𝗔 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗱

With the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) earlier today, RSPN Bhutan and College of Natural Resources, Royal University of Bhutan have formally established their partnership, marking a significant step forward in environmental research and education.

This #MoU aims to foster cooperation between the two organizations in key areas such as scientific research, capacity building, and educational development. Through this partnership, both organizations will be able to leverage their respective strengths, leading to mutual benefits and the establishment of a comprehensive framework for future collaborations.

The MoU outlines several exciting initiatives, including:

Joint research initiatives

Collaborative research projects

Support for graduate and research degree students

Organization of seminars, conferences, and workshops

Capacity-building efforts

Collaborative publications

With this partnership, RSPN and CNR are ready to take bold steps in shaping the future of conservation and sustainable development.

Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting collaborations.

𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮 after spending nearly seven months in the wetlands of the Tibetan Autonomous Region, China, returned to Phobjikha Valley on November 26, 2024, covering an impressive 𝟭𝟴𝟬 𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟰 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀.
Anneguntera was first tagged with a GPRS/GSM transmitter in the winter of 2019 at Phobjikha by researchers from NABU, Crane Conservation Germany, and RSPN.
This year, Phobjikha has recorded about 380 Black-necked Cranes so far. Their arrival in Phobjikha, often synchronized with the onset of winter, heralds a season of celebration and conservation efforts, as the valley becomes a sanctuary for these globally threatened species. The valley transforms into a sanctuary for these globally threatened species, serving as one of their critical habitats. This migration is more than a natural spectacle-it’s a testament to the Black-necked Crane’s resilience and underscores the importance of preserving their habitats for the generations to come.

RSPN Bhutan and the Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation (BTFEC) signed a Grant Agreement to support RSPN’s accreditation as the country’s second National Implementing Entity (NIE) of Adaptation Fund today. For RSPN’s accreditation, the Adaptation Fund (AF) has approved a Readiness Package Grant of US$ 150,000 and currently implements the Readiness Project-BTN-RS-006. This grant support will help RSPN in developing and updating policies, conducting stakeholders consultations, and addressing any accreditation comments from the AF. RSPN consider this collaboration with BTFEC and the Adaptation Fund as a pivotal milestone in its journey towards accreditation and enhancing country’s resilience to #ClimateChange.

Today, RSPN Bhutan hosted a delegation from France to discuss advancing Red Panda conservation in Bhutan. This visit follows previous high-level delegations received by RSPN.

During the joint meeting, RSPN presented the past and ongoing conservation works RSPN is implementing, and discussed on various mutual areas RSPN can work together with different organizations, including international partners.

To take forward the conservation of Red Panda, RSPN and Connaître et Protéger le Panda Roux (CPPR) will initiate further discussion.

RSPN Bhutan had a privilege to host a meeting with the officials from Green Climate Fund (GCF) secretariat. The team led by the Executive Director, Ms. Mafalda Duarte of GCF is currently on official visit to Bhutan.

During the meeting, RSPN shared its conservation strategies in saving globally threatened species through community-focused initiatives and building climate resilient societies. RSPN became Delivery Partner to GCF in 2023 for implementing the Readiness Project in Bhutan and currently implements the Readiness Project BTN-RS-006. The update was also made on the progress of project. The meeting also highlighted some of the areas to strengthen partnership between GCF and RSPN. RSPN aspires to become second accredited entities to GCF from Bhutan and the current Readiness Project have outlined scopes in preparation of RSPN for accreditation process.

RSPN, under the Royal Patronage of Her Majesty the Queen of Bhutan and in partnership with government, international partners, foundations and communities is dedicated to preserving Bhutan’s environment. This meeting marks a significant step in strengthening our partnership with the GCF as we work together towards a greener and sustainable future for Bhutan.

White- bellied Heron is classified as a critically Endangered species because it has an extremely small and rapidly declining population. This decline is projected to increase in the near future as a result of loss and degradation of lowland forest and wetlands, and through direct exploitation and disturbance. In an effort to raise awareness and promote conservation efforts among the forest officials and community, RSPN staff of White-bellied Heron Conservation team organized an advocacy program to forest Officials and the Kilkhorthang community on 17 th October 2024. RSPN and Forest officials have a long-standing collaboration in promoting the conservation of the White-bellied Heron, and this program was another step in their joint efforts.

The program began with a presentation on RSPN role and programs and the White-bellied Heron ecology, the benefits of conserving WBH (ecological, socioeconomic),and means to mitigate the threats to WBH. Later the participants were introduced to captive breeding facilities of WBH and provided guided tours to information unit learning about Heron biology, behavior, ecology and threats.

The advocacy program successfully brought together forest officials and community members to discuss the conservation work of the White- bellied Heron. The program fostered collaborative support and laid the groundwork for future initiatives to protect the species and its habitat. Sustained efforts and active participation from all stakeholders will be essential to ensure the long-term survival of the White- bellied Heron. There were a total of 18 participants with 3 female and 15 number of male participants.

𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲: 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗙𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲-𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗻

As the harvest season approach, Ap Dorji Rinchen, a resident of Toedwang gewog in Punakha, can finally rest without sacrificing his sleep to guard his six acres of wetland from wild boars and other animals. Earlier,the community had built 11 temporary sheds around the fields for protection,with each household taking turns to monitor the crops overnight.

Now with the introduction and support of electric fencing by the RSPN, the situation has improved significantly. This intervention, which covers six villages has benefited 42 households and protects around 90 acres of farmland. The 17-kilometre stretch of fencing with a total budget of Nu 2.5 million was inaugurated on September 30th,2024.

