Bhutan’s Department of Human Settlement has launched Zhichar, a national digital platform that brings building records, land-use plans, emergency shelters, infrastructure data, and spatial information into one system. Developed around 2019 to create a national record of buildings, Zhichar was later expanded to support pandemic response and property tax services. The platform now enables authorities to access updated information on buildings and residential units, helping them assess housing demand and plan future development more effectively. Zhichar also provides drone and satellite imagery and is linked with the National Land Commission’s eSakor, allowing updated land information to be reflected automatically. Through a Bhutan NDI-enabled public portal, citizens can request corrections to building records, including information on residential units and rentals. Officials say the integrated system will improve coordination among agencies, strengthen planning, and make public service delivery more efficient.
