Bhutan Geography and Environment
Occupying
an area of 47,000 sq km, Bhutan lies in southern Asia in the eastern ranges
of Himalayas and is bordered by India and China. Out of the total land
boundaries of 1075 km, China covers 470 km, while India covers the rest 605
km. The terrain of Bhutan is predominantly mountainous with some fertile
valleys and savanna. The northern region consists of an arc of glaciated
mountain peaks rising over an altitude of 7,000 m above sea level, while the
altitudes of peaks of the Black Mountains that dominate the central region
range between 1500-2700 m above sea level. There are woodlands in the
central region and important rivers (Torsa, Raidak, Sankosh, and Manas) too
flow through it. This is probably what makes the central region the most
inhabited part in the entire country. The southern region of the country,
the Shivalik Hills are covered with dense deciduous forests, alluvial
lowland river valleys and mountains with an altitude of 1500 m above sea
level.
The climate varies from region to region. The southern plains enjoy a
tropical climate, while the polar type of climate is the characteristic of
the northern region. The central region has cool winters and hot summers.
There are four distinct season in the country - spring, summer, autumn and
winter. Spring which is considered the most beautiful and pleasant season
extends from end of February to end of May. Summers begin from the end of
June and extend upto the end of August. Somewhere in between monsoons take
over and rains wet the entire country till September. Lastly Autumn covers
the months of October and November, while winters start from December and
end in February.
Around
70% of the land area of Bhutan is covered with forests with a major portion
of it brought under National Parks and wildlife sanctuaries. The residents
of these national parks are 770 species of birds out of which 15 are in the
list of endangered species; 165 mammals including 24 protected wild animal
species and 7000 species of vascular plants including 152 medicinal plants.
The birds and animals of Bhutan have a special significance in the lives of
the people not only because they play an essential role in preserving the
ecological balance, but also because they have a symbolic value attached to
them. Tiger, snow leopard, mythical eagle and thunder dragon are regarded as
the Four Power Animals that represent mind, strength, wisdom and voice of
great renown in body form. Similarly, "Four Friends" (a bird, a
rabbit, a monkey and an elephant) are representatives of cooperation.
Within the Kingdom of Bhutan, the total area is divided into four dzongdey
or administrative zones, which are further subdivided into twenty dzongkhag
or districts. The big dzongkhags are further split up into dungkhag or
subdistrict, while at the lowest level a group of villages come together to
form a constituency better known as gewog.
Notwithstanding the fact that Bhutan is separated from other countries by
its indomitable mountain passes and as such remains highly isolated from the
modern developments, it is the dedicated effort of its people that has
ensured a clean environment. Much of the flora and fauna of the region
remains intact, though modern developments are slowly making there presence
felt too.
Bhutan
Tour Itineraries
