Protecting Bhutan’s Sacred Golden Monkeys
In this episode, we journey to Bhutan, a land of mystique, natural beauty, and a culture rooted in conservation. Bhutan’s philosophy of Gross National Happiness, rather than GDP, speaks to a unique way of life.
Here, we meet Kuenzang Dorji, a passionate conservationist working to protect one of Bhutan’s most culturally significant yet endangered species – the Gee’s Golden Langur monkey.
Download an episode transcript here.
Since childhood, Kuenzang’s deep connection with Bhutan’s forests and Buddhist principles guided his path toward conservation. Now, he uses innovative, humane methods to reduce human-wildlife conflict, ensuring the survival of these sacred animals while protecting the livelihoods of local farmers.
Episode Highlights:
- Cultural Significance: Learn about the deep cultural and spiritual significance of the Golden Langur in Bhutanese society.
- Innovative Solutions: Kuenzang’s creative, non-invasive deterrents, including decoy tigers omitting predator sounds, offer a humane approach to human-wildlife conflict.
- Conservation & Coexistence: Bhutan’s unique conservation policies ensure 60% of its land remains forested, a model for the world to follow.
- Challenges: Explore the ongoing struggles of smallholder farmers as economic expansion encroaches on natural habitats, and how Kuenzang’s solutions help reduce this tension.
Kuenzang’s wish for the future? A world where every individual takes responsibility for conservation, ensuring a harmonious coexistence between people and nature.
Listen to the final episode of How To Save It now and explore Bhutan’s delicate balance between tradition, nature, and progress.
How to Save It is a podcast by the Whitley Fund for Nature, highlighting ingenious solutions from the world’s leading conservationists. Listen and rate on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
If you’re leading a grassroots conservation project in the Global South, apply for a Whitley Award today.
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