BLACK-NECKED CRANE FESTIVAL
BACKGROUND
Organized by: Phobjikha Conservation Area Program
Committee in association with RSPN. 
(Royal
Society for the Protection of Nature)
The first ever Black Necked Crane Festival
was held in 1998 in Phobjikha valley in Wandue Phodrang Dzongkha
in western Bhutan in collaboration with the RSPN and the Phobjikha
Communtiy Committee.
Phobjikha is a relatively wide and beautiful
valley floor largely composed of marshes vegetated by dwarf
bamboo. Located at 3,000 m above the sea level, it is an officially
declared conservation area as it is one of the major winter
habitats of the rare and endangered Black Nacked Cranes in Bhutan.
The beautiful and majestic Black Necked Cranes
(Grus Nigricollis) have been described by the conservationists
as the least known of all the 15 crane species. This species
was the last of the world's Crane species to be
discovered in 1876 by the Great Russian naturalist- explorer
Prejevalsky near lake KoKo Nor in Notheastern Tibet. Currently
the Black Necked Crane is listed as vulnerable by the International
Union for the conservation of Nature and natural resources (IUCN
1988) as the recent counts indicate the total numbers of BNC
to be between 5,000 and 6,000 individuals worldwide.
The Black Necked Cranes have always been a
part of life of the local people at Phobjikha valley. They are
reflected in local culture, tradition and beliefs. Indeed these
birds are referred to locally as "heavenly birds".
But people's priorities are changing. Though rules and regulations
for Black necked Cranes conservation are imposed, due to human
needs and modern development, pressures on Black Necked Cranes
habitat are likely to grow. It has been found that the goal
of conserving these rare species and their habitat can be successful
only if people see economic benefits arising from conservation
activites. Hence, it has become essential that efforts must
be made to establish a visible link between conservation programs
and the materials well being of the people.
The above concerns have stimulated RSPN to
initiate various conservation activities that integrate conservation
and development. The Black Necked Crane festival is one of these.
The first crane festival in 1998 was entirely financed by RSPN.
The 1999 festivals will be entirely organized by the Phobjikha
Area Conservation Program Committee with RSPN playing a supporting
role. All tourists will pay US$ 50 as an entrance fee that will
go towards organizational costs of the festivals and towards
the development of the Phobjikha Community development projects,
which will eventually ensure the conservation of the rare Black
Necked Cranes and their habitat. The entrance fee will not include
any food, loding or transport. But there will be food stalls,
which will serve local cuisine along with other varieties of
food.
The 1998 festivals was huge success. The local
people are very optimistic that this year's festivals will be
even better. You can help us make this year's festivals a success
by attending yourself. This will contribute
substantially to the local economy and thus convince the local
community that no economic opportunities have been forgone as
a result of conservation of these cranes. Rather this will also
make them view conservation of the cranes as an economic benefit
for the long term, which will also protect and save these cranes
and their habitat.
( Festival is between
11-12 November every year, to be confirmed again )
DAY 01: ARRIVAL AT PARO - THIMPHU
Arrival at Paro Airport, and transfer to Hotel in Thimphu. The
drive to Thimphu the capital of Bhutan is one and half hours
drive through terraced fields along the riverbanks. Overnight
at the hotel.
DAY 02: THIMPHU - GANGTEY (Phobjikha)
After breakfast drive to Gangtey (Phobjikha) for the Crane festival.
You will drive over the Dochu la pass, which is at an altitude
of 3050m. You will see a spectacular view of the Himalayan ranges
including the highest
mountain of Bhutan Gangkarphunsum (7497m) and many other ranges.
Stop for lunch at Wangdi. Overnight in Phobjikha (Camp) OR Village
Farm House.
DAY 03: PHOBJIKHA (Crane Festival)
Go Top
Tentative
program:
Early morning (optional)
Visit the crane roost with professional to count the cranes
and observe them fly to their daytime feeding areas.
…. 00 A.M Move to the primary school
ground - the venue for the festival.
…. A.M Arrival of chief guest who will
be escorted to the ground in a traditional procession ceremony.
…. A.M onwards-National flag hoisting
ceremony Marching ceremony (wine offering) welcome address by
the chairman of the Phobjikha community or the Dzongdah (Dzongkhag
Administrator).
Address by the chief Guest.
March pass by the local primary school students.
Cultural Programme
various folk and mask dances performed by
the students, women and the monks of Phobjikha valley. Simultaneously
archery, dart and Degor matches will be played.
Evening:
Watch the cranes fly over to Phobjikha from
Tibet, as migrating towards Phobjikha will still be continuing.
Camp Fire for the guest Movie for public
DAY04: PHOBJIKHA /PUNAKHA
After breakfast drive to Punakha. The lunch
will be served at Wangdi in the local restaurant. After lunch
visit Wangdi market and continue drive to Punakha. Visit Punakha
Dzong and local sightseeing.
DAY 05: PUNAKHA - THIMPHU
After breakfast drive to Lobeysa and then walk
half an hour to Chime Lhakang. The "THE TEMPLE OF FERTILITY"
(It was built in 1949 by the 14th Drukpa hierarch, Ngawang choegyel,
the site having formally been blessed by the famous divine mad
man, Drukpa Kunley, who built a small chorten there. The Temple
is now a pilgrim site for those women who are unable to bear
children. If you are interested you can make a special wish.
After the visit
continue the drive to Thimphu. Afternoon free and easy. Overnight
in Hotel.
DAY 06: THIMPHU - PARO
Morning visit Memorial Chorten, and drive
to see Takin (Bhutan's national animal) in Motithang. Visit
Nunnery Monastery, Arts and Crafts centre. National memorial
chorten and Folk heritage museum.
Afternoon drive to Paro. On the way visit
Simtokha Dzong (the oldest Dzong in Bhutan) and today it is
a house of the traditional school. Overnight in Hotel.
DAY 07: PARO
Whole day sightseeing in Paro includes a visit
to selected monasteries, farm house and the National Museum,
Paro dzong.
Optional: A day’s excursion to Taktsang
Monastery, up to the cafeteria. It is two to three hour's walk
up and an hour's walk down. If You are unable to walk can take
the horse ride up but have to walk down.
DAY 08: PARO - DEPARTURE
Early break fast and drive the Paro Airport
for your departure.
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