FDI, Foreign Direct Investment in Bhutan- Documents

Like mentioned in other places. The FDI, Foreign Direct Investment in Bhutan- Documents are really hard to find.
I had to make a phone call and eventually found it on the website of Ministry of Economic Affairs. They actually have a whole division dedicated to FDI. A search on the website will not get you to the document as it is not embedded.

The latest documents are as follows;
FDI Policy 2010, Revised 2014 http://www.moea.gov.bt/documents/files/pub1lo5416ap.pdf
Rules and Regulations http://www.moea.gov.bt/documents/files/pub4wv968yk.pdf
Process and Approval system http://www.moea.gov.bt/documents/files/pub3wp1296jt.pdf

And a bunch of other things http://www.moea.gov.bt/documents/documents.php?Catid=1&unitid=2

I hope this helps!

Basic Statistics on Excel

I am always fascinated with Excel and its power. You think of something, you will find it in excel when it comes to analysis. Ofcourse it might be necessary to get some online help as well.

I always use excel to plot  graphs with  trend lines along with line equation and R.Squares. Today, I just wanted to get excel to give me the results in a table with basic statics and not on a graph.

The "Linest" formula does that magic pretty much easily with some twigs.

I found an online help that was very good.
http://burro.cwru.edu/academics/Astr222/UsingLINEST.pdf

Changing your Name on MS Word 2007

I just realized that all my edits on documents and my own documents are worked on by someone called "user." This is the default name used during installation.
I was just able to change the settings and my own name "Chhimi Dorji" shows up.

I googled and found the following most useful= with pictures! It might help you!

How do I change my initials in Word 2007?

Access Word Options by clicking the Office button at top left, then Word Options at the bottom:

Your Word Options box will open on the Popular tab and you can now change your name and initials:

How do I change my initials in Office 2010?

Click on the File tab and select Options:

Click on Options, and you can change your name and initials:

How do I change my initials in Word 2013?

First click on the File tab:

Select Options at the bottom of the list (use the arrow in a circle at the top left to get back to your document):

Click on Options and change your initials and name:

Source:
http://libroediting.com/2013/11/13/how-do-i-change-my-initials-in-word-2007-2010-and-2013/

Electric Car Comparison Flawed by Kuensel!

There was this piece in Kuensel that really disturbed me saying that Electric Cars in Bhutan are not even Evnrionmentally Friendly, forget being economical. I believe it is totally flawed on wrong asusumptions. Bhutan is one of the first places on earth that have the most advantage of using electric cars.

This is the article.. followed by my say.

http://www.kuenselonline.com/are-e-cars-really-environment-friendly/#.VUmwt_mqqko

Electric Car Comparison Flawed by Kuensel!

On the Kuensel issue of May 6, 2015 there was a report suspecting that the Electric Cars are environmentally worse and economically not comparable to, Maruti Altos. I beg to differ, and provide following justifications. By the way, I am only an electric car user and an Environmental professional and Engineer.

1.       CDM benefits are easier said than done and are not applicable for all of our projects;

Yes, in theory the Dagachhu power generation could be sold on the CDM market and enable Bhutan to receive Carbon credits and subsequent payment. However, the Koyoto Protocol and CDM modalities itself are under major reviews and there is no guarantee that the credits will be paid up without proper buyers and validation. Also, currently Bhutan’s total power consumption is only to the tune of only about 15% of our total generation and the rest are exported to India. This excludes Dagachhu and future hydropower projects that are potential for CDM benefits. Therefore, what we will be using for charging our electric cars will not be from the new and upcoming projects which could be used on the CDM market. The power from our existing Chukhha or Tala or Kurichhu are way more than we can ever use for chagrining our cars. CDM certification of new hydropower projects and use of electricity for electric cars are NOT one or other scenario in Bhutan’s case.

On the other hand, if we are strategic, we can even sell the idea of CDM certification of  our electric cars. By the theoretical CDM criteria it will qualify and easier to monitor and verify.

