1. Gross National Happiness: Its relevance for Bhutan and its indicators Thimphu City Corporation 15 th Feb 2011 Bologna, Italy

3. Salient features of Bhutan Location: between China and India Population : 6,35,000 (2005) Area: 39,000 Sq. km Free Health care Free education till graduation Absence of caste stratification

4. Presentation Outline Definition of GNH Origin of GNH as a concept Four pillars of GNH Nine Domains of GNH The Indicators

5. “Every man wants to be happy but in order to be so one must know what happiness is”

6. GNH: What is it? A development model Considering all aspects of development Understanding that Happiness is the innermost desire of every human being

7. Origin of GNH The 4 th King of Bhutan (1974) He was then 17 years old and The youngest Monarch in the word

8. Four Pillars of GNH Sustainable and equitable socioeconomic development Environment Conservation Preservation and Promotion of Culture Good governance

9. Economic Development GNH does not reject the conventional economic development model Considers social and equitable development Bottom - up approach in development

10. Environment Conservation Forest cover is about 72% 29 % is protected areas (Parks and Biological Corridors etc) 60 % forest cover to be maintained for all times to come (Constitution) Emphasis on hydro- power Export of ban on timber

11. Culture and tradition Preservation of traditional societal norms Strong extended family system Institutions have been established to promote both performing and non-performing arts

12. Good Governance Gradual democratic process was introduce In 2008 government was elected by the People Local Government Act passed for further decentralization Check and balance system Extensive fight on corruption (ACC)

13. Nine Domains of GNH Psychological Well-being Time Use Community Vitality Culture Health Education Environmental Diversity Living Standard Governance

14. Indicators General psychological distress indicator Emotional balance indicators Spirituality indicators Family vitality indicator Safety indicator Trust indicator Social support indicator Socialization indicator

15. Indicators (Contd’) Dialect use indicator Traditional sports indicator Community festival indicator Artisan skill indicator Value transmission indicator Basic precept indicator

16. Health status indicator Health knowledge indicator Barrier to health indicator Education attainment indicator Ecological degradation indicator Ecological knowledge indicator Indicators (Contd’)

17. Income indicator Housing indicator Food security indicator Hardship indicator Government performance indicator Freedom indicator Institutional trust indicator Indicators (Contd’)

18. Way forward Operationalizing the GNH Debate among the scholars around the world International seminars are being held Some even propose “Operationalizing GNH as the eight MDG”