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.