(BT): Some help for the heron, please

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Some help for the heron, please*

 

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*19 November, 2009 - *The white-bellied heron, a rare and endangered bird,

has found a Shangri-La in Bhutan. Out of the 200 birds worldwide, 31, or 15

percent of the bird population, has found sanctuary in the Punatsangchhu

basin. This is a matter of national pride. Indeed, it reflects the

conservation efforts that Bhutan has put in at a time when threatened

species of both flora and fauna are annually disappearing off the face of

the earth.

 

However, even as we convey our commitment to preserve our environment, the

natural habitat of this bird is shrinking. Experts, who keeps and eye on the

bird, were not able to spot a single bird although it is already November.

Usually the birds are spotted as early as September. It is a sign that the

birds are not finding Punatsangchhu such a friendly place anymore.

 

Nature conservationists have not pointed the finger directly to the

Punatsangchhu I project, but the sudden activity in the locality with men,

machinery and even loud blasting from quarries is enough to scare the shy

bird, which experts say even a bulbul can bully. More than 3,500 men with

machines have already descended in the area, which is also the habitat of

the heron. Thousands more will come and, before we commission Punatsangchhu

I, we may regret not allowing an endangered species to survive, let alone

thrive, in a country, which is committed to conservation and protection.

 

It is ironic that Bhutan, known for its pristine environment, a global

“hotspot,” is not able to provide shelter to endangered species.

 

Hydropower projects are important for developing countries like Bhutan.

There is no argument about that. But we have a different approach to

development in our enlightened concept of Gross National Happiness.

Environmental preservation and sustainable economic development are also the

pillars of GNH and we don’t want GNH to be mere theory or rhetoric. It is

not too late to look back at the herons at a time when wildlife all over the

world is rapidly losing out to encroachment.

 

While we pursue economic development based on our sound philosophy, the

government must put in effort to let these birds roost in Bhutan. There are

efforts already being made in creating an artificial habitat for the birds.

The government should support such initiatives. The average man may ask why

protect the heron when the project can bring in millions of ngultrums, but

that is not Bhutan’s development policy.

 

At the end of the day, environmental protection is enshrined in the

Constitution. Our policy and activities should therefore be sensitive

environmentally.

 

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