𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞-𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝

White-bellied Heron Conservation Action Plan 2022- 2031 Launched

The White-bellied Heron (WBH) Conservation Action Plan was launched today, in the presence of our conservation friends Department of Forests and Park Services Bhutan For Life WWF Bhutan RSPN started the conservation of WBH in 2003 and over the years, together with our partners, we have put in our efforts to the conservation of this species to a great extent. Over the last two decades, we have mapped the distribution range, identified key feeding and nesting habitats, and closely monitored the populations, nests, and juveniles. We have educated, inspired, and engaged local communities, students, researchers, institutions, and policymakers in its conservation. We now have a better understanding of its genetic diversity, ecology, biology, threats, and challenges.

The Conservation Action Plan is an outcome of multi-institutional collaboration and the support of many individuals. This is a national document developed jointly by DoFPS and RSPN. The overall conservation strategies and actions outlined here reflect the holistic approach to achieving the milestone in the conservation of WBH within the period of the next 10 years, 2022-2031. As it becomes effective in 2022, this plan is expected to bring various conservation partners together in putting our foremost efforts to achieve our common goal of saving the last remains of WBH from its brink of extinction. The action plan was developed through funding support from the Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation With this action plan in place, we look forward to the effective implementation of the WBH conservation programs with the same spirit of support and collaboration with the partners.