Developing Ecosystem-based solutions for managing biodiversity landscapes in Bhutan

Introduction

The objective of the project is to establish approaches and tools for protecting and managing the Critically Endangered White-bellied Heron (WBH) habitats along Punatsangchhu and Mangdechhu basins, central part of Bhutan. It is funded by the Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU), Germany through International Climate Initiative (IKI) with co-funding from MAVA Foundation, Switzerland and the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN). The project is implemented in collaboration with the Royal Government of Bhutan and other stakeholders.

  • Start Date: July 1, 2021 
  • End Date: June 30, 2026 
  • Project Budget: EUR 4.11 Million

Impact:

WBH population stable or increasing in Bhutan and other Himalayan countries through ecosystem-based conservation measures.

Outcome:

Effective adaptive ecosystem solutions for WBH conservation in Bhutan (and other Himalayan countries) created through habitat restoration and livelihood enhancement.

Output:

  1. Ecosystem-based biodiversity survey and community engagement strategies for WBH conservation based on Ecosystem and Socio-economic Resilience Analysis and Mapping (ESRAM) approach, designed and applied.
  2. Degraded and new potential WBH habitats rehabilitated and created (feeding, roosting and nesting).
  3. Capacity of all stakeholders on planning and implementation of ESRAM study, ecosystem-based adaptation and livelihood options strengthened.   4.Ecosystem-based adaptation livelihood options in the WBH habitat areas, applied and established.
  4. Ecosystem-based adaptation livelihood options in the WBH habitat areas, applied and established.
  5. Knowledge based on ecosystem-based biodiversity conservation, WBH habitat and population and climate adaptation, established and disseminated.

Project Area:

The project covers Punakha, Tsirang, Dagana, Wangdue Phodrang, Trongsa and Zhemgang districts.

Program Updates

𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞-𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐓𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐨𝐞 𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲.

𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞-𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐓𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐨𝐞 𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Nature (RSPN) hosted an advocacy program for Tsirangtoe central school staff and community...
𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞-𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐤𝐡𝐚𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲

𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞-𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐤𝐡𝐚𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲

The Royal Society for the Protection of Nature (RSPN) hosted an advocacy program for the Tsholingkhar community, including primary school...
𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲-𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥

𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲-𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥

The Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) hosted teachers and students from Mendrelgang Central School on September 7th as...
𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲-𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗻

𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲-𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗻

School leaders play a critical role in shaping the overall education system in the school. The conservation education program conducted...
𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲-𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝘆𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗲𝘀.

𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲-𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝘆𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗲𝘀.

Today, the employees of Punatsangchhu-I Hydroelectric Project(PHPA-I) attended an advocacy program on White-bellied Heron. A total of 21 staff members...
𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗡𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗡𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

Bhutan has forest coverage of 69.71 per cent with a total carbon sequestration potential of 11 million tonnes of CO2...
𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗚𝘂𝗺𝘁𝗶 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗕𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻!

𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗚𝘂𝗺𝘁𝗶 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗕𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻!

In the southern reach of Bhutan, amidst the vibrant lust forest and tranquil valleys of Dagana District, the locals of...
Rewilding the Nature

Rewilding the Nature

Over the years, the deserted land is expected to be transformed into a thriving forest, with tall trees covering the...
Empowering Local Champions for Sustainable Tourism  through Community-Based Tourism (CBT) in Eight Districts

Empowering Local Champions for Sustainable Tourism  through Community-Based Tourism (CBT) in Eight Districts

Aum Pema from Merak is reached her hometown in far eastern Bhutan today from the long tedious bus journey she...
𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗗𝗮𝘆

𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗗𝗮𝘆

"𝙃𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙖 𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙚 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙚." - 𝙇𝙪𝙘𝙮 𝙇𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙤𝙢 On this very significant day, RSPN takes much pleasure in...
Congratulation for securing Village Homestay Certification-opening doors to unforgettable cultural immersion!

Congratulation for securing Village Homestay Certification-opening doors to unforgettable cultural immersion!

We are thrilled to share that out of the 62 supported houses aiming to become Village Homestays, 12 have now...
Annual Population Survey Report of White-bellied Heron-2024 Launched

Annual Population Survey Report of White-bellied Heron-2024 Launched

An annual population survey of White-bellied Heron(WBH) this year observed the presence of 𝟮𝟱 individuals of WBH in Bhutan, including...
BMUV delegates visit to the BMUV-IKI project 

BMUV delegates visit to the BMUV-IKI project 

The delegation from the German Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) was in Bhutan....
Enhancing Local Community through Effective and Engaging Packaging Training

Enhancing Local Community through Effective and Engaging Packaging Training

A comprehensive five-day packaging workshop was conducted for the representatives of Climate-smart Agriculture Youth and Women groups of the three...
Ensuring Sustainable Water Access: Monitoring of Rural Water Supply Scheme (RWSS) in Wangdue Phodrang

Ensuring Sustainable Water Access: Monitoring of Rural Water Supply Scheme (RWSS) in Wangdue Phodrang

A joint team from RSPN Bhutan and Thedtsho Gewog carried out the monitoring of #RWSS in Wangdue Phodrang District on...
Annual Population Survey of White-bellied Heron to be conducted from 1st – 5th March 2024

Annual Population Survey of White-bellied Heron to be conducted from 1st – 5th March 2024

In an effort to monitor and conserve the Critically Endangered #WhitebelliedHeron (Ardea insignis), RSPN Bhutan in collaboration with Department of...
Explore the untouched Wilderness at Gumti Ecotourism

Explore the untouched Wilderness at Gumti Ecotourism

Ready for the perfect holiday getaways? Look no further! Gumti Ecotourism in Dagana District is now open to offer you...
Promotion of Sustainable Tourism at Sunkosh village

Promotion of Sustainable Tourism at Sunkosh village

Commemorating the joyous Birth Anniversary of our beloved Gyalsey Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck, #tourism facilities including a campsite, nature trail, hot...
RSPN team and Extension Agriculture officers distributed hybrid seeds and seedlings to 135 households under Nimshong chiwog, Trongsa and Norbuling chiwog, Dagana districts.

RSPN team and Extension Agriculture officers distributed hybrid seeds and seedlings to 135 households under Nimshong chiwog, Trongsa and Norbuling chiwog, Dagana districts.

Coinciding with the auspicious Birth Anniversary of our beloved Gyalsey, Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck, RSPN team and Extension Agriculture officers distributed...
Partnership for Restoration Activity

Partnership for Restoration Activity

RSPN and Punatsangchhu-I Hydroelectric Project Authority (PHPA-I) signed a joint agreement in restoring some of the degraded areas within the...
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Individuals 25

Annual White-bellied Heron Count 2024

+1200

Household benefitted

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