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3. HEALTH AND
ENVIRONMENT
3.1 General
protection of the environment
Bhutan is one of the rarest countries,
where it has been found that the forest cover is increasing over the years.
Through special conservation programmes, forest and wild life are protected.
There are special pockets in the country that are demarcated as conservation
sanctuaries for wild life. Re-plantation is carried out on the slopes that
are denuded from landslides and forest fires. Some special areas are marked
and protected for growing medicinal herbs for the country’s traditional
system of medicine.
With the
growth of urban areas and industries, the problem of urban and industrial
waste is now coming up. Programmes for such waste disposal have been
initiated in the major settlements and industrial areas. Initiatives have
been taken to develop guidelines for prevention of occupational hazards in
work areas.
Related Links
 Environment
- WHO/SEARO
National
Environment and Health Action plans – WHO/SEARO
Public health and environment
- WHO/HQ
3.2 Water supply and sanitation
Since the 7th Plan both rural and urban water supply and
sanitation has been treated as one of the country’s central development themes.
Its coverage has now reached up to 80 percent.
During the same decade, as a result of the
1992 Royal Decree, rural household sanitation coverage in terms of latrines
has accelerated considerably. The Decree mandated that every household should
maintain a latrine. With all the efforts, the country succeed in providing
access of safe drinking water to 84 percent of the population in 2003 and
covering 93 percent population with improved sanitation in 2003.
Related Links
Water and
Sanitation - WHO/SEARO
Water
and Sanitation - WHO/HQ
Water - WHO/SEARO
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