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Ranger code of conduct (CoC)
© DoFPS
About the project

Ranger code of conduct(CoC)

Upon the endorsement of the Global Ranger Code of Conduct (CoC) by the DoFPS on June 18, 2021 and request for roll out of the CoC in Bhutan, WWF is committing its technical and financial support to DoFPS to institutionalize Bhutan specific CoC to meet the operational needs of DoFPS and provide a basis for high standards of ethical conduct of rangers in Bhutan. 

Forest rangers are the custodians of our state forests (parks, biological corridors, plantation) and other natural areas. They ensure the health, diversity, and productivity of our forests and grasslands. They also extensively interact with the public and support socio-economic development and people’s well-being. Therefore, while discharging their duties, they must always act professionally in line with legal and institutional frameworks bestowed to them by their authorities under the National Forest Policy. All forest rangers in Bhutan fall in the civil cadre of the Royal Civil Service Commission, which is the central personnel agency of the Royal Government of Bhutan. Rangers in Bhutan operates under with the Department of Forests and Park services (DoFPS), Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MoENR). As a full-time civil servant, they are bound by the Bhutan Civil Service Rules and Regulations of Bhutan (BCSRR). But given that rangers are professionals and are responsible for providing services to society, it is critical that the rangers in Bhutan are guided by code of ethic that always upholds the values and the obligations of their parent institution while discharging their regular duties. 
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Objectives

  • 1. CoC Review Committee (RC) formed and their Terms of Reference Endorsed by end of August 2021.
  • 2. Developed and Disseminated CoC Training and Advocacy Materials to Rangers in Project Areas by September 2021.
  • 3. Trained Rangers on the Rangers Code of Conduct by March 2022.

Project Approach

1. To make the global CoC more relevant and effective in the Bhutanese context, it is important to ensure that it is localized. For this, a review committee will be formed with most of the members from DoFPS followed by WWF, BFL, and relevant agencies. The role of the review committee is to ensure accountability that includes internal and external checks and balances. Such a system will help guide rangers in performing their duties following national and international law and live by the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.
The review committee will review and ensure that
    • Any conflict with the Civil Services code, Forest Rules, and any other legislation is considered well or not
    • Appropriate terminology (e.g. guidance, principal, SOPs)
    • Discuss and make necessary changes in the CoC
    • Agree on appropriate terminology
    • Work on incorporating the CoC in the training curriculums of UWICER to institutionalize CoC
    • Agree on the use of the existing government grievance redressal mechanism in case of violation of CoC
    • Agree on the roll-out plan
    • Development of training and advocacy materials. Once the training plan is ready, we will require training and advocacy materials to be developed and printed for disseminations to the all the rangers falling within the project scope.
    • Identification and training of Training of Trainers (ToT) on CoC will be done by DoFPS. At least 2 ToTs from each cluster and 1 at the national level will be identified. Once the ToTs are selected, the Forest Enforcement and Protection Divison (FEPD) of DoFPS will start the ToT.
   • Training is expected to roll- out in region-wise given the COVID-19 pandemic situation.

The training will be delivered in 4 regions.
• Western cluster-Paro, Gedu, Thimphu, Wangdue, Dagana and Tsirang forest divisions.
• Central cluster- Zhemgang, Bumthang forest division,
• Eastern Cluster- Mongar, Tashigang, Pemagatshel forest division
• Southern Cluster-Samdrup Jongkhar, Sarpang, Samtse forest division

Geographic Coverage

All field office and functional offices of DoFPS

Partners

Forest Protection and Enforcement Division, Department of Forests and Park Services HQ

Implementing Partners

  • Department of Forests and Park Services