Strengthen national anti-poaching programs by improving delivery and coordination of SMART 

The project aims strengthen capacity of Forest Protection and Enforcement Division (FPED) under Department of Forests and Park Services (DoFPS) through ranger training, managing enforcement and protection works including SMART data, and developing a network of trainers and experts to manage wildlife law enforcement actions across the country. The project will also strengthen capacity of three territorial divisions of Gedu, Samtse and Dagana which are critical due its proximity to the international border. The project will provide training on the latest version of SMART both at site levels and command control system as one of the tools and tactical enforcement for rangers.  

Poaching and illegal wildlife trade poses one of the emerging threats to the conservation of wildlife fauna (tiger, Asiatic elephants, musk deer, black bear, pheasant, pangolin, Tokay gecko) and flora (timbers and medicinal plants) in Bhutan due to growth in demand and porous borders. Recognizing this and current shortcoming in enforcement practices, the Royal Government now adopts National Zero Poaching Strategy. It has begun implementing SMART (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool) patrolling - a critical anti-poaching tool in some national parks, wildlife sanctuary and territorial forest divisions that are highly vulnerable to poaching threat. Based on its effectiveness in the field since 2013, SMART is now rolled out nationwide as part of Bhutan’s zero poaching strategy. However, at the FPED level, technical capacity for nationwide SMART roll-out remains to be strengthened to achieve the intended objective of zero poaching. Constraints include untrained staff, inadequate intelligence databases, absence of intelligence network protocols and information sharing with relevant partners leading to limited coordination and decision-making to support effective enforcement.