Stakeholder Consultative Meeting for Community-Based Ecotourism (CBET) Development 

Stakeholder Consultative Meeting for
Community-Based Ecotourism (CBET) Development

To strengthen the collaboration and coordination among various stakeholders in the Tourism Fraternity, a stakeholder consultative was organized by RSPN on August 9th, 2022.

The stakeholders were apprised of the findings from the CBET feasibility study and also discussed the areas of collaboration and resource sharing on CBET programs for the ongoing BMU-IKI projects managed by RSPN, WWF Bhutan and the GEF Ecotourism implemented by the Tourism Council of Bhutan.

CBET is one of the key livelihood programs under the BMU-IKI project that will demonstrate the importance of conservation as a basis for the sustainable social and economic well-being of the communities living in the White-bellied Heron landscape.

The participants comprised relevant government agencies (Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Local Government ), International partners (WWF Bhutan,UNDP Bhutan  and Helvetas  Bhutan), the Tourism Council of Bhutan, and Civil Society organizations (Tarayana Foundation and Guide Association of Bhutan).

The activity is part of the ongoing project funded by the Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU), Germany through the International Climate Initiative (IKI) and co-funded by MAVA Foundation, Switzerland, and RSPN.

Participants shared their suggestion for the meeting.
Mr. Jigme Dorji, Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) presented an overview of the ongoing GEF-7 Ecotourism Flagship Program, project areas, and activities in Bhutan
Mr. Yonten Phuntsho, WWF Bhutan Program presented the overview of the High Conservation Value (HCV) project and planned ecotourism activities
Dr. Karma Tshering, Eco-call Consultancy Services presented the findings of the CBET feasibility study
Ms.Tshering Choki, Athang Training Academy presented the findings of the CBET feasibility study
The Project Coordinator, Dr. Norbu Wangdi, presented the BMU-IKI project’s objectives, strategic interventions, and key milestones