Environmental research

Singye Dzong in Lhuentse is located within the Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary close to the Tibetan boarder. Thousands of pilgrims visit the place and houses several individual retreats and two pilgrimage rest houses. They currently use kerosene lamps, candles and other sources of light energy. In a year, the monks and pilgrims easily use up over 1500 liters of kerosene, several bundles of of candles and countless batteries all adding to carbon dioxide emission and hazardous wastes (from batteries). They also burn atleast 24 cubic meters of fuelwood and yakdungs annually adding carbondioxide and carbonmonoxide. With assistence from BWS, the Tsango Chiwog Tshogpa (TCT) has been actively involved in activities aimed at reducing biodiversity loss, reducing use of fossil fuels, and in empowering women weavers towards greater financial independence. TCT proposes to electrify all the monasteries, meditation centers and rest houses in the Singye Dzongk area with solar photovoltaic units so that use of fossil fuels, candles and battery cells will be reduced. In order to ensure sustainability, it proposes to train two women and one man as solar technicians in collaboration with the Tarayana Foundation. The project activities includes: 1. Procurement of solar sets; 2. Training of technicians; 3. Transportation of supplies till road end; 4. Transportation of supplies from road end to the project sites; 5. Installation of the solar lights

Bhutan