Happy Birding tomorrow

It is Global Big Day for birds and here in Bhutan we are also marking the day as Himalayan Bird Count.How to participate? It is simple, just go for birding, even a fifteen minutes is fine, and upload the bird you saw on the eBird.org website.

Happy birding to all who are watching the birds and submitting the data tomorrow.

A group of students from Carnegie Mellon University, Qatar, visited us today at our Headquarters in Thimphu. The students are on their field trip as part of their course on environment and sustainability. Jigme Tshering, National Coordinator for Black-necked Crane Conservation, delivered a talk on our conservation initiatives related to the Black-necked Cranes.

We are thrilled to share that out of the 62 supported houses aiming to become Village Homestays, 12 have now earned certification from the Department of Tourism, Bhutan. Now, they are ready to extend warm hospitality to guests from both near and far to experience the enriching cultural journey. A homestay is the ideal option for visitors looking for a genuine and immersive experience.

In Bhutan, #Villagehomestays offer a captivating peek into the rural life, inviting guests to fully engage into local customs and culture of this enchanted Himalayan Nation, while also playing a pivotal role in contributing towards socio-economic growth and preserving lush environment.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲-𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦 (𝐂𝐁𝐓)?

Through CBT initiatives, RSPN Bhutan is dedicated to fostering awareness and promote positive attitudes, and sustainable actions in conserving Bhutan’s rich environmental heritage. RSPN strives to empower local communities and build a sense of ownership in sustainably managing their environment through their engagement in planning, decision-making and project implementation.

If you happen to visit the following places, don’t miss the opportunity to experience authentic taste of rural Bhutan.

An annual population survey of White-bellied Heron(WBH) this year observed the presence of 𝟮𝟱 individuals of WBH in Bhutan, including three herons that are currently being raised at the White-bellied Heron Conservation Center.

For the year 2024, the survey was conducted from 1st to 5th March across the major river basins in Bhutan; Wangchhu, Punatshangchu,

Mangdichhu, Kuri-gongri, and Jomori. These major rivers with its tributaries are identified as either currently occupying populations or known as potential habitats of WBH.

The WBH population survey was first initiated 2003 and it is an ongoing annual event coordinated by the RSPN with the support of DoFPS and LCSG members in conducting the survey. This concerted effort is significant for the WBH conservation. Today, WBH conservation is not only as a flagship program but also as a fundamental aspect of RSPN’s core mandate aimed at securing the species’ genetic diversity and facilitating population recovery in Bhutan and the region.

The annual nationwide population count enlisted the efforts of more than eighty surveyors from the Department of Forests and Park Services(DoFPS), Local Conservation Support Groups (LCSG) and the staff of Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN).

Click here to read full report

The delegation from the German Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) was in Bhutan. The five member team was led by Dr Christiane Paulus, Director General, Nature Conservation, Sustainable Use of Nature Conservation, Sustainable Use of Natural Resources, Nature-based Climate Action.

On 25th April, 2024 the delegation visited the RSPN ‘s project site for the ongoing BMUV-IKI project ‘Developing Ecosystem-based Solutions for Managing Biodiversity Landscape in Bhutan In WangduePhodrang District from restoring White-bellied Heron habitats to inaugurating Rural Water Supply Schemes (RWSS).During their visit, the team actively engaged in observing the ongoing restoration efforts for the White-bellied Heron habitat at the PHPA-I site. Additionally, the team also visited the RWSS support in Matalungchhu Chiwog.

As a symbolic gesture, the team planted tree saplings at the PHPA-I site, marking the commencement of collaborative restoration activities with PHPA-I. This year, the restoration targets encompass 8 hectares of degraded areas within the PHPA-1 Project site, a vital habitat for White-bellied Herons.

Later in the day, the team participated in the inauguration of the completed RWSS initiative which was implemented in partnership with Thedtsho Gewog under the Wangdue Phodrang administration. This intervention will positively impact the three villages comprising 25 households, one community Lhakhang and benefit the 26 students of the Extended Classroom School.

