Nature Conservation and Human Well-Being in Bhutan

Abstract

Bhutan’s nature conservation policy aims to integrate nature conservation and economicdevelopment. This policy is guided by a Buddhist attitude that places coexistencewith nature over exploitation of nature for economic gain. We looked at hownature conservation policy affected everyday life and economic activities of local communitiesand what this may imply for the country’s long-term socioeconomic development.The study includes a field survey involving 210 local residents in two nationalparks. The results indicated that there is support for nature conservation in local communitiesdespite the significant restrictions on the use of non–timber forest productsand the loss of crops to wild animals. However, the compensation schemes are inadequatewhich may lead to depopulation and the abandonment of land in rural areas.