Is cash a real thing in Bhutan?

But however careful the planning, cash has a way of forging its own reality. Although Bhutan officially banned plastic bags in 1999, they’re ubiquitous at Thimphu’s weekend market, containing everything from foraged tea leaves to dried persimmon slices. Meanwhile, roadside trash is a worsening blight.

Is Bhutan a power hub for AI data centers?

Abundant hydropower is clearly one of the GMC’s core strengths. Bhutan has total hydropower potential of around 35 GW with the aim to harness 15 GW by 2040, making the hosting of energy-hungry AI data centers a real possibility.

How much power does Bhutan have?

Today, Bhutan has 2.5 GW of installed hydropower, half of which is sold to India. Instead of creating huge reservoirs to dam the rivers and compromise their delicate ecology, Bhutanese turbines harness their natural flow, meaning a glut of power during the sodden summers and a dearth during the parched winters.

Should Bhutan build a reservoir dam?

Dahal of Druk Investments and Holdings admits Bhutan will need to build reservoir dams to maximize its hydropower potential, alarming environmentalists already worried about how the GMC will affect Bhutan’s endangered monkeys, tigers, rhinoceros, blue sheep, and snow leopards.

Can Bhutan rip up capitalism's shibboleths?

Dr. Lotay Tshering, Bhutan’s former Prime Minister, is governor of Gelephu Mindfulness City Sarker Protick for TIME If anywhere can rip up capitalism’s shibboleths, it’s Bhutan. This Shangri-la hidden in the folds of the Himalayas was a pugilistic hodgepodge of Buddhist fiefs until unification as a nation in the 17th century.

Are plastic bags a problem in Bhutan?

Although Bhutan officially banned plastic bags in 1999, they’re ubiquitous at Thimphu’s weekend market, containing everything from foraged tea leaves to dried persimmon slices. Meanwhile, roadside trash is a worsening blight. Tourists in the historic city of Paro increasingly complain of price gouging by local taxi drivers.