Strengthening Conservation Support

Mr. Niteen Subhash Yeola, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of India in Bhutan India in Bhutan (Embassy of India, Thimphu) called on the Executive Director of RSPN on January 25, 2023, as a follow-up to the meeting held with His Excellency Sudhakar Dalela, Ambassador of India in Bhutan on December 6, 2022.

The Executive Director welcomed DCM to RSPN. During the discussion, Executive Director appraised DCM that RSPN is working on six thematic areas of (a), Species and habitat (b), Wetland and Fresh Water (c), Environmental Education (d), Sustainable Livelihood (e), Waste and Pollution and (f), Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience which are connected and interdependent in nature. ED informed that these six thematic areas are identified based on the National Priorities and also very much aligned to support the Sustainable Development Goals, but the RSPN focus has always been on the conservation of White-bellied Heron (WBH) a Critically Endangered Species and Vulnerable Black-necked Crane (BNC). ED also informed DCM of the recent International Conference on BNC held in Bhutan with all the BNC habitat range countries and discussed common conservation issues, challenges, and the need to harmonize the country-specific action plan. The Bombay Natural History Society Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), Wildlife Institute of India, Wildlife Institute of India(WII), and World Wildlife Fund World Wildlife Fund India, participated from India in the conference. DCM acknowledged the excellent work done by the RSPN and extended the Indian Embassy, Thimphu, and the Government of India’s goodwill support to RSPN on the conservation of BNC based on the action plan. ED thanked DCM and acknowledged such the highest goodwill and solidarity from His Excellency the Ambassador, Government of India, and expressed appreciation for timely and generous encouragement to RSPN.