Dchs
In celebration of the consecration of Pemagatshel Dzong, the Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development is pleased to publish the report for Pemagatshel Dzong Construction Project. The project implemented by Heritage Sites and Archaeology Division under Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development, Ministry of Home Affairs, commenced in July 2012 with financial support from Government of India (Nu. 530 million) and Royal Government of Bhutan (Nu. 185 million). The project was successfully completed in December 2020.
Bumthang – Download in PDF Format
Mongar– Download in PDF Format
Trashigang- Download in PDF Format
(Damchoe Lhakhang, Wangdue and Uesa, Wangdue)
-Published by Division for Conservation of Heritage Sites.
(Eusana, Paro and Eut ok Goenpa, Paro)
-Published by Division for Conservation of Heritage Sites
(Pathari, Punakha)
-Published by Division for Conservation of Heritage Sites
(Tana, Punakha)
-Published by Division for Conservation of Heritage Sites
(World Bank Group)
-Published by Division for Conservation of Heritage Sites
-A cultural site of Bhutan
-Published by Division for Conservation of Heritage Sites
– Archaeology in Bhutan
-Published by Division for Conservation of Heritage Sites
–its interpretation and ways to enhance the safeguarding of cultural landscape
A Cultural Landscape is the result of harmonious interaction between humankind and its natural environment. Such landscapes are thus illustrative of the evolution of human society and settlement over time. Some elements that constitute cultural landscape are traditional buildings, rice terraces, pasture lands, community forests, scared places and mountain passes. Cultural Landscape reflects specific culture, indigenous knowledge and techniques of sustainable land-use and spiritual association of human with the nature.
Bhutan as a whole reflects a unique cultural landscape bearing witness to a distinctive history, culture, wisdom and custom of the people of Bhutan. Sustaining this cultural landscape would strengthen national cohesion, identity and unity of the people of Bhutan benefitting both the present and future generations. Therefore, it is the responsibility of every citizen of Bhutan to safeguard individual heritage sites and the cultural landscape in general.
-Published by Division for Conservation of Heritage Sites
The draft Bill, in its current form, has three main goals:
Goal 1:To broaden the recognition of and instill values in Bhutan’s cultural landscape, with an emphasis on contributing to societal well-being and continued evolution.
Goal 2:To foster citizens’ responsibility for heritage conservation in Bhutan.
Goal 3:To promote the comprehensive stewardship of heritage sites across the country and their tangible and intangible assets as a foundation to improve local economy, ecology, and social conditions, and thereby raise self-esteem and community vitality.
-Published by Division for Conservation of Heritage Sites
Natural disasters represent nature at its most destructive form. The wrathful form of the Four Elements of nature -Earth, Water, Fire and Wind -experienced through earthquakes, landslides, volcanoes, floods, tsunamis, forest fires and wind storms are caused due to interruption in the relationships of these four elements in nature. It is believed in many indigenous communities that the key to mitigate the impact of disasters lies in living in harmony with these four elements of nature as they are not just causes of disasters but also nurture mankind. In this context, local communities around the world have adapted cultural and traditional practices to live in harmony with nature. These are invaluable sources of knowledge and local technology developed over many centuries. Since the main objective of the Conference is to highlight the indigenous practices and traditions in mitigating the impact of disasters, the International Conference on Disaster Management and Cultural Heritage, therefore adopted the theme “Living in Harmony with the Four Elements”.
-Published by Division for Conservation of Heritage Sites
This manual aims to point out the general Dos and Don’ts for constructing traditional timber framework in Bhutan. The timber joinery details presented in this manual have been drawn from proper traditional techniques practiced by the local craftsman.It may be noted that with the introduction of nails, the practice of using these joinery details have been abandoned by most of the local craftsman.
-Published by Division for Conservation of Heritage Sites
The monuments for this survey were selected from National Inventory carried out by Division for Conservation of Architectural Heritages based on the following criteria:
1.Monuments that were established before the 17th century
2.Monuments that has more historical and architectural significance
Objective:
To provide following information for the selected twenty six monuments under Wangduephodrang Dzongkhag:
1.Historical background of the monument, as per the information provided by caretaker/lam of the monument
2.Photographic documentation of the monument
3.Architectural documentation of the monument
-Published by Division for Conservation of Heritage Sites
Project Objectives
1.To create awareness among the Bhutanese people on the importance of conserving architectural heritage such as dzongs, lhakhangs, goenpas, vernacular building and other histroic structures, especially those which are closely related to people’s daily life.
2.To encourage the Bhutanese to participate in the conservation of the architectural heritage in their locality.
3.To provide any opportunity for people to exchange views and ideas on conserving architectural heritage in the country.This could help in the creation of appropriate principles and methods on conservation which are also based on Bhutanese local cultural values.
4.To analyse and study how conservation of architectural heritage is “viewed” by the Bhutanese people, especially the youth, so as to effectively plan further awareness programs.
5.To provide the prize winners with an opportunity to learn about heritage conservation principles and methods of other countries which could encourage them to create awareness of the values of conservation of architectural heritage and initiate such activites within their community.
–Published by Division for Conservation of Heritage Sites
-After the September 18, 2011 Earthquake
The 18th September 2011 earthquake with the epicenter in Sikkim and recorded magnitude of 6.9 damaged several buildings in Bhutan. The Division for Conservation of Heritage Sites(DCHS) office under the Department of Culture immediately deputed a team to the affected areas of Haa and Paro Dzongkhags, where this earthquake had damaged maximum number of buildings. The team documented the damages caused by the earthquake to the rammed earth houses so as to understand the various types of damages that had occurred on different buildings located at a particular area.
The data collected during this survey is expected to provide an overview of the performance of rammed earth houses during an earthquake. This data will also be utilized for undertaking structural analysis of traditional construction techniques in Bhutan, which are extensively, used for the construction of rural houses and heritage buildings.
– Published by Division for Conservation of Heritage Sites
Bhutan is home to a variety of heritage sites. We have scared Dzongs and temples, archaeological ruins, old houses, as well as beautiful villages and landscapes. With the onset of rapid development, some of the heritage sites succumb to destruction due to a lack of awareness about their value. Many heritage buildings have undergone changes without respecting the authenticity and diversity of architecture and construction techniques. Therefore, it is the responsibility of every individual to prevent such changes and protect our heritage sites.
This book provides the basic information about heritage sites including information on World Heritage in both Dzongkha and English languages. Bhutan ratified the World Heritage Convention in 2001 and has submitted eight properties on its Tentative List in 2012 as a preliminary step toward nominating sites to the World Heritage List. This book aims to encourage Bhutanese to understand what heritage is and how an individual can contribute towards protecting our heritage sites.
– Published by Division for Conservation of Heritage Sites
