Adoption of BC9 to expand Bhutan’s protected areas

“National Council Adopts BC9 Bill with Amendments, Expanding Bhutan's Protected Areas"

 

In a significant legislative move, the National Council (NC) passed the Biological Corridor Nine (BC9) Bill 2023 with 23 'Yes' votes. 

 

However, the MPs introduced amendments to four sections of the Bill to ensure uniformity in the rules governing all biological corridors.

 

The sections modified include sections 5, 13, 14, and certain sub-sections of 18. The rationale behind these changes, the MPs argue, is to create a consistent regulatory framework for all biological corridors in Bhutan.

 

The proposed BC9 will connect the Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS) and the Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary (SWS). This expansion of protected areas is expected to contribute to increasing Bhutan's overall protected area coverage to 52 percent.

 

The BC9 corridor, which spanning 216 square kilometres will touch Toedtsho, Yalang, Khamdang, Bumdeling, and Yangtse gewogs in Trashiyangtse, as well as Phongmey in Trashigang.

 

Within the proposed corridor, 363 households are residing in Bumdelling, Toedtsho, and Yalang gewogs in Trashiyangtse. 

 

The corridor aims to provide ecological connectivity between BWS and SWS, enabling residents to explore ecotourism, community tourism, homestays, and campsites even after the Bill's passage.

 

However, concerns were raised by the members on October 16, focusing on human-wildlife conflicts, restrictions on development activities, limitations on land use, and the need to harmonise the Bill with existing relevant Acts, such as the Forest and Nature Conservation Act and the Biodiversity Act of Bhutan 2021.

 

One particular point of contention was section 13 of the BC9 Bill, as passed by the National Assembly, which prohibited commercial activities like quarrying, mining, logging, and harming wildlife. 

 

This provision was subsequently removed by the NC.

 

Sarpang's MP, Pema Tashi, said that 3.8 percent of households in six gewogs within BC9 have private property. These landowners, he said, might encounter obstacles when engaging in economic activities. 

 

He requested information on additional government support for these individuals.

 

Similarly, a member from Bumthang pointed out the existing challenges faced by homestays in Trashiyangtse, citing minimal support and infrastructure improvements. 

 

The chairperson said that if private land falls within the proposed area, land substitution is an option and that some agencies are willing to invest in mitigating human-wildlife conflicts.

 

With the adoption of the BC9 Bill, Bhutan now boasts a total of eight biological corridors. 

 

The BC9's establishment signifies that the country will have over 3,000 square kilometres of protected areas, equivalent to 52 percent of its total land area.

Gyalsung National Service registration begins

 … the sign up and registration portal was launched yesterday

With the launch of the much-awaited Gyalsung National Service website, eligible youths can now sign up and register for the programme.

A total of 338 individuals including 177 girls registered as of 7pm yesterday.

The portal saw registrants from Bhutanese living within the country and abroad.

Gyalsung—Bhutan’s National Service is an important national initiative envisioned by His Majesty The King to build a strong foundation for the future of Bhutan. It was shared in the Royal Address during the 112th National Day on December 17, 2019.

The Parliament enacted the Gyalsung Act on November 11, 2022.

National Service Core Working Group (NSCWG) Chairperson, Dasho Karma Tshiteem said that there are similar national services in other countries. However, what is unique about Bhutan’s Gyalsung programme is that in line with HM’s vision, all Bhutanese youths will be immersed in a shared experience that will strengthen bonds among each other and the country through skills and experience.

Providing life-long skills irrespective of educational, social, regional or linguistic backgrounds is the priority—with the launch of Gyalsung and the first batch next year, all relevant sectors would improve.

“For example, with collaboration with schools, we expect initiation of more programmes that involve physical exercises such as scouting programmes where students are trained on basic drills and disciplines—yet we are hopeful that it is hygienic and safe. All of this is done to prepare them to become fit and sound for the training,” Dasho Karma Tshiteem said.

The courses, he said, the training, engagement and other micro details are all piloted through and well documented. The instructors who are currently under training for the Gyalsung programme must be certified to get the opportunity of being an instructor at Gyalsung academies.

“The academies irrespective of the area they will focus—the academies will provide hands-on training, later they may take up the related job or further join the Technical Training Institutes,” the working group chairperson said.

The first batch of Gyalsung will commence on September 1 next year—which will be a training course of four and half months. The complete one-year training will begin from second batch in 2025—which starts in March and will end in January the following year.

As per the law, all eligible Bhutanese citizens are required to enlist for Gyalsung upon attaining the age of 18.

