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Population of Bhutan: Population of Bhutan in 2011
The estimated population of the country is about 6,95,000 with the growth rate of about 3.1% per year. The country is still predominantly rural and about 85% of the people live in villages. More than 90% of population in Bhutan follows Buddhism as there only religion. The people of Bhutan are very warm and friendly. Also increasing number of tourist arrivals in Bhutan every year proves there unmatched hospitality. A large number of Bhutan's population is engaged in tourism and travel related services.
Population of Bhutan in 2011 - It is estimated that Population of Bhutan is 7,00,000 (7 Lakhs). Three main ethnic groups constitute its population :
Sharchops : live in eastern part of country are recognized as the original inhabitants of Bhutan and are Indo Mongoloid origin.
Ngalops : are descendants of Tibetan immigrants who arrived in Bhutan from 9th century and settled in the west of country.
Lhotshampas : this Nepalese group, began settling in the south of Bhutan in the late 19th century. The Lhotshampa represents different Nepali speaking ethnic groups primarily – Brahman, Chettri, Gurung, Rai and Limbu.
Health and Education in Bhutan
The Kingdom has made great efforts to improve health facilities and provides a free health care to all its citizens. It has achieved a child immunization rate of nearly 100%, iodine deficiency has been eliminated and 50% of the population has access to clean water. Life expectancy has increased from 47.4 years in 1984 to 66 years in 1998. Infant mortality once highest in the world, at 142 per thousand births, had been halved to 70.7 per thousand births by 1998.
Until the 1950s, the only education available in Bhutan was from monasteries. While still monastic education continues to play an important role but western style education is expanded and now available throughout the country. Access to basic education has become the inalienable right of all Bhutanese and it is the key to the most of the nation’s ambitions. Literacy has increased from 28% in 1984 to 54% in 1998 and this is further enhanced through adult education programs.
Books About Bhutan
A wide range of books are now available about Bhutan, covering various unique aspect of this fascinating mountain Kingdom. Some of the useful and popular books are listed below:
Odyssey Passport Bhutan by Francoise Pommaret gives a brief overview of Dragon Kingdom, supported by attractive photographs.
Lonely Planet Bhutan by Stan Armington is one of the most comprehensive guide books on Bhutan.
Bhutan - Mountain Fortress of the Gods edited by Christian Schiklgruber & Francoise Pommaret provides in depth information on Bhutan’s History, Geography, Cultural and Natural Heritage, Economy and Development Perspectives, Ethnic Mosaic and Religion.
Wild Rhododendrons of Bhutan by Rebecca Pradhan, offers valuable insights on Bhutan’s natural wealth particularly 46 species of rhododendrons so far recorded in the country.
An Introduction to Birdwatching in Bhutan by Carol and Tim Inskipp, a WWF publication providing sketches and description of different bird species available in the country.
Trees and Shrubs of Nepal and the Himalayas by Adrian & Jimmie Storrs, is one of the best field books available on forests of Bhutan.
Traditional Bhutanese Textile by Barbara Adams, is the first published study of Bhutanese textiles.
An Introduction to Traditional Architecture of Bhutan by Department of Works, Housing and Roads, Bhutan provides interesting information on traditional Bhutanese architecture .
From the Land of the Thunder Dragon: Textile Arts of Bhutan by Diana K. Myers is a detailed study of traditional Bhutanese textiles.
Birds of Bhutan by Carol Inskipp, Tim Inskipp and Richard Grimmett is a compact bird guide.
In the Himalayas, Journeys Through Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan by Jeremy Bernstein, a classic book on the people, palaces and politics of the Himalayan countries.
Concise Flowers of the Himalaya by Oleg Polunin & Adam Stainton, a portable version of the classic flowers of the Himalayas.
The Hero with a Thousand Eyes by Karma Ura is a historical novel providing insight information in the early days of 20th century.
The Thunder Dragon Kingdom by Steven K. Berry is account of 1986 British mountaineering expedition attempt on Gangkhar Puensum.
Bhutan and its Natural Resources, is a collection of essays on ecology and environment published by Sherubtse College of Bhutan.
Bhutan: Environment, Culture and Development Strategy by P. P. Karan chronicles major developments in the country up to year 1985.
The Raven Crown by Michael Aris is the history of Bhutan’s monarchy.
Bird Watching Tours in Bhutan
Despite its small size about 770 species of birds have been recorded in Bhutan and the kingdom is recognized as 221 global endemic birds areas. Within country’s borders there are extraordinary range of habitats, from some of the Himalaya’s most extensive and least disturbed tropical forests to cool broad leaved and towering evergreen forests of fir, hemlock and spruce.
The entire country is bisected by well maintained paved road and birding especially in mid to late spring (late March to late May) is good virtually anywhere below 3,100 m. Unlike many part of Asia, one is not obliged to seek out a park or reserve or remnant patch of ‘good looking’ habitat, since at any stop even in the midst of farmland, exciting birds are visible. The mixed broadleaf forests are much richer, and therefore more exciting for birding, than the rather slow growing monotypic stands of blue pine and particularly chir pine.
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