About the project
The project envisages for healthy and resilient ecosystem connectivity among parks and two biological corridors in Bhutan part of TraMCA through sustainable management of natural resources and engagement with communities thereby assisting the government of Bhutan in meeting its conservation goals and international commitments for biodiversity conservation. The basic conservation thrust in the landscape management is maintaining the connectivity for species, especially large animals like cats, ungulates and elephants which need large areas of natural habitat in order to feed and find mates. So, this project will also secure and protect key habitats and flagship species of the landscape to maintain healthy and resilient ecosystem within the landscape as these targets are under threats from within and outside the country.
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
The Transboundary Manas Conservation Area (TraMCA) with an area of 6,763.89 sq.km is a region of high biological diversity extending along the south eastern Bhutan and northeast Indian state of Assam. Apart from forming some of the magnificent biodiversity in the region, the landscape also holds the rivers that cascade down the Himalayas to join the Brahmaputra which are valuable for the ecosystem services they provide to both upstream and downstream communities in Bhutan and India. However, the landscape continues to face several threats due to its porous border, rising human population and pressure from development activities on both sides of Bhutan and India. The landscape is also home to some of the poorest communities that are highly dependent on forests for their livelihoods which are linked to both domestic and commercial consumption of resources from the forests and livestock grazing. Human Wildlife Conflict particularly with Elephant species is a recurrent issue under the landscape.
Partners
Project is a collaborative effort between WWF and Royal Government. It is facilitated by the GNHC, DoFPS and WWF with financial support fromDiscovery Communications, Apple Incs., PRITZKER, Japan Monkey Center. The project’s focal political party is Ministry of Agriculture and Forests.
Implementing partners
Project Technical Director
Mr. Kuenley Tenzin
WWF Bhutan