The Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) under the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MoENR) in collaboration with the Paro Dzongkhag Administration, celebrated World Environment Day 2026 in Paro under the global theme “Now for Climate.”
The event was observed in honour of the Birth Anniversary of Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen, the Royal Patron for the Environment. The celebration was graced by Dasho Peljor J. Dorji, Special Advisor to the National Environment Commission; Hon’ble Secretary of MoENR; Hon’ble Member of Parliament to the National Council; Dasho Dzongda; the Dratshang Rabdhey of Paro Dzongkhag; and representatives from UNDP and JICA. The event commenced with the offering of butter lamps, recitation of prayers and a ceremonial cake-cutting in honour of the Birth Anniversary of Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen.
This year’s celebration was hosted in Paro in recognition of the Dzongkhag’s exemplary leadership and commitment to environmental sustainability. Through sustained efforts in waste management, environmental awareness and community participation, Paro has demonstrated a model of local environmental stewardship that can inspire similar actions across the country.
As part of the programme, Paro Dzongkhag presented its key environmental achievements and ongoing initiatives. The celebration also featured the launch of several important environmental and climate initiatives, including:
1. Launch of the Pilot Initiative for the Reduction of Single-Use Plastic Carry Bags Through the Promotion of Eco-Friendly Alternatives in Paro Dzongkhag
2. Soft Launch of the Environment Clearance Service System (ECSS), a digital platform designed to improve the efficiency, transparency and accessibility of environmental clearance services
3. Soft Launch of the National Waste Inventory Survey Report 2025, providing updated national data on waste generation, composition and management practices to support evidence-based planning and policy development
4. Launch of the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Assessment for Bhutan’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Process, aimed at strengthening climate adaptation planning and resilience-building efforts across sectors.
The celebration also recognized the valuable contributions of individuals, educational institutions, Local governments and community organizations that have demonstrated outstanding commitment towards environmental conservation, sustainable waste management and community-led environmental initiatives.
Speaking on the occasion, the Department emphasized working collaboratively with all stakeholders to advance the country’s environmental and climate change goals and to build a resilient and sustainable future for generations to come.
