Black-necked Cranes arrive in Phobjikha

5 November, 2007
NEWS The first group of black-necked crane comprising a family of four arrived at their winter habitat, Phobjikha in Wangdi Phodrang on Sunday, November 4 at around 1:30 PM. According to the crane information centre in Phobjikha, the group consists of two adult cranes and two juveniles.

This is the first group which flew from the summer habitat in Tibet Autonomous Region in China. Last year, the cranes began arriving in the last week of October.

Meanwhile, the RSPN and Phobjikha Environment Management Committee is preparing for the forthcoming 9^th Annual Black-necked Crane Festival to be held on 12 Novermber 2007 in Phobjikha.

We would like to inform all agencies and individuals that the RSPN's old e-mail address @rspn-bhutan.org will no more be valid as it is a discontinued service.

Therefore, all correspondences must be addressed to @rspnbhutan.org.
Like any other organization, we have standardised our organizational e-mail system. If you are not sure about the e-mail address at which you are mailing, it is easy if you know the name of your intended recepient working in the RSPN.

For people having two names, we use first single letter of the first name with full second name:
Example:
Full Name : Sangay Tashi
RSPN's E-mail ID : stashi@rspnbhutan.org
For people having three names, we use first single letter of the first name with full second and third name:
Example:
Full Name : Pema Tshewang Gyelpo
RSPN's E-mail ID : ptshewanggyelpo@rspnbhutan.org
If you are still unclear about our new system, please contact webmaster@rspnbhutan.org for more information.

Climate change and their impacts in developing countries (especially least developed countries) will become inevitable in the coming years.
Many of the most vulnerable groups and communities will be the poorest and most marginalized. People working in development (at international as well as national and local levels) have been need for accurate and relevant information on climate change and development linkages.

Introduction

Climate change and their impacts in developing countries (especially least developed countries) will become inevitable in the coming years. Many of the most vulnerable groups and communities will be the poorest and most marginalized. People working in development (at international as well as national and local levels) have been need for accurate and relevant information on climate change and development linkages. Tiempo is a quarterly journal produced jointly by IIED, SEI and UEA as well as a website (http://www.tiempocyberclimate.org ) which tries to provide such information (with a focus on the least developed countries).

The purpose of this exercise is to develop a panel of key individuals in each least developed country where CLACC is working to get them to read Tiempo regularly and get their advice and feedback.

Objectives:

1. To raise awareness amongst key actors in each LDC about climate change and development issues

2. To establish a forum or group of such individuals to meet occasionally and give feedback

Activities:

1. Develop a list of key individuals (20 to 30) in our country (including from government, NGOs, academics, researchers, media, private sector, etc).

2. Offer these individuals a free subscription to Tiempo in exchange for agreeing to attend a meeting/e-forum after they get a few copies to give their feedback.

3. To conduct group meeting/e-meeting and get their feedback

Person responsible:

Dago Tshering, Field Coordinator
CLACC Fellow

Register yourself with full details including your academic background with email address at dtsering@rspnbhutan.org dtsering@rspnbhutan.org This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

A three days familiarization trip on Community Based Sustainable Tourism in Phobjikha was organized on 7^th – 9^th September 2007. The main objective of the trip was to:

> Sensitize Tour Operators on the importance of community based sustainable tourism in Phobjikha Conservation Area
> Familiarize Tour Operators on the ecotourism program in Phobjikha
> Familiarize Tour Operators with the local stakeholders
> Familiarize Tour Operators on the ecotourism green code of conduct
> Collect feedback and findings from them to improve the services provided

Seventeen tour operators, a representative from the Department of Tourism and the Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators took part in the program.

The participants experienced some of the ecotourism activities in the valley.On the first day they visited the Black-Necked Crane Information Centre where a presentation on the ecotourism project was made by the project officer. She highlighted on the importance of ecotourism as a contribution towards conservation efforts made by the society in the valley and as an alternative income earning source for the local communities apart from subsistence farming.

The participants were taken for field trips around the valley led by local guides to experience the local services provided by the communities. Services included tea and meals offered by local families, cultural programs, and visiting cultural sites and listening to local folk lore and stories.

On the third day the participants were introduced to the six hour long Shasila Nature Trail which starts from the valley and end at road point in Sha Khaylakha. The trail although used by the people of Gangtey and the Bjena during their migration has never been commonly used as a tourist trail.

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The secretariat of Bhutan Water partnership (BhWP) project has been relocated at RSPN office from National Environment Commission as per the directives issued by the Cabinet ministers during the 335^th Coordination Committee meeting Session. Under the provision, RSPN is mandated to manage and undertake and implement programs related to water issues in Bhutan.

The secretariat will also be the focal point for the Global Water partnershipin South East Asia, a regional authority on integrated water resources management in the region.

The Bhutan Water partnership is an inter-ministerial body striving towards integrated water resources management. It ensures sustainable use of water resources in Bhutan for economic and social benefits without compromising the sustainability of the ecosystems. It acts as a technical advisory body to the government on water resources protection, development and management.

