Rig Tshoel - Research Journal of the Royal Thimphu College

Editorial

2023-12-15T11:34:52+00:00

Growing up in Greater Bhutan, Scaling the Anthropogenic Stages of Life

2023-12-15T11:37:24+00:00

Korean Cosmetics, Social Media, and Global Consumerism among Thimphu College Youth

2023-12-15T11:39:22+00:00

This qualitative study aims to explore the impact of global consumerism (especially Korean cosmetics and social media) on physical beauty standards and how it affects the lifeways of Thimphu college youth. The study identifies Korean cosmetics and social media in reinforcing the adoption of Korean beauty standards and its products. We show how Korean cosmetics, and their allure, impact the
lifestyles of Thimphu college youth as they share their daily routines/steps of using Korean cosmetics and how long it takes. Notwithstanding the cultural and societal differences between Korea and Bhutan, our findings relate to the impact of Korean
cosmetics on beauty standards, including identity and gender norms in Bhutanese society.

Assessing Vegetation Dynamics in Lingzhi Using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI)

2023-12-15T11:42:40+00:00

The assessment of vegetation dynamics using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) is crucial for the development of effective strategies for biodiversity conservation and management. Using Landsat images, this article investigates the vegetation dynamics in the Bhutan highlands of Lingzhi between 2010 and 2021. The NDVI measurements were classified into five categories, and
NDVI differencing was used to determine vegetation changes over time. The main objective of the study was to assess vegetation fluctuation, which assists in the investigation of anthropogenic pressure, deforestation, urban development, natural disasters, and regular landscape changes over time. The article discovered a decline in the moderate vegetation class, which was ascribed to grassland nationalization, the legality and regularization of cordyceps collection, and a decrease in illicit cordyceps harvesting. The results highlight the need to adopt image recognition methods and the NDVI index to understand forest changes. These findings can help planners and decision-makers steer sustainable land development in similar places.

Preserving Traditional Medicinal Knowledge and its Transmission in Dorokha, Samtse, Bhutan

2023-12-15T11:46:11+00:00

Traditional ecological knowledge is often specific to a particular place or ecosystem and is deeply rooted in cultural and spiritual beliefs. It can be a valuable resource for the conservation and management of natural resources. It provides insight into the dynamics of ecosystems and impacts of human activities on the environment. Despite its potential benefits, it is often undervalued and marginalized in mainstream conservation and management efforts. To evaluate the status of traditional ecological knowledge, with special attention to traditional medicinal knowledge, this study was carried out in Dorokha Dungkhag, and data was collected through face-to-face interview. The result indicates that there is slow loss of local traditional knowledge because of several factors.

Dakwala and Communications in Bhutan: A Narrative Study of Dakwalas of Pemagatshel

2023-12-15T11:50:11+00:00

Dakwalas have been crucial to the history and socio-economic development of Bhutan by connecting leaders and communities. The evolution of the communication system in Bhutan can be traced through the usage of smoke signals, conches, shot-through arrows, and carrier messengers to the later use of modern technology. The role of Dakwalas in the communication sector has been vital for the central government in implementing and executing developmental policies. The transition in the telecommunication system has brought considerable changes to Bhutanese society and played a vital role in how people interact, today in comparison to the past. Thus, this article documents the development of the communication system in Bhutan through a narrative study conducted in Pemagatshel. Since the subject area is related to historical findings, the two Dakwalas of Pemagatshel were interviewed about their role and experiences.

Understanding Cultural, Ecological, and Indigenous Literacy in Rural Bhutan: A Case Study of Gangtey Gewog

2023-12-16T07:06:01+00:00

Recent scholarship emphasizes expanded understanding of literacy in cultural, ecological, and indigenous terms. In this context, this article examines the cultural, ecological, and indigenous knowledge of Bhutanese people residing in the rural area of Gantey Gewog. This study uses a case study approach to understand rural people’s cultural, ecological, and indigenous knowledge. Data was collected by using semi-structured interviews and field notes. This study shows that people residing in rural Bhutan have diverse knowledge, indicating that rural Bhutanese are literate and competent in indigenous, ecological, and cultural terms.

Shared Challenges Encountered by the Cottage and Small Industry in Bhutan - A Post-Pandemic Analysis

2023-12-15T11:55:20+00:00

More than 95% of the businesses in Bhutan come under Cottage and Small Industry (CSI), constituting 26116 businesses as of June 2022. However, due to a wide range of problems, CSIs are unable to survive and compete efficiently in the market. The significant role of CSI in the nation's economic growth and development necessitates timely analysis. However, no such researches have been conducted on CSIs of Bhutan.The aim of this study is to analyze their major hurdles and challenges in the post pandemic era. Additionally, this study also suggests state-of-the-art technique to address the identified problems. Based on the semi structured
interviews, the thematic analysis tool Taguette has been applied for 10 different CSIs operating in Bhutan. Based on the outcomes, we offer suggestions that may result in cost minimization (up to approx. 20%), increase in efficiency and upgradation in the operative capacities of the businesses

The consecration of a Bhutanese Drukpa Kagyu temple in Nepal

2023-12-15T11:57:43+00:00

A historical event occurred over three sunny days in November 2022, namely the consecration by senior Bhutanese officials at Kathmandu valley’s most sacred Buddhist site, Swayambhu, of a temple rebuilt after a once-in-a-hundred-year earthquake. The first part of this article provides a brief history of a Bhutanese Drukpa Kagyu temple at Swayambhu. Although the legend of Bhutan’s acquisition of this temple may be familiar to some readers, this article digs deeper into the popular oral account and shares some lesser-known material relating to the temple’s loss by Bhutan in the 19th century, a fire in 1907 which led to the change in its physical
form, and its subsequent recovery by Bhutan in the late 1970’s. The second part of this article shares documentary photos of the 2022 consecration led by the current Dorje Lopon, Sonam Gyamtsho, supported by the incarnation of Kusho Tsechu Rinpoche, Jigme Choying Norbu. Zhung Dratshang monks were assisted by monks from Sangye Choling, the largest Bhutanese gompa in Nepal.