Common Hoopoe (Upupa epops)

Common Hoopoe preparing to take off . Pic: August 2017

Bhutan is perhaps a paradise for both birds and bird lovers. However, the ongoing developmental activities are seriously posing danger not only to some weather sensitive birds but also to some other wildlife.

Hoopoes are very colorful birds and found across Africa, Europe, and East-Asia. These birds are known for their spiky crown feathers at the top of their heads; making them look a bit unique yet special.

They are actually named after the sound of their own call. It has a very pleasant and soft call of its name (hoo…po…po…). Their name is a combination of the Latin "upupa" and the Ancient Greek "epops", that basically resembles for its fan-like crest and a sound it produces. 

Although these birds are not globally considered as endangered, their population is found to be declining world-wide due to decline in their natural habitat, increasing human settlements, and pollution. On the other hand, the good news is that the overall record of the birds in Bhutan is quite an impressive one; there are over 670 bird species that are currently residing in "The Land of Happiness", and many are yet to be discovered.

However, being a "Carbon Negative Country", can we afford to remain complacent and take pride in learning about the decline in our cultural biodiversity? 

What if by any chance we happen to lose these birds? Obviously, there will be an unbalanced ecosystem. Simply losing one food from the food web poses a great thread to the survival of a viable ecosystem. Then how much do we care for our biodiversity? 

After having chased this beautiful bird for the last five years or more, I could at least come to know some of their behavior and migration patterns. Often, I had to use the "carrot and stick" approach to move forward and reach high whenever I failed to get one. Being behind this bird was more like "Titanic Game". Other times I had to be good at a "hide-and-seek" game just to see these birds around.  

You should consider yourself lucky if you happen to spot these birds near a housing colony in Zhemgang town. These birds can also be seen around hospitals (BHU-I) and Dangkhar village in the early hours of the day or late afternoon. They are found in these vicinities for feeding and breeding. These birds have a unique color, and personality. They have a characteristically long, skinny and slightly bent beak that allows them to forage on the ground, dig into the dead logs to find insects, and more importantly to feed their young ones. Their beaks are also a weapon to fight with the enemy. 

These birds favor open country with pastures, wooded areas, and broad fields. The breeding season of these birds starts from January and ends around in August. For breeding, old trees with hollows are their favorite, however, they also nest in piles of rocks and even on the ground under tree roots. It lays a maximum of twelve eggs in a season. The eggs incubation period is approximately 15 to 20 days.

Hoopoes tend to be very independent and solitary birds. They usually interact with each other only for breeding. Their average lifespan is about 10 years or so.

The main diet is insects, small reptiles, frogs and even plant matters, which means this bird is an omnivore.

They are very territorial and become aggressive upon seeing humans and other birds encroaching their areas. The female counterpart is dangerous and aggressive especially during incubation period and when it has young ones. It often ends up chasing other birds and sometimes in a brutal fight.  

"When you are alone, stressful, broken, and want to be with nature, it sings the songs of your heart, it tells you the story of your heart, and calms down your emotions. This is the power of nature and birds in particular".

I am deeply concerned about the ongoing reckless inhumane activities, which disturb our delicate ecosystem and the well-being of indigenous birds' lives. 

Birds are very important and should therefore be preserved. The unnecessary hunting of birds should be avoided at any cost and in as much as they have a destructive impact on plants, birds also contribute to the natural well-being of our environment in their own ways. 

Do you still think these birds are not important to our community? 

What can we do to prevent the loss of these bird's species from Zhemgang?

The Photo that Speaks of Two Nations

Bhutan Prince and Japan Prince

The moment I opened my FB Page on the night of 19th August, I came across this heart-warming picture of Royal Prince the Gyalsey, Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck with His Imperial Highness Prince Hisahito of Japan at Lingkana Palace in almost every FB page. It got lots of attention. To find the authentic source of the beautiful picture of two Royal Princes, I quickly searched His Majesty's FB Page and it was HM who shared this particular image on his FB Page. Out of many Royal Images, this one was at high attention and likeness, which shows that two countries have shared strong bonds and mutual respect for each other. Perhaps, it talks about the great length of history between Bhutan and Japan. 

The photo of two Royal Princes not only made me pour down my feelings, it made me feel good and connected, it made me feel proud of my small country to the outside world that size doesn't matter. There is nothing happier than this moment for the people of Bhutan and Japan to see two Royal Families coming together to share commonness and goodwill, which I feel would ultimately benefit two nations for now and for the future generations.

Japan has been a great and sincere development partner right after the establishment of diplomatic relations officially on March 28, 1986. Today Bhutan and Japan successfully completed 33 years of very successful and strong diplomatic relations that were laid down during the reign of the Great Fourth and Government of Japan. 

