Nestled in the Eastern Himalayas, the small country of Bhutan has segregated itself, and its rich culture, from westernization for thousands of years. The natural environment is the central treasure of the Bhutanese culture, being the source of all life, and the home of the gods and spirits. The sacred Buddhist way of life permeates all walks of life in Bhutan, such as traditional dress and prayer ceremonies, and it has been this way since the 7th century. Yet all this is coming under pressure from the influx of western culture into the country.

Bhutan is situated between India and China. It has a land area similar to Switzerland covering more than 47,000 square kilometers. The landlocked country has a mountainous landscape covered mostly by forest and woodland, and as a result is one of the 10 most biodiversity areas in the world. The small country boasts a community of 1.0 million people.

At present, Bhutan is in a very fragile economic situation. With world power and cultural dominance being a major drive for countries all over the world, the economic base seems to reflect positions in the global hierarchy. The Bhutanese live off the land with their only exports being agricultural goods such as timber, fruit and spices. Yet 90% of the agricultural product is used to sustain the Bhutanese people. In 1996, it was estimated that Bhutan’s total export value was A$77.4 million, a relatively small number. India not only represents 94% of this figure, but also provides much needed support for the Bhutanese economy. India finances the majority of the A$152 million spent each year by Bhutan.

As the rest of the world progresses further into the technological age, there has to be a decision made on whether Bhutan will join the march into the future, or hang on to their carefully preserved culture. Or is there a balance that can be made?

The decisions for the future of the Bhutanese people lays in the hands of the monarchial government headed by King Jigme Singye Wangchuck. The young leader has been quoted as saying that Bhutan is "not interested in gross national product, we are interested in gross national happiness". What leads the people to "gross national happiness" needs to be determined. At least the King is ready to question the values of unbridled economic progress.

Western culture has already begun to infiltrate Bhutan and is doing so at an increasing rate. This is at its most evident when looking at the increasing use of technology in the country. Telecommunications were introduced to the country in the early 1980s and by 1991 there were 4,620 telephones in the country. Though the actual implements haven’t had any major disruptions to the culture, the need to provide infrastructure to maintain the technologies is using up the sacred land of the Bhutanese people. Currently, many of the phones are not in use due to poor services and lack of need for them. Yet, as connections get better and clearer, more Bhutanese will turn to the convenience of telecommunications rather than the traditional forms of socialization.

The Bhutanese are accepting modernity with great enthusiasm and curiosity. Television and Internet access are just beginning to be introduced to the people. This could be a dangerous tool in leading to a disintegration of the culture. Although it could be argued that introducing these facilities might increase the standard of living and education for the Bhutanese, it may also result in conflicting values and attitudes entering the culture. There are many problems and concerns about the validity of the Internet as a viable source of information as it is.

As it stands, Bhutan have been steeping slowly in embracing modernity on their own terms, which is suggestive of the care that must be taken in finding a balance in the standard of living and preservation of the unique culture. If the past is indicative of how the country will accept future technologies, then it can be assured that the correct decision for the people will be made. An example of this is that the country’s capital, Thimphu, is the only capital city in the world without a traffic light as to not encourage modern forms of transport.

The economy is in need of reviewing. With the geographical situation of Bhutan giving them the luxury of hydroelectricity, this service is invaluable in boosting their economic situation. The other big industry bringing in funds for the country is tourism. This must be kept under tight restrictions, with more than 5000 tourists visiting the country in 1997 and this number is expected to increase greatly in the new millennium. The influx of westerners is also a threat to the culture. At present there is a tourism control and development policy yet there will be a need for review in the coming years of development.

It would be hoped that cultures such as that existing in Bhutan aren’t just documented in museums and encyclopedias after being extinct and taken over by other cultures. Having them actually exist around our globe makes the world a more diverse and enjoyable place to live. With technology becoming a driving force of the economy and money becoming the driving force of the people, it is a breath of fresh air to come across a culture that is removed from the eternal rat race. Hopefully Bhutan will find a balance and preserve its ancient culture to ensure that global diversity continues for years to come, and save us from becoming one standardized culture. Maybe then we might all be able to respect the right of "gross national happiness".

References:

Central Intelligence Agency Bhutan Fact book