Seventh Shabto Programme Brings More Than 3,000 Volunteers to Gelephu
Gelephu, Bhutan — August 30, 2026
As work on Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) continues to progress, thousands of volunteers from across Bhutan have joined nationwide efforts supporting the development of the future city through the Shabto volunteer programme.
Shabto — Bhutan’s tradition of voluntary service for the common good — mobilises people from across the country to contribute to the preparation of land, public spaces, and infrastructure for one of Bhutan’s most significant national development initiatives.
This article is part of a series documenting the Shabto volunteer programmes supporting the development of Gelephu Mindfulness City.
Seventh Shabto Programme in Gelephu
The seventh round of the GMC volunteer programme took place from 28 to 30 August 2026, bringing together more than 3,000 volunteers for three days of work across Gelephu Mindfulness City.
Participants came from a wide cross-section of Bhutanese society, including the business community, civil service, private and corporate sectors, residents of GMC, the armed forces, Gyalsung, Desuung, Pelsung, the monastic community, retirees and senior citizens, as well as Bhutanese living abroad.
The programme focused primarily on landscape development and environmental enhancement as preparations continue across key areas of the future city.
Royal Family Joins Volunteers
His Majesty The King, Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen, and Their Royal Highnesses Gyalsey Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck, Gyalsey Ugyen Wangchuck, and Gyalsem Sonam Yangden Wangchuck were in Gelephu during the seventh round of the programme.
Their Majesties and Their Royal Highnesses visited the volunteer sites, met participants, and observed the work being carried out across different areas of GMC.
The presence of the Royal Family continued a tradition seen throughout previous Shabto programmes, in which Bhutan’s national development efforts have brought together people from different generations, professions, and communities through collective service.
Work Across Key Areas of Gelephu Mindfulness City
Volunteer activities were concentrated across three main areas of Gelephu Mindfulness City.
Work was carried out in Gelephu Old Town, along the highway connecting Gelephu International Airport with Gelephu Town, and at the site designated for the future 108 Jangchub Chortens.
Volunteers cleared overgrown vegetation, removed invasive species, levelled and tidied roadside areas, and prepared public spaces as part of broader landscape and environmental improvement works.
The seventh round therefore contributed both to the immediate improvement of the city environment and to preparations for several major projects taking shape within GMC.
Preparing for the 108 Jangchub Chortens
A significant part of the programme was connected with preparations for the construction of 108 Jangchub Chortens — a Royal Initiative of His Majesty The King.
Each chorten is planned to stand 15 metres high, with the structures positioned 108 metres apart. Thousands of volunteers are expected to raise all 108 chortens together during a single coordinated day on 1 November 2026.
The initiative combines a profound spiritual purpose with the principle of collective action. It has already brought together Bhutanese contributing funds, volunteering their time, and supporting preparations for a project designed to demonstrate what can be achieved through unity and shared responsibility.
The seventh Shabto programme formed part of the wider preparations leading towards this historic undertaking.
Sacred Relics for Project 108
On 30 August, the final day of the programme, the 12th Tai Situpa, Pema Dönyö Nyingche, offered sacred relics for the 108 Jangchub Chortens during a ceremony at Sarpang Dzong.
Tai Situ Rinpoche also presented two sacred ringsel to His Majesty The King. The relics, associated with Sangay Shakya Thupa and Sangay Yoelsung, are said to be more than 900 years old.
Their Majesties, Their Royal Highnesses, and Tai Situ Rinpoche offered prayers together at Sarpang Dzong, adding an important spiritual dimension to the preparations for Project 108.
The offering of the relics linked the future chortens with a centuries-old Buddhist lineage while reinforcing the role of spiritual heritage within the broader vision for Gelephu Mindfulness City.
Royal Tokha Marks the Conclusion of the Programme
The seventh round concluded on 30 August after three days of collective work.
In the afternoon, Their Majesties, Their Royal Highnesses, and Tai Situ Rinpoche joined volunteers and programme coordinators for Royal Tokha, marking the successful completion of the seventh round.
With more than 3,000 participants contributing across Gelephu, the programme continued the momentum established through the previous six rounds of Shabto and supported preparations for the next stages of Gelephu Mindfulness City.
As work on Gelephu Mindfulness City progresses, the Shabto volunteer programme continues to reflect Bhutan’s tradition of collective action and service in support of the country’s development.
Elżbieta Jabłońska, President of the Bhutan–Poland Friendship Society, also participated in the seventh round, joining thousands of Bhutanese Shabto volunteers in Gelephu for the fourth time.
Elżbieta Jabłońska
Bhutan-Poland Friendship Society