The RSPN would like to express our profound gratitude to the delegation team for their invaluable visit to the field sites, highlighting the collective commitment towards preserving Bhutan’s unique natural heritage and environment.

A comprehensive five-day packaging workshop was conducted for the representatives of Climate-smart Agriculture Youth and Women groups of the three project sites (Punakha, Trongsa, and Zhemgang districts) to raise awareness about diverse marketing avenues available at both national and international platforms for their community’s local products.

The training had the following objectives:

1.Enhancing the capacity of local communities, specifically youth and women groups, in packaging and marketing their local products.

2.Equipping local producers with essential skills in hygiene, standards, design, labeling, branding, packaging, and marketing for their local products.

3.Fostering self-sufficiency and generate income opportunities within the community.

During the training, the participants were provided the opportunity to explore available resources and facilities that could elevate the value of their existing local products. The workshop was conducted with the technical support from Cottage & Small Industry (CSI), Department of Industry and coordinated by RSPN as part of the ongoing BMUVI-IKI project.

This project is 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 RSPN team recently completed a five-day capacity building workshop on ‘𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁’ at the White-bellied Heron Conservation Center, Tsirang Dzongkhag.

This workshop has not only enhances our staff’s skills but also offered invaluable field experience opportunities.

On March 13th, 2024, the esteemed presence of senior delegates, including Mr Victor Manche, Political Counsellor at the Embassy of France in New Delhi, Mr Didier Talpain, Consul General of France in Kolkata, and Dr Francoise Pommaret, Honorary Consul of France in Bhutan, graced the RSPN Bhutan with their visit.

The meeting revolved around a focused discussion on conservation efforts for endangered species and sustainable livelihood intervention like ecotourism. We extend our heartfelt appreciation for their invaluable visit.

A joint team from RSPN Bhutan and Thedtsho Gewog carried out the monitoring of #RWSS in Wangdue Phodrang District on March 6th, 2024. Currently, RSPN through the ongoing BMUV-IKI project is supporting two RWSS (Matalungchu and Wangjokha Chiwog, under Thedtsho Gewog).

The RWSS is expected to benefit 95 households. During the monitoring, local government officials provided updates on the progress of RWSS work at Matalungchu, while discussions on Wangjokha RWSS aimed at ensuring smooth implementation .This effort is part of a larger RWSS activity supporting 13 schemes across the White-bellied Heron Landscape, spanning Punakha, Wangdue Phodrang, Tsirang, Trongsa, and Zhemgang Districts.

We extend our gratitude to the Dzongkhag Administration of Wangduephodrang and Thedtsho Gewog Administration for their invaluable support and coordination, which is crucial for the success of this endeavor.

This project is 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).

In an effort to monitor and conserve the Critically Endangered #WhitebelliedHeron (Ardea insignis), RSPN Bhutan in collaboration with Department of Forests and Park Services is set to conduct its Annual Population Survey from March 1st to March 5th, 2024.

This comprehensive survey aims to provide crucial insights into the current status of the White-bellied Heron population (#WBH), aiding in informed conservation strategies for this rare and iconic species. Recognizing the critical need for conservation efforts, RSPN has undertaken yearly surveys since 2003 to evaluate population patterns, geographical spread, and possible risks to the heron.

This year’s survey will cover key habitats and breeding grounds across Bhutan. A team of experienced conservationists and field researchers from DoFPs and RSPN along with Local Conservation Support Group ( #LCSG) members will conduct five consecutive days of surveying along the major river basins and tributaries of Bhutan to obtain accurate and comprehensive data on the White-bellied Heron population dynamics. During the survey, the surveyors will also document other waterbirds and wildlife found along the river basins of Bhutan.

Since this Survey is a significant undertaking that requires collaboration from various stakeholders, we encourages all to join hands with us in our mission to safeguard the White-bellied Heron and its ecosystem. Anyone who happens to spot the White-bellied Heron during the survey period, kindly report it to RSPN by emailing to us at rspn@rspnbhutan.org.

𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲-𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗻:

Listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

With fewer than 60 WBH individuals remaining in the world

Found only in three range countries of Southeast Asia, Bhutan, Northeast India and Myanmar.