In Arunachal Pradesh, Buddhist monks are protecting a high-altitude wetland with 20 lakes
In 2009, officials from the Tawang Monastery and WWF-India partnered to protect the region. Mar 12, 2021 · 07:30 pm Phuntsok Wangchuk, a Buddhist monk, guides and cares for pilgrims who visit the sacred wetlands that are part of the Bhagajang Wetland Complex in Arunachal Pradesh. | Kowsick Borgohain for Mongabay
Seated on a carpet on the floor of the Buddhist monastery in Itanagar, Phuntsok Wangchuk cuts a lonely figure on a Friday morning. With a rather flimsy surgical mask covering his nose and mouth, the lama or monk, appears to still be taking Covid-19 precautionary measures when most people in Arunachal Pradesh have discarded them. Using a wooden twig, he is rolling cotton wicks that will be used to light oil lamps that are used to offer prayers.