Bhutan - Phobjika

So why will there be no electricity in Phobjika ? Because Phobjika, situated in the valley below the Gantay Gompa, is the winter grounds of the black necked cranes. Electric lines might imperil these special birds.

To the villagers, the arrival of the black necked cranes is an event that holds great significance. As well as heralding the beginning of winter, some believe these endangered birds to be the re-incarnation of two dieties who are said to be protectors of the beautiful valley.
When both arriving and leaving, these graceful birds will circle the Gompa three times. To the locals, this represents the honoring of the three sacred Jewels of Buddhism - the Buddha, the dharma, the sangha - and the request and gratitude for their care during their stay.

Being in Phobjika in late May, I was unable to actually see the cranes but visited the display about them at the small, attractive office of the Royal Society for Protection of Nature.( RSPN has an interesting site where you will learn more about the cranes. www.rspn-bhutan.org ) . At the office I met Dago Tshering the field coordinator for RSPN who, after showing me about the museum, kindly took me to visit a local family so that I might see an example of their solar light.

Above:
Dago at the RSPN office
a family at lunch beneath the solar light for the house.

Dago also showed me on of the new clay stoves being employed in the village. Clay stove is NEXT!