Bhutan

Environment and Energy

Environmental sustainability remains one of the pillars of Gross National Happiness, a distinctively Bhutanese philosophy of development first propounded by His Majesty King Jigme Singye Wangchuck in the 1980s. The country has so far done very well to maintain a generally intact environment while making significant socio-economic progress. More than 64 percent of the country is still forested, with national parks and wildlife sanctuaries covering some 29 percent of the country’s total area. Diversity in wild flora and fauna, which includes more than 5,400 species of vascular plants, 770 species of birds and 170 mammals, is one of the highest in Asia. The country also stands out as one of the very few countries in the world with net greenhouse gas sequestration capacity largely due to its vast forest cover and use of clean energy. Environmental conservation is, however, becoming increasingly challenging as the country opens up to meet new development needs of a growing and modernizing population.

UNDP’s support in the area of energy and environment in Bhutan focuses on:

• National conservation strategies and policies
• Local conservation initiatives that contribute to rural community development and poverty reduction
• National capacity to address global environmental concerns
• Natural disaster risk reduction

Ongoing Projects

Title/Project Description
GEF Small Grants Programme
Enabling Activities for the Preparation of Bhutan’s Second National Communication to the UNFCCC
Reducing Climate Change-induced Risks and Vulnerabilities from Glacial Lake Outburst Floods
Enhancing Global Environmental Management in Bhutan’s Local Governance Systems (NCSA- MSP)
Community Micro Hydro for Sustainable Livelihoods
Promoting Eco Tourism and Nature Education in the Royal Botanical park
Sustainable Land Management Project
Building Civil Society Support for Biodiversity Conservation through Environment Resource Networking
Integrated Livestock and Crop Conservation Project
PA for Thimphu Valley Earthquake Risk Management Project
Earthquake Risk Reduction and Recovery Preparedness for Bhutan
Terminal Phase-out Management Plan