An emerald river flows through hills that rise against the sky, the horizon merging gently with the deep and lush green forests.

Where does it end? Where does it begin? I have no clue.

But the lives and scenic landscape, located on the banks of Jigmechhu river opened up to me a space where I was able to witness firsthand, how nature supports sustainable livelihoods and vice-versa.

I was in Jigmechhu, Gedu, a small village located in southern part of Chhukha district.

The sluggish summer afternoon made me rush to Jigmechhu riverbanks and as I dipped into the clear water, a school of finger-size fish with glistening scales started swimming towards my toes.

The loud roar of Rufous-necked hornbill flying on the other side of the river caught me by surprise, igniting my curiosity about this small ecological paradise.

No doubt Bhutanese from across the country flock here every winter.  The weather becomes cooler, and nature offers a much need respite, away from the maddening crowd.

The people of Jigmechhu

I met Wangchuk, a 50-year-old farmer, one of the first members to operate Jigmechhu eco-tourism and recreation site. In the last five years, Jigmechhu campsite received over hundreds of visitors from within the country and a lone foreigner.

Since then, Jigmechhu eco-tourism and nature recreation activity has become one of the major sources of income for the community. The main attraction were visitors chancing upon the sight of the rare and critically threatened white-bellied heron and the Golden Mahseer, commonly known as the tiger of the river.

Originally from Bayulkuenzang, a village located 30 minutes up-hill drive from Jigmechhu, the villagers say they were relocated to the current place in 1990s. Bayulkuenzang was known for huge mandarin production, and they could easily export to Assam, India, a few kilometers from its nearest district Dagana.

The mandarin growth started to fail in early 2000s. And gradually, the mandarin export came to halt in the latter years. The villagers earned their living through farming and fishery then.

Nature recreation and eco-tourism at Jigmechhu

After a decade of slow growth, Jigmechhu community is confident that the eco-tourism activities could bring back the past glory- a prosperous settlement with stable source of in income.

Located in the southern foothills part of Bhutan, the rich sightings of rare and threatened species and birds are drawing visitors from across the country to Jigmechhu, especially during winter.

Jigmechhu Ney, a sacred site located a few meters away from the campsite is also a huge part of the recreation activity at Jigmechhu.

Wangchuk said that Jigmechhu has a huge potential to attract visitors even during summer.

For now, Jigmechhu eco-tourism campsite is opened to visitors for five months in winter.

“The eco-tourism activity helped us earn extra income and it also helped villagers sell vegetables and other produces easily. The eco-tourism activities also supported a few shopkeepers run their sale well,” he said.

The dzongkhag administration, development and conservation partners helped Jigmechhu communities develop the campsite and lodging facilities, helping the group improve their services each year.

The future

As the nature recreation and eco-tourism activities become more attractive, the communities see an increased value in securing the future of this critical landscape, a home for white-bellied heron and golden mahseer.

However, the sighting of critically endangered, white-bellied heron is become far and few by the day. The bird enthusiasts often hike deep into the forests, towards an ox-bow lake that has a high chance of sighting the white-bellied heron in Jigmechhu.

Gedu Divisional Forests office is working hard to engage the community, educating them on the importance of the landscape and the species of high importance that need collective efforts to keep the habitat intact.

There are three remote villages nearby Jigmechhu.

Agriculture farming is limited due to extreme temperature rise in summer and heavy rainfalls during winter. Inadequate irrigation and water make farming more challenging.

We were three from WWF-Bhutan listening to this list of challenges facing the Jigmechhu community. We talked to elderly and shop owners about the livelihood opportunities and challenges.

WWF-Bhutan plans to work with the Jigmechhu community, other conservation partners, local government administration and stakeholders on ground to support the development of nature-friendly and economically viable community-based ecotourism in Jigmechhu.

The collaboration aims to ensure the protection of the nature and biodiversity, develop and sustain the community livelihoods, and empower Jigmechhu community manage increased tourism by adopting sustainable livelihood practices.

I continued my journey to far eastern part of Bhutan after spending a day and a night at Jigmechhu. On the way to Jomotsangkha Wildlife Sanctuary, the park rich in biodiversity in Samdrup Jongkhar, I came across a freshly rising hills made from dak and white limestones rocks.

I followed Jigmechhu river until I lost sight of it and drove into the unceasing plains of India.

By Nima

Communications Officer, WWF-Bhutan