Bhutan

Linking and enhancing Protected Areas in the temperate broadleaf forest eco region of Bhutan (LINKPA)

Background
Due to lack of technical and financial capacity of the government, implementation of conservation activities in the biological corridors as well as the newly established protected areas has been limited.  The initiative in the globally significant temperate broadleaf forest ecoregion could lead to develop a model for biological corridors management nation-wide.  This proposal is designed to effectively initiate integrated conservation and development activities in the biological corridor and protected area management under the partnership of Government of Bhutan, GEF/UNDP and WWF.

In 1999, a GEF MSP project proposal titled “Linking and enhancing protected areas (LINKPA)” was prepared by WWF Bhutan in partnership with the Nature Conservation Division of the government and UNDP/GEF, which aimed to initiate conservation action in the biological corridor at a national scale.  Since then, considering the government priority and capacity as well as comments provided by GEF Secretariat and UNDP/GEF, the project has been revised to have a geographical focus in the temperate broadleaf forest ecoregion.  The ecoregion was identified as a major conservation gap in Bhutan, which requires urgent conservation initiatives to protect the critical global significant forest and mountain ecosystems.

Objectives
The objective of the project is sustainable conservation and management of the temperate forest and mountain ecosystem in the newly established Thrumshingla National Park. Thrumshingla National Park is a central part of the biological corridors system of Bhutan. It is located in southern central Bhutan, an area of high biodiversity including several endangered and endemic species.

The project aims to develop a sustainable management system for the National Park and biological corridors, a system which is to be replicated nationally for the biological corridors system. Focus will be on local environmental management and sustainable use of natural resources.

Achievements & expected results

• Outcome 1: Develop conservation and management guideline, regulatory framework and capacity for biological corridors
• Outcome 2: Develop model pilot initiatives for biological corridor conservation by the local authorities and communities in selected critical sites
• Outcome 3: Strengthened conservation and sustainable use of biological resources in the TNP