Unspoiled nature, a vibrant culture and a very unique understanding of happiness - in the middle of the Himalayas lies Bhutan, probably the most sustainable (and happiest) country in the world. This is exactly where we are supporting a new project in October and November together with One Tree Planted. The aim of the project is to reforest degraded mountain slopes, bind CO₂ and at the same time strengthen the livelihoods of smallholder families.
Why happiness is more important than growth in Bhutan
Bhutan is a country of contrasts: small but rich in nature, poor in resources but full of cultural treasures. Above all, Bhutan is one of the few countries in the world that defines happiness, rather than growth, as the primary goal of its national development. How happy a country is can actually be measured; Bhutan does this with the Gross National Happiness Index. Internationally, however, the World Happiness Report is used and Switzerland was ranked 9th in 2024. But even in the "happiest country in the world", climate change is already having a noticeable impact. People in rural areas in particular are suffering from changing weather conditions, uncertain harvests and limited access to income. This is precisely where our current project comes in.
Planting trees for people, nature and the future
Together with our partner One Tree Planted, we are supporting a social impact company in Bhutan in October and November that specializes in the cultivation of hazelnut trees. These are planted on fallow land (land that is not planted or cultivated) and degraded mountain slopes - where conventional agriculture is barely possible.
Hazelnut trees are more than just an ecological measure:
- They stabilize the soil,
- bind CO₂,
- increase biodiversity,
- and at the same time create long-term sources of income for smallholder families with a yield of up to 50 years per Tree.
The project has already provided 8,000 farming households in Bhutan with trees, training and technical support. The project is now entering the next phase: over 620,000 new trees are to be planted in the coming years. This is an important contribution to renaturation, but also to securing livelihoods in the mountains of Bhutan.
Climate change: both a challenge and an opportunity
Bhutan, the small kingdom on the eastern edge of the Himalayas, not only tops the list of the happiest countries in the world - it is also the only country in the world that has officially committed to remaining permanently climate-neutral. And yet the country is severely affected by climate change: Melting glaciers, heavy rainfall and rising temperatures are causing problems for agriculture in particular. Hazelnut varieties, which depend on high temperatures, no longer thrive in lower-lying regions as they used to. Our partner is therefore currently working intensively on adapting the varieties to the changed conditions - a crucial step in making the project future-proof.
In addition to the ecological benefits, the project brings many positive changes for the local communities:
- The trees are provided free of charge.
- Training courses in agriculture, finance and soft skills accompany the families in the long term.
- Women in particular benefit from the new, low-threshold income opportunities.
- The harvest is guaranteed by the partner - an important protection against market risks.
- Preserving culture, creating prospects
What makes Bhutan special is not only its nature, but also its cultural heritage. In remote regions, this knowledge is deeply rooted in village life. However, due to rural exodus and a lack of economic prospects, it is precisely this knowledge that is in danger of disappearing. By creating new income opportunities, the project is also helping to preserve the traditional way of life - and ensuring that young people can stay in their villages instead of moving to the cities.
Together for a greener world
Thanks to your support, we are planting 81,070 trees for this project in Bhutan in October and November. Every single Tree helps to regenerate the region in the long term - ecologically, socially and economically. And the best thing is: you are part of it. And our commitment to the environment goes beyond planting trees. We believe in the power of community and that together we can make the world a better place. With every NIKIN you buy, we plant another Tree. So your contribution becomes real impact - #treebytree.
You can find out more about all our tree planting projects and the impact of your support on our TreeTracker page.
