NEWSLETTER A bi-monthly publication of the Ministry of Agriculture & Forests RNRVol. XXXII Issue No. 146 www.moaf.gov.bt September - October 2012 Inside Yet another rare butterfly.... Ugyen Tshering/ICS Barking Deer safely Division (WCD) and Relocated Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS) forestry staff. According to the news release issued by WCD, the team was in Bumdeling this July, undertaking some research works on pupa of Deer enters human domain Ludlow’s Glory after being chased by dogs when they sighted the Bhutan Tree Brown in the Pg 4 area. “It was a mere chance sighting,” said WCD’s forest officer, Sonam Wangdi who Thinley Dorji out for hunting Buddha captured the photo of the rare Mushroom butterfly. He believes that the Bhutan Tree Brown Bhutan Tree Brown might be very rare in Bhutan. This Thimphu, 22 August: Just Bhutan Tree Brown with is ascribed to the fact that after the rediscovery of its scientific name, Lethe it was not sighted last year Ludlow’s Bhutan Glory three margaritae, of Lepidoptera, when so many researchers years ago, which went all the Nymphalidae family was were in the area. “Last year, way to earn the designation rediscovered by a team we literally combed the of National Butterfly of researchers from the whole forest in search of of Bhutan, yet another Butterfly Society of Japan the early stages of Ludlow’s Illustration of people hunting rare butterfly has been (BSJ), Ugyen Wangchuck for mushroom Bhutan Swallowtail and rediscovered in Bumdeling Institute for Conservation still this butterfly was not Pg 6 Wildlife Sanctuary on 26 and Environment (UWICE), sighted.” July this year. Wildlife Conservation Contd. on page 2

2nd phase of RGoB- International Year of Cooperatives HSI joint project Tandin Dorji /ICS Communities towards Gross The acting Prime Minister, National Happiness. Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba Thimphu, 8 October : With Cooperative movement who graced the event as cooperatives playing a vital although existed in Bhutan the Chief Guest shared that role in the socio-economic since early 1960s especially much development has been development of a nation, in the agriculture sector, the achieved in the agriculture the year 2012, is observed formal movement began and livestock sector but as the International Year of with the implementation of organising cooperatives Cooperatives all over the the Cooperative act in 2009 in the non-agricultural world. Bhutan joined the and the establishment of the sector is yet to make any other nations to observe Department of Agriculture gate way. He requested the Launching of the Project the event by hosting a three Marketing and Cooperatives. participants especially the day international seminar Bhutan, as of now has 16 Bhutanese cooperatives Pg 13 on the theme Cooperatives: cooperatives and 100 plus to take advantage of the Empowering Rural registered farmers group. Contd. on page 2 2 September - October 2012 RNR NEWSLETTER International Year of Cooperatives Contd. from page 1 which will nurture in other countries, to United Nation Development democracy at the grassroots develop new relationship Programme, SNV forum, and learn from the level which ultimately aid to and partnership with Netherlands Development experiences shared by the a functional democracy at the the institutions from the Organisation, International experts participating from national level. participating nations and Fund for Agricultural other countries. ”Cooperatives group have to further promote the Development and Bhutan Speaking on the theme, helped farmer’s, particularly development of cooperatives Development Bank Ltd. Lyonpo (Dr.) Pema small farmers improve in Bhutan among all relevant Cooperatives is an Gyamtsho shared that their lives and that of the stakeholders. association of likeminded Bhutan’s philosophy of communities,” said the About 140 participants persons group united GNH and the international United Nations Development including 26 international voluntarily to meet their theme for cooperatives Programme Resident participants from China, common economic, social, towards building a better Representative, Claire Van India, Thailand, Bangladesh, and cultural needs and world confirms the global der Vaeren. Japan and Nepal are aspirations through a acknowledgment of the The seminar expects to attending the seminar. The jointly-owned enterprise. important contribution the raise awareness on the seminar will touch upon Cooperatives promote cooperatives are making importance and benefit of topics such as cooperatives pooling of resource in to the socio-economic cooperatives and to generat and its role in socio- order to reduce cost of development and ultimately valuable set of conclusions economic development and production and enhancing to human development that might be useful for the Policies, law and regulations bargaining power of that is happiness. He also development and promotion conducive for the formation marginal individuals and shared that Cooperatives of cooperatives elsewhere. and development of share the profits equally, development will strengthen The seminar also creates a cooperatives. can lead to improvement in the social unity and harmony platform to share and learn The event was made the living standards of the amongst the communities of cooperative movement possible with support from communities. Yet another rare butterfly.... Contd. from page 1 it is not a new species, it is rare” by some Japanese are believed to be found in a record for Bhutan after a researchers. small pockets in certain areas long absence. “It actually This species is thought to just like Ludlow’s Bhutan Sonam Wangdi in the news elevates importance of occur in primary forest at Glory, they have found release also mentioned that biological diversity in 1,500-2,500 metres above similar habitats in other parts this chance sighting makes Bhutan despite being a very sea level and perhaps “one- of the country. “Just now it a very important record small country.” brooded” meaning it occurs our studies is confined only for the purpose of butterfly Literature review done only once in a year, during in that area,” he said adding conservation and could prove by experts indicated June to August. No study on that there may or may not be to be a good reason for its that Bhutan Tree Brown its early stages have been possibilities of finding them inclusion in the Schedule List was first discovered by done so far. in other areas. of Butterflies in Forest and Elwes, way back in 1882 WCD’s chief when asked Butterflies are also said Nature Conservation Act of elsewhere. However, it was what type of conservation to be an indicator of how Bhutan as works are ongoing first recorded in Bhutan in efforts would now be put in healthy and functional the for revision of Schedule list. the 1930s by some British place, said especially when ecosystem is. This is because WCD’s Chief Forestry explorers which must be the biodiversity conservation they depend on a particular Officer, Sonam Wangchuk same time when Ludlow’s was carried out, one of the habitat which means they when asked for his take on Bhutan Glory was discovered priority activity is to look at are considered to be more such a rediscovery shared for the first time. endemism. “But we need to habitat specialist requiring that Bhutan remains largely This butterfly was recorded do little bit of ground work one particular set of habitat pristine and unexplored from as a rediscovery last year to source out where this component to thrive on. the inaccessibility point of in India by the Foundation species was first described Thus, the butterfly has view. He said, “However, of Indian Butterflies when from.” This, he said, is been put by the ecosystem with works such as the it was recorded in Northern because literature says that analyser as an indication of biodiversity assessment part of Sikkim in 2011. The the butterfly is endemic to healthy ecosystem. being done, it is providing us species was also recorded for Bhutan, Sikkim and Northern Whatever, Bhutan Tree an opportunity to find new the first time from Kachin Myanmar. Brown remains as the latest documentation.” state in Northern Myanmar WCD’s chief also said entrance in the Butterflies of He also said that although where it is recorded as “very although such rare butterflies Bhutan. RNR NEWSLETTER September - October 2012 3 6th Management Committee Meeting of Centenary Farmers’ Market held Tshering Doma/ICS The meeting introduced installation among others. to work closely with the the newly appointed vendor’s Besides, the meeting also management team to enhance Thimphu, October 4: The representative, Ap Dhendup discussed the internal audit the agriculture production 6th management committee to the management members. report on CFM and approved and market promotion for meeting of the Centenary The vendor’s representative the proposed budget for vendors. Farmers’ Market (CFM) is elected annually who will 2012-2013. According