Bhutan faces the need for strategic planning due to the increasing tide of migration.
In the heart of the Hindu Kush Himalaya region, Bhutan is facing a significant shift as the country grapples with the impacts of climate change and rural crises. This transformation has been highlighted by the country's highest ever remittance levels recorded in 2024, sparking discussions about a potential shift towards a remittance-driven economy.
The year 2019 saw Bhutan's Ministry of Agriculture and Forests conduct the RNR Census, revealing that a staggering 26,757 hectares of arable land lay fallow. This unsettling figure underscores the challenges faced by farmers like Sonam and Pema, who migrated from eastern Bhutan to the Pasakha Industrial Estate a decade ago.
The SUCCESS research project, funded by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), the UK aid, and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada, is shedding light on these issues. This project focuses on climate change adaptation in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region, aiming to provide valuable insights for policy-makers and communities alike.
The migration of Bhutanese nationals, particularly those in the 20-35 age bracket, to countries like Australia, has garnered significant attention in recent years. This trend is not only a response to the challenges in agriculture but also a reflection of the urgent need for better economic opportunities and safer living conditions.
However, migration comes with its own set of challenges. People may be exposed to high levels of pollution and extreme weather events, as seen in the Pasakha Industrial Estate, which has been hit by severe floods, such as the one in 2000 that displaced nearly 200 families and left several factories damaged.
The article also sheds light on the internal migration within Bhutan, with the 2017 Population and Housing Census revealing that 49.7% of the resident population had relocated internally. This trend, coupled with the increasing coverage of fallow land in Bhutan, underscores the need for a well-designed policy framework that ensures migration benefits both those who leave and those who remain.
Governmental and non-governmental agencies must play a key role in bolstering rural lives and livelihoods as climate change impacts escalate. There is an urgent need for urban policies that reduce climate risks and ensure marginalized migrant populations have access to essential services and economic opportunities.
This article is a call to action, highlighting the interconnected issues of climate change, migration, and rural development in Bhutan. It relates to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Poverty (SDG 1), Health (SDG 3), Economic growth (SDG 8), Infrastructure (SDG 9), Inequality (SDG 10), Cities (SDG 11), Peace (SDG 16), and Partnerships (SDG 17). It discusses topics such as Carbon & Climate, Cities, Policy & Finance, and Water.
Originally published on Dialogue Earth under a Creative Commons licence, this article serves as a vital resource for understanding the complexities of climate change adaptation and migration in Bhutan and beyond, particularly in the South Asia region. It is a reminder that the fight against climate change is not just about the environment, but also about people and their livelihoods.
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