Zhemgang

Zhemgang District  share its borders with Sarpang, Trongsa, Bumthang, Mongar and Samdrup Jongkhar. It also connects with the border of Assam, India.

The dominant language in Zhemgang is Khengkha. Khengkha speakers historically maintained close contact with Kurtöpkha, Nupbikha, and Bumthangkha speakers to the north. The close contact has classified Khengkha and other languages as part of the Bumthang language group. By all accounts, the Kheng is more closely related to the people of central Bhutan than they are to their neighbors in eastern Bhutan, who are primarily Sharchops.

Most of Zhemgang District is part of the protected areas of Bhutan. Zhemgang’s environmentally protected areas include Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park and Royal Manas National Park. These parks connect to Phrumsengla National Park in the north via a biological corridor that bisects Zhemgang.

Until recently, the tiny Asian kingdom of Bhutan remained tucked away in total isolation from the rest of the world. That segregation helped to preserve its deep Buddhist traditions, the importance of the family, and pristine landscapes. It’s also made it a fascinating country to study.

•  One of 43 landlocked countries in the world, Bhutan is about half the size of the state of Indiana.
• The word “Bhutan” translates to “Land of the Thunder Dragon.” It earned the nickname because of the fierce storms that often roll in from the Himalayas.
• Bhutan is the first country in the world with specific constitutional obligations on its people to protect the environment. Among its requirements: At least 60 percent of the nation must remain under forest cover at all times.
• One-third of Bhutan’s population is under the age of 14; its median age is 22.3 years.
• Bhutan is the only nation in the world where the sale of tobacco is banned.
•  At 24,840 feet, Gangkhar Puensum is the highest point in Bhutan—and the highest unclimbed mountain in the world.
• Bhutanese manners dictate that you are to refuse food whenever it’s offered to you. The tradition is to say the words “meshu meshu” and cover your mouth with your hands. You can give in, though, after two or three offers.
• A court could sentence someone to life in prison if they kill a highly endangered and culturally sacred black-necked crane.
•  Bhutan is one of the last countries in the world to introduce television to its people. The government lifted a ban on TV—and on the Internet—only 11 years ago.

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