to Kaling Dorji, was held at the ministry’s act as a bridge between the During the meeting, the focal officer of CFM, conference hall under the management and vendors. Lyonpo expressed his there is 418 stalls at present chairmanship of Hon’ble The meeting also highlighted appreciation for the and they have 24 staff to Lyonpo, Dr. , its annual progress such as concerted efforts of CFM manage the CFM efficiently. Minister for Agriculture and the operation of CFM for six management for setting He added that the CFM is Forests. Also present were days a week (Wednesday to up a good example in planning a road diversion in Dasho Dzongdag, Thimphu; Monday starting from 6 June cleanliness and hygiene. He the future to provide better departmental and agencies 2012) and the successful urged the newly appointed facility for vendors; the heads with other officials. construction works like ATM vendor’s representative proposal has been approved. New auction yard Inaugurated Photo by Choidup Zangpo, ICS Chencho Gyeltshen/ICS the construction were imported from India, the Thimphu, September 5: whole process of building The Hon’ble Minister for (designing, erecting and Agriculture and Forests, His constructing) has been Excellency Lyonpo (Dr.) carried out by Agriculture Pema Gyamtsho inaugurated Machinery Centre (AMC), the newly constructed Paro and the Engineering auction yard below Division under the Centenary Farmers Market Department of Agriculture. (CFM). The structure of the More than Nu 900,000/ auction yard constructed by (Nine hundred thousand the Ministry of Agriculture ngultrums) were spend for and Forests (MoAF) in the construction, excluding government will benefit both day. collaboration with the Food the labour charges. the sellers and buyers even Vegetable growers from Corporation of Bhutan (FCB) In his address to the though the day of auctioning various Chiwogs under six is considered to be the first of vegetable traders at the CFM, may create some difficulty to dzongkhag (Paro, Thimphu, its kind that the Government His Excellency said that the sellers, since they have Chukha, Wangdi, Punakha has ever initiated in making vegetables affordable to bring their products for and Haa) have registered construction. The main and accessible to all section registration on Pedestrian’s for selling their products. objective of constructing of the society will contribute day. He said it would have Most agreed that the newly this yard is to ease both the in its own way towards Gross been rather more convenient constructed auction yard buyers and sellers in buying National Happiness (GNH). if the auctioning day was at the Centenary Farmers and selling local vegetables According to Aup Neten on Thursday, so that they Market in Thimphu would produced. Dorji, vegetable sellers can bring their products on ease both vegetable buyers Although the materials from Hungthso, Thimphu, Wednesday to register and do and sellers in functioning of and equipments for this initiative taken by the the auction on the following the trade. Auctioning Procedures • Auction days: Every Wednesday 8.30 am onwards • Date and time for suppliers registration: Every Tuesday 6:30 pm to 10 pm at the auction yard • Registration will be done on first come first serve basis until the auction site is full • Highly perishable vegetables like broccoli, Asparagus and ferns should be brought from 7.30 – 8.30 am on Wednesdays only • Date and time of buyers’ registration: From 9 am Thursday till 10 pm Tuesday • Place of buyers’ registration: FCB at CFM auction yard, DAMC Office at CFM, CFM Management Office and FCB Office, Changzamtok • Minimum quantity per commodity for auctioning: 30kgs • 1.5% service charge will be levied each on the buyers and the sellers • Leafy vegetables will not be auctioned: Saag, Spinach, Coriander. 4 September - October 2012 RNR NEWSLETTER Barking Deer Safely Relocated

Ugyen Tshering/ICS Photo by Choidup Zangpo, ICS officials. The officials of the wildlife rehabilitation centre in Taba were also immediately informed of the incident. The only injury sustained by the deer was on a muzzle with small strain of blood. The first in the scene, Rinzin said the deer banged its muzzle on the wall jumping over the culvert of the parking. A small tip of hoof of right leg was also noticed, perhaps running around on the asphalt roads and concrete. Few minutes later, the rescuers from the wildlife rehabilitation centre and Forest official tranquillising the deer Forest Protection and Thimphu, 2 October: Early barking deer, supposedly of headquarter forest office. Surveillance Unit appeared this morning, few office- 3-4 years old being chased With a gang of ferocious with a box of tranquillizer goers walking to office by a pack of stray dogs street dogs after it, the equipment and a net. They were in shock to see a male directly into the premise of barking deer having immediately sprang into completely lost his bearing action and darted the deer, landed up directly into still lying by the corner MoU signed between the human domain. But of the wall, fenced by the lucky this deer was, for it bystanders. MoAF and Chubu was in the right place to The first dart failing to seek protection from the produce much reaction in University forest and park services sedating the animal, officials CoRRB One of the highlight department office located decided for the second of this collaboration is near Tashichhodzong, the shot. With lot many chaos Thimphu, August 20: the plan to initiate pilot department which works for especially by the onlookers, A Memorandum of research on SMART village the conservation of the flora the deer was too stressed and Understanding (MoU) was concept which will be a and fauna in the country. refused to get drugged. signed between Ministry of tripartite mode between Rinzin Dorji, a corner wall However, the deer was Agriculture & Forests and Research and Development in whose office building rescued successfully and Chubu University, Japan Centres (RDC), CoRRB rested the deer still panting transported in a hillux to to establish cooperation and Chubudai. The MoU from fatigue, first saw the the rehabilitation centre. and promote academic, also covers the exchange deer speeding from the “We’ll release the deer in scientific and cultural of faculty researchers and direction of Thimphu Golf Chamina forest today itself,” exchange activities between students in areas of mutual course at around 8:45 AM said Chimi Dorji, one of the Council for Renewable interest, both short-term and this morning. “It was tailing rescue members. According Natural Resources Research long-term trainings. with number of dogs,” he to them, except for the stress of Bhutan (CoRRB) and CoRRB will involve told. Suddenly reacting with having exposed to threats, Chubudai. Through this relevant agencies within the intention to save the deer, the deer is healthy. collaboration, it foresee to the scope of the MoU to he intervened and chased the Another rescue member initiate collaborative research expand the benefit of the dogs away. Chencho Tshering said project on social science, collaboration. Rinzin immediately they will appropriately sustainable development, Hon’ble Secretary, informed the zoo in- tend to small injuries and green economy, gross Ministry of Agriculture and charge of the Motithang release animal. “We’ll apply national happiness, and Forests and the Chancellor, Takin preserve. Soon, ointments and other minor integrated watershed Chubu University signed the the spectators joined him treatments.” management. MoU. which included other forest RNR NEWSLETTER September - October 2012 5 Management Board Meeting for BAFRA

