Bhutan has drawn up ambitious plans to replace its taxis and government vehicles with electric cars in a bid to make the national capital Thimpu an electric vehicles hotspot and emerge as a global centre for development of green technology. Read more in this November 2013 edition of the Monthly Bhutan State of the Environment Report published by the South Asia Environment Portal. Read and Share.

FORESTS

From 2012 till date, forest officials in Bhutan recorded 34 cases of forest fire across the country that burnt more than 12,000 acres in the dry winter months of November until February. Between 2011 and 2012 they had recorded 39 cases of forest fire that burnt more than 10,000 acres of forest.

POLLUTION
Bhutan has drawn up ambitious plans to replace its taxis and government vehicles with electric cars in a bid to make the national capital Thimpu an electric vehicles hotspot and emerge as a global centre for development of green technology. It will replace the 2,500 taxis in Thimphu with electric cars and also phase out fuel-powered government vehicles used by senior cabinet ministers and officials.

HEALTH AND OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS
Despite increasing incidence of new HIV infection every year in Bhutan and even as it prepares to observe the World Aids Day on December 1, the total prevalence of HIV still remains less than 0.1 percent of the population, said health officials.

ENERGY
As Bhutan Power Corporation (BPC) bill collectors make their trips to villages in Trashigang and Trashiyangtse, officials said revenue collection would be slashed almost by half, with the 100-unit free electricity coming into effect from November.

LIVING RESOURCES
Roosting and foraging area for black-necked cranes in Bumthang of Bhutan, should be included in conserved areas, a study conducted on fluctuating population of the endangered bird, recommended.