When critics find the gross national happiness of idyllic Bhutan being blurred by large-scale unemployment that leads to a deep frustration among the youths making them susceptible to drug and drug-related deaths, a group of youth from a sleepy town of Bhutan are all set to try their destiny. With strong determination the River Guides of Panbang is ready to promote eco tourism by initiating river rafting in Drangme Chhu in Zhemgang district. The 11- member group, all in their 20s and 30s, underwent basic training in river rafting from the Tourism Council of Bhutan.
While industrial development has become the buzzword for almost all its neighbours, it is good to see this tiny Himalayan nation trying to keep pace with development in tandem with nature. Bhutanese youths, too, are seemed to be well aware of their privileged existence amid natural beauty and resources. And to keep this natural heritage intact, what can be a better option than eco-tourism? More and more youths are now involved with community based organizations to make a livelihood out of eco tourism ventures as well as to promote the country’s natural beauty and resources-- albeit without destruction.
Nestled in an idyllic surrounding, in the sub-tropical belt of Bhutan, Panbang is almost adjacent to the Royal Manas National Park. Visitors from Assam usually prefer the route that snakes through two national parks—the Manas National Park in the Indian side and the Royal Manas National Park on the Bhutan side. By the river Manas that becomes Mangde Chhu upstream, one is enthralled by a rare sighting of a barking deer or a wild tusker, hornbills at the russet-crowned tree-tops or an occasional appearance of a troop of langurs. Panbang Eco Camp in south east Bhutan is almost adjacent to the Royal Manas National Park. The rich wildlife viewing opportunities here more than compensates for the simple comforts the facility has to offer. There is a suspension bridge crossing the Mangde Chhu from where the real excursion starts. It is one/two hours walk from the bridge to the actual camp site and the walk offers a great opportunity to bird watchers and nature lovers. The spectacular view of the mountains surrounding Panbang is simply captivating!
Shilling Toe Eco Camp is 30 Kms away from Panbang town and lies 420m above sea level. The scenic views of villages scattered along the way amidst the green is simply a treat to the eye. Lifestyle matches the 70s or 80s; tradition—ancient. While October/November is the best period for water sports—December offers a more picturesque landscape with ripe glittering oranges in gardens on the other side of the river; the sweet-scented smell filling the mountain air.
Tourists who want to stay the night at Panbang are advised to carry entry passes that can be obtained at entry-points of Namlang , Samdrup Zonkhar or Gelephu or they can simply contact Kinley Dorji, Chief Operator of River Guides of Panbang (email: kinlaydorji@gmail.com). River Guides offers all arrangement including visa or permission for tourists from Assam or any other state. Kinley is determined that eco tourism gets a boost in the region. “The Indian side of Manas sees a high footfall every tourist season, we will only be happy to welcome at least ten per cent of them initially, a hopeful Kinley says.
I visited Panbang twice this month. No words to express its unique natural features.The experience of 13 km rafting course on river Dangme Chu was just fantastic.
28 Mar 2014 - 3:28pm | AT News
A section of Congress leaders seem to have targeted media in the poll campaigns these days.Sonari MLA Sarat Borkotoky on Friday accused a section of media of campaigning for BJP. In his address at a...
4 Sep 2014 - 7:53pm | Syed Miraz Ahmed
WWF-India in association with the Cotton College State University (CCSU) today screened a 54 minute film titled: 'The Forgotten Tigers', by eminent wildlife filmmaker Krishnendu Bose. The screening...
25 Apr 2016 - 10:52pm | Shajid Khan
Sensation prevails in the area following the killing of one Jairam Thikda by his fellow friend Agartosh Kerkata at Nalapara under Dimakuchi PS of Udalguri on the night of Satrurday last. Reportedly...
23 Jan 2020 - 9:38pm | AT Kokrajhar Bureau
KOKRAJHAR: One junior engineer posted at Kachugaon development block has been arrested by police for his alleged involvement with a massive financial scam. Archana Rongne (50), was picked up by the...
In a scathing condemnation, a coalition of animal protection organizations in India has slammed the recently enacted Captive Elephant (Transfer or Transport) Rules, 2024, as riddled with loopholes that endanger captive elephants.
The joint statement, signed by People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, the Centre for Research on Animal Rights (CRAR), Heritage Animal Task Force, Kaziranga Wildlife Society, and the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations (FIAPO), urges the Ministry of Forests, Environment, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to strengthen the rules immediately.
These organizations, dedicated to safeguarding elephants in captivity, meticulously reviewed...