BAFRA of Bhutan and the Policy amendments of various with the official launching and Planning Division), legislations, and to seek of BAFRA’s website and The Ninth Management Ministry of Economic feedback on BAFRA’s 11th Bhutan Bio-security System Board Meeting of the Affairs (Department of FYP framework. (BBSS). BBSS is a system Bhutan Agriculture and Trade), Ministry of Health Speaking at the opening for the collection, storage Food Regulatory Authority (Department of Public of the Board meeting, the and reporting of information (BAFRA) was held at the Health), Ministry of Finance Hon’ble Chairman welcomed related to the Bio-security. Ministry of Agriculture and (Department of Revenue and the distinguished Board It was developed to improve Forests (MoAF) Conference Customs) and the Bhutan Members and commented public service delivery Hall on 30 August, 2012. Chamber of Commerce and that over the years BAFRA in an efficient and cost His Excellency Lyonpo Industry (representing the had made significant effective manner, reduce (Dr.) Pema Gyamtsho, private sector). progress in achieving their administrative workload, who is the Chairman of The meeting was held mandates. The Chair also and enhance record keeping the Board, chaired the to apprise the members of expressed his appreciation for analysis, traceability meeting. The Management the actions taken on the for the tireless efforts put in and improvement measures Board is constituted with Eight Management Board by BAFRA in safeguarding in regulatory works. It was representatives from the meeting’s resolutions, the country’s farming system developed with assistance Ministry of Agriculture the present updates on from pests and diseases and from the Department of and Forests (Department of the progress of BAFRA ensuring quality farming Information Technology and Forests and Park Services, for fiscal year 2011-12, inputs through effective Telecommunications of the Department of Agriculture, to seek endorsement on enforcement of standards and MoIC. Department of Livestock, the 2012-13 work plan, to regulation. Council for RNR Research seek endorsements on the The meeting concluded Second JAWG Meeting: Thai delegation visits Bhutan Tshering Doma/ICS organic certification, possible ways. identified areas such as irrigation, livestock, The meeting discussed food labeling, integrated Thimphu, August 30: agriculture and cooperative the project proposals on pest management for A fourteen delegation development through livestock, agriculture, food improvement under the team members led by Ms. technology exchange and safety and marketing areas. projects. Supatra Thanaseniwat, the knowledge sharing. Besides Under livestock, poultry, In addition to these, the Permanent Secretary from these, there were also new dairy, fisheries, animal health Thai delegates also suggested the Ministry of Agriculture proposals from both sides. etc. have been identified for a few new proposals and Cooperatives, Thailand Addressing the meeting, the collaboration. In addition, such as Thailand-Bhutan visited Bhutan to attend the Dasho Secretary said that there will also be projects cultural program on silk Second Joint Agriculture JAWG has strengthened the to improve pig breeding development, exchange of Working Group (JAWG) friendship and cooperation and the pork processing rice officer and farmers etc. meeting that was held in between the two countries and packaging system. The meeting agreed Namgay Heritage Hotel while also enhancing its The agriculture projects on both the existing and in Thimphu. The Hon’ble mutual understanding. He will try to improve the new proposals for mutual Secretary for the Ministry added that the Memorandum rice collaborative linkages collaborations. To implement of Agriculture and Forests, of Understanding signed including the upland rice it successfully, the concerned Dasho , between the two countries cultivation. The Department officials of both countries along with other officials has brought a consistent of Agricultural Marketing have been advised to work also joined the delegates. economic development in the and Cooperatives under together. The floor also country. MoAF have projects to decided that the 3rd JAWG The meeting was held to The Permanent Secretary improve cooperation on meeting will be held in early discuss further about the also agreed that working marketing information 2014. existing projects that were together has enhanced system which is very poor Besides the meeting, the identified during the First the relation between two in Bhutan besides contact delegation team visited JAWG meeting in Thailand countries. She also expressed farming. The Bhutan various agriculture offices in July 2011 on subjects that Thailand would expand Agriculture and Food and religious sites around ranging from bio-security, its support to Bhutan in all Regulatory Authority also Thimphu and Paro. 6 September - October 2012 RNR NEWSLETTER Thinley Dorji out for hunting ‘Buddha Mushroom’ in Blue pine Forests Ugyen Tshering/ICS Shamu’ to thrive. Good canopy cover, lots All thanks to the income of blue pine needles he generates from selling fallen on the forest Matsutake mushroom which floor and ofcourse, Blue pine forests in Ura, according to what Bumthang is endowed with, Thinley says the loose Thinley Dorji, 36 was able to soil. These spots have put up decent roof over his never betrayed him, head. This is in addition to rewarding him his ICS Yonebayashi, Ayumi Illustration by the steady follow of money every trip with few for educational expenses of kilograms of “Buddha his three school-going kids. Mushroom.” But it is easier to be envious The first single of such benefits than having mushroom he chance to hear the whole lot of story upon is picked behind the facade. It simply up carefully. The takes someone a whole lot of mushroom is hand- The day’s sun is almost one, during the off-season determinations and sacrifices picked usually with the up throwing its golden rays fetches as high as Nu. 3000 in collecting the marvelous help of a small twig. “We from the horizon and he a kilo,” divulged Thinley. In Matsutake mushroom. are advised not to use needs to head back home for the whole Matsutake season Thinley wakes up early, knife, sickle or any other he has his households chores lasting for almost six months, from the shed he spent his tools,” Thinley Dorji told to tend to. Although it is a a normal collector would be other night guarding his ICS. Use of such tools can time worth spending hunting selling 200-300 kgs, enabling potato crops from wild compromise the quality of for more, there is no hanging them to earn income ranging animals. Believing that “early the fungus since it will break around. So, carrying his half- from Nu 60,000 to 100,000. bird catches most worms,” or damage the mushroom. filled jute bag, he is on his This year, there was a he needs to be in the forests And it even risks no way back. He has been in the good snowfall in winter ahead of all other folks. regeneration in the following forest since 5 in the morning and a similar rainfall in Otherwise, what is grown season. and it is almost 9 am. Until summer, which tantamount will have to be shared among Mushroom experts also he returns after a couple of to good season for Matsutake the parade of collectors. recommend handpicking days, it is goodbye to the mushrooms. Thinley had Lucky for him, there was instead of using a tool. A spot for now. been looking for a good a light drizzle, the other technique which include Once home, he relishes fortune. The recent annual night and Thinley heads gently brushing the soil from on the breakfast his wife Matsutake festival organised out optimistic of the good the cap of the mushroom prepared. While he is busy by Thurmshingla National harvest. There is not much and, with a firm grasp, with other works, his wife Park in collaboration with of preparation required, removing the mushroom by cleans and prepares the the community themselves, for all he needs to carry rocking it gently from side to mushroom for sale. A day provided just the right is a hand-woven jute bag. side, taking care not to break or two old, the mushroom opportunity. Dangling a knife by his the stem. If followed such a is rendered worthless due Thinley was able to earn waist, he is heading out to the technique, whole matsutake to its short shelf-life. The quite an amount this season, mushroom-growing forest at mushrooms sell for a higher tender and matured one are the exact income he don’t the first crack of the dawn. price in the market than those segregated. “The tender know having not maintained He has his favourite spots, with broken or cut stems. one fetches better prices at a proper account. But he is the forests of Sershong, With that inaugural single the roadside of east-west complacent that he earned a Dhurdur and Kompai, at pick, the rain did the magic. highway, “says Thinley also lot. But there is no “basking the walking distance of He chances upon many lamenting that the matured one’s chest in the sun,” in the less than half an hour. growing in clusters. The one are shredded into pieces wake of such an opportunity. The spot remains all for highest cluster he has picked and dried. Thinley leaves home himself maintaining the for the day stands at 20 A kg is sold at prices with a jute bag emptied of secrecy of its bounty all for growing in one spot. All of ranging from Nu. 200-300. Matsutake mushroom by the him. Otherwise, he risks them are collected carefully On any other normal day, a buyers and with the promise competition. The spots have and safety tucked into his collectors can collect only to return the next day with a all it needs for a ‘Sangay jute bag. 5-10 kgs. “But the dried full one. RNR NEWSLETTER September - October 2012 7 Bhutan observes World Rabies Day

