Bhutan, considered one of the happiest countries in the world, is working on a mega project that has the potential to redefine not only how sustainable living can be achieved, but also how it can be achieved more than any other country in the world today. A global model can be formed in contrast to. The Project – A Mega ‘Mindfulness City’ in Gelephu.
Although it is called a city, it is huge – spread over 2,500 square kilometres. It is a special administrative region (SAR). It will have its own government and the freedom to make its own laws, as well as an independent judiciary. But what makes it special?
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The Gelephu ‘Mindfulness City’ will have two protected areas – a national park and a wildlife sanctuary. It will have rivers that will have the capacity to generate 4,000 to 5,000 MW of power through renewable energy. It has forests, biological corridors and is rich in wildlife. It has its own agricultural centers and small towns.
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The ‘Mindfulness City’ project has been conceived by Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. The inspiration behind this is to improve the lives of the Bhutanese people and take Bhutan to the next level. A place where people can live in harmony with other people from around the world.
In this city people will live in harmony with nature and the biodiversity of the area. “This is what we call ‘Gross National Happiness 2.0’,” Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay said at the recent NDTV World Summit in New Delhi.
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Speaking exclusively to NDTV World, the Bhutanese PM had said that the ‘Gelephu Mindfulness City’ will “directly benefit India” in many ways as the city has been “deliberately placed on the border with India in Assam. “
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‘Mindfulness City’ – but why in Gelephu?
The land of Gelephu is “beautiful and ancient”, the Prime Minister of Bhutan said, adding that the area is a biological hot spot with abundant clean energy potential, but why this mega project here? He had asked Raja why such a project was not being considered for Thimphu or Paro – where infrastructure like airports, highways etc. were ready.
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The King had a one-word reply for the Prime Minister – “India”. He then added that “Our future is linked with India. If we chose any other location, such a project could be successful, it may have its own challenges, but if we plan it on the border with India , so the concept itself will drive it forward.” Success, because Bhutan’s future is intrinsically linked with India,” the Prime Minister recalled the King saying.
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“Then I finally understood the strategic importance of the project,” he said. “Gelephu Mindfulness City is not about Bhutan – it is about Bhutan and India.
Details about the city
Once built, Bhutan’s ‘Mindfulness City’ will cover about 2.5% of the country’s landmass and will be larger than the whole of Singapore. A more local comparison would be to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. While Gelephu city will cover more than 2,500 square kilometres, the capital Thimphu is only 26 square kilometres.
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The city will be built around a series of habitable bridges. It is expected to be a low-altitude city that will have its own university, health care facilities for both Western and traditional medicine. It will also have many markets and spiritual centres.
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There are also plans to build a hydroelectric project and a hydroponic greenhouse.
It will be spread across 11 major areas spanning thirty-five rivers and streams of the region. The city is designed and planned in such a way that neighborhoods will be mandala-like, with public spaces oriented towards the center of the city.
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The city will be completely based on Bhutan’s Gross National Wellbeing philosophy which has been praised across the world. At the time of the project’s announcement, the Kingdom of Bhutan stated that “The Mindfulness City will be unique as it will not only prioritize economic development, but will focus on the personal well-being of each resident.”
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The city will have its own international airport – construction work on which has already begun.
The Gelefu ‘Mindfulness City’ rethinks how cities of the future should be, how they should function and how sustainable living can be achieved with an eco-friendly approach.