The recent tremor that rattled Tibet is to be blamed for the change of colour of the river Brahmaputra water if the Chinese experts are to be believed. Writes Chandan Kumar Duarah. The change of colour in the waters of the Brahmaputra runs in to a hail speculations in Assam which have reached New Delhi to be in touch with Beijing. Many theories seem to have surfaced beneath the entire scheme of things. But there is no conclusion. The recent tremor in Tibet, may be the prime cause of muddy water flowing through the Brahmaputra. Yang Yong, a geologist and Yarlung Zangbo (known as in China) expert revealed that muddy water might highly be caused by the recent...
Wetlands in Assam have been carrying out a great role minimising intensity of flood in Brahmaputra valley. Better conservation of wetlands in the state may be the most effective way to control flood and erosion problems. Because wetlands store a large amount of excess water during flood. Most of wetlands in the state have become shallow due to turbidity, silt and sediment deposition. As they are becoming shallow the capacity of flood water storage also decreasing. So if these wetlands can be dredged and make deeper these will have more capacity to store more amount of flood water. According to Dr. B P Duarah, a Geologist and professor and Department of Geology, Gauhati University, said...
Dengaon is a beautiful area consists green hills, plains and rivers in Brahmaputr a valley. More than 50 villages and most of its inhabitants are belong to Karbi tribe. This area in border of Nagoan and Karbi Anglong districts in Assam are highly and dangerously fluoride-affected in Brahmaputra valley. The presence of excess amount of fluoride was tested in the water from rivers, ponds, wells, tube-well and deep-wells. Villagers have been suffering from fluoride for centuries which was detected in last decade. There are no drinking water supply facilities in remote villages which are not easily accessible. Symptoms of excess fluoride induced disorders are prevalent some states of the...
While high transmission wires offer a resting place to thousands of the Amur falcons, pausing briefly in Northeast India on their journey to southern Africa, the wires have brought doom for one of the endangered avian species, the Blacked-necked crane in Northeast India. The cranes collide with the metal grid wire line as they land and take off within the Valley. The species is classified as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List because it has a single small population that is in decline owing to the loss and degradation of wetlands, and changing agricultural practices in both its breeding and wintering grounds.
The small population of the Black-necked Crane or the Tibetan Crane, now...
Dredging the Brahmaputra is not a sole solution to minimie the flood and erosion problem of Assam. Scientists and experts say that the sole plan to dredge the riverbed will not help to solve the problem. A K Mitra, the former Secretary of Water Resource Department of government of Assam, says that dredging Brahmaputra is just an idea proposed about. It is still in theoritical state which would be difficult to implement without a total plan. Flood in Assam needs multi measures to minimise it, Mitra said. China had success story of dredging Huawang Ho on account of its multi-measures, he recalled with his field experience in China. In Assam it cann't be succeess unlesss and until some...
People of Pasighat region in Arunachal Pradesh resists big dam building in Siang river, the upstream of the Brahmaputra (Yarlung Zangbo) in India. People of Siang districts in Arunachal Pradesh have been agitating against more dam building on Siang river, the main water flow of Brahmaputra (Yarlung Zangbo) from Tibet, China. In a recent meeting on 'Policy Dialogue for Governance of the Brahmaputra River' held in Itanagar, the capital city of Arunachal Pradesh the anti-dam leaders cleared their position while state government officials and some experts had emphasised dam building on Siang (Brahmaputara). But, the anti-dam movement leaders have not changed their stand. Both Union and state...
After the Pink-headed Duck and the King Vulture, the magnifient White-bellied Heron (WBH) in Assam is all set to go the Dodo way. The absence or disappearance of the White bellied Heron is a matter of grave concern for conservationists. The bird is on the edge of extinction or may have gone extinct in Assam since sighting of the bird becomes very rare. Ornithologists say, there may be a few White bellied herons left in Manas National Park along the Bhutan border, but not sure whether they are resident or flew in from the Bhutan side. A few years back, photograph of this rare bird with a noose around its neck in a village in lower Assam sent shock waves among bird lovers of the state. There...
Elephants on the Line (EOL), a programme to reduce man-animal conflict along Indo-Bhutan in Assam, is showing results. Casualities on both sides came down to 90 percent with measures by EOL with the help of community, local administration, forest department, All Bodo Stuedents Union, Adivasi Students Union, local NGOs and various tea gardens in Udalguri district, said Jayanta Kumar Das, coordinator of the programme. Udalguri district reports the highest HEC- related human and elephant death rates for the Bhutan-Indian transboundary elephant population, as well as the highest recent HEC death rates in Assam and India as a whole. Media and local forest department reported death of 13...
Comments
I visited Panbang twice this
Pages
Add new comment