Project No.9Z140261
Start Date:1st July 2018
End Date:30thJune 2021
Project Budget: Nu.22.89 million
About the project
The project implements zero poaching concept in a non-protected area after the successful implementation of the concept with Sarpang Forest Division.Zero poaching is an anti-poaching concept that is mainly operated with six pillars broadly categorized as 1) Assessment, 2) Technology, 3) Capacity, 4) Community, 5) Prosecution, and 5) Cooperation. This concept will immensely help Paro Forest Division to strategize anti-poaching activities to break the existing market chains for illegal wildlife trade. This model can also contribute to save other species of wildlife and their habitat.
The long term impact expected from the project is to strengthen Paro Forest Division as an institution through training of frontline staff, building infrastructure, and introduction of good system of data collection. High priority will be given to form strong linkages between stakeholders from other organizations such as Royal Judiciary, Royal Bhutan Police, Department of Immigration, Royal Bhutan Army, Bhutan Food Regulatory Authority and Regional Revenue and Customs.
Objectives
Project approach
The project implementation plan is a synthesis of proposed activities based on a consultative process, and national program implementation plan submitted by partner. The project is managed by WWF in close collaboration with Gross National Happiness Commission (GNHC) and Department of Forest and Park Services (DoFPS), who provide administrative and technical support respectively. WWF responsibility also include monitoring and evaluation of project. The DoFPS has a pool of Park and Functional Division staff at central and field levels who support the implementation of the project activities. WWF has contractual agreement with the Royal Government and has institutional responsibilities for developing, funding, implementing and monitoring project in Bhutan.
Geographic coverage of the project
Paro Forest Division (PFD), Department of Forests and Park Services (DoFPS) covers an area of 2315.76 km2 covering 14 gewogs (blocks) under 2 dzongkhags (districts). It is surrounded by Jigme Dorji National Park and Chinain the North, Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve in the West, Samtse and Chukha Districts in the South and Thimphu in the East. Biological corridor number 01 that connects Jigme Dorji National Park and Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve also falls within the administrative jurisdiction of the division. Thus, the division plays an important role in sustaining biodiversity at a greater landscape level due to its strategic location between two protected areas and biological corridor passing through it. Further, the division shares a porous border with China, which offers an easy illegal wildlife trade route.
Although, the project will be implemented over the whole area of the Division, more emphasis will be given to Tsento and Doteng Gewogs in Paro and Bji Gewog in Haa which constitutes the core habitat for Tiger,Snow Leopard, Asian Wild Dog, Musk deer, and Bhutan Takin.Therefore, leaders of the local government and communities of 14 gewogs including the highland herder communities under 2 Dzongkhags are the stakeholders of the project.
Partners
Project is a collaborative effort between WWF and Royal Government. It is facilitated by the GNHC, DoFPS and WWF with financial support from WWF Hongkong. The project’s focal political party is Ministry of Agriculture and Forests.
Implementing partner
Project Technical Director
Mrs. Dechen Yeshi
WWF Bhutan