The WWF is run at a local level by the following offices...
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THE JOURNEY
WWF-Bhutan, an integral part of the global WWF Network, has significantly contributed to the conservation of Bhutan's rich biodiversity since its establishment in 1977. The organization's early efforts were focused on supporting the creation and management of protected areas, including national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, which now encompass more than 50 percent of the country's land. One of WWF-Bhutan's notable achievement is supporting the Royal Government develop a network of biological corridors, facilitating wildlife movement and genetic exchange crucial for species survival, such as tigers and elephants.
Species conservation has been a cornerstone of WWF-Bhutan's efforts. The organization has played a crucial role in protecting the Bengal tiger and the snow leopard through habitat protection, anti-poaching measures, and community engagement. WWF-Bhutan's work extends beyond wildlife protection to integrate conservation with sustainable development. By promoting environmentally sustainable practices and supporting local livelihoods, the organization ensures that conservation efforts benefit local communities, fostering a symbiotic relationship between people and nature.


Bhutan’s conservation vision has always been clear, built on the long tradition of protecting the natural environment, a vital national Buddhist value. Protected areas had been created in the early 1960s by Royal Decree just as Bhutan embarked on planned development. A rudimentary forest department had been formed, a Forest Act passed in 1969 and a forest policy drafted in 1974 to demarcate and manage forests. But trained manpower to manage forests and protected areas will non-existent and human-wildlife conflict was a major issue with livestock falling prey to big cats such as the Bengal tiger. WWF support to the Royal Governments conservation efforts began in 1977, heeding to the His Majesty The Fourth King’s vision to build Bhutanese capacity in terms of researchers, scientists and park managers. Today, many Bhutanese professionals playing critical roles in conservations and other environmental organization have pursued post-graduate programs in forestry and environmental studies, through WWF support. WWF support was also critical in establishing Bhutan’s first environmental NGO, Royal Society for Protection of Nature and Bhutan Trust Fund for environmental conservation. Most recently, the Bhutan for Life was established with WWF support.
In 1993, Bhutan’s protected area network, established by a Royal Decree in the 1960s, was revised to make it more representative of the major ecosystems in the country and for realistic management. WWF provided technical assistance in revising the park systems, which increased the protected areas from 15 percent to 26 percent of the land area. The revised system included four national parks, four wildlife sanctuaries and a strict nature reserve. WWF also supported the Royal Government in developing management plans for the Royal Manas National Park and the Jigme Dorji National Park besides training Bhutanese to operationalize and manage the protected areas. The revised system encompassed habitat for many species such as the golden langur, one-horned rhinoceros, Asian elephant, Bengal tiger, hornbill, snow leopard, blue sheep, red panda, Himalayan black bear, takin and marmot. Today, there are 10 protected areas, which are linked by biological corridors, and together make the Bhutan Biological Conservation Complex (B2C2). The B2C2 account for 52 percent of Bhutan land mass.
Recognizing the need to conserve Bhutan’s natural capital and immense biological diversity, WWF supported the Royal with various environmental conservation programs, including research and study, education and awareness, promotion of sustainable livelihoods, and protection of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. Addressing human-wildlife conflict, illegal wildlife trade, and mitigating and adapting to climate change have been of paramount importance to WWF’s work in the country. Today, WWF supports the Royal Government through three interlinked programs of integrated conservation program, conservation stewardship and education program and nature-based economy, livelihood and footprint program.
Ten species – Asian elephant, red panda, Bengal tiger, snow leopard, ruddy shelduck, takin, black-necked crane, musk deer, white-bellied heron and golden mahseer – have been identified as flagship species. The flagship species are of ecological and cultural significance and key to sustaining a healthy and resilient natural ecosystem in Bhutan.
WWF-Bhutan works closely with the Department of Forests and Park Services, Department of Energy, Tarayana Foundation and local governments in implementing projects within and outside the B2C2.
Bhutan is widely known as a conservation champion with population of apex species like the Bengal tiger and snow leopard increasing over the years. The National red panda survey (2022-2024) establishes that a healthy population of the species in 19 of the 20 districts in the country. The B2C2 and the living landscape, where conservation works are implemented outside the protected areas, shows commitment of the Royal Government in nature conservation with focus on addressing challenges and issues related to climate change, human-wildlife conflict and wildlife crimes. Sustaining conservation wins is resource intensive. WWF-Bhutan Strategic Plan (2025-2029) envisions a ‘A sustainable and just Bhutan for nature and people’ and aims to double conservation delivery through robust resource mobilization and strategic partnerships.

"In 1969 there was a rudimentary forest department for the southern regions only. In two-third of the country there was no forest department, or trained foresters to carry out conservation activities. WWF came in the late ‘70s basically to train people, strengthen institutions, and develop human resource expertise and particularly they were also trying to see the correlation between the park management vis-à-vis the buffer zone communities.”
- Late Lyonpo Chenkyab Dorji, first Forest Director, 1976

"While WWF came and helped build capacity, bring financial resources and draw institutional linkups, Bhutan was so ahead in terms of conservation when I came here. Led by the fourth King, you had it all figured out and knew exactly what you were doing. WWF came in at a crucial time when Bhutan was starting to open up and many international agencies were coming in. In a way, WWF never really asked government to do this, or that. They presented ideas and suggestions that government could consider. Bhutanese government always respected WWF as a good partner. All in all, WWF in Bhutan has done an incredible job”
- Dr. Bruce Bunting, Director of Bhutan Foundation,then Vice President of WWF Asia Pacific

""Bhutan needed such an organization in the ‘80s because others were misrepresenting Bhutan and its conservation scenario in international meetings. It was also an era when anything that came from government was looked upon with suspicion. RSPN began in the summer of 1985 as a one-man show. WWF provided assistance to set up a small office and organize art and essay competitions.”
- Dasho Paljor J Dorji (Benji), Advisor to the National Environment Commission

""If you go back to the early years, there were park systems, but they were representative of one large reserve like Manas in the south and Jigme Dorji National Park in the north. There was nothing. WWF actually brought in people, ecologists and experts from outside to help the country redesign the whole park system. It was in 1995 that the whole park system with four national park systems, four wildlife sanctuaries and one strict nature reserve came into being”
- Kinzang Namgye, CR WWF-Bhutan Program, 2000-2013