The WWF is run at a local level by the following offices...
- WWF Global
- Adria
- Argentina
- Armenia
- AsiaPacific
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Belgium
- Bhutan
- Bolivia
- Borneo
- Brazil
- Bulgaria
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Canada
- Caucasus
- Central African Republic
- Central America
- Chile
- China
- Colombia
- Croatia
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Denmark
- Ecuador
- European Policy Office
- Finland
Our News
Conservation assured | Tiger standards - Securing safe havens for tigers
Two of Bhutan’s 10 protected areas, Royal Manas National Park and Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park, are CA|TS accredited. Two more tiger sites, Jigme Dorji National Park and Zhemgang Forest Division are in the process of being accredited and another site, Bumthang Forest Division, is being proposed for accreditation.What does being CA|TS accredited mean?
Two of Bhutan’s 10 protected areas, Royal Manas National Park and Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park, are CA|TS accredited. Two more tiger sites, Jigme Dorji National Park and Zhemgang Forest Division are in the process of being accredited and another site, Bumthang Forest Division, is being proposed for accreditation.
What does being CA|TS accredited mean? What value does it have for Bhutan?
CA|TS was conceptualized in 2011 and launched in 2013 during the Asia Park Conference to contribute to the 2010 global pledge to double wild tiger population by 2022. CA|TS aims at securing safe havens for wild tigers, where the cats can live and breed safely. For that to happen, tiger habitats are required to be effectively conserved, well managed and connected. While CA|TS has significantly contributed to achieving the Tiger Goal for 2022, it is now focusing on leveraging its sites to establish best management practices, offering a progressive vision for tiger conservation moving forward.
For Bhutan, as it does for other tiger range countries, getting CA|TS accreditation means that the management of the tiger site is on the right track, in terms of resources and governance, and more. The rigorous process of getting accreditation also helps identify gaps and weaknesses. This shows the commitment of the Royal Government, departments and divisions, and conservation partners to conservation of tigers in the country. It also means accountability to donors, which opens doors to more resources.
To get accredited, a tiger site has to fulfill seven pillars with 17 elements and 70 standards.
Let’s look at the seven pillars:
1. Importance and status
This looks at the social, cultural and biological significance, area design and legal status, regulation and compliance.

2. Management
Under this, six elements of management planning, plan implementation, processes, staffing, infrastructure, equipment, facilities, sustainability of resources, and adaptive management are scrutinized.

Tashi Dhendup, Head of Bhutan Tiger Center in Royal Manas National Park examines the photos taken by a camera trap set up near a water hole Photo: WWF-Bhutan/Kinley Wangmo
3. Community
This takes into consideration community and stakeholder relations, and human-wildlife conflict management.

A farmer in Nubi, Trongsa where the highest incidence of human-tiger conflict was reported Photo:WWF-Bhutan/Kinley Wangmo
4. Tourism
This standard is applicable for areas with major tourism objectives.

Royal Manas National Park official operating drone in the company of WWF-US team member attracts a group of local tourists from Nganglam, Pema Gatshel Photo: WWF-Bhutan/Kinley Wangmo
5. Protection
Under protection, the requirements are safeguarding tigers and their habitat through robust patrolling, law enforcement and community engagement. It focuses on preventing poaching, reducing human-tiger conflicts, and protecting corridors to ensure habitat connectivity and genetic diversity.

Royal Manas National Park rangers during a patrol Photo: WWF-Bhutan/Kinley Wangmo
6. Habitat management
The overall habitat management, including that of prey species.

A camera trap set up near a water hole in Royal Manas National Park Photo: WWF-Bhutan/Kinley Wangmo
7. Tiger populations
Monitoring protocols are integral to ensure data collection across key conservation components, including tiger populations, habitat conditions, and prey availability.
CA|TS helps identify our weaknesses
“The certification process was tedious. We had to go through files and records from the past because we had to provide evidence in the form of photographs and scientific reports. However, once completed, we realized that we had a folder documenting the history and information about the park. Since JSWNP was accredited in late 2019, the benefits have been many. We were able to identify the loopholes and weak points and able to address them. Infrastructure were developed for park officials and most recently we received budget to support informant groups in communities. There has been incidents of tiger poaching in these areas and we were able to provide incentives like cellular devices and solar power lights to the nomadic communities. These incentives aid the communities in reporting illegal activities in their areas. JSWNP is currently under review for renewal of CA|TS accreditation.”
- Abirman Sinchuri
Senior Forest Officer
IRVMP
Bumthang Forest Division has one of the highest tiger populations in the country. CA|TS accreditation would help us build the best management practices. The conservation efforts on the ground would be effective. CA|TS ensures there are adequate infrastructure and resources. We are applying for the CA|TS accreditation for the first time this year and we hope to learn more about it as we move forward with the process.
-Pema Yongdrup
Forest Officer
Bumthang Forest Division


2. Management
Under this, six elements of management planning, plan implementation, processes, staffing, infrastructure, equipment, facilities, sustainability of resources, and adaptive management are scrutinized.

Tashi Dhendup, Head of Bhutan Tiger Center in Royal Manas National Park examines the photos taken by a camera trap set up near a water hole Photo: WWF-Bhutan/Kinley Wangmo
3. Community
This takes into consideration community and stakeholder relations, and human-wildlife conflict management.

A farmer in Nubi, Trongsa where the highest incidence of human-tiger conflict was reported Photo:WWF-Bhutan/Kinley Wangmo
4. Tourism
This standard is applicable for areas with major tourism objectives.

Royal Manas National Park official operating drone in the company of WWF-US team member attracts a group of local tourists from Nganglam, Pema Gatshel Photo: WWF-Bhutan/Kinley Wangmo
5. Protection
Under protection, the requirements are safeguarding tigers and their habitat through robust patrolling, law enforcement and community engagement. It focuses on preventing poaching, reducing human-tiger conflicts, and protecting corridors to ensure habitat connectivity and genetic diversity.

Royal Manas National Park rangers during a patrol Photo: WWF-Bhutan/Kinley Wangmo
6. Habitat management
The overall habitat management, including that of prey species.

A camera trap set up near a water hole in Royal Manas National Park Photo: WWF-Bhutan/Kinley Wangmo
7. Tiger populations
Monitoring protocols are integral to ensure data collection across key conservation components, including tiger populations, habitat conditions, and prey availability.
CA|TS helps identify our weaknesses
“The certification process was tedious. We had to go through files and records from the past because we had to provide evidence in the form of photographs and scientific reports. However, once completed, we realized that we had a folder documenting the history and information about the park. Since JSWNP was accredited in late 2019, the benefits have been many. We were able to identify the loopholes and weak points and able to address them. Infrastructure were developed for park officials and most recently we received budget to support informant groups in communities. There has been incidents of tiger poaching in these areas and we were able to provide incentives like cellular devices and solar power lights to the nomadic communities. These incentives aid the communities in reporting illegal activities in their areas. JSWNP is currently under review for renewal of CA|TS accreditation.”
- Abirman Sinchuri
Senior Forest Officer
IRVMP

-Pema Yongdrup
Forest Officer
Bumthang Forest Division
