Source: Kuensel
The national animal’s festival
JDNP recorded 164 Takins last year
Dressed as Lam Drukpa Kuenley, 18-year-old Jigme Thinley acted out the saint’s power by turning a goat’s head and a cow’s carcass into a Takin during the third annual Takin festival in Damji, Gasa on February 21.
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Lam Drukpa Kuenley (1455-1529) is believed to have created the national animal by his magical powers, when a group of devotees requested him to perform a miracle.
This belief was replayed by a group of Bjishong middle secondary school students at the Takin festival, which was organised together by the Jigme Dorji National Park (JDNP) and the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB).
The play on how Takin originated in Bhutan attempted to create awareness of the animal in remote Gasa, the national animal’s biggest habitat. Besides, the locals also have a close link with the animal and the annual festival would further help in promoting the animal, JDNP’s manager Lhendrup Tharchen said.
The festival also aims to develop eco-tourism by encouraging more tourists in places like Gasa where tourist arrivals are less at this time of the year.
From 146 in 2001, the number of Takins in the park has increased to 164 last year. The park’s ranger, Phuntshok who has an experience of 13 years in dealing with the animal said it was difficult to get the exact number of Takins, which is mobile by nature.
Strong conservation policy and locals’ respect to the animal are cited as reasons for the increasing number of the mammal, park officials said.
People from as far as Laya and Lunana came to witness the festival that was held at Bijshong school ground, which is surrounded by snow-capped mountains.
TCB’s assistant tourism officer, Karma Jigme said once the locals are ready to take over the festival, TCB would only provide technical support. The council this time supported with Nu 300,000. “Our target is to develop the capacity of the locals,” he said.
Tenzin Namgyel, Gasa
The national animal’s festival
JDNP recorded 164 Takins last year
Dressed as Lam Drukpa Kuenley, 18-year-old Jigme Thinley acted out the saint’s power by turning a goat’s head and a cow’s carcass into a Takin during the third annual Takin festival in Damji, Gasa on February 21.
.jpg)
Lam Drukpa Kuenley (1455-1529) is believed to have created the national animal by his magical powers, when a group of devotees requested him to perform a miracle.
This belief was replayed by a group of Bjishong middle secondary school students at the Takin festival, which was organised together by the Jigme Dorji National Park (JDNP) and the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB).
The play on how Takin originated in Bhutan attempted to create awareness of the animal in remote Gasa, the national animal’s biggest habitat. Besides, the locals also have a close link with the animal and the annual festival would further help in promoting the animal, JDNP’s manager Lhendrup Tharchen said.
The festival also aims to develop eco-tourism by encouraging more tourists in places like Gasa where tourist arrivals are less at this time of the year.
From 146 in 2001, the number of Takins in the park has increased to 164 last year. The park’s ranger, Phuntshok who has an experience of 13 years in dealing with the animal said it was difficult to get the exact number of Takins, which is mobile by nature.
Strong conservation policy and locals’ respect to the animal are cited as reasons for the increasing number of the mammal, park officials said.
People from as far as Laya and Lunana came to witness the festival that was held at Bijshong school ground, which is surrounded by snow-capped mountains.
TCB’s assistant tourism officer, Karma Jigme said once the locals are ready to take over the festival, TCB would only provide technical support. The council this time supported with Nu 300,000. “Our target is to develop the capacity of the locals,” he said.
Tenzin Namgyel, Gasa
thanks for share...
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