{"id":7591,"date":"2026-11-14T08:51:11","date_gmt":"2026-11-14T03:06:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/?p=7591"},"modified":"2026-11-14T08:51:11","modified_gmt":"2026-11-14T03:06:11","slug":"drukpa-masters-call-for-climate-action-as-himalayas-reel-from-floods","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/?p=7591","title":{"rendered":"Drukpa masters call for climate action as Himalayas reel from floods"},"content":{"rendered":"

KATHMANDU, November 13 –<\/span><\/b> As world leaders gathered in Antalya, Turkey, for the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31), hundreds of Buddhist masters, monks, nuns and followers of the Drukpa Lineage met in Kathmandu, Nepal, yesterday to discuss a threat already reshaping life in the Himalayas: climate change.<\/span><\/p>\n

The 11th Annual Drukpa Council (ADC) is a very different gathering from COP31, which runs from November 9 to 20. Yet the two share a concern: how to turn climate commitments into action that reaches mountain communities.<\/span><\/p>\n

The timing is hard to ignore. In August, a flash flood on the Nepal-China border swept down the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli valleys in Rasuwa, destroying bridges, roads and hydropower projects and hitting pilgrims travelling to Mount Kailash. Reported death tolls vary, but hundreds died and many more went missing. Scientists at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) pointed to a likely ice-rock avalanche as the trigger.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bhutan\u2019s own warning<\/span><\/b>
\nBhutan had its own warning less than two weeks ago. On the night of October 29, a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) from Shintaphu Lake in Laya, Gasa, sent floodwaters down the Mo Chhu river. It washed away the facilities at Gasa Tshachu, one of Bhutan\u2019s best-known hot springs, and damaged a section of the Punakha-Gasa highway.<\/span><\/p>\n

No human lives were lost because the area had been evacuated beforehand, but herders were less fortunate: reports say at least 128 yaks and 12 horses were killed. ICIMOD estimated that the lake held 6 to 7 million cubic metres of water before it burst. Flood advisories were issued across the border in India, where thousands were evacuated.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was the second time in five years that the Tshachu had been washed away. A flash flood in August 2021 swept away its ponds, bridges and concrete structures.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another threat looms in Lunana, where the thin moraine dam separating Thorthomi and Raphstreng lakes is at risk of collapsing. If it fails, a combined GLOF could release an estimated 53 million cubic metres of water, roughly eight times the volume of the Shintaphu flood.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nepal and Bhutan have jointly proposed a dedicated COP31 agenda item on mountains and climate change, seeking shared satellite data, monitoring of glacial lakes and stronger cross-border early warning systems. <\/span><\/p>\n

At a press conference yesterday evening, \u201cHigh altitude, high stakes: Mountain nations on the climate front line,\u201d senior officials from Bhutan, Nepal, the International Cryosphere Climate Initiative and ICIMOD warned that glaciers are collapsing and the 1.5\u00b0C limit is slipping away, with mountain communities bearing the cost. What COP31 will deliver remains an open question.<\/span><\/p>\n

For the Drukpa Lineage, whose communities are spread across Bhutan, Nepal, India and beyond, these events are not abstract. They describe the world its followers live in.<\/span><\/p>\n

Compassion in action<\/span><\/b>
\nFor the Lineage, protecting nature is not a new cause. It comes from Buddhist teachings on compassion and the interconnectedness of all life.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCaring for mother nature is one of the greatest forms of Buddhist practice,\u201d said His Eminence Drukpa Thuksey Rinpoche, a revered spiritual leader and regent of the Drukpa Kagyu lineage. \u201cCompassion is not only expressed through prayer and meditation, but through our everyday actions of respecting the environment and caring for all living things.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Thuksey Rinpoche, who completed a master\u2019s degree in Buddhist philosophy at Tango Buddhist University, joined Dr Tashi Dorji, a senior rangelands specialist at ICIMOD, for a panel titled \u201cThe Changing Himalayan Climate: Bridging Science, Buddhism and Resilience\u201d yesterday.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEnvironmental responsibility is not a one-off act of planting a tree; it must become a way of life. Living simply, saving water and electricity, reducing plastic waste, and educating children about climate change are all expressions of compassion, loving-kindness and respect,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Coming from Ladakh, one of the region\u2019s most climate-vulnerable areas, Thuksey Rinpoche has seen climate change affect lives, livelihoods and landscapes across the mountains. His work links education, youth leadership, conservation and animal welfare, including the award-winning Druk Padma Karpo School, the Naropa Fellowship for young leaders and Live to Rescue Ladakh, which shelters abandoned animals.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kung Fu nuns<\/span><\/b>
\nThe most visible face of the Lineage\u2019s engagement with society is its community of Kung Fu nuns, who are hosting this year\u2019s gathering at Druk Amitabha Mountain, their hilltop nunnery overlooking the Kathmandu Valley.<\/span><\/p>\n

