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.
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