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Environmental and Social Assessment and
Management Framework
for
Bhutan Sustainable Financing for
Biodiversity Conservation and Natural
Resources Management
Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation
March 2013
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Table of contents
ACRONYMS ........................................................................................................................................ III
BHUTANESE TERMS ....................................................................................................................... IV
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................................... V
CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................... 1
1.1 OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK ...................................... 1 1.2 METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY .................................................................................................. 2
CHAPTER 2 – BTFEC’S GRANT PROGRAM ................................................................................ 3
2.1 OBJECTIVES .................................................................................................................................. 3 2.2 COVERAGE .................................................................................................................................... 3 2.3 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES AND ACTIVITIES ................................................................................... 3 2.4 CURRENT PRACTICES OF INTEGRATING ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL CONCERNS ................ 4
CHAPTER 3 – SUSTAINABLE FINANCING FOR BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PROJECT ................................................................... 5
3.1 PROJECT AREA PROFILE ............................................................................................................ 5 3.1.1 LOCATION ................................................................................................................................................ 5 3.1.2 OBJECTIVE ............................................................................................................................................... 6 3.1.3 PROJECT COMPONENTS ........................................................................................................................ 6 3.2 DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT AREA ENVIRONMENT ..................................................................10 3.2.1 COUNTRY OVERVIEW ......................................................................................................................... 10 3.2.2 PROJECT AREA ENVIRONMENT OVERVIEW .................................................................................... 11 3.2.3 PROFILE OF THE PROJECT AREA ....................................................................................................... 13
CHAPTER 4 – ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ASSESSMENT ...........................................20
4.1 EXISTING PRESSURES ...............................................................................................................20 4.1.1 ENVIRONMENTAL PRESSURES ........................................................................................................... 20 4.1.2 SOCIAL PRESSURES ............................................................................................................................. 20 4.2 POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS OF THE BTFEC OVERALL GRANT
PROGRAM AND THE PROJECT...............................................................................................................21 4.2.1 OVERALL IMPACTS ................................................................................................................................... 21 4.2.2 IMPACTS OF INFRASTRUCTURE WORKS ............................................................................................... 23 4.2.4 IMPACTS ON NATURAL HABITATS ........................................................................................................ 25 4.2.5 IMPACTS DUE TO CHEMICAL PESTICIDE USE ........................................................................................ 25 4.3 ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY, REGULATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS .............................................25 4.3.1 RGOB’S POLICIES, REGULATIONS AND GUIDELINES .................................................................... 25 4.3.2 WB SAFEGUARDS POLICIES APPLICABLE TO THE PROJECT ........................................................ 28 4.3.3 INSTITUTIONS AND ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT CAPACITY.......................... 31
CHAPTER 5 – SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK............35
5.1 NEGATIVE LIST OF ACTIVITIES ................................................................................................35 5.2 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL SAFEGUARDS PROCESSING STEPS ........................................36 5.2.2 SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCREENING AND ASSESSMENT ................................................... 48
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5.2.3 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RECOMMENDATIONS AND PROJECT DPR................................ 48 5.2.4 ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE (EC) AND SOCIAL CLEARANCES ................................................. 49 5.2.5 SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (RESETTLEMENT FRAMEWORK) .................................................. 49 5.2.6 SITE-ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN ................................................................................ 50 5.2.7 COMPLIANCE AND FINAL MONITORING ............................................................................................ 58 5.3 CONSULTATIONS AND GRIEVANCE ADDRESSING ....................................................................58 5.4 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT COST .............................................................59 5.5 SPECIFIC CONSIDERATIONS ON NATURAL HABITATS, FORESTRY, PEST MANAGEMENT AND