Internationally known for their martial arts, the nuns are also recognised for their work in environmental protection, gender equality, disaster relief and community service. They took part in relief efforts after the 2015 earthquake and later disasters in Nepal, including this year\u2019s floods.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the opening of the council, together with the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and Live to Love, the nuns contributed NPR 10.5 million (approximately USD 100,000) towards Nepal flood relief. The Lineage shares a close connection with the Sangha, whose delegation to the council is led by Venerable Thich Thanh Phong.<\/span><\/p>\n

Science, Buddhism and communities<\/span><\/b>
\nThe gathering takes place in a country that faced devastating floods only months ago. The Hindu Kush Himalaya, a region spanning eight countries and often called Asia\u2019s water tower, holds vast reserves of ice and snow that feed major river systems. Millions of people downstream depend on them for drinking water, agriculture and energy. Rising temperatures, shifting rainfall and accelerating glacier loss are straining this system, and lakes forming behind retreating glaciers, such as Shintaphu, add a sudden danger to the slower threat of water scarcity.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr Tashi Dorji said the changes go well beyond melting ice. \u201cWe are witnessing changes in snowfall, water availability, forests, grasslands and mountain livelihoods. These changes are interconnected,\u201d he said. \u201cScience helps us understand them, anticipate risks and identify solutions.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

But science alone is not enough, he added. \u201cWe must also recognise the knowledge and values mountain communities have developed over generations. Science can help us understand what is happening, Buddhist wisdom can guide how we respond, and empowered communities must translate both into action.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Beyond borders<\/span><\/b>
\nNo government can answer these challenges alone. The Shintaphu flood crossed from Bhutan into India, and the Rasuwa flood began near the Nepal-China border. Effective responses need cooperation across borders and sectors.<\/span>
\nFounded in 2009, the ADC has traditionally focused on Buddhist teachings, religious practice and strengthening ties within the Lineage. <\/span><\/p>\n

Putting climate action at the centre of this year\u2019s gathering is not a departure from its purpose but an extension of compassion to animals, ecosystems and the natural world.<\/span>
\nAs the world debates climate action in Antalya, Kathmandu is a reminder that change must also start in communities, in the choices people make and the responsibility they take for the natural world.<\/span><\/p>\n

Contributed by Rinzin Wangchuk, Executive Director of the Journalist Association of Bhutan<\/span><\/i>
\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

