Bhutan is an enigma. The Himalayan country is blessed with majestic landscapes and breath taking views, but the amalgamation of modernization and preservation of tradition is what makes this country a destination one must visit.
Bhutan's official religion is Buddhism and it's official ideology is Happiness. Bhutan has became the first country in the world which measures its Gross Happiness alongside with its GDP. Rather than using the GDP as an economic index, Bhutan measures its overall “health” through the four pillars: sustainable development, environmental protection, cultural preservation, and good governance, which together form the Gross National Happiness or GNH.
As per law, a minimum 60% of Bhutan’s land area must be under forest cover. Currently, its 72%. They have biological corridors(highways for animals to roam from forest to forest). Bhutan is the world’s only carbon sink – it absorbs more CO2 than it gives out – and the only country whose largest export is renewable energy: they sell hydroelectric power.
A country that has no traffic lights - and the traffic is regulated by a free flowing traffic circles. I am told the attempt to install a traffic light was turned down as it restricts the natural flow of life. Since there is less volume, it sure is manageable for now.
Until the 1960’s it had no roads, automobiles, telephone, postal system or electricity. Bhutanese had no access to TV or Internet until limited access was permitted in 1999. Since then a minor rise in crime and violence has been noted. It thus might serve a good case to study the effects of exposure of western media dominated culture to a tranquil eastern culture.
No Newspapers on a Sunday - Bhutan is known to be nation with no sense of urgency whatsoever. Something that really brings in Happiness. So much so that there are no newspapers printed on a Sunday or nor do they want to read it. Isn't that cool.
The national dress of Bhutan has the World's biggest pockets. Starting from one chest pocket, it goes round the back and comes out from the inside of the other side. PERIOD. People carry all their personal goods and even their office files, books in those pockets. As if that was not enough, their children too can be found in those pockets.
This is how their national dress is.
Be it almost traffic free roads, no traffic lights, total tobacco ban, kind and loving Kings; this tiny Himalayan country is a perfect Utopia.