However, sadly so far Japan has been a lone player (one sided) to support Bhutan in the field of agriculture, construction sector (bridge), education and health and vice-versa is yet to come. Japan also has supported Bhutan heavily on machinery and other necessary foreign aid programs. 

One thing that passes through my spine every time I pass across the bridge made by Japanese Engineer is, it gives me good feelings, it makes me feel that their work ethic and strong sense of the quality work done. 

I heard from someone who has worked under Dai Nippon Construction (DNC) that Japanese people and Engineers are so particular and timely in their work. During the course of work, everybody has to wake up as early as 5 AM only to take some moment to do morning PT and relax and be ready for the day.  

But, interestingly they like light breakfast which include fruits and other necessary diets, not necessarily Rice and Ema Datsi. 

I wish and pray for an ever lasting relationship for two Royal Nations. May the light of peace always prevail under the guidance of visionary Kings of Bhutan and the Imperial Family of Japan. 

Palden Drukpa Gyalo! 

Indian PM Shri Narendra Modi on Bhutanese Soil for Second Time

Bhutan has experienced 17th and 18th of August not only as the diplomatic visit of Indian PM Shri Nadredra Modi but more importantly India as a faithful partner. The visit by Shri Modi seems something very special and Extraordinary about the age old relationship between two countries and Bhutan's diplomatic ties with India and Indians. In fact, India is everything and everywhere for Bhutan and Bhutanese. Since, almost every nuts and bolts comes are Indian made and therefore, we must value India as one of the very sincere developmental partners of Bhutan. 

However, there is room for improvement for two countries. Any developmental activities two countries undertake to operate like Hydro-power, construction sector, agriculture and education. Whatever, we must plan it properly, mindfully, and appropriately so that we don't need to share the burden hopelessly and one lopsidedly. 

The two-day state visit of Indian PM was seen as a very successful one with formally inaugurating the Mangduechhu Hydro-power Project, Trongsa (MHPA), inside the century old Simotokha Dzong. With signing of documents, Modi's government has assured many beautiful dreams for two countries with MHPA generating huge revenue for both India and Bhutan. However, I hope hydro-power loans remain least active and silent inside Simtokha Dzong under the feet of Zhabdrung. 

I am quite sure Shri Modi would have experienced not only a good sum of Bhutanese culture and tradition, heavy greetings and warm hospitality, style and uniqueness but also official Bhutanese food with the Great Fourth, His Majesty the King, the Queen, Royal families and other dignitaries. 

Like Zhabdrung, I just hope that India respects Bhutan's sovereignty as Shri Modi imbibes valuable lessons from Zhabdrung's blessing from the secret room of Bhutan's Capital. 

I pray for long and stable friendship to remain ever between two countries not only for Modi's government but for eternal. 

Hai Hind India! Long Live India! and Modi's government!

Chopstick Lesson from Korea – II

Chopsticks are thin and small utensils made out of bamboo, plastics, steel, wood, etc. It always comes in pairs and has two parts – pointing part and thick part.

It is one of the most versatile utensils used in South Korea. It is everything for them –fork, spoon, pair of tongs, knife, and whisk.

However, for some who have not grown up using them would face some difficulties. So, here is the simple step-by-step guide.

Step 1:

Make your dominant hand loose. Take one chopstick and place it in the valley between your pointer finger and thumb. Balance it on your ring finger. This holding should not move.

Step 2:

Take the second chopstick in the valley between three fingers – thumb, pointer finger and middle finger along with the first chopstick, but rest this one on your middle finger instead of your ring finger and this should move.

Step 3:

To make it better, friendly and comfortable, use your thumb, index and middle fingers to grasp the second chopstick a bit more tightly. Move only the top stick up and down while eating or holding something.  

However, chopsticks are an important and useful tool not only in South Korea but also in China, Japan and Thailand. So, if you happen to travel around these countries, you must know some basics of chopsticks. In Korea, chopsticks are not only used for eating, but also used for cooking, picking small pieces of vegetables, etc… Obviously, one can do many more things with chopsticks.

It is not only enough to know about the usage of the chopstick. There are Chopsticks Etiquettes while eating.

So here are some of the simple things you can do and you cannot do with chopstick when you are in chopstick country. 

Be careful and look around if you are in doubt!  

Never use chopsticks to say goodbye or welcome your friends or anybody, or say something like hi, or I am here, or please come, etc…, 

Never use chopsticks to pick some food or eatables and pass to somebody, passing something chopstick-to-chopstick in the air is considered as very bad manners. 

Never ever suck chopstick while eating or after you are done with eating. Also never hold chopsticks down ward and stab the food and eat. If you follow all these simple tips regarding chopsticks and the manners one can easily survive in the Chopstick Culture Country.