Tshering Doma/ICS 2007 to mobilise awareness dog bite cases and rabies in Bhutan, 60 geogs have and resources in support of deaths have been highest in reported rabies cases with the Considering the risk human rabies prevention children below 15 years of maximum incidents being particularly in the border and animal rabies control age. ‘Considering the fact, reported in Samtse, Chukha, areas, Bhutan organised the in the world. Bhutan has awareness program was Sarpang, Samdrup Jongkhar, World Rabies Day (WRD) been actively involved in organised in schools of the Dagana, and Pemagatshel. in Gelephu, Phuentsholing celebrating the day since the high risk areas.’ The cases have been also and Samdrup Jongkhar inaugural campaign to make The students in all three reported in Thimphu and on September 28. The itself a rabies free country. Thromdes took active part Paro in the past. This has day created awareness on This year, the event was in walkathon along with directed the government to rabies and its prevention jointly organised by the the officials by walking realise the significance of measures to the general National Centre for Animal around the town areas implementing the proper public and students while Health (NCAH), Serbithang carrying banners and posters surveillance and dog control also acquiring support from and the Department of highlighting the importance programs in the country. the government and non- Public Health along with of rabies and its preventive In order to fight the governmental organisations support from the other measures. This was followed rabies, the Department of in implementing the rabies stakeholders. The actual up by presentations on Livestock and Humane control program. implementation of WRD was rabies in schools along with Society International Rabies is a fatal and leaded by the four Regional the questions and answers Organization (HSI) has neglected zoonotic disease Livestock Development session clarified by experts. initiated a Capture-Neuture- that is primarily prevalent in Centres (RLDC) located A free health check-up and Vaccinate-Release Program the southern parts of Bhutan at Tsimasham, Wangdue, anti-rabies vaccination was (2009-2012) to control dog causing deaths both in human Zhemgang and Kanglung also there, besides, a live population in Bhutan. The and livestock. According in collaboration with the panel discussion both at program has covered all to sources, a total of 814 medical hospitals/basic BBS TV and Radio. People twenty Dzongkhags where domestic animals have died health units of the respective brought their pets both dogs they captured stray dogs, with rabies during 1996- areas. and cats for free treatment. vaccinated them against 2012, causing significant The day covered awareness The other Dzonkhags such rabies and released back. losses to farmers. Dog bite and advocacy program, as Samtse, Chukha, Dagana, The program has sterilised incidents have also increased, walkathon, presentation on Sarpang, Pemagatshel, and vaccinated 38,535 dogs but rabies cases in human are rabies, live panel discussion, Trashiyangtse, Trashigang, during September 2009-June still sporadic mostly reported free anti-rabies vaccination Mongar and Lhuentse 2012 covering 73% of the from the border areas. There and launching of the one also organised a half day estimated 50, 000 dogs in the have been 15 human deaths health project activities for awareness program to alert country. The second phase by rabies during 2006-2011. Bhutan. public on rabies. was launched on 2 August The first WRD was According to Dr. According to reports from 2012 and will be continued celebrated on 8 September Kuenzang from NCAH, the NCAH, of the 205 geogs till 2015 covering rest of the dog population. According to an official, rabies can be preventative but it has no cure. He added that there is still a high risk of rabies spreading into interior of Bhutan if it is not prevented in the border areas. Photo by Choidup Zangpo, ICS The vaccination of dogs is the only way to prevent rabies cases in animals and humans. The WRD covered twenty- seven geogs, nine schools and three Thromdes, all falling under rabies high risk zones. The day is expected to contribute towards reducing rabies incidents to zero level The walkathon starting off in the future. 8 September - October 2012 RNR NEWSLETTER Exemplary Community Forest: Chokhor Kinley Tshering/ICS an executive board, elected from the 26 members, who Thimphu, October 5: With oversee the management roughly 69% of population of the community forest living in rural Bhutan based on the management contributing 98.1% to the plan drawn by the members national poverty incidence, themselves. The community the department of forests and receives technical support ICS Zangpo, Choidup by Photo park services (DoFPS) under from the department of the ministry of agriculture forests and park services. and forests (MoAF) initiated the community Twenty six members of alignment. initiative. A delegation forest management (CFM) chokhor community forest However, distribution of from International Centre scheme to help eradicate divided the profit from profits is not the only activity for Integrated Mountain rural poverty. CFM the sale of community undertaken by the group. Development (ICIMOD), scheme encourages rural forest products among When T-Bank floated their a regional knowledge communities to help meet themselves today at the shares to the public last year, development and learning their timber needs and gewog headquarter of the group bought shares centre serving the 8 regional meet poverty reduction Kawang gewog. According amounting to Nu 37,900. member countries of the targets through sale of to the president of chokhor The group will also donate Hindu Kush-Himalaya forest produce and services community forests, the towards the reconstruction region, will also visit by handing over the members divided Nu of Wangduephodrag dzong chokhor community forests. management of portions of 52,000 in 2010 as “bonus tomorrow. Forestry officials from forests to rural community distribution.” This year, According to Ugyen Thimphu dzongkhag, groups. the group is dividing Nu Tshering, dzongkhag forest officials from the Kawang One such community 130,000 as bonus distribution officer of Thimphu, chokhor gewog administration, forest was handed over after depositing 5% of the community forests is an presidents of nearby to the people of Chokhor total turnover to the group’s exemplary community forest community forests and village, Kawang Gewog bank account. The revenue in the country. Members of members of the Chokhor under Thimphu dzongkhag was mainly generated from other community forests had Community Forest were in December 2008. The the sale of poles, logs and been visiting them to learn present during a meeting to community forest covers an mushroom billets of trees about the management and share the profit generated area of 110.55 acres and has uprooted by wind or road also the benefits of CFM from the community forest. Oyster Mushroom harvested at UWICE

UWICE coordinated by Lham Dorji. them in their As per the report, the future”. Trainees at Ugyen mushroom was harvested In addition, Wangchuck Institute from five beds made out the Institute for Conservation and of dry hey. The mushroom is also Environment (UWICE) will cultivation began six months mulling over get to taste the nutritious ago in collaboration with implementing Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus the mushroom expert, Dorji other ostreatus) in their hostel Wangchuk from Renewable programs such meals. This is because; the Natural Resources Research as poultry institute yesterday harvested and Development Centre besides nineteen kilograms of (RNR – RDC) Jakar. beekeeping Oyster mushroom from their Elated with the harvest, and kitchen backyard cultivation house. the coordinator said that, gardening. The mushroom cultivation besides supplementing Meanwhile, was initiated as part of the diets for the trainees, mushroom disseminating the life skill such life skill program will expert also program to the one-year provide hand-on training for said that second harvest can harvest about four times from certificate course for the trainees. “Such life skill,” he be done within ten days from the same bed if we maintain trainees by Institute and was said, “will immensely help the first harvest. “We can them properly,” he added. RNR NEWSLETTER September - October 2012 9 An extension officer for Lingshi from Lingshi

