10 Bubalus bubalis Asiatic Water Buffalo Endangered 11 Caprolagus hispidus Hispid Hare Endangered 12 Platanista gangetica Ganges River Dolphin Endangered 13 Macaca assamensis Assamese Macaque Vulnerable 14 Melursus ursinus Sloth Bear Vulnerable 15 Ursus thibetanus laniger Himalayan Black Bear Vulnerable 16 Moschus chrysogaster Himalayan Musk Deer Vulnerable 17 Lutrogale perspicillata Smooth-coated Otter Vulnerable 18 Prionailurus viverrinus Fishing Cat Vulnerable 19 Pardofelis marmorata Marbled Cat Vulnerable 20 Neofelis nebulosa Clouded Leopard Vulnerable 21 Catopuma temmincki Asiatic Golden Cat Vulnerable 22 Cervus duvauceli Swamp Deer Vulnerable 23 Bos gaurus Gaur Vulnerable 24 Capricornis sumatraensis Serow Vulnerable 25 Budorcas taxicolor Takin Vulnerable 26 Myotis sicarius Mouse-eared Bat Vulnerable 27 Rattus sikkimensis Sikkim Rat Vulnerable Avifauna Bhutan is recognized as a part of several globally important bird such as mountain forests, Indo-Burmese forests, Indo-Gangetic grasslands, South Asian arid habitats, and Tibetan plateau wetlands (Bird Life International).This explains the rich bird diversity that Bhutan has within its small geographic area. Currently, around 700 species are estimated to be found in Bhutan out of which 18 are globally threatened. Of the three critically endangered species found in Bhutan (see table), the White-bellied heron is the most studied species with a population of 22 number out of the estimated global population of birds. Table 3: List of globally threatened bird species found in Bhutan. S/N Species Common Name Category 1 Gyps bengalensis Vulture Cricically endangered 2 Ardea insignis Heron Cricically endangered 3 Sarcogyps calvus Red-headed Vulture Cricically endangered 4 Aythya baeri Baer's Pochard Cricically endangered 5 Arborophila mandellii Chestnut-breasted Partridge Vulnerable 6 Tragopan blythii Blyth's Tragopan Vulnerable 7 Aceros nipalensis Rufous-necked Hornbill Vulnerable 8 Apus acuticauda Dark-rumped Swift Vulnerable 9 Grus nigricollis Crane Vulnerable
Regulatory Framework for Biological Corridors in Bhutan developed. Establishment of Botanical Garden, Serbithang in 1999. Establishment and Management of Phobjikha Conservation area Establishment of Botanical Park, Lamperi in 2008. Declaration of two RAMSAR sites and Khotokha. Promote the conservation of species diversity Conservation of globally threatened species and their habitats Control and reduction of poaching of wildlife and illegal trade in their parts and products Develop strategies to mitigate impacts of climate change on flagship species. Species conservation programs on Tiger, Snow leopard, White-bellied Heron, and Black-necked Crane. Bhutan Forestry Enforcement Database (BhuFED) developed. To counter trans-boundary illegal wildlife trade, eight countries of South Asia have established the South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN) in 2011. Targeted species conservation program only for four out of 27 globally threatened species found in the country. Adequate resources for research and enforcement. Sustainability of Human-Wildlife Conflict Endowment Fund.
Smart Patrolling System initiated in Protected Areas. Establishment of Human-Wildlife Conflict Endowment fund. Climate change vulnerability assessment for three northern parks of Bhutan completed (JDNP, WCP and BWS) and climate change integrated in their management plans Maintain genetic diversity Expansion of ex-situ conservation of Crop and Animal Genetic Resources. Promote on-farm conservation of traditional crops and livestock breeds. Promote in-situ conservation of wild crop relatives. Promoting development and commercialization of crops and species National crop and animal gene bank established at NBC. On-farm conservation of local livestock breeds of Nublang, Jakar Sheep and Saphag (local pig). On-farm conservation of traditional crops and animal breeds institutionalized. Integration of participatory conservation of traditional/local crops and breeds into research and extension system. Crop and livestock production programs aimed at increasing yield/production without regard to maintaining genetic diversity. Facilities for conservation of recalcitrant Studies on extent and status of genetic diversity including characterization. Inventory of crop wild relatives and their habitats. Incentives for maintaining traditional crop varieties and animal breeds.
