What would you like to search for?

© SitherTenzin/WWF Bhutan


 
 
 

Bhutan Biological Conservation Complex

Bhutan Biological Conservation Complex (B2C2) refers in a nutshell to the conservational landscape comprised of all protected areas (including buffer zones) and its connecting biological corridors. Presently, there are five national parks, four wildlife sanctuaries, one nature reserve and nine biological corridors. The protected area coverage is almost 20,000 sq km which corresponds to 51.32 percent of the country’s area.

b2c2

The B2C2 landscape contains a vast repository of ecosystems, species, and genetic diversity and is representative of the major habitat types and ecological zones present in Bhutan, ranging from the tropical and sub-tropical grasslands and forests in the southern foothills through temperate forests in the central region, to alpine meadows in the northern mountains. There are natural corridors between various ecological zones that enable the free movement of wildlife across habitats and range areas. The connectivity provided by biological corridors and representative ecosystems in all ecological zones amplifies the range for species, thus potentially enhancing the resilience of key species. B2C2 provides many other ecosystem services of national and international significance, including supporting hydropower generation, the country’s largest foreign exchange earner, provision of food and fodder, preservation of cultural and spiritual heritage, recreation, and ecotourism. The corridor system is also especially critical to the country’s climate resilience, providing connectivity between habitats and refugia that these ecosystems and species will need to adapt to ever-increasing temperatures and climate change impacts.

Bhutan ranks in the top ten percent of countries with the highest species density (the species richness per unit area is 15). All the diverse ecosystems found in the country are represented within the B2C2 landscape and legally protected to ensure its posterity. Among the fauna are several globally threatened species such as the Bengal tiger, snow leopard, clouded leopard, red panda, Bhutan takin, golden langur, capped langur, Asian elephant, Himalayan musk deer, Himalayan serow, black-necked crane, rufous-necked hornbill, white-bellied heron, and golden mahseer.

 
WWF is currently engaged in conservation efforts in the following protected areas:

 

  • Royal Manas National Park

    Royal Manas
    RMNP is the fourth largest park in Bhutan covering an area of 1057 sq km. It shares its border with India’s World Heritage site, Manas Tiger Reserve, and is also connected by corridors to Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary and Jigme Singye National Park. Manas Park covers three districts: Zhemgang, Sarpang and Pemagatshel. Read More

  • Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve

    Royal Manas
    JKSNR, the only strict nature reserve in Bhutan, is a 609.5 sq km trans-boundary area located in the northwest corner of the country. The park mostly covers the administrative jurisdiction of Haa and Samtse Districts. In comparison to other parks, human habitation is slightly less here. Read More

  • Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary

    Royal Manas
    The 269sq km PWS is the smallest protected area in Bhutan. In 1974, PWS was established as Phibsoo Reserved Forest and in 1993 it was upgraded as wildlife sanctuary. The sanctuary's first conservation management plan was approved in 2012. Subsequently in 2014 PWS was separated from Sarpang Forest Division, becoming an independent office.Read More

  • Wangchuk Centennial National Park

    Royal Manas
    In 2008, WCNP was formally designated as the 10th national park to pay tribute to Wangchuck Dynasty for selflessly leading Bhutan for 100 years. Located ideally within the rich Himalayan ecosystem, WCNP is not only the largest national park in the country with area coverage of 4,919 sq km but with its inclusion, Bhutan's protected area system now stands at 51.32 percent i.e. more than half of Bhutan. Read More

  • Phrumsengla National Park

    Royal Manas
    PNP confirmed in 1998, is situated in the heart of the nation with an area of 905 sq km. With tall mountains approaching over 3,000 meters high and pristine forest ranging from alpine to subtropical broadleaf, PNP with 94 percent under forest cover becomes an indispensable central point for Biological Corridors. Falling within the park jurisdiction are parts of Bumthang, Mongar, Lhuentse and Zhemgang Dzongkhags. Read More

  • Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary

    Royal Manas
    Located in the eastern most part of the country, SWS has an area of 739 sq km of alpine meadow and temperate and warm broadleaf forests. Three major rivers- Manas Chu, Bada Chu and Dhansiri Chu - have their origin here. Read More

  • Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park

    Royal Manas
    Previously known as Black Mountain National Park, JSWNP is the third largest park in the country covering an expanse of 1,723 sq km. The park has recorded the highest number of 391 bird species among all the protected areas in the country. Read More

  • Jigme Dorji National Park

    Royal Manas
    JDNP is the second largest national park in Bhutan with an area of 4,316 sq km. Located in the north western part of the country, the park also shares international border with the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China. JDNP is rich in biodiversity with a present record of 36 mammals, 328 birds, five reptiles, 300 medicinal plants, and 39 butterflies. Read More

  • Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary

    Royal Manas
    BWS was established in 1998. It was previously part of Jigme Dorji Wildlife Sanctuary established in 1974 to protect the alpine and sub-alpine ecosystems of eastern Himalayas in Bhutan. BWS was established as an independent protected area following reviews of protected area system (Mahat, 1986; MacKinnon, 1986; Blower, 1998), which indicated a need for the protection of the full range of natural ecosystem found between the Indian plains and the high Himalayas, specifically in the temperate zone. Read More

  • Jomotshangkha Wildlife Sanctuary

    Royal Manas
    JWS covers 334.73 sq km in Samdrup Jongkhar along the Indo-Bhutan border. Its elevations range between 400m and 2,200m. Read More

 
 
 
 

 
 

Living Landscape

In line with the Parties to UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) adopted Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measure(OECM) as strategy for achieving the in situ conservation of biodiversity and associated ecosystem functions beyond the protected areas. These areas are significant steps towards the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem functions. 

living landscape

WWF-Bhutan in collaboration with the Department of Forests and Parks Services is working in nine southwestern districts through the Living Landscape: Securing High Conservation Values in southwestern Bhutan. 

The project seeks to achieve long term conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services; and contribute towards the country’s sustainable development through securing High Conservation Values (HCVs) in the southwestern Bhutan. Through this project the concept of HCVs will be integrated into the national land use planning system.

This project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) through the International Climate Initiative (IKI) and implemented by WWF Germany.