GREEN GUIDE: IN BHUTAN, SUSTAINABILITY BECKONS

The Himalayan kingdom boasts a rich eco-tourism industry, of adventure, culture and spirituality

- Muskaan Gupta

Warbling rivers, rustling prayer flags and bird calls set the rhythm of everyday life in Bhutan—a region blanketed by lush greenery. But the land of Thunder Dragons has much more to offer than just serene locales.

When the Bhutanese government opened their gates for modern tourism in the 1970s, they implemented a ‘high value, low impact’ tourism strategy since the ’80s, earning themselves the title of the world’s only carbon-negative country. The exclusivity that comes with imposing a Minimum Daily Package Fee of up to $250/₹18,000 for foreign travellers has not only helped curb overtourism, but has also protected the nation’s rich, untainted culture. A Daily Sustainable Fee of $65/₹4,700 is collected by registered tour operators, which is then pumped into the country’s environmental and welfare funds, education system and health care facilities. If eco-friendliness resonates with your travel style, our low carbon footprint-guide is your best bet to exploring the South Asian country.

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ADVENTURE