Cases of marijuana abuse on the rise in Bhutan, raw marijuana being exported to Assam also; NDFB using the border with Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh as a ‘liberated zone’
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    • Reports noted that consumption of marijuana by youth has become a cause of concern to the Bhutanese government, with drug cases rising to 231 in 2009, compared to just 11 in 2001. Raw marijuana from Bhutan was also being exported to Assam, where it was being further processed for sale.1

    Sources also noted that reserve forests along the border with Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh were being used as a “liberated zone” by the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB). These militants also engaged in large-scale destruction of forests.2

    Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina told Bhutan’s visiting Economic Affairs Minister Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk that her country was interested in using Nepal and Bhutan for transit facilities to India. Hasina also pointed out that Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh can make efforts to tap the tourism potential in their countries jointly.3

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