2.       Comparison of Maruti Alto’s mileage and its impact on CO₂ emission to that of Nissan Leaf is comparing Apples and Oranges;

I like the maths in the Maruti Alto Vs Nissan Leaf. But one of the basic assumption is wrong in the calculation. Maruti Alto at Nu 500,000 is an economical car with basic functionality. Nissan Leaf at Nu 1.48M is a compact car with state-of-the-art functions such as 6 Air Bags, Seat-heating systems, Automatic Transmissions, rear camera, bluetbooth compatibility, intelligent key with push start, full leather seats, rear wiper and heater among other things. A fair comparison on that front will be use the capital cost of Mahindra Reva  (costing about 500,000) to that of  Maruti Alto  and  Nissan Leaf to a sedan such as a  Hyundai Accent/Sonata (1.4M+).

Based on these revised comparisons, my maths tells me that if one wants to drive a slightly more expensive car such as a Accent/Sontana or for that matter  the recent hot cakes Ford EcoSport  or Nissan Terrano or Duster, Nissan Leaf will take the trophy for Life cycle cost analysis and emissions.  For the entry level, we will need to compare Maruti Alto with smaller, simpler electric cars such as Reva.

As far as I know, Bhutan is only one of the few countries in the world, wherein all of the fossil fuels (diesel, petrol etc) are imported and almost all of our electricity is hydro-renewable energy. We thus have the most urgent and crucial need to substitute the import of fossil fuels by all means possible. This will not only make the country economically better off but also energy less dependent. I actually believe that the government should further incentivize the purchase and use of electric cars. In other countries, besides the no-tax, further rebates also provided.

In many countries, the use and promotion of electric cars are hindered by the big rich oil companies due to their vested interest in having a perpetual market for themselves. We do not have that in Bhutan. It seems our oil importers and business fraternity is in full support of national security and environmental justice. In Bhutan’s case, we can perhaps look into lower registration costs for electric cars; better loan interests by the banks through a collaboration with BOIC; special savings account for electric car owners, specially taxi owners from their savings; setting up of fast-charging stations at important nodes; and also helping diversify the fleet in the country from other manufacturers to avoid any monopoly and criticism of favoring one or two suppliers alone.

The Snowmen Trek in Bhutan. A Personal perspective!

A SLICE OF SNOWMAN TREK AND ITS FORMIDABLE FACE

The trek is not just about nature and physical trekking, but has an intricate mix of culture that is entirely different from the rest of Bhutan and the world

BY CHHIMI DORJI

The morning view unfolds slowly, revealing an astonishingly complete village that appears from under the clouds. Beyond the village, the mountains rise from the deep blue mist like ships floating on water. When the sky finally clears, the snowy peak, Gangchen Tag, the Tiger Mountain, looms into view. This is Laya Village.

The settlement at around 4,000 metres is beautiful, unique, traditional, and simply amazing. The traditional village that has lived in perfect harmony with nature is on the verge of being invaded by modern development. Electricity lines and poles have already reached there, a farm road under construction will soon reach near the village. Laya is all set to change. If you wish to enjoy the true Laya, visit it now.

The snowman trek from Laya leads to some of the highest elevations of the Bhutanese Himalayas. Designed for experienced trekkers, the trek demands stamina, endurance and energy. The trek’s worth is embodied in the treasures one can feast on and experience during the trek. Traversing through the most remote areas across high altitudes above 5,000 metres, the camps are sometimes on blankets of snow. Trekkers are taken into the Lunana region and further on to Gangkar Puensum and Bumthang or down to Sephu in Wangdue Phodrang district, depending on the route they choose.

In September 2014, my group managed to trek from Gasa to Sephu through Laya and Lunana following the Snowman trail. We were a research-media team interested to get to Lunana at the earliest. Spending several nights above 5,000 metres and hiking more than five hours daily for 21 days was an experience of a lifetime. Although born in the mountains, not many Bhutanese have trekked on their own, except as tour guides.

A local contractor, who usually caters to foreign tourists, organised our trek. Our tour started with 23 horses, four researchers (Jigme, Nick, Aaron, and I), three staff (Dorji, Lauri, and Damchoe), and three horsemen (Sangay, Dawa and Khandu).

