𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐡𝐚𝐤𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐕𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

…𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒖𝒓𝒈𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒗𝒊𝒈𝒊𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒂𝒇𝒆𝒈𝒖𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒔𝒂𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒔

By Kezang Choden

Chorten and lhakhang vandalism continue to pose a significant threat to nation’s cultural and spiritual heritage. According to data from the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP), a total of 772 cases of vandalism against these sacred structures have been recorded across the country between 2015 and 2025. The report highlights variations in case distribution across different police divisions, with some regions witnessing higher instances of vandalism than others, raising concerns over the security of these religious monuments.

Division One, which covers Paro Dzongkhag, has recorded 80 cases, including 65 incidents of chorten vandalism and 15 cases involving lhakhangs. In Division Two, covering Punakha Dzongkhag, authorities have documented 42 cases, with 41 involving chortens and only one targeting a lhakhang. Phuentsholing, under Division Three, has reported 12 cases, all of which pertain to chorten vandalism. Meanwhile, Division Four, covering Samtse Dzongkhag, has reported no cases, making it an anomaly in the national trend.

In Division Five, Gelephu has recorded 27 cases, all related to chorten vandalism. Division Six, which covers Tsirang Dzongkhag, has reported 11 cases of vandalized chortens. Trongsa Dzongkhag, under Division Seven, has documented 21 cases, all involving desecrated chortens. Division Eight, covering Samdrup Jongkhar Dzongkhag, has recorded 61 cases, with 54 involving chorten vandalism and seven targeting lhakhangs.

The highest number of cases has been reported in Trashigang Dzongkhag under Division Nine, where 100 incidents have been recorded, including 99 chorten vandalism cases and one targeting a lhakhang. Division Ten, covering Mongar Dzongkhag, has reported an alarming 186 cases of chorten vandalism, making it the highest contributor to the national figures. In Thimphu Dzongkhag, under Division Eleven, 67 cases have been recorded, comprising 53 chorten vandalism incidents and 14 targeting lhakhangs. In Division Twelve, covering Wangduephodrang Dzongkhag, 72 cases have been reported, including 62 involving chortens and 10 affecting lhakhangs. Similarly, Bumthang Dzongkhag, under Division Thirteen, has recorded 28 cases, with 27 involving chorten desecration and one targeting a lhakhang. In Division Fourteen, covering Trashiyangtse Dzongkhag, 65 cases have been reported, including 64 incidents of chorten vandalism and one case targeting a lhakhang.

Authorities have yet to disclose specific motivations behind these acts of vandalism, but such incidents are often linked to theft, superstition, or illicit trade in religious relics. The RBP continues to investigate these cases, stressing the need for stronger security measures to protect nation’s sacred sites.

Colonel Passang Dorji, Deputy Chief of Police, pointed out that the increasing cases of chorten vandalism, compared to lhakhangs, are primarily due to the scattered locations of chortens. “One of the biggest challenges is that chortens are often isolated, making it difficult to receive timely information. By the time the police are alerted, collecting evidence becomes challenging, making it harder to track down perpetrators,” he explained. He further emphasized the urgent need for preventive measures such as the installation of CCTV cameras, regular police patrolling, and the appointment of caretakers. “To minimize these unfortunate events, chortens should be categorized based on their importance and provided with appropriate security systems,” he added. He also highlighted the necessity of installing secure water tanks near these sites, not just for caretakers’ use but also as a precautionary measure against fires.

From 2012 to 2024, a total of 1,291 cases of chorten vandalism were reported, with only 184 cases solved. This means that 1,107 cases remain unsolved, highlighting significant gaps in law enforcement’s ability to curb such crimes. Additionally, 48 attempted vandalism cases were recorded, of which six were solved, leaving 42 still under investigation. Comparatively, vandalism targeting lhakhangs was significantly lower. Over the same period, 69 cases were recorded, with 26 successfully solved and 43 still pending resolution, along with one reported case of attempted vandalism.

The data emphasizes an alarming trend of chorten desecration, raising urgent concerns over the security of country’s sacred sites. Despite ongoing efforts to address these crimes, the high number of unsolved cases suggests a pressing need for enhanced surveillance, stricter enforcement, and community involvement in safeguarding religious monuments.

Colonel Passang Dorji emphasized that crime reduction requires the active participation of the community. “Preventing vandalism is a shared responsibility. We urge communities to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities near chortens and lhakhangs,” he stated. He also suggested employing unemployed youth, particularly those with professional training in security services, to protect these religious sites. “This would not only ensure their safety but also create meaningful employment opportunities,” he said.

In a broader effort to tackle rising cases of vandalism, the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs, the Royal Bhutan Police, the Zhung Dratshang, and local government officials are collaborating to curb these incidents nationwide. As part of this initiative, the Crime and Operations Department of the RBP has urged the public to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions.

Authorities have also raised concerns over the increasing circulation of counterfeit currency, urging citizens to verify banknotes carefully to prevent financial losses. Law enforcement believes that heightened public awareness, proactive community engagement, and stringent security measures will be instrumental in safeguarding Bhutan’s cultural and religious heritage from further threats.