It is high time the "modern" "enlightened" world should learn from Bhutan's Phobjikha Valley what care towards environment and nature are all about.

The valley is located in Central Bhutan. In that valley stands an extremely holy Buddhist monastery named Gangteng. When the winter sets in, the highly vulnerable and endangered species named Black-necked cranes fly in the valley from Tibet. But before descending and settling around the lakes in the valley, the cranes at first circle over the monastery three times. The same process gets repeated during their return! After circling around the monastery three times, they fly towards Tibet. This unbelievable unexplained gesture of those birds have augmented the feeling of respect of the local people of Phobjikha Valley towards the Black-necked cranes. So to welcome them, the inhabitants of the valley conduct the annual Crane Festival with utmost sincerity and dignity. The upcoming kids and children are made to dress resembling the cranes and the festival goes on. This is to create awareness about the sanctity of the cranes and also to imbibe a feeling of love and respect within the children towards the birds so that the Black-necked cranes can continue to throng the valley through generations. And when the birds settle around the lakes, even local people do not venture too close near it so that the birds do not get disturbed! The area turns into a protected zone and complete silence gets maintained so as to ensure a peaceful and calm environment for the birds. Just imagine the broad-heartedness of those Bhutanese people and their concern for the environment and God-awarded lives!

Not USA or UK, neither Germany or Japan; rather Bhutan, possessing utmost respect and awarding great stress towards all things environment, ecology, social as well as human development and happiness for all is the only hope for the world if our planet needs to survive. Bhutan, with its ‘Live and Let Live’ philosophy, remains the beacon of hope in this “dog eat dog” suicidal selfish environment prevalent in this world.

"Be kind to all creatures. This is the true religion" -- Bhutan has indeed lived up to the philosophy of Lord Buddha through sheer deed.