A Bhutanese citizen born between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2005, shall sign up and register for Gyalsung Training 2024 irrespective of their education status or place of residence. Those who were born before the cut-off date are not eligible for Gyalsung.

For the first batch—the training shall commence on September 1 and end on January 15, 2025.

The first batch will undergo three months of Basic Military Training (BMT) and one and a half months of National Education, Life Skills, Teamwork and Leadership Skill Development programmes.

As per the Gyalsung Act, —it is mandatory for all eligible Bhutanese whether living in Bhutan or abroad. However, a person enrolled in monastic schools, a person who is deemed medically unfit by the Medical Board, and as a one-time measure for the 2024 intake, a person who is pursuing college education or vocational training after completing class 12 in 2023 may be exempted. However, the person shall be required to sign up and register before seeking an exemption.

The four Gyalsung Academies under construction are Jamtsholing Gyalsung Academy in Samtse, Khotokha Gyalsung Academy in Wangdue, Gyalpoizhing Gyalsung Academy in Mongar, and Pemathang Gyalsung Academy in Samdrupjongkhar.

These academies have the maximum capacity to take in 13,000 participants based on data taken from the health ministry, yet for the first batch, the intake is expected to be around 6,000 as there is an exemption and deferment option. The aim is to take the ones who are eligible but out of school. A short academic recess will be in between the training—making it a ten-month training in particular.

All deferments are granted on a yearly basis. The individual is required to sign up and register for Gyalsung in the appropriate year and then submit an application for deferment at least 6 months ahead of the forecasted enlistment date. However, if the student neither reports for training nor reports to school to repeat school or re-sit for the examination is liable for offence.

If an individual is declared positive for the use of narcotic and psychotropic substances or alcohol during the screening process, the person shall neither be disqualified nor exempted. The individual will receive support to recover in consultation with The PEMA Secretariat and then participate.

For screening the health ministry has identified 26 centers across the country. It is the responsibility of each youth in schools or drop outs to personally complete the sign-up, registration and medical screening within the stipulated time—the medical screening has to be done in Bhutan as authorised by Gyalsung Medical Board.

However, those youths who are overseas can request for the medical screening to be done at a time closer to the enlistment day so that they do not have to travel to Bhutan just for medical screening.

Gyalsung training has been designed as a one-year integrated training programme, which includes three months of basic military training (BMT) in all academies followed by two weeks of national education—the training on a fundamental sense of service and sacrifice will be instilled, one-week immersion programme where they will get to travel across the country.

During the registration, individuals will be given an opportunity to indicate their preference for skilling programmes. However, there is no guarantee that placement in the preferred choice will be granted—this is for equal distribution and placement.

The four core areas of training after the BMT are: Home security—skilling in construction trades, such as carpentry, crafts, shelter and artisan. Food Security—agriculture technology, protected agriculture and drip agriculture in which the scarce resource usage will be taught. ICT Security—this is recognizing the significance of future-based technology such as cyber security, data science and programming, and community security—first responder skills, the training on first-aid, forest fire management, search and rescue, public order and health management.

As per the Act, the governing council, as a one-time measure, shall determine the eligibility criteria for the first batch of Gyalsung cadets.

A person after turning 16 could volunteer for early registration for Gyalsung training with the consent of parents or legal guardians. Those who are still serving prison terms of a third and fourth-degree felony at the time they attain 18 will miss the opportunity.

Gyalsung headquarters yesterday issued notices to eligible persons to register for the Gyalsung programme. A person who evades Gyalsung training commits an offence and shall be liable upon conviction for fourth-degree felony as per the Penal Code.

Upon completion of the one-year training programme, Gyalsups may be called for both mandatory duty and voluntary duty until the age of 35 years. This will be followed by Gyalsung Reserve phase until the age of 45.

After the age of 45, Gyalsung Reservist and the ones who miss Gyalsung may volunteer to join DeSuung.

From Kuensel: https://kuenselonline.com/gyalsung-national-service-registration-begins/

Building Bhutan's self-sufficiency with circular economy policies and practices

 

As Bhutan strengthens its national efforts to become more self-sufficient in food production, farmers, other land users and businesses across the country are increasingly being encouraged to adopt new technologies and practices that improve the management of natural resource while reducing the impacts of climate change.
 
The long-term sustainability of the proposed solutions depends on how effective they are in building the resilience of households and communities, while ensuring the direct participation of women and the younger generation, in local ecodevelopment processes.
 
Equally crucial to sustainable development is the concept of circular economy where waste is managed to conserve environmental quality while maintaining economic prosperity and building social equity. For budding entrepreneurs in Bhutan, the application of circular economy principles in agriculture, livestock-rearing and forestry presents opportunities for "green" business development.
 
