Thinley Namgay  

As a part of the celebrations to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Bhutan’s membership of the United Nations (UN), the Salang tendrel (groundbreaking ceremony) of the Tsendrong UN Garden was held in Thimphu, yesterday.     

 The 1.2-acre Tsendrong UN Garden at Kawangjangsa is a gift from His Majesty The King dedicated to the 50 years of Bhutan’s membership to the UN.    

The garden will be established as a green recreational space and form part of a larger network of parks, green spaces and gardens in the capital. The garden will be user friendly for persons with disabilities (PWDs).  

A press release from the foreign ministry said: “Bhutan’s admission as the 128th member-state of the UN in 1971 was a significant milestone in the country’s history as it reinforced Bhutan’s status as a sovereign nation and marked our entry into the larger comity of nations.”  

Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering was the chief guest, and the prayers were presided over by the Dorji Lopon Kuenley of Zhung Dratshang.        

Senior government officials, heads of UN agencies in Thimphu, diplomatic officials, and other dignitaries attended the ceremony. 

UN-Resident Coordinator Gerald Daly said the gift of this important Tsendrong UN Garden inspires them to work harder on behalf of Bhutan’s people, and it reflects Bhutan’s journey in the last 50 years. 

Gerald Daly said that the garden would be different from other parks around the country. “UN is working with experts from Bhutan and abroad, but some of the best ideas come from Bhutan itself.”

Bhutan joined the UN on September 21, 1971.   

Edited by Tshering Palden