Trekking from Laya to Lunana to Sephu over Tshomo La Pass (4,900m), Gangla Karchung (5,120m), Jaze La (5,150m), Loju La (5,140m), and Rinchen Zoe la (5,320m) and trekking for five days in the Lunana valley exploring the vistas, glaciers, lakes, yak herders’ camps and combing the villages was a complete experience.

On most typical days, the trekkers and an assistant (Dorji) would start at around 8.30am after a breakfast of rice, toasts, eggs and tea. Horses, horsemen and cooks would pack up after the team leaves the camp, catch up with and overtake the trekkers by midday, get to the campsite, and set up the camp and cook dinner for the night.

Dorji’s backpacked picnic lunch would be usually served when we came across a nice spot. Lunch usually consisted of rice, vegetable curry, meat stew and, when available, fruits, tea and juice. Most of the time, rain would play a tyrant when we sat to eat. Umbrellas bought in Thimphu weren’t strong enough to withhold the mountain rains. Neither were Dorji’s new pair of shoes strong enough for the mountain trail nor was Jigme’s waterproof jacket waterproof.

Damchoe’s hot soups in the evenings, after a hard day of hiking, were always a welcome delight. Dinner was usually served at around 7pm after which some hit the sack while others chatted into the night. We did not have a single night when the horses weren’t too close to the tents to enjoy their farts or breaths. The feast was indeed on the second night at Tenchey in Lunana where a bunch of grounded yaks kept blaring right into our tents. The campsite was crowded with yaks, horses, and tents. What an unusual parking congestion!

The sunnier side of the trek didn’t last long, though. One of our horsemen lost his life, one horse got injured and one died when she slipped off a steep trail close to Wache. The other horse that got injured at Narithang was taken back to Laya.

Sangay from Laya, 41-year-old father of two, was a sweet, lean, curly, quiet guy who was bent on completing his responsibility with his four horses. Seven days into the trek and two days before we reached Lunana, Sangay complained of muscle ache. On the following day, he got medical treatment at Lhedi Basic Health Unit. An astrologer from Laya was consulted over telephone. He was provided rest, given warm clothes and was advised to go back to Laya. His health condition kept varying until he breathed his last near Gyentsha, Maruothang. He lost his life on the face of the snowman.

Efforts to airlift him failed due to bad weather. The ground rescue team reached only a day later. The iridium satellite phone, oxygen tanks, high altitude chamber and the first aid-kit did serve their purpose, but none was quite enough. What it made me realise was the fact that even one born and brought up at 4,000m doing the snowman trek often could land up in trouble.

The incident revealed the bare minimum amount of safety and comfort the locals had compared to the foreign trekkers. It reminded me of the issues of climbers and Sherpas in Nepal. None of the horsemen had waterproof jackets or boots. They were hiking in their jeans, sneakers, ghos (traditional cloth robes for men) and plastic sheets on their heads. On terribly wet days, the blankets and sheets that were used as horse saddle packing as well as bedding were too cold for any comfort. Without the option to light a fire with a trekking group, due to forestry or tourism regulations, cold nights are the real causes of cold, sickness and misfortunes. However, other men and women from Laya or Sephu transporting roofing sheets, stoves or clothes to Lunana had the option to camp and light fires.

All in all, it was a very neat experience learning about the farming, trading and social culture of the mountains. We spent many evenings with the local horsemen in their tents, visiting the local houses, shops, and yak herders’ camps to get a full picture of their lifestyle. The highlight of all our experiences was the stories of how the locals got rich collecting and selling the magical fungus cordyceps sinensis. This fungus has turned the nomads into mountain millionaires almost overnight. I definitely think that Lunana valley is a gold mine waiting to be explored. I light-heartedly say that Switzerland is the “Bhutan of Europe” referring to the postcard perfect valleys up north.

CHHIMI DORJI IS A BHUTANESE ENGINEER FROM PARO, LIVING AND WORKING IN THIMPHU ON GLACIER, SNOW, WATER AND ENERGY PROJECTS. CHHIMI HAD BEEN EDUCATED IN THE USA, INDIA AND BHUTAN. HE CAN BE REACHED AT chimi6@gmail.com