Ugyen Tshering /ICS Centre provide services in the production. “People there gewog. Lingzhi Gewog has an buy all of their vegetables An agriculture diploma elevation ranging from 3,445 from Thimphu. It is then graduate from the College of metres to 6,782 metres above transported over a four-day Natural Resources (CNR), sea level. journey home. It normally 23-year old, Dechen Tshomo Dechen, supposedly the first perishes on the way.” from Barshong village one from her community to Realizing such need, Dechen under Naro gewog, Lingzhi complete higher secondary took up one module on will soon be school and is the first vegetable production under treading the same old trail professional agriculturist her own initiative from CNR. through the rugged mountain from there. Believing that ‘It Hence, she plans to achieve terrains and deep gorges. takes Romans themselves to vegetable self-sufficiency for However, this time around, upkeep Rome’ the Ministry of the gewog atleast in summer. she is venturing with a Agriculture and Forests made “With import substitution mission to bring about positive a special arrangement with the being encouraged by the Dechen Tshomo changes and make a difference College of Natural Resources Ministry, my plan fits well,” to her own community of to admit her as a privately she shared. For these, she has like Lingzhips. semi-nomadic Lingships. sponsored student. Dechen did plans to closely collaborate Asked about what is the Dechen is now heading very well in her studies and with government and private potential of the gewog, back as a civil servant to could effectively compete for agencies involved in inputs Dechen, very much aware serve her own community a position in the Department supply. “In winter, the whole pointed out that cultivation, as an agriculture extension of Agriculture. Moreover, gewog remains carpeted in collection and marketing of officer. She embarks on her having been a bright student, snow and nothing can be medicinal and aromatic plants journey loaded with plans everyone including teachers, grown.” is the main potential, needless and innovative ideas to be parents and local communities Besides attempting to to mention the ecotourism injected into her place of pinned their hope in her to transfer all the technical and potential. She has plan charted origin. She hopes that her break new grounds for the scientific knowledge she out in these areas too. plans and ideas will usher a youth of Lingzhi. garnered from her training at Her homecoming is also major transformation of her Dechen completed her 12 CNR for couple of years, she expected to send a strong gewog for good. Besides grade schooling from Punakha specifically plans to revive message to other youths the Soe and Naro Gewogs, Higher Secondary School the Barley cultivation up in her gewog especially to Lingzhi gewog under the in 2009. But her roots still there. “I’ve interacted with the the feminine gender. This administrative jurisdiction of remained back in her village incumbent extension official is because, many youths the Lingzhi Drungkhag are firm and strong. She did her and was conveyed that Barley from such remote places, some of the remotest gewogs primary schooling done there cultivation is on decline, if not for that matter even around under Thimphu dzongkhag. and moreover, never in her 23 at risk of even getting lost,” the country, rarely returns It has nine main villages with years has she ever detached Dechen said. Barley, with home after education. 76 households. The whole herself from her community, other crops such as Wheat, Specifically, like Dechen gewog falls under Jigme Dorji returning every school break Mustard and Potatoes are shared, many youth in high Wangchuck National park. to her root. staple food of Lingzhips. altitudes, prefer collecting Located in the northern Asked about what would Hence, ceasing the and selling cordyceps than fringes of the country, within be the foremost intervention cultivation, according to her, going to school. “That’s more the alpine region, there is after she gets there, Dechen risk loss of local crop genetics lucrative,” Dechen unveiled. limited scope for agricultural told ICS, Lingzhi is an organic and diversity. “Barley is very Dechen also expressed farming and yak rearing is the area by default. “Maintaining much ingrained with the her deepest gratitude and main economic activity and the organic status while custom and tradition of the indebtedness to the MoAF source of livelihood for the enhancing productivity will northern population.” Hence, and Dasho Pasang Dorji who people. Yak rearing constitute be my priority,” she said. She she said her revival initiative sponsored her studies, for over 90% of the total livestock also successfully completed will contribute towards making her dream true. Had population in the gewog. her two-month attachment preservation of culture and it not been for their support, Livestock rearing practices with the National Organic tradition. People have become Dechen said, she would be in such as seasonal migration Program (NOP) of the over dependent on Cordyceps the street like any other youth. with livestock along with Ministry. This is in perfect collection for income, which In return to such kindness, the remoteness of the gewog sync with the government cannot be sustained in the long she said that all she can do to makes it difficult for the policy of Bhutan going run. Therefore, encouraging repay is work selflessly with effective delivery of services. organic. the residents to revive their dedication and commitment. Government institutions She went on to state farming practices will provide She promises to try to live such as a primary school, a that Lingzhi needs serious a more secure and sustainable upto everyone’s expectation. Basic Health Unit and a RNR intervention in vegetable way of life for the highlanders 10 September - October 2012 RNR NEWSLETTER Community Forest members in Tsirang, a role model for the nation Ugyen Tshering/ICS run. “This is the ultimate way- Doonglagang Gewog CFs have been carried out by forward for CF programme in Forest Extension Officer SFED/PFMP (Participatory the Country,” KJ Temphel said. Tshering also said Forest Management Project). In what could be a national He added that the CFs through that such initiative is first of SFED also claims that example for other Community enabling plans and policies, its kind in the Dzongkhag. pursuing such a people- Forests (CF) in Bhutan worthy the government is trying to He said that with regard to centered forest management enough to follow the suit, encourage such model of CF 62 members of Dangraybu regime has impacted positively. three CFs in Tsirang recently management in the Country. CF, they contributed Nu. Such a programme, they said, took a positive move of doing He expressed that he was really 150 each. “The move was has contributed immensely management planning and encouraged by such move accepted unanimously by the in building social capital in ownership certificates handing although it was just only three community.” terms of strengthening social over, all by themselves with groups. Community Forestry cohesion. This is especially minimal support from the Infact, official of the Programme in Bhutan which is important when Bhutan is government. Coincidentally, it SFED emphasized that the about handing over a chunk of increasingly experiencing was also in perfect sync with time will come when the Government Reserved Forests social degeneration and the government’s vision of CF members have to pay with sustainable management, breakage of family links due Community Forests in Bhutan the foresters for provision utilization and ownership rights to modernisation and other being managed in all aspects of technical backstopping to the group of communities. factors. by the members themselves and other services related to The programme aims to enable Already major positive with not necessarily having to CF. This means that the CF these beneficiaries to generate impacts have been witnessed depend on the government. programme in the country income through sale of excess since the program started. It is also synonymous to should slowly mature and be timbers and other income For instance, there has been saying how long can the able to function independently. sources and help reduce drastic reduction of illegal fledglings expect the mother “The government is currently poverty which predominantly activities while the number bird keep feeding them and providing most of the supports is the rural phenomenon. of forest fire incidences has that the fledglings should since the programme is in the The programme is incepted also dwindled significantly. bear their own wings one day. infant stage. But they need to with the belief that the Officials claim that such Rather than depending on the grow and mature.” forests and natural resources programme has also helped government to do everything Tsirang Dzongkhag Forest within the proximity of the bring degraded land under for them, they are expected to Officer, Pema Tshewang also community are best managed plantation while other major realize that they could also do shared the same opinion. He by themselves and benefits impacts are institutionalisation something on their own. said that he was overwhelmed should also flow to the of governance in a way that Community Forests and encouraged when the CF communities themselves. CF provides a fertile breeding Management group members members came forward with “When the communities ground for local leaders of Dangraybu CF under such the proposal. “We know are entrusted with the needless to mention enhanced Doonglagang Gewog, Chirphen this has to happen one day and responsibilities and the power access to forests products CF under Mendrelgang someone should initiate and to protect, utilize and manage through shortening of delivery gewog, Darjeling CF under take the step forward,” Pema certain portion of forests, the procedures. Rangthangling gewog in Tshewang said. overall