Bhutan reopens its gates, to theenthusiasm of all and sundry

Bhutan gates were closed in March 2020 in the wake of the outbreak of the pandemic

Pics: Courtesy & source- SNS

RAJESH SHARMA and NIRMALYA BANERJEE, EOI, JAIGAON / KOLKATA, SEPTEMBER 23, 2022 : After a hiatus of 31 months, 915 days to be precise, due to the pandemic, the Bhutan Gate at Phuentsholling reopened on Friday; to the great excitement of citizens of Bhutan in Phuentsholling and the citizens of India in Jaigon. 

Lyonchhen Lotay Tshering was present at Phuentsholling during the day, to underscore the importance of the occasion. It was an occasion of joy for people on either side ofthe border, with people from Bhutan coming down to Jaigaon in large numbers to make their shopping and people from Jaigaon crossing over to Phuentsholling too on busines, or simply to get a feel of things. 

It may be recalled that the Bhutan gates were closed in March 2020 in the wake of the outbreak of the pandemic. The consulate of Bhutan in Kolkata, as well as Bhutanese consulates indifferent countries, celebrated the occasion. 

On the day, 93 international tourists landed in Paro, Consul General of Bhutan in Kolkata Chencho Tshering said. Taking advantage of the closure of the border for nearly two and a half years ue to the pandemic, the Royal Government of Bhutan had recast its tourism policy, based on the principle of "high value low volume," he said. The Sustainable Development Fee of Rs 1,200 per person per day which Indian tourists would now have to pay would be spent on the protection of the environment of Bhutan, he said. In lieu, visitors would get "the most authentic experience of Bhutan."

Talking to the EOI, the Consul General said that the new tourism policy was still in the stage of experimentation and relaxations to entry restrictions and the requirement to pay the SDF could be considered in the case of Buddhist pilgrims from the Himalayan region in India bordering Bhutan; particularly the Kameng division of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. 

He said Indian tourists to Bhutan, whether flying into Paro or crossing through land border like Phuentsholing, Gelephu or Samdrupjongkhar, would have to obtain an online permit to enter the Himalayan kingdom; besides passport or Voter I Card. 

For people travelling to the border town of Phuentsholling for business or trade, but not beyond, the online permit would not be necessary but the identification documents would be required.