Promote sustainable land management technologies to protect the productivity and stability of various land uses Promote sustainable agriculture through diversification of crop production and broader diversity of crops 6.4 per cent of the forest area brought under sustainable forest management through 17 Forest Management Units and six working schemes established as of June, 2013. Forest Management Code of Bhutan 2004 developed. Management of outside FMU System initiated. Sustainable Land Management (SLM) Program adopted and promoted at national level.A total of 10826.90 acres of vulnerable land improved and over 8320 acres of Tseri (shifting cultivation) land converted to more sustainable land use. National Organic Strategy developed. Participatory Varietal Selection (PVS) on paddy, maize, buckwheat Support for informal seed system.
and millet carried out to broaden genetic base/diversity. Address Threats to biodiversity Implement programs and develop legislations to reduce the rate of deforestation, minimize loss of land for development (urbanization, roads, and industries) and reduction of land for mining and quarry. Enforcement of environmental impact assessment requirements. Harmonization of biodiversity conservation and infrastructure development /urban development plans. Development and implementation of comprehensive forest fire management programs. Reduction of grazing pressure on natural ecosystem. Land Act 1979 revised; Water Act 2011, The Environment Assessment Act 2000, Waste prevention and Management Act of Bhutan 2009, National Environment Protection Act, 2007 enacted; National Forest Policy 1974 revised; Biosecurity Policy developed. The Environmental Friendly Road Construction (EFRC) manual/guidelines developed. Institutionalization of forest fire volunteers program and establishment of Community Forest Fire Management groups. Initiatives to reduce grazing pressures such as feed and fodder technologies, Monitoring and evaluation of compliance after issuance of EIA clearances for development activities. Environmental safeguards and mitigation measures to reduce adverse impacts of development activities on biodiversity. Funds and capacity to implement EFRC. Sustainable solutions to address grazing pressures. Baseline data, information and knowledge on climate change and adaptation measures. Coordinated approach to address threats to biodiversity from climate change.
Development and implementation of measures to mitigate the impacts of climate change on natural ecosystem feeding, pasture development and breed improvement in place. Regional Climate Change Summit 2011 led by Bhutan to address impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity, Food Security, Water and Energy. Sectorial (Renewable Natural Resources) Adaptation Plan of Action for Climate Change 2013 developed. 2nd National Adaptation Plan of Action for climate change, 2013 developed and under implementation. Control threats from invasive species Development and implementation of measures to protect natural ecosystems against invasive species Preliminary inventory of invasive alien plant species conducted. Quarantine points at strategic locations established. Specific provision on invasive species in Plant Quarantine Act. Technical and institutional capacity to monitor and manage invasive species. Resource to manage porous border. Awareness on invasive species.
benefits arising out of the use of genetic resources Development of institutional mechanism and technical capacity for bio-exploration Development of regional and international collaboration for bioprospecting Bhutan Access and Benefit Sharing Fund established in 2010. Five ABS agreements executed. Legal, technical and institutional capacities to implement ABS regime. Formalization of National institutional mechanism for implementation of ABS.
rendering the site vulnerable to land degradation and ecosystem change. Forest fires in Bhutan generally spread to steep, inaccessible areas beyond the intended ecosystem/habitat and ravages everything in its path, leading to detrimental effects that far outweigh any potential benefits. Moreover, the causes of fires are mostly man-made such as increasing area for cattle foraging, preventing wildlife invasions and other accidental cases. Table 7: Total fire incidences in Bhutan from 2008 to 2013 Figure XX: Forest fire trend in the last 17 years 2.1.3: Over extraction of Timber and Fuel wood The current of timber extraction is of serious concern given the fact that most of the timber resources are supplied on an ad-hoc basis from unmanaged forests. The Natural Resources Development Corporation Limited has extracted about 10 million cft of commercial timber in the last five years (2008-12) from forest management units and working schemes, based on the annual allowable cuts determined by the Department of Forests and Park Services. In addition, during the same period, the Department of Forests and Park Services allotted about 40 million cft of timber for various uses from areas, much of which were supplied on ad hoc basis (Forestry facts and figures 2013). Therefore, the sustainable limits of these forest resources, particularly those supplied from areas outside FMU systems are not known. 2.1.4: Overgrazing There is a general perception in Bhutan that rangelands are degrading due to overgrazing while some others believe that vegetation change may have resulted from other factors such as forest fire, lack of fire (discontinuation of the use of fire in range land management regimes in the alpine region,) extreme weathers and natural events (Gyamtsho, 1996; Gibson, 1991). While detailed assessment of rangeland resources and their potential have not yet been made and there is a lack of quantitative data to support widespread claims of overgrazing and resulting rangeland degradation (Gyeltshen, undated).The current estimated density of livestock (cattle and yaks) at 221 animals per km2 of pasture land, translating to about 11 animals/acre of pasture land, is considered slightly above the carrying capacity of 10