An hour’s drive and another hour’s hike from Thimphu city, the monks of Tango Monastery are quietly advancing Bhutan’s environmental goals, one small action at a time. Through awareness and advocacy efforts led by Gross International Nature (GIN), with support from the PLEASE Project, the monks have embraced waste responsibility as part of their spiritual and daily practice.

The initiative introduced monks to the importance of waste segregation, plastic identification, and mindful disposal. With no road access and limited infrastructure, they now manually sort waste and carry it down to the base of the trail for proper handover, a 40-minute walk each way. While challenging, the effort reflects a deep sense of commitment to protecting Bhutan’s pristine rivers and ecosystems.

What makes this story remarkable is not the setting, but the shift in mindset. The monks now lead by example, sharing what they’ve learned with pilgrims and visitors, and integrating environmental care into their way of life. This is where the true impact of the PLEASE Project is seen – in empowering even the most remote communities to act.

The Tango Monastery story reminds us that river conservation begins with responsibility, and that no place is too distant or too sacred to be part of the solution.