Royal Family Joins Over 3,000 Volunteers in Seventh GMC Programme

More than 3,000 volunteers took part in the seventh Gelephu Mindfulness City volunteer programme, carrying out landscaping, cleaning, and environmental improvement works across GMC.

His Majesty King Jigme, Her Majesty Queen Jetsun, and Their Royal Highnesses Prince Jigme Namgyel, Prince Ugyen Wangchuck, and Princess Sonam Yangden were in Gelephu Mindfulness City for the seventh round of the GMC volunteer programme.

More than 3,000 volunteers took part in the three-day programme, which began on 28 August. They worked across several parts of GMC, clearing overgrown brush, levelling ground, and cleaning public spaces.

The work covered Gelephu Old Town, the highway from Gelephu International Airport to Gelephu Town, and the site where 108 Jangchub Chortens are scheduled to be built in a single day on 1 November 2026.

Their Majesties and Their Royal Highnesses visited the work sites and met with volunteers taking part in the programme.

Volunteer participation continued to grow

The seventh round built on earlier volunteer initiatives that supported the development of Gelephu Mindfulness City through cleaning, landscaping, and other site-based work.

Thousands of people took part across the first six rounds, with participation increasing over time. The highest turnout recorded was around 17,000 volunteers during the fifth round.

The programme brought together people from different backgrounds to contribute directly to works across the city.

Volunteers chose to arrange their own meals

Lunch had previously been provided during the volunteer programme. With participation running into the thousands, however, some volunteers felt that providing meals required significant resources and that participants could manage their own food instead.

Saran Gurung, a resident of Gelephu says, “When we come to volunteer here, I feel there is no need to provide free lunch. It is a financial burden and also a wastage of food. We can bring our own packed lunch or have it in restaurants and shops. The budget can instead be used for other important matters concerning GMC.”

Another Gelephu resident, Ugyen Norbu, shared a similar view.

“If we want to serve our nation and the vision of His Majesty The King, we better bring our own food from home. What we do during voluntary work is Zhabtog, and it should be done wholeheartedly without expecting anything in return,” added another resident, Ugyen Norbu.

GMC said it had received similar feedback from participants and decided not to provide free lunch during the seventh round.

Most activities were held in and around Gelephu town, allowing volunteers to bring packed meals or buy food nearby.

Sherub Dorji, Senior Communications Officer with GMCA says, “We will have a lot of restaurants in Gelephu that will serve lunch during the three-day program. At the sites, we will put affordable places or food courts where people can go and have lunch. And people who can cook can bring their own packed lunches and have it at the volunteering sites.”

Focus on landscaping and environmental works

The seventh round of voluntary engagement was held from 28 to 30 August.

Work during the programme focused on landscape development and environmental improvement. Activities included soft landscaping, removing invasive species, clearing and levelling road shoulders, and general cleaning.

Volunteers were also advised to bring suitable work gear, including boots or gumboots, gloves, a raincoat, water bottle, insect repellent, and basic tools such as a spade, pickaxe, rake, and sickle or knife.

This time, participants were also encouraged to bring their own lunch.