A study produced in 2021 by the Technical Assistance Complementary Support Project for Bhutan (EU-TACS) for Bhutan's Ministry of Agriculture and Forests examines the application of the circular economy to the renewable natural resources sector through improved waste management strategies.
 
The authors of the report point out the growing problems caused by Bhutan's production, consumption and disposal strategy, where raw materials are made into products – a process which involves the generation of waste – then become waste once these fabricated items are consumed, then disposed of at the end of their life. This pattern contributes to increasing pressure on ecosystems, as well as reducing the availability of numerous ecosystem products and services, such as clean water and air, stable crop yields, fertile soil, energy for cooking and heating, and the habitats needed by a wide range of animal and plant species.
 
“Circular economy describes an innovative socio-economic system that is based on numerous business models which replace the typical 'end-of-life' approach, by instead applying a wide variety of policies and practices that reduce, reuse, recycle, and recover the materials that are involved in a variety of production, distribution and consumption processes,” says Yeshi Dorji, the report’s lead author.
 
While some types of resource recycling already occur in Bhutan, the concept of circular economy concept is largely unknown, with the reuse levels for raw materials varying in accordance with the kind of waste generated. Few technologies that conform to circular economy principles have so far been disseminated within Bhutan.  
 
The study reviewed the agriculture, livestock and forestry sectors to identify their key value chains, the types of waste produced, and the volumes and current usage of waste products. Candidate technologies were then selected, scored and prioritised for each sector.
 
A few of the potential solutions that the authors have identified include:

• Improved recycling of all types of municipal waste produced by urban areas (currently sent to landfill sites).
• The use of wood waste to manufacture fuel briquettes.
• The use of waste bamboo/wood to manufacture charcoal for import substitution.
• The production of biogas from livestock manure, plus more significant investments, such as establishing chemical processing facilities to upgrade and bottle of biogas to reduce the imports of liquefied petroleum gas.
• The production of bio-fertilizer or organic manures from organic waste to reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers.
• The production of biodegradable cups and plates using the leaves of the Areca nut tree.  

 
"Innovative ideas towards a circular economy will always be welcomed and supported by all possible means," says Lhakpa, Program Officer at the Loden Foundation. "For example, some farmers from Punakha are collecting vegetable waste from the market and turning it into compost to sell. Food waste is being used as feed in the livestock industry across the country. The process has started already."
 
The study assessed the social and economic business case for three of the most promising priority technologies: the production and bottling of biogas; the production of organic compost, mainly using vermiculture; and the production of charcoal from bamboo and wood waste. The report also identified barriers to technology research, piloting, and out-scaling, including policy and institutional issues; technical and value chain barriers; capacity and informational constraints; and the lack of available finance and accessible investment.
 
"The application of circular economy principles in the agriculture, livestock, and forestry sectors, plus improved waste management and climate-smart technologies, can strengthen entrepreneurship and lead directly to substantially enhanced livelihoods and improved environmental management. Women and young people can also be supported to enter the recycling economy. Actions must be taken down at district municipal level and be fully integrated within the strategic plans of each province," says Yeshi Dorji.

Taking practical steps that increase the use of circular economy technologies aligns strongly with the external dimensions of the European Union’s Green Deal, and with the focal sectors of the EU Member States' development agencies that are supporting to Bhutan.
 
However, as yet, Bhutan has no formal guidelines, policies, or strategic plans in place for promoting circular economy activities. The report proposes that, steered by an Renewable Natural Resources Waste Recycling Working Group, the Royal Government of Bhutan should adopt a Green Businesses, Renewable Natural Resources Waste Recycling, Circular Economy and Climate-Smart Technologies Industrial Investment Plan to cover the Vision 2040 Strategy period. To ensure the transition towards a circular economy, the report recommends developing a whole menu of holistic low-resource-usage recycling models.
 
The study sets out an action plan which proposes short-term initiatives, such as implementing a Circular Economy Innovation Research and Adoption Agenda within the framework of the Resilient Mountain Villages concept to increase the adoption of circular economy practices and significantly improve the livelihoods of Bhutan's population.
 
Part of the challenge will be to influence the private sector or the behaviour of the public. One example might be establishing systems for waste segregation at the household level in the larger urban areas. These challenges can be overcome using awareness campaigns to alter household waste disposal methods, tax incentives and the increased use of recycling equipment. Applying circular economy principles will increase awareness regarding its benefits among policymakers, entrepreneurs, and rural and urban households, thereby encouraging waste management as a critical lifelong priority.
 
