The government is now under pressure to open the points.

Yesterday, after almost two hours of discussions, home minister Sherub Gyeltshen sought more time to do an in-depth study regarding the issue. However, MPs from the Opposition were not convinced. They insisted for a deadline.

Currently, Phuentsholing is the only entry point for tourists to travel into the country by road.

Presenting the status report to open entry points for tourists in the border towns, the minister said that while everyone acknowledges the need for more entry points for balanced regional development, it was important to look into the present and future security concerns.

The impacts of tourism, he said can be categorised into social and cultural, environmental and impact on the identity of the sovereignty of the nation.

Considering the impacts, he said, there is the need for a thorough study and consultation with various stakeholders, which requires more time. “I cannot immediately decide or report to the house that there is no risk in opening the entry points.

Until we make good rules and regulations, it is difficult to decide on opening the entry points.”

The minister said that a proper monitoring system should be developed to monitor and keep track of tourists entering the country, which requires more time.

“People are saying that the government is not doing it,” the minister said. “The responsibility is not only with the home ministry if anything happens from decisions that we make in haste, we will all be responsible.” The minister warned of implications on culture and traditions from mass tourism. He pleaded for more time to do a thorough study on the decision to let tourists enter from the border towns.

Opposition leader Pema Gyamtsho (PhD) said that the first parliament session decided that the government would conduct a study and come up with implementing measures. “Everyone is aware of the security concerns,” he said.

“The house was informed that the investigation was being done. They might be doing it, but we haven’t received anything on it. We expected the minister to present the current status of the investigation.”

Meanwhile, Panbang MP Dorji Wangdi said that the discussions including the pros and cons of opening the entry points were already carried out in the first session. “Based on the majority vote, it was decided to allow entry and exit of tourists from more entry points.”

He said that it is the responsibility of the home minister and the Lhengye Zhungtshog to come up with implementing measures after considering all issues.

Drametse-Ngatshang MP Ugyen Wangdi suggested opening about two entry points in the east on a pilot basis after the completion of the study and consultations. “It is important to have good rules and regulations in place before we implement the resolution,” he said.

Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering said that the government was working hard on the resolutions of the first session. He said that according to the resolution, a tourist coming to Bhutan from the said entry points should use local vehicles and have Bhutanese guides. “We are working to have this implemented and doing a thorough study on this. Everyone is aware of why it is not easy to implement these conditions.”

The prime minister assured that the entry and exit points would be opened after a proper study is carried out. “If it is to just open the entry points as discussed, it is not difficult.”

He said that the nature of the discussion portrayed that the government is against regional balanced development. “We are not against regional balanced development, nor against the resolution,” he said.

“We had been guided by the noble policy of high-value low impact all this time. Through our research, we are feeling that now we are focused more on high volume, low impact. We are concerned about numbers and we are concerned if we are making a mistake.” He said that when the governemnt, the house will be informed.”

Dewathang-Gomdar MP, Ugyen Dorji, who moved the motion in the first session of the Parliament, said that it was important to give a deadline. “After the discussion in the first session, people have started preparing, some by opening tour companies and others by investing in infrastructure.”

The MP said that if it is going to take a long time, it was not fair for those people who had already invested after knowing the business prospects.

The home minister said that there were many things to consider before opening the entry points. “We are not saying that we are not going to do it, but requesting for some time to conduct a careful and proper study.”

The minister said that as soon as the study is complete, the house would be informed and assured that it would be implemented in the 12th Plan.

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