Bhutan 2008 Constitution

Article 5. Environment

1. Every Bhutanese is a trustee of the Kingdom’s natural resources and environment for the benefit of the present and future generations and it is the fundamental duty of every citizen to contribute to the protection of the natural environment, conservation of the rich biodiversity of Bhutan and prevention of all forms of ecological degradation including noise, visual and physical pollution through the adoption and support of environment friendly practices and policies.
2. The Royal Government shall:
   1. Protect, conserve and improve the pristine environment and safeguard the biodiversity of the country;
   2. Prevent pollution and ecological degradation;
   3. Secure ecologically balanced sustainable development while promoting justifiable economic and social development; and
   4. Ensure a safe and healthy environment.
3. The Government shall ensure that, in order to conserve the country’s natural resources and to prevent degradation of the ecosystem, a minimum of sixty percent of Bhutan’s total land shall be maintained under forest cover for all time.
4. Parliament may enact environmental legislation to ensure sustainable use of natural resources and maintain intergenerational equity and reaffirm the sovereign rights of the State over its own biological resources.
5. Parliament may, by law, declare any part of the country to be a National Park, Wildlife Reserve, Nature Reserve, Protected Forest, Biosphere Reserve, Critical Watershed and such other categories meriting protection.

Article 6. Citizenship

1. A person, both of whose parents are citizens of Bhutan, shall be a natural born citizen of Bhutan.
2. A person, domiciled in Bhutan on or before the Thirty-First of December Nineteen Hundred and Fifty Eight and whose name is registered in the official record of the Government of Bhutan shall be a citizen of Bhutan by registration.
3. A person who applies for citizenship by naturalization shall:
   1. Have lawfully resided in Bhutan for at least fifteen years;
   2. Not have any record of imprisonment for criminal offences within the country or outside;
   3. Be able to speak and write Dzongkha;
   4. Have a good knowledge of the culture, customs, traditions and history of Bhutan;
   5. Have no record of having spoken or acted against the Tsawa-sum;
   6. Renounce the citizenship, if any, of a foreign State on being conferred Bhutanese citizenship; and
   7. Take a solemn Oath of Allegiance to the Constitution as may be prescribed.
4. The grant of citizenship by naturalization shall take effect by a Royal Kasho of the Druk Gyalpo.
5. If any citizen of Bhutan acquires the citizenship of a foreign State, his or her citizenship of Bhutan shall be terminated.
6. Subject to the provisions of this Article and the Citizenship Acts, Parliament shall, by law, regulate all other matters relating to citizenship.