Government documents recognize the need for far greater collaboration and co-operation between different departments and agencies with sometimes conflicting priorities and objectives. Far-sighteded conservation policies may lack effective implementation or may overlook potential conflicts with those of other sectors concerned with increased food self-sufficiency or the development of industry for example. Above all there is a need to increase the scope and depth of knowledge regarding Bhutan's biodiversity, to establish a baseline against which to plan and measure all future conservation interventions and to inform important decisions concerning the nation's socio-economic development.

In many areas of government there is still a need to build the capacity of staff to better understand the interdependence of conservation of natural resources and opportunities for social and economic development. The Royal Government may benefit from WWF's experiences elsewhere in the world, where the consequences of policy development and implementation have been studied and lessons learned. Systems for monitoring and evaluating development and/or conservation programs and plicies need to be introduced or improved to demonstrate real impacts.

1. 1. Establish a comprehensive Biodiversity Inventory of Bhutan.
2. 2. Establish an independently verifiable system of monitoring and evaluating biodiversity conservation in Bhutan.
3. 3. Initiate a Natural History Museum and "Virtual Zoo" as a public and professional educational resource.
4. 4. Develop precautionary policies for conservation of freshwater catchment areas.
5. 6. Research and monitor population health of key species to inform conservation action.

On going projects:

• BT 0010 Management of Royal Manas National Park
• BT 0864 Linking Protected Areas
• BT 0852 Anti-Poaching Program
• BT 0863 Conservation Management Planning
  for ThrumshingLa NP
• BT 0856 Tiger Conservation Program