Amending and strengthening Bhutan's National Waste Regulations

Over the past month Himalayan Consensus has been serving in Bhutan, as adviser to the National Environmental Commission on reform of the Waste and Prevention Act of Bhutan. Himalayan Consensus founder Laurence Brahm is an international lawyer by background and has been working with Bhutan's National Environmental Commission helping to integrate the national integrated solid waste management strategy of 2014 with the previous regulations that were written in 2009.

National Environmental Commission Secretary Dasho Ugyen Tshering, the highest-ranking leader overseeing national environmental policies and their implementation as called for a "zero waste target" for Bhutan to "end the samsara of waste" through policies of strict penalties as well as business incentives. 

Joining us in the meeting is Kun Zang, who is the chief legal officer of the National Environmental Commission. Together we are discussing the steps for revitalizing the regulations and making them more practical, drawing on a combination of international experience and local input.

Himalayan Consensus is a multi-stakeholder process aimed at achieving consensus for pragmatic solutions.

The National Environmental Commission is convening meetings of local officials, monks, military, police, and all participants in the Bhutanese economy, seeking solutions for waste recycling treatment for a better environment.

The process is consultative across three days of work. Front row center is Dasho Ugyen Tshering, the secretary of the National Environmental Commission. Kunzang is head of legal department of the National Environmental Commission, working daily with Laurence Brahm and teams that are evaluating the legislation and changing it.