health of the forests Tsirang Dzongkhag currently Tsirang Dzongkhag not only Official urged that such improves,” said the official. has 24 approved CFs with 10 borne their own expenditures initiatives by the three CFs SFED is putting up more in the offing. While at for such CF activities but also in Tsirang should set a good concerted efforts towards the national level, at the end took the lead themselves in precedence and others should creation of enabling of March this year, there are executing the CF activities. follow the step. “It is a national environments for CF 382 no. of CFs involving about The members themselves example,” one official agreed. establishment. They have 17,000 Households (CFMG sufficed both the financial and However, many CF developed a CF strategy members) comprising almost manual requirements of the Management groups in in Bhutan which is being 34 percent of rural households. CF. The members contributed the country remain largely implemented, while the These totals to one-sixth of all certain amounts to meet the dependent on government to CF Action Plan is under rural households while 43000 expenditures incurred in support them. Supports from finalization. The training of 45 hectares or 1.5% of the overall management planning and the government are rendered foresters on CF management forests areas in Bhutan have ownership certificate handing in terms of framing conducive planning, sponsoring of study been handed over as CF. over which conventionally is plans and policies, allocating tour to 22 CFMG members to Government targets to sponsored by the government. budgets and provision of on- Nepal, provision of training establish minimum of 400 CFs According to section the-field technical guidance. package on record and book and over hand over at least 4% head of Social Forestry and This is expected since the keeping, seminar on CF for of Government reserved forest Extension Division (SFED), groups are yet to gain enough poverty reduction, economic land as Community Forests KJ Temphel, this is the vision confidence in managing their analysis and market chain (CF) by the end of tenth Five of the government in the long own chunk of forests. of timber products within Year Plan. RNR NEWSLETTER September - October 2012 11 Business boon for the Poultry Farms Norbu Tshering, ADLO, Lhuentse Poultry farm at Jabin under Gangzur geog in Lhuentse that was started on June 23, 2012 is doing a good business in meat production. The farm was established mainly to substitute poultry import in the Dzongkhag while also creating the employment opportunities to generate income and support rural livelihoods. To start with, the Dzongkhag Livestock Sector and the National Poultry Development Centre (NPDC) provided the necessary support while the feeds from Karma Feeds to ‘Model enterprise” which poultry products, meat and Regional Agricultural and ensure good meat quality. will operate on its own eggs are the least inflated Marketing Cooperatives, There are 2200 broiler birds at later stages and a food commodities. The Mongar provided it with the at the moment. ‘Demonstration Project’ recent trend in growing production and marketing The farm started selling for other farmers in the demand of poultry products equipments. meat on August 18 from Dzongkhag. in the Bhutanese market The farm has an area of 1800 birds with an average The poultry industry has provided an excellent 2200 sq. ft with 0.54 acres of dressed meat weighing 1.6 under the livestock sector is platform for the growth of land leased from the Royal kg per chicken. All meats one of the fastest growing the poultry sector. Government of Bhutan. It is were marketed to Lhuentse enterprises. It provides As per the meat import managed by a manager and and Mongar for sale where it quality animal protein in figure, Lhuentse and Mongar three labourers. They buy got sold off easily. the form of eggs and meat Dzongkhags consume more day-old chicks from NPDC The Jabin farm is expected which are very important than 4500 kgs of chicken in at a reasonable price and to serve as a successful in human diet. The two a month. Brown Trout restocked in Wangchu River Sangay Norbu, NCR&LF, Haa brown trout stock for future for fishers/farmers in the for aquatic resources in recreational and fishery potential areas such as Berthi hydropower affected water development. community and Harachu bodies in collaboration with The National Centre for Brown trout population community. NCR&LF is the National Environment Riverine and Lake Fisheries is believed to have declined also involved in developing Commission, Department of (NCR&LF), Haa, erstwhile in many northern natural management plans including Forest and Park Services and known as the National Cold water bodies (streams and mitigations measures Hydropower Projects. Water Fishery Centre stocked lakes) probably as a result of around 3000 healthy brown developmental activities such trout yearlings in Thimphu as dam construction, sand chu (Wangchu). The and stone query, construction yearlings were from the last of flood protection facilities year’s breeding recruit. (gabian) and roads. This was the second time Apart from its involvement that the centre was involved on farm activities such in fish stocking program, as standardisation of fish the first being the Gomthang breeding techniques in stream stocking program. particular, NCR&LF is The stocking program currently involved in was aimed to replenish improvising and developing the depleting brown trout community based fishery Brown Trout yearling being released in Wangchu at Hejo stock and to develop good resource management plans 12 September - October 2012 RNR NEWSLETTER Effective and Implementable Forest Fire rules in the making Ugyen Tshering/ICS Environment Officers and “Schools will also submit However, the members representatives from the reports for further course expressed the need to clearly Towards the last leg of Department of Disaster of action as per the relevant demarcate the rural and formulating an effective Management, the members clause of FNCR,” said Bap urban boundary. “If such and implementable forest agreed that henceforth school Tandin. rules are to be implemented fire rules, the Forest Fire nature club will be actively School administrations effectively, there is also Management Section involved in prevention of will also sensitize the need to demarcate boundary (FFMS) of the Department forest fire from within the students on prevention of between two communities,” of Forests and Park Services proximity of the schools forest fire, during an onset raised one gup. (DoFPS) on 24 August held through enhancing awareness of every fire season. Such According to the statistics a stakeholder consultation program. Even if the fire initiative by the school is maintained by the FFMS, meeting with the Ministry outbreak occurs, senior expected to bring down fire 242 cases of forest fire of Education, Thimphu students will be deployed for incidences originating from outbreak has been reported District Municipality, Local suppression. However, this the carelessness of school across the country within Government and Dzongkhag is provided the department children. the span of last five years Environment Sector. imparts them with necessary When it comes to community destroying unabatedly over The stakeholder consultation skills and safety tips. participation, the meeting 44, 934 acres of forests. 45 meeting was held on the draft According to Head of FFMS, agreed as proposed earlier cases of fire in 2007-2008 forest fire rule after having Bap Tandin, “in order to that if the fire is caused by destroyed 9,599 acres, presented to the Technical prevent fires, the schools will a child, the parents will while another 74 forest Advisory Committee. The also construct fire lines along take the full responsibility. fire outbreak in 2008-2009 consultation basically was the boundary with technical They will not only bear destroyed 4,211 acres. The focused on section 4 and 7 help of the department.” the expenditure incurred 48 incidences of forest fire of the draft rule pertaining But in case there is a fire in fire suppression but will in 2009-2010 burnt 9,324 to the functions of the outbreak, school students also pay the compensation acres of forest. In 2010- stakeholders and imposing will also render manpower of commercial royalty 2011, another 45 cases were penalties to children below support in suppressing and calculated based on the girth reported which caused a age of 18 causing forest fire. reclaiming the fire burnt class of the trees damaged. damages to 10,897 acres and Attended by 11 school areas. This is in addition to For these, the gewog by the end of period 2011- principals, chairman of local assisting the department in administration within their 2012, 10,903 acres were governments, Thromde compounding the case by jurisdiction will render full reported to be damaged by Environment, Dzongkhag helping identify the culprits. supports. 30 cases of fires.

