CEPF proposal call for 2008 open:

WWF Bhutan invites proposals from civil society organizations such as non government organizations, community based organizations, academic institutions as well as individual researchers for its CEPF Small Grants Program. For details please refer CEPF page.

New national park:(June 2008)

A 3737 sq. km area in the northern frontier of Bhutan has been declared as a new national park by the Royal Government of Bhutan to commemorate the centenary celebration of the country's Monarchy. With altitudinal range of 2000m to 7200m above sea level, it conprises of significant conifer broadleaf forests and alpine scrubs. A team of experts from the the Department of Forests, Ministry of Agriculture has already initiated the preliminary survey of the park.

New park in circle:

Jan. 8th. 2008: Clean Dzongkhag Award

In a ceremony presided over by the organizing officials of National Environment Commission, WWF Bhutan, Royal Society for Protection of Nature and other governmental offices, the 2006-'07 Clean Dzongkhags Award was announced. The winners were the three districts of Paro, Sarpang and Trashigang. Initiated by WWF in 2001, the main aim of the award was to spread the message of healthy waste disposal and cleanliness and also to engage local administration bodies and people in taking care of their respective districts.

Dorji Norbu, the Trashigang Dzongda (district governor) receiving his share of the Award

New bird records for Bhutan:July 2007

During the recent survey of the Royal Manas National Park, the surveyors from the Nature Conservation Division(NCD) recorded 4 new bird species for Bhutan. Sherub, an ornithologist from NCD, confirmed the new records as Pitta cyanea (Blue Pitta), Dicaeum erythrorynchos (Pale-billed Flowerpecker), Pericrocotus cinnamomeus (Small Minivet) and Prinia socialis (Ashy Prinia). The count of the bird species for Bhutan is now 674. Ashy Prinia (Prinia socialis)

WWF-BHUTAN began its conservation work in 1977 by providing training opportunities for Bhutanese nationals and gradually evolved into a full country program facilitating severaL conservation projects, that are currently being implemented by national agencies. Since the establishment of a program office in Thimphu in 1992, WWF has worked closely with the Royal Government of Bhutan to develop an integrated and collaborative conservation program.

The program has focused on immediate conservation needs, such as establishing and managing a system of protected areas, while developing the nation's capacity to manage its natural resources by strengthening relevant institutions, developing human resources and promoting conservation education and public awareness.