Black-necked Crane Action Plan(2021-2025) Launched

Coinciding with the world wildlife day, Bhutan’s Black-necked Crane conservation Action Plan, 2021-2025, was launched. The action plan was developed to further strengthen the partnership and synergize actions towards the BNC conservation in the country. The Department of Forests and Park Services and RSPN worked together to develop this action plan with inputs from various other stakeholders. The identified actions within this plan are to enhance knowledge in the ecology of this species and protecting their habitats while improving the livelihoods of the local communities.

The Staff of RSPN initiated a vegetable garden within the office campus on April 10, 2020. The staff were introduced to basic organic vegetable gardening, and around five varieties of vegetables such as Radish, Carrot, Coriander, Pea and Spinach were planted. The vegetable garden will be used as organic vegetable demonstration garden for RSPN, whereby the staff can engage in outdoor activity during their leisure time in the future. The activity was initiated mainly to promote organic vegetable production amongst RSPN Staff. The vegetable seedlings were provided through the REDD+ Phase IV project funded by Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) or the World Bank.

“We have succeeded phenomenally in the conservation of our natural environment, and our efforts and achievements have garnered international appreciation and recognition. If we are as successful in maintaining the places where we live, it will be a truly commendable achievement. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that where we live remain clean, safe, well organized, and beautiful, for all times to come.”

~ His Majesty The King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck during the 109th National Day celebration.

The 26th Chubachu Stream cleaning was conducted today, February 20, 2020, in dedicating to His Majesty’s 40th Birth Anniversary.

The RSPN Board of Directors and staff would like to join the nation in offering our profound prayers for His Majesty’s good health, happiness, and long life. We pledge to continue working towards the conservation of our environment drawing inspiration and guided by His Majesty’s noble conservation legacy.

The cleaning program was initiated in collaboration with the Agency for Promotion of Indigenous Crafts, GST Project Office (DRC, MoF), Thimphu Rotary Club and Centre for Environment and Development. A total of 532 kilograms of waste was collected from the stream.

A stakeholder meeting was held with Toxics Link, an environmental NGO working on the issues of waste and chemicals for over two decades. Toxics Link also serves as the Hub for the South Asia region of IPEN (International Pollutants Elimination Network) since 2004. The meeting briefly provided the stakeholders about IPEN and discussed possible future engagement of the stakeholders considering the toxics free future

On August 18, 2019 21 RSPN members trekked the Sagala Trail, a historic 7-hour hike from Haa to Paro. The trekking group traversed through a variety of unique habitats and explored the region’s rich natural biodiversity along the way. In support of RSPN’s Community-based Sustainable Tourism (CBST) program, the members enjoyed Haap’s hospitality with their homestay experiences.

It was a pleasure to welcome Mr. Stephen Couchman, Executive Director, Huronia Community Foundation and Catherine C. Smart, President, Smart Move Training and Development Inc., Clarksburg, Ontario to RSPN. The delegates and the ED discussed about future collaboration to promote Community-based Sustainable Tourism in Bhutan.

A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), a model academia-industry-civil society collaboration mechanism, was signed on August 9, 2019 at the Institute for Management Studies Ltd., Serbethang to establish cooperation between the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand; Institute for Management Studies Ltd. (IMSL) and the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN).

The MoU paves the way for cooperation between AIT, IMSL and RSPN (AIR) on conducting professional development courses; research and innovation; education, communication, and outreach programs in the areas of science, technology, engineering, sustainable development, and well-being, and Gross National Happiness (GNH).

The three organizations will collaborate in:

1. Offering professional capacity development and learning programs, 
2. Research and development of innovative applications of science and technology, development of tools and design of approaches specific to mutually agreed interest areas, and 
3. Collaborative education, communication, advocacy, and outreach through various media.  

“Many people have asked me about this tripartite collaboration MoU relevancy as we differ in implementing our programs and activities. My answer to them was, whether you come from Science and Technology background, Management or economic background or Environmental conservation background; All of these are connected and interdependent. One cannot survive without the other and therefore, we must all come together, if we are to support or address our common objectives and goals”.
~ Kinley Tenzin (Ph.D)

“We, at IMSL, are keen to take the MOU fast-forward, particularly on R&D, faculty exchange program, and of course calling ourselves to action on climate change, sustainable development and our own Gross National Happiness“.

