The Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) is pleased to announce the signing of a grant agreement with the Bhutan Foundation for the project, “𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆-𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗘𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗞𝗮𝗯𝗷𝗶 𝗛𝗼𝗸𝗮 𝗧𝘀𝗵𝗼 𝗘𝗰𝗼 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹.”

Through this partnership, the project will support sustainable tourism, strengthen local livelihoods, and promote the conservation of the Kabji Hoka Tsho Eco Trail in collaboration with local communities.

RSPN extends its sincere gratitude to the Bhutan Foundation for its valuable support and partnership in advancing conservation and community development efforts in Bhutan.

Together for our nature and people.

RSPN Bhutan successfully conducted a Project Consultation Meeting with officials of Trongsa Dzongkhag Administration

and Dragteng Gewog, followed by the signing of a Project Financing Agreement for the Integrated Water Resource Management and Livelihood Enhancement Project in Drakteng Gewog, Trongsa. The project is funded by the UNDP Global Environment Facility (GEF)-Small Grants Programme (SGP) under Operational Phase 8.

The consultation meeting brought together partners to align on key interventions aimed at restoring degraded ecosystems, improving community livelihoods, and strengthening climate resilience in the region.

A joint field visit led by Dasho Dzongrab was then carried out in Samcholing, where the team assessed three adjoining degraded lakes at Dramitang and identified priority restoration actions,

including:

Clearing overgrown vegetation in lake catchments.

Planting native tree species along lake peripheries to restore biodiversity.

Constructing rainwater harvesting ponds to enhance groundwater recharge.

Developing inlet channels to improve water retention.

Establishing water storage and distribution networks for safe and reliable drinking water supply.

These nature-based solutions are expected to enhance local water security, restore fragile ecosystems, and strengthen community resilience to climate change impacts.

The consultation and field visit reaffirmed the strong partnership between RSPN, Trongsa Dzongkhag, Dragteng Gewog, and local communities in advancing practical, nature-based solutions for sustainable development.

The Royal Society for Protection of Nature invites eligible 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚l Consultant to provide consultancy services on “Strengthening RSPN’s strategic frameworks, associated documents and standards for Accreditation with climate finance”

Those qualified International consultants interested in taking this assignment need to submit a formal application to RSPN with a cover letter addressed to The Executive Director, RSPN, Thimphu.

The Subject should be “Strengthening of RSPN’s strategic frameworks, associated documents and standards for Accreditation with climate finance”. The deadline for submission of this application ends on 15 November, 2024 at 4 pm following the Bhutan Time Zone.

The mode of application submission will be accepted via email, syarphel@rspn.local and copy to sdorji@rspn.local.

Detailed TOR for International Consultant can be downloaded from

𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 doesn’t end at the tap. It depends on the people who keep the system running and in communities across the White-bellied Heron landscape, those people now have a name and a skill set to match.

RSPN, in partnership with the Local Government and the Water and Sanitation Division (WSD) under the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, is currently organizing a Water System Operation and Maintenance Training for 22 community water caretakers locally known as 𝘾𝙝𝙪 𝙏𝙨𝙪𝙥 and community representatives. The training follows the successful rollout of 15 Rural Water Supply Schemes supported across the WBH landscape.

The Chu Tsup are more than technicians. As the guardians of their community water systems, they respond to system failures,water source management, monitor water quality, and ensure that households have uninterrupted flow of clean water. The training is designed to deepen these capabilities with structured and practical knowledge.

By investing in the people behind the pipes, RSPN is strengthening a conservation approach that recognizes the link between clean water, healthy communities, and a thriving White-bellied Heron landscape. At the heart of this effort are the Chu Tsup, whose dedication keeps both communities and conservation flowing.