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Celebrating the Richness of Mountain, Nature & Culture


Chief-guest being led to the celebration ground by Hon'ble Lyonpo

The second annual nomads’ festival was held from 8-10 March 2011, at Wangchuck Centennial Park, Nagsephel, Bumthang.
One of the several rationales for hosting such a grand festival dedicated to the semi nomads of the eight Dzongkhags was to bring together these communities & herders to showcase their varied cultures, traditions and experiences. The semi nomads from Haa, Paro, Thimphu, Gasa, Wangduephodrang, Bumthang, Trashi Yangtse and Trashigang participated in the event.
The Hon’ble Minister, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Lyonpo (Dr.) Pema Gyamtsho in his welcome address reminded the nomads of their sacred and indispensible duty of contributing towards sovereignty of our Country by acting as a buffer zone at the bordering areas. This they can further re-enforce by continuous stay and taking care of their ancestral farmland. The Hon’ble Lyonpo, highlighted his visit to highland areas where he could meet only the old people and senior members of the community. Lyonpo said that with the Government policy of taking education and other social amenities closer, he hopes that the economically productive members of the family will be retained.
The festival encouraged and brought together people from all sections of the society thus minimizing the social stigma attached to some sections of our society. Several stalls exhibited RNR technologies and information providing options and making farm activities more attractive to younger generations.
To promote eco tourism and to enhance income for the local community, home stays for the guests were arranged.
The Hon’ble Chairperson of the National Council, Lyonpo Namgay Penjor, graced the festival as the chief guest. In his key-note address, Lyonpo Namgay said  that in the backdrop of negative impacts of Climate Change, the northern pastoralists has an important role to play by shouldering their ‘natural responsibility’ and he further he highlighted about the Country’s laws that has been reviewed, amended and passed by the upper house after it came to existence.
Guests, participants and visitors from adjoining communities kept themselves busy with array of programs and activities. Some of the programs and activities included exhibitions on various themes, yak shows, yak and horseback riding, yak bull lassoing and yak calf weight games and several sports kept the congregation light-hearted all throughout the festival.
The festival was also attended by Agriculture and Forests Minister, National Council Chairperson, First Secretary, Japanese Embassy, New Delhi, JICA & other Japanese Volunteers, Members of Parliament, Local Lleaders, Directors and senior officials of MoAF.
The festival was organized by Ministry of Agriculture and Forests with financial support from the Tourism Council of Bhutan.

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