Implementing the report's overall strategies and plans will systematically mainstream circular economy principles and encourage the dissemination of the most effective practices throughout the next two 5-Year Plans.
 
Research, piloting, and scaling-out of all the models identified across the three main Renewable natural resources sectors, would be led by the Royal Government of Bhutan and implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, the Department of Local Government, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and other interested parties, especially development agencies.
 
The policies and technical frameworks derived from this study, and from other EU-TACs studies and assessments, should help provide a solid focus for investments that directly help develop the circular economy and waste recycling within Bhutan, over the next 20 years.

From: https://mailchi.mp/56d574ecca27/2jg2l55q6o 

Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Bhutan

Bhutan joins mega-regional conservation project

A project that will plant one billion trees and restore one million hectares of land, the Great People's Forest of Eastern Himalayas, was launched on September 2.  

India (Northeast), Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh are part of the project which is an outcome of G20 Presidency in New Delhi and has the potential to raise US dollars 1 billion. 

 

Last year, 1.5 million people in the eastern Himalayan region were displaced due to extreme weather events—devastating consequences are projected by 2050 if the situation continues.

 

Through this initiative, forest conservationists at the local government level will be involved—the initiative is expected to be completed by 2030.

 

 

Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation (BTFEC) and Bhutan Ecological Society (BES) will lead the project implementation in the country along with other regional implementers. 

 

BTFEC Managing Director, Karma Tshering (Ph.D), said that Bhutan has long played a key role in fighting the climate crisis by putting the environment first, recognising how important the environment is for the wellbeing of its people. 

 

"We are keen to be part of the Great People's Forest initiative and through it, support the scale, expansion and growth of restoration efforts in Bhutan and protect its rich, biodiverse forests," he said. 

 

Founder and Executive Director of BES, Dr Nawang Norbu, said that the climate crisis needs to be addressed at multiple scales, with urgency, intent and ambition. 

 

"The BES intends to play its part by supporting the plantation of 10 million trees by 2030, the partnership with GPF will enable BES to build rural prosperity while helping Bhutan remain carbon-negative and climate-positive."

The Great People's Forest of the Eastern Himalayas

It is one of the largest restorations and conservation efforts in South Asia—a partnership between Conservation International, USA, and Balipara Foundation, Assam, India. 

 

Around 1 billion inhabitants reside between the mountainous Bhutan and Nepal and the mangrove-growing people from India and Bangladesh.  

 

The four countries share a massive single connected ecosystem—Ganges and Brahmaputra which start from the mountainous peaks of Bhutan and Nepal and reach the delta in Bangladesh.

 

The initiative is led by the Balipara Foundation, Assam and Conservation International. 

 

Balipara Foundation, President, Ranjit Barthakur, said that this initiative was a movement to protect the region which has come as an encouragement from India's G20 Presidency. 

 

"This historic effort will put the Eastern Himalayas, and the 1 billion people who rely directly on it, on the international conservation agenda we hope to better the lives of the billion people who rely on the land and water of this beautiful region," he said.  

 

Conservation International Asia Pacific, Dr Richard Jeo, said that the people of the Eastern Himalayas are some of the most climate-vulnerable on our planet, threatened by melting glaciers, rising sea levels, and ever more frequent and more violent storms. 

 

"The Great People's Forest is the response to this crisis. Its ambition and scale should rightly bring international attention to the ecological importance of this region," he said.  

 

He said that people in the Eastern Himalayas have contributed only a fraction of the emissions that have caused the climate crisis that they are now on the frontlines of.

(Kuensel: https://kuenselonline.com/bhutan-joins-mega-regional-conservation-project/)

Olakha urban park renovation promises exciting additions

...the park has been closed for maintenance for over a year.

 

Thimphu Thromde has scheduled the renovation of the urban park at Olakha in Thimphu for the upcoming financial year as part of the Thimphu Structural Plan.

After finalising the estimated budget and plans, the thromde will submit the proposal to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.

According to a thromde official, the park restoration work is expected to be completed by 2024. "For now, the focus is on maintaining the city starting from Thimphu gate."

"There are plans of filling the park with varieties of seasonal flowers with new plants and shrubs. Thromde also plans to host a flower exhibition once the park renovation is completed," the official said.

Additional facilities, including a rock garden, open-air gym, gazebos and benches, will be added. The plan also includes the construction of a 1.5-metre paved footpath connecting important areas around the park.

The existing basketball court will be turned into an open-air venue for entertainment, sports, and performances.

Changzamtog-Olakha tshogpa, Sonam Tshering, said that the park renovation was delayed as certain plans of improving the area are still being developed.