The activities of BhWP are guided by a steering committee comprising representatives from relevant government agencies and RSPN. It is supported by a member secretary and a program Officer from RSPN.

Currently, water management in Bhutan is bounded by Bhutan Water Policy and Bhutan Water Act. A Bhutan Water Resources Management Plan has also been formulated to address water issues in Bhutan.

The BhWP is the part of the network group of Global Water Partnership working partnership which identifies critical knowledge needs at global, regional and national levels, helps design programs for meeting these needs, and serves as a mechanism for alliance building and information exchange on integrated water resources management.

The 2007 IUCN Red List Category has uplisted the status of the White-bellied Herons from endangered to critically endangered species on basis of new information which indicates extremely small and rapidly declining population. In the near future, this decline is expected to increase due to the loss and degradation of lowland forest and wetlands, and through direct exploitation and disturbance.

This relegation calls for further strengthening of concerted conservation efforts from countries in which the herons are residing.

Currently, the herons are found in south-east Asia countries like Bhutan, India, Myanmar, China. Bhutan has an estimated 24 herons with more concentration along the Puntshgangchhu river basin in western part of Bhutan. Two new nests have been found along the river. As of now, there are six chicks in the two nests.

The IUCN – The world conservation Union has for more than four decades been assessing the conservation status of species, subspecies, varieties and even selected subpopulations on a global scale in order to highlight taxa threatened with extinction, and therefore promote their conservation.

For further reading on Red List Category, download: IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria (source: www.iucn.org)

In an effort to generate sense of responsibility and encourage waste management in Bhutan, students and lecturers from the nation’s premiere institute, Sherubtse College, conducted a major east-west high way cleanup and awareness programs from 2^nd to 9^th July, 2007. A group of 56 students and 2 lecturers from Singye Karm and Social Service Unit of the college carried out two campaigns simultaneously from Trashigang to Bumthang and Bumthang to Thimphu highway.

The team collected papers, plastics and other wastes lying on either side of the highway. They also advocated waste management programs to the communities’ enroute. Pickup trucks were arranged to dispose the collected trash.

As a gesture of appreciation and support for the initiatives, the Clean Bhutan Steering Committee led by His Excellency, Dasho Nado Rinchhen, Deputy Minister of National Environment Commission received the two groups at the Thimphu Clock Tower. The event was also organized to impact further awareness and education to the general public.

During the keynote speech, His Excellency commended the efforts of the College. He said that Bhutan is currently facing a major problem in tackling waste issue. He pointed that such initiatives will ensure active participation from the general public who are unaware of the consequences of waste generation. He also commended the Clean Bhutan project steering committee for supporting this event.

The students of Sherubtse and the Royal Academy of Performing arts performed advocacy and cultural programs for the guests and public. Banners encouraging ethical waste management practices were also displayed.

The campaign is the first leg of the Clean Bhutan program initiated by RSPN and other concerned agencies from government, private and public sectors to address the emerging issue of waste. The project aims to conduct a nationwide cleaning campaign interspersed with awareness programs through various outlets like media, etc.

The students and lecturers of Sherubtse College are conducting a major cleaning campaign along the Trashigang – Thimphu highway from 1^st to 9^th July, 2007. The campaign, which is divided into two sections i.e. from Trashigang to Bumthang and Bumthang to Thimphu, is carried out simultaneously by the Social Service Unit (SSU) and Singye Karm Nature Club of the college. The program is accompanied by education programs on waste management for the residents, communities and towns en-route. The activity is part of the Clean Bhutan Project initiated by Royal Society for Protection of Nature in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders.  

The program schedules are as follows:  

Group A (Social Service Unit). Trashigang to Bumthang

 
Group B (Singye Karm): Bumthang to Thimphu

 
The campaign is a prelude to the Clean Bhutan campaign which will be initiated by RSPN with relevant stakeholders before 2008.  RSPN will be receiving the Sherubtseans at the Clock Tower on 9^th July. As a mark of solidarity, the organization will conduct a cleaning campaign in Thimphu on the same day depending upon the response and support from our members and the general public.  

All the interested individuals aspiring to participate are requested to register with RSPN personally or through our website.

The 87^th National Assembly of Bhutan passed the civil society organizations bill on Wednesday 20 June 2007.

According to the Civil Society Organizations act, a civil society organization refers to associations, societies, foundations, charitable trusts, non profit organizations or other entities that are not part of the government and do not distribute any income or profits to their members, founders, donors, directors or trustees.

The civil society organization does not include trade unions, political parties, cooperatives or religious organizations.

The Act will facilitate the establishment of public benefit organizations and mutual benefit organizations to strengthen civil society, promote social welfare, and improve the conditions and quality of life of the people of Bhutan. The Act will also ensure a system of public accountability by providing a framework for responsible and effective self regulation of civil society organizations.

As per the Act, an independent civil society organizations authority will be established and will act as the regulatory authority.

The Civil Society Organizations Act has nineteen chapters including a chapter on code of conduct, breach of trust, legal proceedings and offences and penalty.