Haa CBST working group members and Gewog Tshogpa visited Phobjikha

Haa CBST working group members and Gewog Tshogpas visited Community-based Sustainable Tourism (CBST) project sites in Phobjikha from 4th to 7th May 2015. The study tour was organized by RSPN to let them experience and learn from CBST project activities in Phobjikha. RSPN implemented first CBST project in Phobjikha in Wangduephodrang.

The participants, before embarking on their journey to Phobjikha, visited RSPN head office in Thimphu and had familiarization meeting with the Executive Director and staff of RSPN. They visited office facilities and Jigme Khesar Environmental Resource Centre library.

While in Phobjikha, the participants witnessed and participated in the CBST programs with the local community including homestay experience in Gangtay and Phobji Gewog. They also visited the Black-necked Crane Visitor Center where they met representatives from the Phobjikha Environment Management Committee (PEMC) and the CBST Group Management Team for a discussion session.

By interacting and learning from the CBST group in Phobjikha, the participants were highly motivated to implement CBST programs back in their own communities in Haa.

Text and pictures: Akane Matsuo, RSPN