Bhutan’s Laya village, perched high in the mountains, has found a way to embrace ecotourism and maintain its pristine environment, all thanks to the Royal Highland Festival. This secluded village has garnered immense attention due to its unique highland culture and breathtaking landscapes, attracting thousands of visitors. However, this newfound popularity presented a unique challenge – how to manage the influx of tourists while safeguarding the environment, culture, and well-being of its residents.
Ecotourism: The Key to Sustainability
To address this challenge, the principles of ecotourism became the guiding light for Laya. Bhutan defines ecotourism as responsible travel that aligns with Gross National Happiness, focusing on a “high-value low-volume” tourism policy. This approach promotes sustainable tourism, ensuring that the impact on the environment and local culture remains minimal.
A Community-Based Approach
Laya’s success story is a testament to the effectiveness of community involvement. The Dzongkhag (district) and Gewog (block) administrations collaborated closely with the local community, giving them responsibilities and ownership throughout the festival’s lifecycle. Preparation, execution, and post-festival cleanup are all community-driven efforts, enabling Laya to preserve its pristine environment while reaping the benefits of tourism.
Shared Responsibilities
Preparations for the Royal Highland Festival were a community-wide effort. Each household contributed a volunteer for two days, sharing the responsibilities. School children, led by their teachers, took part in post-festival cleanup, collecting waste to showcase the village’s commitment to cleanliness. Even the festival ground, Langothang, saw representatives from each household dismantling tents and cleaning up after the event concludes.
Homestays and Porters: A Win-Win
Laya’s residents actively manage homestay and porter businesses, spreading the benefits within the community. Over a quarter of the village’s households open their doors to guests, providing a unique opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in Layap culture and daily life. Homestay rates are kept modest and are regulated to ensure fair pricing.
Moreover, the village’s porters offer festival-related services at reduced rates, prioritizing service over profit. This commitment to maintaining their pristine environment reflects the villagers’ understanding of the importance of preservation.
Preserving Heritage and Environment
The Royal Highland Festival not only celebrates Laya’s unique culture and stunning natural beauty but also sets an exemplary standard for sustainable and responsible tourism. Through community involvement, cleanliness initiatives, and the application of ecotourism principles, Laya continues to thrive as a cultural and ecotourism hub while preserving its environment and heritage.
Finding the Perfect Balance
Bhutan’s Royal Highland Festival, as witnessed in Laya, demonstrates that achieving a harmonious equilibrium between tourism and conservation is not only possible but essential. By ensuring the well-being and happiness of its residents, Bhutan showcases the potential of sustainable tourism in safeguarding natural beauty and cultural heritage.
