Lhakpa Quendren

Zhemgang—The upcoming fourth edition of the Bhutan Bird Festival promises to be different, one that will elevate the charm of Zhemgang—with a host of new and exciting programme line-up.

Some of the new activities include new birding trails, marathon, and horse riding events. Scheduled for November 13 and 14, the festival aims to attract nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.

The dzongkhag administration is transforming the 3.7 acres of festival grounds at Tingtibi by involving five locals from each of the eight gewogs to build sustainable wooden structures.

The event manager, Dzongrab Tika Ram Gurung, said that the new setup includes six spacious wooden stalls, each measuring 15 meters long and 2.5 meters wide, designed for educational demonstrations and food exhibitions. And separate commercial stalls are planned to be set up using portable tents.

Shingles for the roofing have been sourced from Paro, and a large stage is under construction for entertainment and nighttime festivities. Also, a public toilet is being built.

“With these structures, the preparation work will become much easier from next year,” he said, adding that the Bhutan Bird Festival will gradually be managed by the community.

Tika Ram Gurung added that the dzongkhag staff dedicated several weekends to developing the festival ground into a terrace-like stage, while the students helped by removing the pebbles. “The ground is now planted with grass that used to be a bit muddy when it rained,” he said.

In addition to the impressive infrastructure, the festival will host a series of running events: a 21-kilometer race for men aged 34 and under, a separate category for those over 35, and an 18-kilometer run for women of all ages.

Horse riding activities will also be featured, with local riders trained for the occasion.

With extensive forest coverage of 94.7 percent, Zhemgang has branded itself as an eco-tourism capital, which is home to over 357 bird species, including the critically endangered White-Bellied Heron (WBH).

To celebrate the diverse bird species in the country, a Birdathon and Best Bird Photographer will be recognised. The birding routes include 36 km from Zhemgang to Tingtibi via Wangdigang, 35 km through Dakphel, 57 km from Buli to Tingtibi, 75 km from Panbang to Tingtibi, 55 km from Khosala to Tingtibi, and 65 km from Batasey to Tingtibi.

The Bhutan Bird Festival is one of the glorious festivities in Bhutan that celebrates nature and environmental conservation while also economically benefiting local communities. The festival also showcases the rich culture and traditions of Zhemgang, where visitors can observe the art of bamboo crafting firsthand.

“We expect to see more attendees this year, having recorded over 6,000 people from neighbouring districts at last year’s festival,” said Dzongrab Tika Ram Gurung. “We have also witnessed some international tourists at previous festivals, which is our long-term goal.”

“Zhemgang is home to the highest number of bird species in the country, and we are reviving additional ancient trails for birding,” he added. “The festival also commemorates the birth anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo.”

As part of the festival, birding awareness programs were conducted in nine schools in the dzongkhag through the Divisional Forest Office in Zhemgang.

Trong Mangmi Dorji Wangchuk said that the festival has financially benefited the locals in his gewog. “There are five homestays in Berti that have benefited from the festival, among a few examples,” he said.

Advertisement