NEWS
27 April 2011: From feeding the Black Necked Cranes to fighting for its survival, Mr. Phurba Wangdi, a 65 year old local Bumdeling resident is known as the Black Necked Crane Caretaker in Bumdeling in Trashi Yangtse. These birds visit the valley every winter. His commitment for conservation of the Black Necked Crane was recognized by not only the local community but international organizations like the WWF, when he was awarded the first ever ‘Regional Crane Conservation Award’ at the regional workshop held in Delhi last week.
Sixty-five-year-old Phurba Wangdi has spent more than half his life conserving the endangered black-necked cranes when they migrate to Bumdeling valley in Trashiyangtse every winter.
That commitment was recognised at a workshop on regional cooperation for black necked cranes held in New Delhi, India, on April 22 -23. India’s minister of environment and forests, Mr Jairam Ramesh presented Phurpa Wangdi the first regional crane conservation award for his 35 years of selfless commitment towards conserving the black necked cranes.
This year’s Earth Day theme is Billion Acts of Green®. The purpose of this theme is to mobilize one billion acts of environmental service around the world. The campaign calls for people of all nationalities to commit to an act that helps reduce carbon emissions and promotes sustainability. The act can be a simple gesture, such as washing laundry in cold water, or immense, like picking up a million pounds of trash. Whatever the act may be, Earth Day is a great time to generate as many as possible in your community. Collectively, these acts will not only have an impact on global carbon emissions, but will also demonstrate the power of small every-day individual acts of green.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is meeting in Bangkok from 3 – 8 April, 2011 to discuss action plans following decisions made at COP 16 in Cancun Mexico.
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| Water is essential for very being (Photo: T. Lhamtshok, RSPN) |
The theme for 2011 World Water Day is, "Water for Cities: Shared Water, Shared Responsibilities". In Bhutan, the event will be commemorated in Khasadrapchu Middle Secodary School in Thimphu on March 22 with various thematic programs like talks on water quality, water theme songs and cultural dances, extempore speech, art competition on water, etc.
Thimphu: 15 March 2011- RSPN today offered prayers and one thousand butter lamps for the victims of recent Japan's earthquake and tsunami. The Resident Representative of JICA Bhutan office and other senior JICA officials attended the prayer ceremony."I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your warm sympathy for the Japanese people who are affected by the last week's earthquake and tsunami", said Mr. Tomoki Nitta, the Resident Represenative of JICA Bhutan office. "We will convey to our Japanese Embassy in New Delhi and to JICA head office in Tokyo".
Kyoto Hall Of Fame 24 February, 2011 - The Fourth Druk Gyalpo has been inducted into the Kyoto Earth Hall of Fame for outstanding contribution to the protection of the global environment.
In a ceremony attended by around 600 people, including Their Imperial Highnesses Prince Akishino-miya and Princess Kiko-Sama and prominent citizens of Japan, Her Royal Highness Princess Ashi Kezang Choden Wangchuck received the hall of fame award on behalf of the Fourth Druk Gyalpo on February 13.
With an objective to mitigate the impacts of climate change on water resources in the mountain ecosystem, three-day workshop (February 9-11) was held at Paro.
Presentations on measures to fight such impacts were made by the participants from India and Nepal, which were relevant to Bhutan. Besides, participants were also briefed on the intact water scenario in the country and the policies executed.
