Why we continue to plant in Bhutan
Bhutan is one of the few countries in the world that defines not growth but happiness as the ultimate goal of its development – and at the same time, it is the only country that has officially committed to permanent climate neutrality. Yet, even there, the consequences of climate change are felt: glaciers are melting, extreme weather events are increasing, and harvests are becoming uncertain.
Our local project partner specializes in planting hazelnut trees on fallow, degraded mountain slopes. These trees are much more than just an ecological measure:
- They stabilize the soil and prevent erosion
- They sequester CO₂ and increase biodiversity
- With a yield period of up to 50 years per tree, they create a long-term income source for smallholder families
- Women particularly benefit from the new, low-threshold income opportunities
- The purchase of the harvest is guaranteed by our partner – an important protection against market risks
Over 620,000 more trees are to be planted in the coming years. With our October/November campaign, we have already contributed 81,070 trees, and with the QoQa Drop, even more trees for this very project will now be added.
Three Swiss brands, one common shirt
What makes this campaign special: We are not pursuing the project alone but together with two strong Swiss partners.
- QoQa is the Swiss community platform with the unmistakable otter as its mascot. And this very otter is the reason why we are embarking on this collaboration together.
- Pro Lutra is the Swiss foundation that has been dedicated to protecting the once-eradicated and now slowly returning otters for years.
- NIKIN has been planting a tree for every product sold since 2016. #treebytree.
The result: a limited edition T-shirt in black and off-white (XS–XXL), made from 100% organic cotton, produced in Portugal, and GOTS-certified. It bears the three logos NIKIN × QoQa × Pro Lutra on the chest.
Double Impact: one tree in Bhutan + CHF 5 for otter protection
Each shirt sold has a double impact:
- 1 hazelnut tree in Bhutan – planted as part of our ongoing project with One Tree Planted
- CHF 5 to Pro Lutra – for the protection of Swiss otters
In this way, we combine global reforestation with local species protection – both out of conviction, both effective in the long term.
The Otter – a stealthy returnee to our waters
For a long time, the otter was considered extinct in Switzerland. Only in recent years has this fascinating animal ventured back into our rivers and lakes. But its comeback is fragile – and one of the greatest dangers is not water scarcity or disease, but something much more mundane: our roads.
Pro Lutra addresses the problem directly: The foundation installs wildlife cameras at particularly dangerous spots to document the movements of the otters. This visual evidence is crucial – only with it can permits for safe
bridge passages and bank crossings be obtained from authorities. This allows otters to stay where they belong: close to the water, in safety.
With every shirt sold, you support exactly this work – the camera traps, the data collection, and ultimately the structural adaptations that save otter lives.
Achieving more together
A collaboration between three Swiss companies, all acting out of conviction. A shirt that actively finances local wildlife protection. And an additional hazelnut tree in Bhutan, ensuring more biodiversity, healthier soils, and new livelihoods. That's the idea behind this campaign – and for that, we are grateful to have you on board.
The shirt will be available in limited quantities exclusively on the QoQa platform. If you want one, you should be quick – otters and trees are counting on you.
You can find more information about all tree planting projects and the impact of your support on our TreeTracker page. And learn more about Pro Lutra's work at prolutra.ch.
