We declared ourselves Open Defecation Free in 2022. Yet, the reality is the opposite. From locked public toilets after construction to filthy cubicles across the nation, the state of public sanitation in Bhutan is nothing short of a constitutional crisis.

Article 9, Sections 1 and 2 of our Constitution commits the state to ensure a good qual- ity of life and promoting conditions that enable the pursuit of GNH. The recent debacle at a religious event in Paro, where the Bhutan Toilet Organisation (BTO) raised alarms about worsening sanitation conditions, is just the tip of the ice- berg. The BTO’s frustration is understandable. After  years of awareness campaigns, they find themselves shouting into a void, their recommendations ignored. BTO’s effectiveness is constrained without much government support.

Article 9 (21) mandates free access to basic public health services. In a modern context, this surely extends to public sanitation facilities. Yet, the failure to provide and maintain adequate public toilets flies in the face of this constitutional obligation. The situation in Thimphu, with a mere 19 pub- lic toilets serving the entire city, many of which are outdated and poorly maintained, is a glaring example of this neglect.

The state’s inaction is not just inconvenient; it’s a public health crisis waiting to explode. The World Health Organization emphasises that poor sanitation contributes to the spread of diseases, and antimicrobial resistance, and even affects education and economic development.  Are  we  willing to compromise our nation’s health and future over some- thing as basic as toilets?

While   Bhutan    boasts of being 100 percent Open defecation-free, we’ve simply moved the problem from open fields to locked doors and filthy cubicles. In Paro town, for in- stance, public toilets stand a good example serving only the bureaucrats who can tick a box on a completion report as it remains locked.

It’s time to call this situation what it is: a flagrant violation of constitutional rights and a public health emergency. The government’s failure to provide clean, accessible toilets is not just negligence; it’s a dereliction of duty that undermines the very foundations of GNH.

The solutions are not complex. They require political will, proper allocation of resources, and a genuine commitment to public health. The Thimphu Thromde’s plans to construct new toilets and renovate exist- ing ones are a step in the right direction, but they’re a drop in the ocean of what’s needed nationwide.

Further, while Bhutan promotes itself as “Bhutan Believe” and claims to be a clean, carbon-negative country, the reality on the ground tells a different story. The glaring lack of accessible and clean public toilets across the nation stands in stark contrast to the image we project to the world.

Bhutan’s eco-friendly image clashes with the reality of inadequate public toilets. This gap challenges our sustainability claims and human dignity commitments. Can we genuinely lead in environmental stewardship while failing to provide basic sanitation? This discrepancy raises doubts about the authenticity of our nation’s green promises and respect for citizens’ well-being. It’s time  for  our  govern- ment to move beyond slogans and take concrete action. We need a comprehensive, well- funded strategy to address this sanitation crisis. Until then, “Bhutan Believe” risks becoming an empty promise, undermining our credibility on the global stage as a clean and GNH nation.

Sonam Tshering

Lawyer, Thimphu

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are author’s own