17 Chlamydotis undulata Houbara Bustard Vulnerable 18 Saxicola insignis Bushchat Vulnerable Source: BirdLife International (2014) Country profile: Bhutan. Available from: http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/country/bhutan. Checked: 2014-07-15 Herpetofauna In terms of herpetofauna, there are limited studies and documentation carried out in the country so far. Nevertheless compiling all the past records (Bauer & Günther 1992; Das & Palden 2000; Wangyal & Tenzin 2009; Wangyal 2011, 2012; Wangyal et al. 2012; Wangyal & Gurung 2012a,b; Wangyal 2013), Bhutan has 49 species of amphibians (47 anurans, one caudata, one caecilian) and 85 species of reptiles (59 snakes, 21 lizards, one crocodile, 6 turtles) recorded thus far. Invertebrates Invertebrate is one of the least studied groups in the country giving an incomplete picture of the diversity of this species-rich group of biodiversity. The information presented here are of those groups, which are studied to some extent. Although, Bhutan is reportedly expected to have 800 to 900 species of butterfly (van der Poel P and Wangchuk T, 2007), there is no annotated checklist to confirm the number. Of the expected 800 to 900 species, the Royal Society for Protection of Nature has catalogued 140 species with photographs in 2007, while UWICE further catalogued 42 species of swallowtails and 186 species of brush-footed butterflies/Nymphalids in 2012. Insert table of globally rare butterflies recorded from Bhutan. Odonates have been studied to some extent. Currently, from an inventory done in a few selected pockets in the country, 50 species of Odonata is recorded (Mitra, 2008). In case of hymenopterans, about six species of bees are recorded from Bhutan, out of which two are native honeybees (Apis cerana and Trigona iridipennis), while Apis mellifera is an exotic species introduced for commercial beekeeping. The other native bee species are Apis laboriosa,Apis dorsata and Apis florea. Fish Fauna
Study on endemic plants of Bhutan initiated. Assessment of fish diversity initiated. National Forest inventory initiated Maintain genetic diversity Expansion of ex-situ conservation of Crop and Animal Genetic Resources. Promote on-farm conservation of traditional 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 Conservation of indigenous livestock breed of Nublang and Jakar Sheep On-farm conservation of cultivated crops institutionalized. Integration of participatory conservation of indigenous crops and breeds into research and extension system. Community seed banks on crops piloted. Cultivation and commercialization of buckwheat. Crop and livestock production programs at increased yield/production without regard to maintaining genetic diversity. Facilities for conservation of recalcitrant seeds. Studies on extent and status of genetic diversity including characterization. Effective conservation programs on domestic animal breeds. Inventory of crop wild relatives and their habitats. Resources for promotion of conservation initiatives. Education and Awareness on biodiversity values Development of Bhutan Integrated Biodiversity Information System. Development of Bhutan Biodiversity Portal. Contribution of Available updated data and information to the Bhutan Biodiversity Portal.
Promotion of Sustainable Use Development and implementation of integrated conservation and development programs Promote sustainable agriculture through diversification of crop production and broader diversity of Promote sustainable land management technologies to protect the productivity and stability of various land uses Implementation of community and private forestry programmes enhancing local community involvement in forest management whilst enhancing socio-economic benefits in terms of increased availability of and access to forest products. Integrated Conservation and Development Programs in protected areas implemented (NG to give figures for nos.of ICDP) Guidelines for Resource Assessment and management of 10 Non Wood Forest Products, 2008. Revised Interim Framework for Collection and Management of Non Wood Forest Products, 2011. National Strategy for Non Wood Forest Products, 2008-2018 developed. National Strategy for Community Forestry, 2010 developed. 553 community forests established 5.4 per cent of the forest area brought under sustainable forest management and 19 FMUs established. Forest management code of Bhutan 2004 developed. Sectorial issues on use of natural resource base. Sustainability of ICDP. Regular monitoring and evaluation of natural resource base/ carrying capacity, including NWFPs and Community Forests (CF). Elite capture and inequitable sharing of resources and benefits from CFs. Cost effective SLM technologies Implementation of National Organic Strategy. Management plan for timber extraction outside FMUs. Support for informal seed system.
impacts of climate change on natural ecosystem Action for Climate Change 2013 developed. 2nd National Adaptation Plan of Action for climate change, 2013 developed. Ecotourism program and REDD+ activities initiated. Establishment of Human-Wildlife Conflict Endowment fund. Control threats from invasive alien species Development and implementation of measures to protect natural ecosystems against invasive species Preliminary inventory of alien invasive species conducted. Quarantine check 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. Maintain goods and services from biodiversity to support human Promote biodiversity resources to support livelihood based on the principles of Community Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM). Granting of harvesting rights to local communities on Cordyceps (legalization of collection of Cordyceps to highland dwellers in 2006) Valuation of ecosystem goods and services. Capacities of the local communities in natural resource management. Capacity in community-based tourism management.
Enhancement and systematization of sustainable nature tourism products in Bhutan. Promote research and development in sustainable use of biodiversity resources. Decentralization of common property resource user rights. Payment for Environmental Services initiated. Watershed Roadmap of the country developed. Eco-tourism guidelines developed. MoU between MoAF and TCB to promote eco-tourism Introduction of five Eco-tourism trails benefiting local communities. Two Nature and Recreational created. Bioprospecting Program established. Capacity to carry out high-end research and development of biological resources in the country. Protect traditional knowledge, innovations and practices Systematic documentation and protection of traditional knowledge associated with biodiversity Bio-prospecting and TK unit established at NBC. TK database developed and inventory of TK associated with biodiversity initiated. Technical capacity for protection and utilization of TK associated with biological resources.
Ensure the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of genetic resources Development of comprehensive biodiversity policy and legal framework Development of institutional mechanism and technical capacity for bio-exploration Development of regional and international collaboration for bioprospecting Biodiversity Act 2003 ABS policy (Draft 2012) Bhutan Access and Benefit Sharing Fund established in 2010. Five ABS agreements executed. Legal and technical capacities of stakeholders. Endorsement of ABS Policy. Revision of the Biodiversity Act of Bhutan, 2003 in line with the Nagoya Protocol and ABS Policy of Bhutan. Formalization of National institutional mechanism for implementation of ABS.
Strategies and Actions: Strategy 1: Develop national policy and legal framework for the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol. Action 1.1: the National Access and Benefit Sharing policy (ABS) Action 1.2 Review and recommend for amendment/revision of the Biodiversity Act of Bhutan, 2003 to align with the National ABS policy. Action 1.3: Develop regulation to facilitate implementation the Biodiversity Act of Bhutan as appropriate Strategy 2: Strengthen the implementation of a fair and equitable ABS model. Action 2.1: Establish appropriate institutional, legal and administrative measures for the implementation of the ABS regime. Action 2.2: Strengthen education and awareness on ABS regime. Action 2.3: Explore and pilot ABS ventures at local, national and international levels. Action 2.4: Strengthen the Bhutan ABS fund for empowering local communities to engage in biodiversity conservation. Action 2.5: Strengthen national capacities to implement the ABS regime. Indicators National ABS policy and regulatory framework in place. Trends in ABS ventures. National Target 17: By 2015, revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan adopted for implementation as a national guiding document for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. Rationale: Acknowledging the drawbacks of the past Biodiversity Action Plans, the focus of this target is to ensure that the current revision is taken up in an inclusive, interactive and consultative manner with relevant stakeholders in the country for identification and prioritization of actions and ownership of the document.