Ecosystems and Ecosystem Services Assessment conducted in Tsirang

With an objective to understand the state and dynamics of ecosystems and their linkages to human wellbeing and mainstream the knowledge into planning and development strategies, the RSPN has completed the household survey on Ecosystems and Ecosystem Services in Barshong Gewog, Tsirang Dzongkhag. It was conducted from 10th – 30th May, 2014.

Stretched over a period of three weeks, the program included a weeklong training program for the field enumerators on the concepts, principles, tools, and application of ecosystem-based management, approaches, assessment of ecosystem services and methods of conducting household survey. Participatory Rural Appraisal and Focus Group Discussions were also carried out with the local community and Gewog officials to garner authentic information on the actual ground situation in the area.

On completion of the training program, the enumerators covered all five Chiwogs and collected household data with the help of a standard tested questionnaire designed exclusively for ecosystem services. Both the training and data collection were facilitated and monitored by researchers and experts from RSPN, ICIMOD with support from the Gewog Forestry officials.

The assessment is part of the ongoing Ecosystems and Ecosystem Services Assessment in Bhutan under the Rural Livelihoods and Climate Change Adaptation in the Himalayas (Himalica), supported by ICIMOD. The final assessment report will be published on completion of the project towards end of December 2014.