KYUDAI NEWS KYUSHU UNIVERSITY CAMPUS MAGAZINE Spring 2014 No.25

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A scatter of small settlements characterized by harmonious combination of traditional buildings and impressive patterns of land use such as green gradation of paddy terraces, colorful patchwork of pastures and agricultural elds is a common panorama in Bhutan, where the people have continued their livelihood by adapting with geographical and climate variations and social and cultural fabrics in different localities. Over two thousand temples located in every corner of the country have been serving as centres of religious activities as well as of community bonds. Ancient fortresses called dzong situated at strategic locations such as the conuence between two rivers or a top hills giving magnicent views have accommodated dual functions of district administrative and monastic living which tradition dates back to the 17th century. Furthermore, Bhutan has ratied two UNESCO conventions, the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage in 2001 and the Convention for the Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2005, which documents encourage the state parties to integrate the protection / safeguarding of heritage into comprehensive planning programs. In March 2012, the Royal Government of Bhutan submitted the tentative list of eight properties, including four cultural properties, to move forward to potential inscription in the World Heritage list (which requires the state party to take the appropriate legal measures necessary for its protection). Since March 2011, Kyushu University in cooperation with UNESCO Delhi has provided technical expertise for the drafting of the bills upon request by the Director General of the DoC. Technical cooperation to establish a legal framework in the culture sector in BhutanIt was only in the early 1960's when development including the rst vehicle road construction was started in Bhutan. The unique development philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH) has guided the nation to achieve a harmonious balance between material well-being and the spiritual, emotional and cultural needs of the society. Nevertheless, it is observed that the drastic socio-economic changes in recent years have caused substantial challenges to sustain cultural heritage which has been closely interwoven with the people’s daily life and the local communities. Confronting such challenges, the Department of Culture (DoC) in the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs, the central government agency of Bhutan being responsible for protection and promotion of culture has determined to develop a legal framework to protect cultural heritage. Three bills; Archives Bill, Heritage Sites Bill and Intangible Cultural Heritage Bill are scheduled to be prepared in accordance with the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan, promulgated in 2007 prior to the completion of political transformation to democracy in 2008. Kyudai News No.2515Cultural Heritage in Bhutan1Meeting of Drafting of the Heritage Sites ActBackground and status of the ProjectPunakha DzongClose Up

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