Role Of Community In Environment Conservation: A Comparison Of North East India And Bhutan

Abstract

North-East India and Bhutan share a common ecological heritage in the Eastern Himalayas, but they differ significantly in size, population density, and environmental conservation approaches. Both regions are ecologically rich, with North-East India belonging to the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot and Bhutan being part of the fragile Himalayan ecosystem. Bhutan has achieved carbon negativity through strong holistic conservation policies. Environmental conservation strategies differ in both regions due to cultural, political, and policy variations. North-East India's conservation efforts are shaped by central and state laws, along with tribal governance systems, leading to diverse and sometimes fragmented approaches. In contrast, Bhutan follows a centralized approach, with its constitution mandating 60% forest coverage and integrating conservation into its development model through the Gross National Happiness framework. Bhutanese conservation is also deeply rooted in Buddhist principles.

While both regions value community-driven conservation, Bhutan’s cohesive and constitutionally backed policies provide a more structured approach. In contrast, conservation efforts in North-East India are characterized by fragmented and almost state-specific approaches, rather than a cohesive regional strategy.