KATHMANDU, November 13 – As world leaders gathered in Antalya, Turkey, for the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31), hundreds of Buddhist masters, monks, nuns and followers of the Drukpa Lineage met in Kathmandu, Nepal, yesterday to discuss a threat already reshaping life in the Himalayas: climate change. The 11th Annual Drukpa Council (ADC) is […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":7593,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7591","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-highlights"],"yoast_head":"\nDrukpa masters call for climate action as Himalayas reel from floods - Times Asian<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/?p=7591\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Drukpa masters call for climate action as Himalayas reel from floods - Times Asian\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"KATHMANDU, November 13 – As world leaders gathered in Antalya, Turkey, for the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31), hundreds of Buddhist masters, monks, nuns and followers of the Drukpa Lineage met in Kathmandu, Nepal, yesterday to discuss a threat already reshaping life in the Himalayas: climate change. The 11th Annual Drukpa Council (ADC) is […]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/?p=7591\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Times Asian\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-11-14T03:06:11+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/IMG-20261113-WA0009.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"720\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Times Asian\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Times Asian\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/timesasian.com\\\/?p=7591#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/timesasian.com\\\/?p=7591\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Times Asian\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/timesasian.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/be0bfd16d0a661d87d306a8f434642d5\"},\"headline\":\"Drukpa masters call for climate action as Himalayas reel from floods\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-11-14T03:06:11+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/timesasian.com\\\/?p=7591\"},\"wordCount\":1113,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/timesasian.com\\\/?p=7591#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/timesasian.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/11\\\/IMG-20261113-WA0009.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Highlights\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/timesasian.com\\\/?p=7591#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/timesasian.com\\\/?p=7591\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/timesasian.com\\\/?p=7591\",\"name\":\"Drukpa masters call for climate action as Himalayas reel from floods - Times Asian\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/timesasian.com\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/timesasian.com\\\/?p=7591#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/timesasian.com\\\/?p=7591#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/timesasian.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/11\\\/IMG-20261113-WA0009.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-11-14T03:06:11+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/timesasian.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/be0bfd16d0a661d87d306a8f434642d5\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/timesasian.com\\\/?p=7591#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/timesasian.com\\\/?p=7591\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/timesasian.com\\\/?p=7591#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/timesasian.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/11\\\/IMG-20261113-WA0009.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/timesasian.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/11\\\/IMG-20261113-WA0009.jpg\",\"width\":1080,\"height\":720},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/timesasian.com\\\/?p=7591#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/timesasian.com\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Drukpa masters call for climate action as Himalayas reel from floods\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/timesasian.com\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/timesasian.com\\\/\",\"name\":\"Times Asian\",\"description\":\"news on diplomatic issues\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/timesasian.com\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/timesasian.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/be0bfd16d0a661d87d306a8f434642d5\",\"name\":\"Times Asian\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/14b226fdbfdce801f4b7b28a7dcca6c38fc59e4c4ddb2ac635d806b664f2ce50?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/14b226fdbfdce801f4b7b28a7dcca6c38fc59e4c4ddb2ac635d806b664f2ce50?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/14b226fdbfdce801f4b7b28a7dcca6c38fc59e4c4ddb2ac635d806b664f2ce50?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Times Asian\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/timesasian.com\\\/?author=4\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Drukpa masters call for climate action as Himalayas reel from floods - Times Asian","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/?p=7591","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Drukpa masters call for climate action as Himalayas reel from floods - Times Asian","og_description":"KATHMANDU, November 13 – As world leaders gathered in Antalya, Turkey, for the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31), hundreds of Buddhist masters, monks, nuns and followers of the Drukpa Lineage met in Kathmandu, Nepal, yesterday to discuss a threat already reshaping life in the Himalayas: climate change. The 11th Annual Drukpa Council (ADC) is […]","og_url":"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/?p=7591","og_site_name":"Times Asian","article_published_time":"2026-11-14T03:06:11+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1080,"height":720,"url":"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/IMG-20261113-WA0009.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Times Asian","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Times Asian","Est. reading time":"6 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/?p=7591#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/?p=7591"},"author":{"name":"Times Asian","@id":"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/#\/schema\/person\/be0bfd16d0a661d87d306a8f434642d5"},"headline":"Drukpa masters call for climate action as Himalayas reel from floods","datePublished":"2026-11-14T03:06:11+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/?p=7591"},"wordCount":1113,"commentCount":0,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/?p=7591#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/IMG-20261113-WA0009.jpg","articleSection":["Highlights"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/timesasian.com\/?p=7591#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/?p=7591","url":"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/?p=7591","name":"Drukpa masters call for climate action as Himalayas reel from floods - Times Asian","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/?p=7591#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/?p=7591#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/IMG-20261113-WA0009.jpg","datePublished":"2026-11-14T03:06:11+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/#\/schema\/person\/be0bfd16d0a661d87d306a8f434642d5"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/?p=7591#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/timesasian.com\/?p=7591"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/?p=7591#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/IMG-20261113-WA0009.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/IMG-20261113-WA0009.jpg","width":1080,"height":720},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/?p=7591#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Drukpa masters call for climate action as Himalayas reel from floods"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/","name":"Times Asian","description":"news on diplomatic issues","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/#\/schema\/person\/be0bfd16d0a661d87d306a8f434642d5","name":"Times Asian","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/14b226fdbfdce801f4b7b28a7dcca6c38fc59e4c4ddb2ac635d806b664f2ce50?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/14b226fdbfdce801f4b7b28a7dcca6c38fc59e4c4ddb2ac635d806b664f2ce50?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/14b226fdbfdce801f4b7b28a7dcca6c38fc59e4c4ddb2ac635d806b664f2ce50?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Times Asian"},"url":"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/?author=4"}]}},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/IMG-20261113-WA0009.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7591","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7591"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7591\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7594,"href":"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7591\/revisions\/7594"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/7593"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7591"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7591"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timesasian.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7591"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}