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Becoming a conservationist
I grew up in a remote village called Gongthung in Trashigang. When I was in my second year in school I dropped out because I was needed at home to help with the farm work.
I grew up in a remote village called Gongthung in Trashigang. When I was in my second year in school I dropped out because I was needed at home to help with the farm work. I would herd the cattle in the forest, and although I did not realize then, I was deeply aware of nature. The birds, its nests and the animals in the forests. But sometimes, as time in the forest would stretch I would just for the sake of fun, destroy nests. It is something that I regret.
Bhutan glory ©Chening Dorji
Years later, after coming to Thimphu with my uncle and then taking on the job of a driver’s assistant in my teen and later joining the civil service as a driver, my life took a turn. I always found value in learning, a never-ending process that I continue to engage in and find rewarding. I believe strongly that the process of continuous learning makes one a productive citizen.
I joined Royal Society of Protection for Nature (RSPN) in 1998 as a driver and would often accompany staff in the field. Most of RSPN’s work those days revolved around research and conservation works of birds. My interest in learning amplified my interest in birds. It also made me aware of the importance of birds in an ecosystem. It was more than just a beautiful creature flitting around and singing sweet melodies. It was important for seed dispersal and pest management, an important role for nature to thrive. We have clean air to breathe, fresh water to drink and healthy food to eat, all of which are thanks to the birds. They play a great role in shaping and maintaining a healthy natural environment. While all biodiversity is critical to our environment, there are big birds such as the black-necked cranes and the white-bellied heron, which because of human-activities are “near threatened” and “critically endangered”. This has made me realize how destructive ignorance can be.
Capped langur ©Chening Dorji
It became a passion, for me, to learn about the birds and wildlife in general. I carried this passion with me to WWF-Bhutan, which I joined in 2013. With my experience in the forests herding cows, I knew the birds, their habitats, and characteristics, and getting to know more about the birds from conservationists and nature-lovers added to charm of learning. By the time I realized I was driving donors and international conservationists to national parks and reserves to showcase our beautiful birds, mammals and plants. I was getting up early or camping in freezing grounds to catch sight of early birds. I was organizing birding trips and engaged with colleagues in creating Nature Cub (RSPN) and Young Bhutanese Birders Club (WWF-Bhutan) across the country. Over 20 schools in the country have young Bhutanese birders and these clubs are a small contribution to the tsa-wa-sum (King, people and country).
Plumbeous redstar ©Chening Dorji Recognizing my interest in wildlife, I was encouraged to take up photography by my office management and later gifted a camera by an international guest. My former boss, WWF-Bhutan Counter Representative Dechen Dorji said one day, that I should actually capture the images of the wildlife rather than just having the binocular hung around my shoulders. I went online and learnt photography. This resulted into contributing wildlife photos to the office library, and publishing of two books on birds called Wings of the Dragon: Birds from the Kingdom of Bhutan.
Today, despite lack of formal education, I feel it need not necessarily deprive one of continuous learning and growth. English is an important language, and I took a two-month course so I could communicate better with guests and donors, and more importantly become as productive a citizen as I could be. And to be a conservationist, one need not go to school or get a college degree. If there is a thirst for self-development and if you are open to learning, everyday experience is a teacher, and you are responsible for making the most of it.
Chening Dorji is a Senior Driver with WWF-Bhutan, a passionate wildlife and nature lover, and a self-taught photographer