Prior to the project’s implementation, the local residents were felling trees from the nearby banks of the Phochhu River to use as fencing poles. The resident shared that led to the habitat disturbance of local wildlife including the critically endangered White-bellied Heron (WBH) and highlighted the need for sustainable solutions to protect both the environment and the community’s livelihoods.
Currently, the High-Density Poly-ethylene (HDPE) pipes are used for the electric fence. The HDPE poles not only reduce the impact on local forests but also enhance the durability and effectiveness of the fencing system.

Last year, the WBH juvenile was spotted in Samdingkha area which shows that with the restoration and habitat improvement intervention, the WBH comes back to its natural habitat.
This activity is a part of IKI Project “Developing Ecosystem-based Solutions for Managing Biodiversity landscapes in Bhutan” funded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), Germany through International Climate Initiative (IKI) with co-funding from MAVA Foundation, Switzerland and the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN).

The 21st BirdLife Asia Regional Partnership Meeting is currently happening in Indonesia. The three day partnership meeting is attending by 14 BirdLife partners in Asia, and some of the key stakeholders having association to BirdLife in Asia. RSPN Bhutan is only BirdLife partner from Bhutan and representing this partnership meeting.The partnership meeting organized by BirdLife International Asia and co-hosted by Burung Indonesia outlines following objectives;

Monitor and evaluate progress on delivery of the key conservation priorities identified by the Asia Conservation Strategy to advance the BirdLife Strategy (2023-2032).

Continue to unite around joint initiatives to deliver on the key conservation priorities identified by the BirdLife Asia Partnership.

To strengthen the Asia Partnership is in a better position to deliver on our shared conservation priorities, develop plans to strengthen Partners and the Partnership.

Today, in the first day of partnership meeting, RSPN presented some of the significant milestones it has achieved in recent years for conserving biodiversity, creating sustainable development, mitigating climate change impacts and other areas that supplements the effort of the government. In the following days, RSPN will present Ecotourism and Climate Change initiatives.

RSPN became the 122nd BirdLife Partner organization in 2016. As the largest conservation NGO in Bhutan, it dedicates itself to pioneering biodiversity safeguards, the environment, sustainable development and climate change.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Nature (RSPN) staff of White-bellied Heron Conservation team organized an advocacy program to Bjimithangkha primary school sector staff on 6th October 2024 as part of a conservation initiative focused on the White-bellied Heron (WBH). The conservation of White- bellied Heron is a matter of urgent global concern. Educating the importance of conservation efforts plays a crucial role in safeguarding our biodiversity. Only less than 60 individuals of WBH remain in the world. Bhutan is fortunate to be one of the last refuges for this majestic bird, particularly within the habitat along the Punatsangchhu river in Wangdue district.The WBH -CC team member made a guided tour for the participants and presented on the ecology and some of the conservation approaches RSPN applies in reviving and sustaining the low population of WBH.

The day program began with a presentation on RSPN roles and the White- bellied Heron ecology, the benefits of conserving WBH (ecological, socioeconomic) and means to mitigate the threats to WBH. Participants were divided into two groups, they were introduced to captive breeding facilities of WBH and explained about the standard protocol involved in breeding, rearing and feeding of WBH. The program also highlighted the significant role schools can play in conservation efforts and furthermore the school leader shared about their environmental education program such as cleaning campaign and advocacy program on WBH to be held in their district. In between the session participants were encouraged strongly to raise questions and doubts, allowing them to voice their thoughts and curiosity about the WBH conservation.

The advocacy program successfully met its objectives of raising awareness and fostering a sense of responsibility towards environmental conservation. Feedback from the participants indicated that the program was both educational and inspiring. The knowledge and inspiration gained from this visit will have a lasting impact, not only on the teacher themselves but also on the students and communities they serve.

The advocacy program successfully met its objectives of raising awareness and fostering a sense of responsibility towards environmental conservation.The participants represented both genders, but there was a higher number of male participants, leading to a male-dominated group. However, all participants contributed equally and actively to the session, regardless of gender.In total there were 6 numbers of female participants and 15 numbers of male participants.

Opening the curtains of young minds can later do wonders for the conservation of critically endangered bird White – bellied Heron. Therefore in an effort to raise awareness and promote conservation efforts among the youth, RSPN staff of White- bellied Heron Conservation team organized an advocacy program to Dasidhing Higher Secondary on 5 th October 2024 upon their request for the visit to the center as part of advocacy program on protection of White- bellied Heron and waste management program.

The day-long program began with a presentation on RSPN role and programs and the White- bellied Heron ecology, the benefits of conserving WBH (ecological, socioeconomic), and means to mitigate the threats to WBH. Students were divided into two groups, they were introduced to captive breeding facilities of WBH and explained about the standard protocol involved in breeding, rearing and feeding WBH. In between the session students and teachers were encouraged strongly to raise questions and doubts, allowing them to voice their thoughts and curiosity about the WBH conservation. Staff members provided explanations and answers enhancing their understanding of the complexities of conservation work.

Later a cleaning program was conducted on a campus as part of waste management advocacy efforts. Both students and teachers actively participated in cleaning the campus premises and segregating waste, promoting environmental awareness and sustainable practices.

The advocacy program successfully met its objectives of raising awareness and fostering a sense of responsibility among students towards environmental conservation.Feedback from the students and teachers indicated that the program was both educational and inspiring. Participation included nature club members of Class IX to XII, forming a well-balanced group. In total there were 13 numbers of female participants and 20 numbers of male participants including the teachers.