Strengthening India-Bhutan Relations Through Ecological Diplomacy: A Proposal for a Transboundary Peace Park

 

A warm and friendly relationship exists between India and Bhutan based on shared cultural, geographical, and economic ties. Through various cooperative initiatives, this bond has grown stronger over time. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been focusing on deepening ties with Bhutan in recent years, making his first foreign trip as prime minister to Bhutan in 2014. Over the years, numerous collaborative efforts have further strengthened the relationship between the two nations, encompassing hydropower, education, technology, sports, and security.

Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck visited New Delhi last year and engaged in discussions with Prime Minister Modi on advancing economic and strategic partnerships between the two countries. Bhutan remains India's steadfast partner in South Asia, supporting Bhutan's 13th Five-Year Plan (2024-29) and India’s support for RGoB’s Economic Stimulus Programme. Initiatives like the Gelephu Mindfulness City Special Administrative Region, cross-border rail links, clean energy projects, the Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project, and the 1020 MW Punatshangchhu-II hydropower demonstrate India's commitment to Bhutan's sustainable development goals.

Recently, Assam's Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, visited Bhutan's capital, Thimphu, strengthening traditional relations with Assam. In addition to Bhutan's recognition of Assam's crucial role in fostering cross-border collaboration, this engagement provides a unique opportunity for India and Bhutan to strengthen their diplomatic ties.

Taking advantage of this growing camaraderie, it is an opportune time to transition from political diplomacy to ecological diplomacy, which will ensure that both countries collaborate on protecting and conserving their shared ecologically significant landscapes. The Transboundary Manas Conservation Area (TraMCA) is an excellent example of such collaboration. Its unique geographical location as a gateway to the Indo-Malayan and Indo-Chinese biogeographic regions, along with the representation of the Ethiopian and Australasian biogeographic pathways, makes it a biodiversity hotspot. This transboundary landscape, which encompasses an area of over 6750 km,² is a region of high biodiversity that extends along southeastern Bhutan and northeastern India. The Manas Tiger Reserve in India and the Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan form the heart of this biologically outstanding transboundary space, which is home to endangered flagship species such as tigers, elephants, rhinos, and more than 1,500 other species of mammals, birds, and vascular plants.

This pristine landscape offers opportunities for protecting nature and promoting cooperation between people from both sides of the border. Thus, in addition to protecting species and ecosystems, it can also play a major role in bringing together divided communities, bringing together people from various cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds, stimulating social and economic benefits, strengthening political relationships, and reducing tensions.

On an experimental level, both countries initiated scientific monitoring of tigers within Manas National Park (India) and Royal Manas National Park (Bhutan) over a decade ago, resulting in positive outcomes. However, the absence of proper dialogue at the government level on ecological diplomacy has hindered the process. In addition, human encroachment and development activities rapidly threaten the entire landscape, with habitat degradation and wildlife crime exacerbating the situation in certain pockets. Therefore, much attention and additional effort are necessary to conserve this enchanting natural landscape.

The first proposal for a 'Peace Park' or 'Friendly Park' was discussed during two TrMCA-level meetings in Thimphu, Bhutan, in 2017. However, these discussions were localized, involving only forest officials and various NGO representatives. The unique concept had not yet progressed to bilateral discussions. Initially, the two adjoining protected areas, Phibsoo and Raimona (Earlier Ripu reserve) in India, were suggested as a 'Peace' or 'Friendly Park.' However, many experts recommend including the entire India & Bhutan transboundary landscape to be declared as a Peace Park. This initiative would enhance ecological diplomacy between the two nations, fostering collaboration on conservation at an unprecedented scale and developing a unique biodiversity conservation approach alongside political diplomacy.

This initiative could serve as a model for resolving disputes and transforming sensitive interstate and national boundaries into productive, sustainable areas. By promoting conservation and sustainable development in shared landscapes, ecological diplomacy can mitigate border tensions and encourage cooperative management of natural resources. Globally, peace parks have successfully demonstrated how transboundary conservation can strengthen international relations and build trust between nations.

The Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park is an excellent example of a peace park established to celebrate longstanding peaceful relations between Canada and the United States. The Cordillera Del Condor Peace Park, shared between Ecuador and Peru, is a prime example of how transboundary conservation efforts can help foster peace. By cooperating in order to make it happen, both countries were able to make lasting improvements on the relationship between them.

Similarly, a transboundary peace park between India and Bhutan could demonstrate how shared ecological responsibilities can transform potential conflicts into opportunities for cooperation and mutual prosperity.

The success of a transboundary peace park would depend on robust governance structures and active community engagement. This landscape has already provided a foundation for transboundary collaboration, and building on this foundation, the Peace Park could establish a joint management framework involving conservation authorities, local governments, communities, and non-governmental organizations from both nations.

Community participation would be central to the success of the Peace Park. The livelihoods of local communities, particularly those dependent on natural resources, should be integrated into the conservation framework. Activities such as ecotourism, nature-based enterprises, and sustainable agriculture could provide alternative livelihoods while fostering environmental stewardship. This is also helping to resolve ever-emerging human-wildlife conflict, forest land conversion to other means of development, and encroachment issues.

By working together to protect shared natural heritage, India and Bhutan can set a global example of how ecological cooperation can enhance international relations, resolve border issues, and build a sustainable future for people and wildlife alike. This initiative would leave a lasting legacy of peace, prosperity, and environmental harmony for generations to come.