CFMG coordination workshop held by Haa Dzongkhag

Dzongkhag Forest Office, Haa including Chairman, CF during the fourth coming record keeping by respective Secretary and Accountant 11th FYP. CFMG was done as well. In order to review progress, from all approved The workshop witnessed As recommended by the issues and problems community forests under Haa series of presentations from community to have this encountered by Community Dzongkhag. The participants the groups with special kind of important workshop Forest Management also comprised of staff from focus on income generation bi-annually, the next CFMG Groups (CFMGs), while Dzongkhag forestry sector, and fund spent on CF workshop was fixed on 8th implementing Community Toorsa Strict Nature Reserve development programme, March 2013. Forestry Management Plans, and Forest Range office. employment opportunities With the funds support Haa Dzongkhag Forestry The workshop deliberated from timber harvested within provided by Participatory sector on 10 September on the main arising issues CF, progress of annual work Forest Management 2012 organized one day and constraints encountered plans and report on annual Project (Swiss Agency for coordination workshop of by the CFMG and discussed timber harvested from their Development Cooperation), CFMGs. possible solutions and CF. the one-day coordination The workshop was recommendations to enhance The review on proper workshop concluded attended by 35 participants the quality of the existing maintenance of books and successfully. RNR NEWSLETTER September - October 2012 13 Launching of Second Phase RGOB-HSI Joint Project in Bhutan Photo by Choidup Zangpo, ICS Karma Tenzin/ICS way of curbing the dog population in the Thimphu, 2 August: The country. second phase National Dog Hon’ble Lyonpo said Population Management that with the means and Rabies Control Project, and resources, be it a joint project between individual, groups, Royal Government of shelters, councils Bhutan (RGoB) and Human or governments, Society International (HSI), it was felt that the was launched today. The neutering project was Department of Livestock, a more humane way Ministry of Agriculture of controlling the stray & Forests (MoAF) also population. “We, as a officially declared Bhutan small organisation are as Battery Cage Free already doing our part Poultry Farming during the in promoting CNVR Hon’ble Lyonpo (Dr.) Pema Gyamtsho launching the launching of the project. The and we know that for second phases RGOB-HIS Project launching was presided over every dog that we by Hon’ble Lyonpo (Dr.) help to neuter, hundreds of concern. farming. He said, it is Pema Gyamtsho, Minister of unwanted births will have Literally, battery cages important to maintain the MoAF. The Project between been prevented. He also mean a wire cages for bird’s natural habitat and MoAF and HSI has been said that the countless of egg-laying hens, usually a it is not right to treat birds further extended to three suffering can be reduced cage with smaller area than like they are some kind of years. following the middle path of a standard size. A single egg producing machine, MoAF had tried several Buddhahood instead of using bird has a wingspan of 32 cramping in a small space methods to reduce the dog chemical and mechanical inches, and lives her entire and when birds have no population in the country. methods.” He also added life never being able to space to move freely they are A vigorous elimination all should do their part in spread her wings. Cages are more prone to diseases and programs was carried out in promoting, encouraging stacked in rows on top of metabolic dysfunction. the past years but failed to and implementing this each other, so that hundreds The occasion was attended bring down numbers such as more humane method of thousands of birds can be by Secretaries from MoAF relocating dogs followed by of controlling the stray housed in a single building. and Ministry of Home and impounding, with shelters population where killing is The wire floors are sloped so Cultural Affairs, Mayor, constructed across the not the answer to solving that the eggs roll out of the Thimphu Thromde, Mr. country. Despite all these any problem. Lyonpo cages. The birds are denied R.K. Kharb, Major General efforts, conflicts between acknowledged the fact that their natural behaviors (Retired), Chairman, street dogs and people were lack of public support and such as nesting and dust Animal welfare board of worsening. proper facilities are some bathing. Because feeding India, Mr. Rahul Seghal, The first phase of the of the constraints of the dog and watering is sometimes Director, HSI, Dr. Rajesh National Dog Population control and management automated, human oversight Kumar Pandey, RGoB-HSI Management and Rabies program. Though it is low and contact are minimal. project coordinator and Control Project was started profile project, it is found to Birds fall out of cages, get senior officials from MoAF by signing a Memorandum be the most cost effective stuck between cages, or get and Non-Governmental of Understanding (MoU) and socially responsible their heads or limbs stuck Organisations. Participants between MoAF and HSI in project keeping in line with between the bars of their from HSI India, USA and September 2009. The first GNH philosophy. cages, and die because they Britain were also present. phase of the project was During the launching of cannot access food and Hon’ble Lyonpo also able to cover 70 percent the project, the Department water. awarded certificates to 17 of the total estimated dog of Livestock, MoAF declared Dr. Tashi Dorji, Chief new Veterinarians from population of 50,000. Catch, Bhutan as battery cage free Livestock Officer, said Bhutan who has been trained Neuter, Vaccinate and poultry framing and it is battery caging is against in CNVR technique. Release (CNVR) is found expected to improve animal the animal welfare and is to be the most humane welfare which is a global used solely for commercial 14 September - October 2012 RNR NEWSLETTER Training on COMBI for Outbreak Prone Diseases

Tshering Doma/ICS WHO New Delhi were the outbreak situation for Representative also the two eminent resource the avian influenza and awarded certificates to the Paro, 20-22 August: persons. Chikungunya. There have participants. Twenty-six participants During the training, been many cases of HPAI from health, agriculture, experiences in dealing outbreaks in the poultry in The floor agreed to take disaster management, media with highly pathogenic the past which have been this learning experience and and the United Nations avian influenza (HPAI) successfully contained. On apply it during any disease Children’s Fund (UNICEF) outbreaks in Bhutan were the contrary, Chikungunya, outbreak in the dzongkhags, attended a three day training shared both by the livestock a new case in Bhutan is update the existing animal on ‘Communication and health officials. The a viral disease spread by health strategies, promote for Behavioural Impact participants were informed mosquitoes that was reported and strengthen cross-sectoral (COMBI) for outbreak prone about the seven steps in Samtse after sixty years coordination to control diseases in Bhutan’ in Paro. of COMBI planning to of its first outbreak in 1952. disease outbreak and to share The training organised respond outbreak. These The training helped the the Chikungunya strategies by the Health Promotion included identifying the participants to understand with Samtse Dzonkhag for Division of the Ministry preliminary objective, rapid the constraints during the immediate implementation. of Health trained the situational analysis, refining outbreak of such diseases According to the resource participants on designing the behavioural objectives, and they learned how to persons, the training is effective communications designing an overall tackle such situations without the first of its kind where for behavioral impact for strategy, preparing plans and panicking the general public. they have applied COMBI emerging infectious diseases budget, implementing and The draft strategies approaches and it proved adapting the World Health monitoring the strategy and on both diseases were to be a huge success. They Organisation’s (WHO) evaluation once the outbreak presented on the final day hoped that the planned approach. Dr. Asiya Odugleh, is over. to the Director General, strategies will be useful team leader, Behavioural After understanding these Department of Public Health in the Bhutanese context and Social Interventions steps, the participants formed and Country Representative, making strong impacts. Dr. Support, WHO headquarters two groups for brainstorming WHO Bhutan who graced Asiya is planning to organize and Dr. Supriya Bezbaruah, sessions. They prepared the the closing ceremony of a similar training in Africa as Communication Officer, strategy plans to address the training. The Country her next program. Training workshop for marketing NWFPs

