Crowd
gathered at the Tashichodzong to watch the annual tshechu festival
Copyright
© WWF Bhutan
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Program
targets
Ongoing
Projects
It
has been widely recognized that whilst population pressures in Bhutan
are, by regional and global standards, currently very low, there are
potential risks resulting from unbalanced development and demographic
changes. Government documents have emphasised the need to invest in
the development of additional or alternative, environmentally sustainable
rural livelihoods to complement traditional ones that tend to rely
on natural resource consumption.
Developing
the concept of integrated conservation and development projects
(ICDPs) inside or outside protected areas, and the potential for
improved community benefit from eco-tourism are both areas in which
WWF has considerable experience internationally, and which could
yield important benefits for rural communities and conservation
of natural resources in Bhutan. Additionally there is great potential
to promote the benefits improve the living standards of many Bhutanese
people.
Program
targets:
- 1.
Adoption and implementation of a national sustainable tourism
policy.
- 2.
Pilot eco-tourism ICDPs, including renewable energy components,
in three locations.
- 3.
To promote fuel efficiency and renewable energy alternatives to
firewood consumption.
Ongoing
Projects:
Women
from Phobjikha valley digging nature trails.
Copyright
© RSPN
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BT
0008 Women in Environment
Project
Summary: Women in Environment aims at integrating nature conservation
and community development in areas in and around Royal Manas National
Park through programs such as Non-Formal Education, Alternate income
generating activities, Micro-credit and savings, Social Forestry
and Environmental/developmental awareness. After having trained
777 NFE graduates, held several trainings on weaving, tailoring,
cane and bamboo production, mushroom cultivation, kitchen gardening,
availed loans to 175 households, planted 46,200 seedlings of cane/bamboo,
and organized and conducted study tours and nature study programs,
the project was phased out from RMNP and reestablished in the Phobjikha
Conservation Area. Women in this valley will be given the opportunity
to receive similar trainings and micro credit schemes. To date,
29 women have been trained in weaving traditional textiles by two
master weavers hired by the project. The micro credit scheme will
be extended to support activities such as vegetable farming, poultry,
piggery and potato cultivation among others.
download
progress report in pdf format
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