Phobjikha Valley, the largest wetland area in Bhutan and the habitat of the endangered Black-Necked Crane, is the venue of the Black-Necked Crane Festival. A brainchild of Bhutan’s Royal Society for the Protection of Nature, the festival is a major tourist attraction and sees the active participation of local farmers. The festival is organized to boost local economy and to discourage farmers from using chemical fertilizers which would destroy the Black-Necked Cranes habitat.Held every year in the month of November, the festival showcases traditional masked dances, Black-Necked Cranes courtship dance and other cultural programmes. Villagers are paid 150 Ngultrum (around USD 3) for participating in the festival.
The Black-Necked cranes which are considered sacred by the Buddhists, migrate to Bhutan from Tibet every winter.
Travel to Bhutan – The Land of the Thunder Dragon with Explore Himalaya
