Biodiversity Hotspot of Bhutan and its Sustainability

Abstract

Biodiversity is measured at different levels of biological set up together with genes, species and ecosystems along with their interactions. There are a total of 34 biodiversity hotspots in the world, among which the Eastern Himalayan (EH) range is one of the richest with nearly 750,000 sq. km area covering Nepal, Bhutan, and the Indian states of West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, southeast Tibet (China) and northern Myanmar. Among these countries, Bhutan is the only one sharing all its land area as the EH region occupying a major share of 7.60% of the total EH area. Bhutan is part of 23 important bird areas, 8 ecoregions, important plant areas and wetlands with 2 Ramsar areas-Tashiyangtse and Wangdue. It is also among the exclusive biodiversity hotspots in the world where forest coverage has increased above 72% of the country's total area. The country is gifted with enormous forest cover of 70.46% of the total land part. It also has 10 protected areas (PAs) with biological corridors that are home to mass populations of vulnerable Takin, endangered one-horn rhino, pigmy hog, leopard, red panda, etc. and also varying bird species. Bhutan also has many hot-water springs which are believed to have medicinal properties to cure diseases. The EH is now experiencing widespread warming higher than 0.01C per year. Due to global warming, slow melting of the EH glaciers may cause huge floods in Bhutan in future resulting into loss of keystone species. India may also be affected by these future floods. In order to achieve sustainable development using this unique biodiversity hotspot, management of PAs, use of non-timber products and less urbanization are required.

Tartary Buckwheat Genetic Diversity in the Himalayas Associated with Farmer Landrace Diversity and Low Dietary Dependence

“…Conversely, the relatively varied, montane, and harsh environmental conditions of Tibet and Yunnan are not conducive for the cultivation of buckwheat on a large scale and contribute to geographical isolation, a factor that has been extensively documented to be associated with high crop diversity and overall biodiversity [45]. Likewise, the study sites in Bhutan are mountainous with a varied landscape that is recognized to foster crop biodiversity [46]. The study sites in both Bhutan and Sichuan were characterized by a farming lifestyle where agriculture is the main source of livelihood.…”

Seroprevalence and risk factors of canine distemper virus in the pet and stray dogs in Haa, western Bhutan

“…Bhutan is considered as major biological hotspots due to the exceptional diversity and originality of its flora and fauna [11,12]. Several vulnerable and endangered species are present in Bhutan, such as the common leopard (Panthera pardus), clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) and Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens) [13][14][15][16].…”

Clinical and Epidemiological Patterns of Scrub Typhus, an Emerging Disease in Bhutan

“…The disease was made notifiable in Bhutan in 2010. Notifications began to increase, particularly from the southern subtropical regions, which remain hot and humid for most of the year, and are exposed to the Indian summer monsoon [18]. However, given the non-specific presentation of ST, the disease was likely to be under-reported with only 22 to 67 cases being notified annually between 2012 and 2014.…”