Why Bhutan’s Sakteng wildlife sanctuary is disputed by China
- October 27, 2023
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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Why Bhutan’s Sakteng wildlife sanctuary is disputed by China
Subject: Environment
Section: Protected Area
Context:
- China claims for the first time to Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary, which spans about 740 sq km (285 sq miles) in eastern Bhutan.
Details:
- Bhutan rejected the claim, pointing out the area had never featured in 24 previous rounds of boundary talks.
- Sakteng national park was never a disputed area and it was always under Bhutanese control. There is no evidence of any affiliation to China.
- The plateau is of strategic importance to Delhi because it overlooks the Siliguri corridor, known as the “chicken’s neck”, a narrow strip of land that connects India’s north-eastern states with the rest of the country.
China-Bhutan Border talks:
- China and Bhutan held their 25th round of boundary talks in Beijing and signed a Cooperation Agreement on the “Responsibilities and Functions of the Joint Technical Team (JTT) on the Delimitation and Demarcation of the Bhutan-China Boundary.”
- This advances their 3-Step Roadmap initiated in 2021 for border resolution, building on the positive momentum since their last talks in 2016.
- Bhutan and China don’t have diplomatic ties, as Bhutan has avoided diplomatic relations with all the United Nations Security Council permanent members.
About the Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary:
- Itis a wildlife sanctuary in Bhutan, located in Merak and Sakteng Gewogs of Trashigang District and just crossing the border into SamdrupJongkhar District.
- It is one of the country’s protected areas and is listed as a tentative site in Bhutan’s Tentative List for UNESCO inclusion.
- The sanctuary has three ranges: Merak Range, Sakteng Range, and Joenkhar Range.
- Sakteng Range is the largest range, followed by Merak Range (287.352 sq.km) and Joenkhar Range (121.442 sq.km).
- The Sakteng sanctuary borders India’s Arunachal Pradesh.
Source: BBC