BHUTAN, a destination like no other beckons. 

Nestled in the lap of the Eastern Himalayas between the two most populous nations of the world, China and India, Bhutan is the last Buddhist kingdom in the world.

It is a nation of unparalleled scenic beauty, a unique tradition and culture and a people that exist in perfect harmony with nature. Mahayana Buddhism is not just a religion here but a way of life of the Bhutanese.

Bhutan has been described as natural paradise, boasting pristine forests of more than 72 percent of its entire land cover, and stringent control measures to maintain it so. It has a population of approximately 700,000 with a unique identity evolved from a vibrant religious and cultural heritage. More than 80% of the people live on subsistence farming in sparsely populated villages scattered across the rugged Himalayan terrain. Limited access to communication in the past has endowed the Bhutanese with a strong sense of individuality and independence and a large number of languages and dialects. The Bhutanese are, by nature, physically strong and fiercely independent with an open heart and ready sense of humour. Hospitality is an in built social value in Bhutan.

The nation is fast transforming as a result of having to move from the medieval age into the 21^st century in a short span of three decades. A sustainable and comprehensive network of roads, schools and hospitals, modern communication system, increasing contact with the international community, urbanization and growing private sector are the engines of this transformation.

Development and progress has brought their less desirable side effects too but the Bhutanese people chose to guard their magical Kingdom in its pristine form through the centuries and continue to do so against the onslaught of modernization. The essence of modernization in Bhutan has been a blend of tradition and progress. The protective psyche, which kept the kingdom jealously guarded in isolation, is visible in the controlled Tourism Policy, strong sense of environmental protection, and the careful pace of all-round development.

Bhutan has long decided that economic achievement is no replacement for its unique national identity. In the past, the kingdom fought aggression to safeguard its interest, its priorities and its identity. Today, the goal of development is more about achieving Gross National Happiness than gross national capital.