Social Forestry and Extension was conducted to enhance Project (MAGIP) with Lauri and Serthi geogs under Division capacity of the business assistance from SNV- the MAGIP initiatives. entrepreneurs who are Bhutan, the initial survey The training workshop Samdrup Jongkhar 21 interested in taking up on NWFP short listing, cost was attended by the – 22 August: The Social NWFP business but do not benefit analysis, NWFP business community under Forestry and Extension hold a valid trade license. marketing strategy and Jomotshangkha dungkhag, Division under Department The workshop also provided NWFP business plan has few communities from of Forests and Park Services a platform to discuss the already been conducted. Dungmanma and Baytsheling in collaboration with issues and constrains in With TA support from villages under Lauri geog, SNV-Bhutan, Regional obtaining different trade SNV-Bhutan, the analysis dungkhag forest officer. Trade and Industry Office, license for different activity. and strategic planning for At the end of the training Samdrupjongkhar and The aim of the workshop further NWFP value chain workshop, nine interested Regional Agriculture and was to create awareness development has been individuals were registered Marketing Cooperatives, on the policy of Ministry completed for eight geogs with specific activity (plants Mongar conducted two days of Economic Affairs, under Samdrupjongkhar and and plant materials) with training on procedures of registration of individual 11 geogs under Pemagatshel Regional Trade and Industry obtaining trade license to interested business Dzongkhag. The training office to obtain trade license market Non wood Forest entrepreneurs to trade workshop on trade license for marketing NWFPs Products (NWFP) within NWFPs and rules and with the aim to increase the within Bhutan. The training Bhutan and India for regulations for license number of NWFP traders workshop was conducted business entrepreneurs under holders among others. within Bhutan was organised successfully with the Jomotshangkha Dungkhag. Under the Market Access as a continuing programme financial support from SNV- The training workshop and Growth Intensification under NWFP development in Bhutan. RNR NEWSLETTER September - October 2012 15 WCP confirms presence of more Snow Leopards

WCP, Bumthang In continuation to the press release on the snow leopard survey dated June 20, 2012, Wangchuck Centennial Park (WCP) has more to add on the presence of the Snow Leopard (Uncia uncia). The first phase of camera traps for the Snow Leopard was carried out from March 08 to June 04, 2012. From a total of 28 camera stations set up 14 stations managed to capture exclusive pictures of the Snow Leopard. This is probably the first time in any snow leopard camera trapping survey that an elevation of 3975 metres Besides Snow Leopards, and will cover the remaining three adult Snow Leopards above sea level (masl) under the last camera trap has also western part of WCP. With have been captured in one the Central Park Range of captured pictures of the the second phase of camera shot. WCP. Now the said camera Asiatic Black Bear (Ursus trapping survey, we will be However, the survey team trap has been collected and thibetanus), Himalayan able to share more about the could not have access to has captured the picture of Serow (Naemorhedus Snow Leopards’ presence, one of the camera stations three adult Snow Leopards sumatraensis), Musk Deer distribution and individuals which was installed during walking in a row. The said (Moschus chrysogaster), in WCP. The field survey was the Snow Leopard prey- camera station had captured Tibetan Wolf (Canis lupus funded by World Wildlife base survey due to snow. the picture of these three chanco) and Red Fox Fund (WWF)- Bhutan The prey-base survey was Snow Leopards in a group (Vulpus vulpus). The second Program. started from the last week three times (December 20, phase of Snow Leopard of October 2011. The said 2011, March 10, 2012 and camera trapping survey will camera trap was stationed at March 17, 2012. start from November 2012 Workshop on Improving RNR Statistics Paro, September 12 – 14: workshop was to develop activities of the country (DoFPS), Council of Bhutan A three day in-country Country Action Plan (CAP) action plan; RNR Research of Bhutan stakeholders workshop on for improving renewable • Possible methodological (CoRRB), Department of ‘Improving Agricultural and natural resources (RNR) research based on the Agricultural Marketing & Rural Statistics for Food statistics by soliciting country action plan. Cooperatives (DAMC) and Security’ was held at Zhiwa major stakeholders’ opinion The workshop was Policy and Planning Division Ling Hotel, Paro. It was on the problems and attended by 21 officials (PPD). part of the Global Strategy effects associated to the representing National Dr. Dalisay S. Maligalig to Improve Agricultural and RNR statistics; by way of Statistics Bureau (NSB), and Dr. Isidoro P. David from Rural Statistics for enhanced developing the results based Ministry of Health (MoH), Asian Development Bank, food security in the Asia framework incorporating Ministry of Labour and Manila, Philippines served and Pacific region; and the impact, outcome, outputs, Human Resources (MoLHR), as the resource persons and process was supported by the and key activities. Ministry of Finance (MoF), the workshop was facilitated regional policy and advisory The workshop came up Gross National Happiness by Mr. Kuenga Tshering, technical assistance (RPATA) with the following outputs, Commission (GNHC), Director General, NSB, of Asian Development Bank. which need to be followed up Bhutan Agro-industries Mr. Ganesh B. Chettri, The workshop was by the country team: Limited (BAIL), Department Officiating Director General, coordinated by RNR • Matrix of the results based of Agriculture (DoA), DoA and Mr. Toyanath Statistical Coordination framework to be used in Department of Livestock Acharya, Head, TSMD, Section of PPD. the country action plan; (DoL), Department of CoRRB. The objective of the • Roadmap and schedule of Forests and Park Services 16 September - October 2012 RNR NEWSLETTER Bio-gas replaces firewood in Unggar village

Tshering Doma/ICS introduction of bio-gas, their Farmers in Unggar workload has village under Metsho geog been reduced. in Lhuentse now need not They have go to collect firewood for now time to cooking, as they have started concentrate producing bio-gas which more on is affordable and easy to agriculture use. Out of 44 households, and livestock seventeen interested farmers farming which with livestock are getting they practice for benefited by the newly their living. introduced technology. The materials The bio-gas production in for plant Unggar was initiated under construction the Rural Enhancement were provided Approach Program with free of cost with fund support from the the technical One of the Bio Gas tank Gross National Happiness assistance from Commission. The program the Bhutan Biogas Project. construction and stall Each household consists of has helped the beneficiaries The beneficiaries contributed feeding. They were also five to twenty heads of cattle to utilise easily available gravels, sand, wood and informed about the impacts which easily provides the cost free sources of energy labour. The work was started of unproductive cattle and required amount of gas for and control biogenic waste in August and it took around urged them to reduce such daily use. materials while also ensuring two months to complete cattle. The program is the first of environmental benefits. seventeen bio-gas tanks of At present, only cattle its kind in the Dzongkhag Unggar is one of the 4 cubic metres each which dung is used for gas and farmers are contented remote areas in Lhuentse costs around Nu. 20,000 production but there is being with the introduction of bio- with no road access; it takes each. The plant will lasts up designed a provision for gas. Considering its positive two days to reach from to thirty years if managed connecting a pit to human benefits, more farmers are a road point. Before the efficiently as per the excreta if farmers showed also showing interest for program, farmers used to maintenance guidelines. interest in the future. such production if provided depend mainly on firewood To manage the plant Initially 2500 kgs of dung similar support from the for cooking and had been efficiently, farmers were were required to fill up the program. In the meantime, facing hard times collecting provided training on plant constructed tank and then 20 the livestock sector has a it from more than three hours operation, maintenance, kgs dung daily to produce plan to install 98 plants in the walking distance. With the hygienic cow shed cooking gas for 3 hours. 11th Five Year Plan.

To If undelivered please return to:

Information and Communication Services (ICS) Ministry of Agriculture and Forests Post Box: 1095, Thimphu-Bhutan Tel(PABX): 02-323765/321142/322855 Fax: 02-324520 Email: [email protected] Website: www.moaf.gov.bt