorji Wangchuk National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH) in Thimphu, where patients, including even tourists, can receive free basic medical treatment as well as advanced services such as surgical and emergency treatment. As a result, infant mortality has dropped and life expectancy has increased drastically in recent years. In 2016, Bhutan had a life expectancy of 70.20 years from 66.3 years in 2005, higher than its neighbour India (68.56 years).

Now what we've covered these interesting facts about Bhutan, hope this has helped you see the country in a very different light. This is a land of the abundantly, the people here are devout and tend to live humble, spiritual lives. Bhutan may not just be a journey for your family or the two of you or you — it may be an expedition of your mind. Set of on this journey of self-discovery with one of our Bhutan tour packages.