~ Kezang, CEO, IMSL

Brief Profiles of the Partners

The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) is an international institute of higher learning. It is Asia’s pioneer institution established in 1959 to help meet the region’s growing needs for advanced learning in engineering, science, technology and management, research and capacity building. AIT’s mission is to develop highly qualified and committed professionals who will play a leading role in the sustainable development of the region and its integration into the global economy.

The Institute for Management Studies Ltd. (IMSL), founded in 2008 and incorporated under the Companies Act of Bhutan on 13 July 2016, is a leading knowledge-based socially-conscious company offering: professional training, learning and development programs; strategic research, niche consulting and advisory services; and, authentic hospitality and curated experiences including MICE bleisures. Its corporate campus is located in beautiful Serbethang, on the outskirts of Thimphu city.

RSPN observed “Zero Waste Hour” today together with our partners from Thimphu Thromde, Royal University of Bhutan, Bhutan Telecom Limited, Faculty of Traditional Medicine, Agency for Promotion of Indigenous Crafts, Watershed Management Division, Centre for Environment and Development, Bhutan Toilet Organization, Mangdechuu Hydroelectric Project Authority (MHPA) and community living in the buffer of the stream. The volunteers cleaned the office premises and the Chubachu stream. A truckload of waste was collected from the office and another ton of waste from the stream.
RSPN will coordinate at least a half-day cleaning campaign to observe the Zero Waste Hour on the second day of every month to promote Bhutan’s vision of Zero Waste policy in line with the “Zero Waste Hour” to achieve Bhutan’s vision of Zero Waste Society by 2030.
We thank our partners for their continued support and cooperation.

A single White-bellied Heron (WBH) was sighted flying over a bridge at Tharong village (Upper Kheng / Shingkhar Bridge) on July 24, 2019, at around 03:36 PM by Sherab Jamtsho and Sangay Choda, Forest Rangers from Nimshong Forest Beat, Khomshar Range under Zhemgang Division. The WBH was sighted during a regular patrolling towards Chamkhar chhu area and is the first sighting in that area.

In Kisonachhu this year, the first juvenile was reported to have fledged on June 17, 2019, after 73 days, but did not return to the nest for the next three days. However, it returned to the nest after 5 days on June 23. Normally, the juveniles fledge by 72-73 days (Pradhan, R. 2011).  Prior to that, the juveniles are observed flapping their wings and taking short flights from one end of the nest to another. 

The monitoring partners from Taksha Range office reported that all three juveniles at Kisonachhu had fledged on June 29, and were seen foraging in the river banks on the opposite side of the nest. 

Upon receiving the report, the research team from RSPN rushed to the site to monitor the fledged juveniles. The team reached the observation point at 4:00 pm and scanned all the opposite river banks as the nest was empty. A juvenile was sighted foraging just opposite to the nest and one was sighted sitting idle few meters down.  

However, upon careful observation, the juvenile was observed to have severely injured its left leg (above the wrist). Despite heavy and continuous bleeding from the injured leg, the juvenile heron was flapping its wings repeatedly and trying to fly without any success.

Immediately, the concerned authorities were informed about the incidents and helps were sought to rescue it. However, it was getting dark and attempting a rescue was not possible. Therefore, the team decided to attempt a rescue in the early hours of the following day. On the following day, the research team, hired a team from Explore Bhutan Raft Company and with the generous support of Taksha Range office attempted to rescue the injured juvenile despite many difficulties faced.  

As the team reached the site, the injured heron was almost dead, its left wing (Ulna and radius) was also completely broken making it flightless. The team gently covered the body with white clothes, tried to apply some first aid and made arrangements to take it to the nearest animal rescue center. Sadly, the juvenile stopped breathing and succumbed to its injuries shortly. 

The cause of the injury was not known, and the area is one of the least disturbed areas. The wings could have been broken as a result of hitting the boulders around while trying to balance its body as its leg wrist bone (tarsometatarsus) was totally broken. The juvenile was one of the tagged herons and was identified as Sangay (Dharma) through its tag number (tag ID: 5274). 

The carcass of the WBH was brought to the RSPN head office in Thimphu and detailed measurements were taken. The carcass was later submitted to the Nature Conservation Division (NCD) to Mount and prepare specimens. 

Reported by

Tshewang Lhendup

Research Officer

RSPN, Bhutan