State of the Environment

1. Water shortages: While in 90% of the population has access to potable water, water supply in Thimphu is somewhat intermittent due to leakage and high consumer demand. Other urban centres continue to rely on old supply systems, which generally do not have proper treatment and require major rehabilitation

2. Poor drainage, sanitation and waste disposal facilities: Most towns rely on septic tanks and pit latrines, while the two main centres, Thimphu and Phuntsholing, have proper sewerage systems. Only Thimphu has an organised collection and disposal system. All other areas dump the waste randomly at uncontrolled sites. Inadequate roads and transport: Pressure is increasing on existing roads and parking facilities in Thimphu and Phuntsholing due to the growing number of vehicles.

3. Land Degradation: Loss of vegetation due to deforestation, over cutting beyond silviculturally permissible limits, unsustainable fuel wood extraction, shifting cultivation, encroachment into forest land, forest fire, over grazing, extension of cultivation onto lands of low potential or high natural hazards, non-adoption of adequate soil conservation measures and improper crop rotation are some of the important factors contributing to land degradation in Bhutan.

4. Air Pollution: The rapid increase of urbanizations has resulted in unplanned development, increase in consumption patterns and higher demands related to transport, energy and other infrastructure leading to various pollution problems. Vehicle population in the kingdom has grown by 14% in the last year, pushing the number from 14,206 to 16,335. Thimphu and Phuntsholing had the largest number of vehicles (NEC 1999b). The problem of emissions is aggravated by the poor quality of fuel available in Bhutan which run on diesel and wax content. Also the vehicles are not fitted with high-altitude compensators as a result the vehicles emit more soot. At present there are 4 cement plants are operating in Bhutan. Major pollutants namely particulate matter, fugitive emissions and gaseous pollutants are emitted from the operations of cement plants. Most of the dust is generated within the region of the kiln where calcination is done.

5. Water pollution: The National Environment Strategy for Bhutan outlines three main avenues of sustainable economic development: expanding hydropower, increasing agricultural self-sufficiency and expanding the industrial base. A national water resource management master plan does not exist. Relevant information needs to be gathered before formulating standards for drinking water quality, ambient environmental quality and effluent discharge. There is a desperate need for waste water treatment facilities.

6. Solid Waste: Thimphu is the largest town and the capital of Bhutan with approximately 6,982 households and 1,000 institutions. The quantum of waste generation from Thimphu City is estimated to increase two-fold between 2000-2010 (USPS 2000b). In Thimphu, the solid waste is disposed off at the sanitary landfill site, currently the only landfill site in Bhutan. One of the solutions to addressing this problem is minimization of waste generation, proper waste segregation

Contact
National Focal Point
Name of organization: Royal Society for Protection of Nature
Contact Person for SAYEN: Mr. Ugyen Lhendup, Environment Education Officer

Address
Post Box 325, Thimphu,
Bhutan
Telephone: 00975-2-322056
Fax: 00975-2-323189
E-mail: rspn@druknet.net.bt