𝐑𝐨𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞-𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Robusting collective efforts among stakeholders towards White-bellied Heron Conservation

From the several species at risk in Bhutan, the critically endangered White-bellied Heron (WBH), a bird closely associated with the Himalayan freshwater river system, is on the verge of extinction. Today, WBH is the rarest and the most critically endangered heron globally. Fewer than 60 are left worldwide, with less than five known breeding pairs. Bhutan is home to 45% of the global population and 90% of known breeding birds. Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN), in collaboration with our partners, have been putting efforts thus far in preserving and recovering the last remaining populations in Bhutan. Despite our concerted efforts, the wild population size has remained extremely low, and the recent population survey indicates that the population is declining and requires immediate collective efforts.

Although we have upscaled our efforts in protecting the wild populations and restoring their habitats in recent years, we fear the tiny population might disappear anytime, even before we can fully understand them. Therefore, to save WBH and other highly threatened species, there is a need for close cooperation and strategic coordination at the national level. RSPN have organized the National White-bellied Heron knowledge sharing and coordination meeting to strategize and enhance stakeholder coordination in WBH conservation. The two-day workshop from 28-29 December 2022 aims to bring together experts and key stakeholders from government agencies, civil society organizations, international organizations as well as business entities to discuss and share insights on diverse conservation practices, technologies, developments, and businesses that would pave a pathway to robust and coordinated efforts among the key stakeholders in saving this species.

The objectives of the workshop are:

• To provide a platform for the experts from partner institutions to share their knowledge, achievements, and recent development, mainly at the forefront of conservation.
• To explore new conservation ideas, technologies and financing mechanisms to conserve White-bellied Heron.
• To foster cooperation, partnership and coordination at the national level to address White-bellied Heron conservation challenges

The WWF’s Living Planet Report 2022 found more than 69% decline in the populations of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and fish across the globe within less than 50 years. At least a million species are at risk of extinction today. In addition, half the world’s GDP depends on nature, and biodiversity loss could impact up to $44 trillion global economy, directly threatening global food security and human survival. Therefore, there is undeniable urgency in bending the curve of global biodiversity loss and sustainable use of natural resources through a coordinated effort among every organization.