Although the residents of Olakha welcomed the decision, they also expressed some grievances.

Sanju Rai, a resident, said that the mani dungkhor used to be a place where the elderly used to spend their time, the basketball ground was mostly used by youth for basketball and dance practices. "It would be convenient if the space is left open till the large-scale maintenance begins."

"My son and his friends previously used to go there during their free time and weekends for cycling. With the park closed, they are now often seen going toward the highway which is risky," she said.

The owner of Trendy Collections, a store in Olakha, said that the park once used to be a gathering place for people from all walks of life. "The park has remained closed without much development for far too long."

The owner of Dzongchu Checkmart said that it has been a year since her business was set up at Olakha. The park, she said, would bring many people to enjoy the facilities there.

(Kuensel: https://kuenselonline.com/olakha-urban-park-renovation-promises-exciting-additions/)

Human-wildlife conflict for all times?

 

It has been over 14 years since the Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) strategy document was implemented, and over the years Bhutan has recorded an increasing number of threats from wildlife.

 

Looking at the overall reports till now, our conservationists appear to be taking a cautious approach to these issues. But the economic loss brought about by crop loss undoubtedly discourages our farmers from continuing farming—not to forget the farmers in Khandothang who stopped growing betelnuts and agricultural produce over time due to the risk from wild elephants.

representative image from online

 

Studies recognise that wild animals threaten farmers’ daily sustenance in and adjacent to protected areas through livestock depredation, crop damage, and loss of lives.

 

The HWC is hindering Bhutan's goal of food self-sufficiency and putting the conservation programmes at risk.

 

Here, I write about the voices of our farmers. A significant proportion of households observed to have experienced increasing HWC events in the last decade. Farmers attribute several reasons for the increase but the most frequently mentioned were: a decrease in forest cover with the major activities falling towards biological corridors, a ban on shifting cultivation; strict forest policies that support animals over human lives, prohibiting hunting animals; and religious sentiments.

Looking at the overall measures, some gewogs started measures of vermicomposting on waste and chain-linked fencing, use of heavy machines and fireworks - while some dzongkhags are chasing animals away—while some remain helpless.

 

The measures taken are short-lived. The issue of human-wildlife conflict has existed since the early days and a more profound measure is a must. 

(image credit: Lhakpa Quendren)

Youth groups inspire awareness and equality

Power of youth engagement

In a significant step towards raising awareness and empowering the youth of Bhutan, four dynamic and progressive youth groups—YPEER Bhutan, QUEER Voices of Bhutan, VAST Bhutan, and YDF-Young Volunteers in Action of Gelephu— have initiated a groundbreaking campaign for the nation's young generation.

Part of “ShiftBhutan Programme”, an innovative campaign accelerator, pioneered by Save the Children, the nationwide campaign focuses on, among others, sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) and substance use disorders (SUD). With its targeted approach encompassing the age group of 14 to 25 years, this initiative recognises the pivotal period of adolescence and early adulthood.

By disseminating accurate, comprehensive, and age-appropriate information about SRHR and SUD, the youth groups are in action to foster a generation equipped with knowledge that will empower them to make informed decisions. In an era marked by rapid information exchange and technological advances, misinformation often thrives. The youths are particularly susceptible to misconceptions that can have far-reaching consequences. The “ShiftBhutan programme” combats this challenge head-on by providing a platform for honest conversations and education.

The campaign’s focus on SRHR underscores the importance of body autonomy, consent, and understanding relationships, enabling young Bhutanese to cultivate respectful and healthy interactions. Simultaneously, its emphasis on SUD delivers a critical message about the perils of substance abuse, fostering responsible choices that steer clear of potentially life-altering pitfalls.

It’s not just the message, but also the messenger that matters.

The collaboration among diverse youth groups demonstrates the potency of unity. With a unified voice, they amplify their impact, transcending boundaries and enabling a more comprehensive reach across the country. This collaboration sets an example of the power of collective action in tackling societal challenges, showcasing a nation where differences are embraced and harnessed for positive change.

The programme acts as a catalyst for cultural evolution, challenging norms and broadening perspectives.

The inclusion of QUEER Voices of Bhutan within the campaign speaks volumes about the commitment to inclusivity and representation. By addressing the unique challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community, this initiative takes a commendable step towards creating a more equitable society where everyone’s rights are recognised and respected.

Bhutan’s young people, armed with knowledge, can shape a future defined by health, equality, and informed decision-making. This innovative collaboration, therefore, deserves our praise, for the impact of knowledge-sharing, and the transformative potential of youth engagement.

(Kuensel - editorial)