India-Bhutan MoU on cooperation in the areas of Environment approved

India-Bhutan MoU on cooperation in the areas of Environment approved

Part of: GS-Prelims and GS-II – International Relations

In News:

• The Union Cabinet recently approved the signing of the MoU between India and Bhutan on Cooperation in the areas of Environment.

Key takeaways 

• The MoU will cover the following areas of environment: 
  • Air 
  • WasteChemical Management
  • Climate Change
  • Any other areas jointly decided upon.
• This MoU shall enter into force on the date of signature and shall continue to remain in force for a period of ten years.
• It will facilitate exchange of best practices and technical knowhow through both public and private sectors. 
• It shall contribute to sustainable development. 
• It provides the possibility for joint projects in areas of mutual interest. 
• However, no significant employment generation is envisaged. 

Important value additions 

Bhutan

• Bhutan is a landlocked country in South Asia. 
• It is located in the Eastern Himalayas. 
• It is bordered by the Tibet Autonomous Region of China in the north, the Chumbi Valley of Tibet, China and Sikkim and West Bengal in the west, and Assam, West Bengal and Arunachal Pradesh in the south and east. 
• Bhutan is geopolitically in South Asia. 
• It is the region’s second-least-populous nation after the Maldives. 
• Thimphu is its capital. 
• In 2008, Bhutan transitioned from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. 
• In South Asia, Bhutan ranks first in economic freedom, ease of doing business and peace and is the least corrupt country in the region as of 2016. 
• It continues to be a least developed country, but expects to graduate from this status by 2023.
• Bhutan pioneered the concept of Gross National Happiness. 

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