PHYSICAL CULTURAL RESOURCES ......................................................................................................60 5.5.1 NATURAL HABITATS ........................................................................................................................... 60 5.5.2 FORESTRY ............................................................................................................................................. 60 5.5.3 PEST MANAGEMENT ........................................................................................................................... 60 5.5.4 PHYSICAL CULTURAL RESOURCES .................................................................................................... 64
CHAPTER 6 – INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS AND CAPACITY .................................65
ANNEX 1. LIST OF OFFICIALS AND STAKEHOLDERS ..........................................................68
ANNEX 2. SUMMARY OF CONSULTATION ..............................................................................77
ANNEX 3. PROJECT AREA GEWOG MAP ..................................................................................89
ANNEX 4. NATIONAL POLICIES AND ACTS ............................................................................90
ANNEX 5. PERMISSIBLE PESTICIDES LIST TO BHUTAN ................................................. 101
ANNEX 6. ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS ......................................... 102
ANNEX 7. SAMPLE CHECKLIST FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RISK IDENTIFICATION AND ANALYSIS ........................................................................................................................................ 105
ANNEX 8. SAMPLE SOCIAL SCREENING FORMAT .............................................................. 106
ANNEX 9. RECOMMENDED FORMAT FOR A PEST MANAGEMENT PLAN .................. 109
ANNEX 10. PCR CHANCE FIND PROCEDURE ....................................................................... 112
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Acronyms
BTFEC Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation
BMS Bomdeling Wildlife Sanctuary
CBO Community Based Organization
CSO Civil Society Organization
FNCA Forest and Nature Conservation Act
FYP Five-Year Plan
GYT Gewog Yargay Tshongdu
ICR Implementation Completion Report
JDNP Jigme Dorji National Park
M&E Monitoring and Evaluation
MOA Ministry of Agriculture
MoAF Ministry of Agriculture and Forests
MoEA Ministry of Economic Affairs
MoWHS Ministry of Work and Human Settlement
NBC National Biodiversity Center
NECS National Environment Commission Secretariat
NGO Non-Governmental Organization
Nu Ngultrum
PES Payments for Environmental Services
RECOP Regulation for the Environmental Clearance of Projects, 2002
REDD+ Reducing Emission from Deforestation and Forest Degradation
RGoB Royal Government of Bhutan
RNR Renewable Natural Resources
SMF Social Management Framework
UNDP United Nations Development Programme
WCP Wangchuck Centennial Park
WHO World Health Organisation
WWF World Wildlife Fund
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Bhutanese Terms
Chiwog Village
Chathrim Act, rules and regulations, codes of conduct
Dungkhag Sub District
Dzongdag District Administrator
Dzongkhag District
Dzongkhag Administrative block
Gup Elected head of a Dzongkhag
Gewog Block (group of villages)
Ngultrum Bhutanese currency, pegged to Indian Rupee
Sokshing Forest registered in a household’s name for collection of leaf
litter for use in farmyard manure
Tsamdo Land over which a community or household has customary
grazing rights
Tseri Slash and burn cultivation
Yartsa-Guenbob Cordyceps is a genus of ascomycete fungi (sac fungi)
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Executive Summary
The Royal Government of Bhutan (RGOB) through the Bhutan Trust Fund for
Environmental Conservation (BTFEC) has prepared a project on Sustainable
Financing for Biodiversity Conservation and Natural Resources Management with a
grant from the GEF/World Bank.
The project’s objective is to improve the operational effectiveness and institutional
sustainability of the Bhutan Trust Fund for Environment Conservation through (1) enhanced
operational effectiveness and sustainability of the BTFEC; (2) improved conservation
management of the high altitude northern areas landscape (including protected areas
and associated alpine meadows, forests and agricultural ecosystems; and (3)
mainstreamed conservation and sustainable forest and natural resources management
approaches in policy, strategy and plans.
The proposed project will be implemented in the administrative jurisdiction of three
northern protected areas namely Jigme Dorji National Park, Wangchuck Centennial
Park and Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary. The project area would consist of 27
Gewogs in ten Dzongkhags of north western, north central and north eastern Bhutan
including Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Wangdue, Gasa, Bumthang, Trongsa, Trashi
Yangtse, Mongar and Lhuntse.
An assessment of the social and environmental consequences of the proposed project
was necessary to understand the risks and to identify potential ways to avoid,
minimize, mitigate and manage any adverse effects that might arise. The initial
assessment of the project activities have indicated that environmental and social
impacts are most likely as part of the grant making under the component 2 of the
project. While the individual scope of activities under grants will be small with low
impacts, due to the project siting in important natural habitats and forest areas more
concerted effort and due diligence will be required to ensure the project activities do
not contribute towards habitat loss and degradation. In addition, the project is also
focused on improving protected area management and land-use planning which on
long-term may have impacts towards the local communities depending on natural
resources unless strong participation and other governance principles that includes
communities and other key stakeholders are integrated in the overall grant making
and implementation process..
While, exact activities under the Component 2 are unknown, based on past grant
making and the project design, an initial Environmental and Social Assessment has
been conducted to get an understanding of the current environmental and social-
economic status of the project area. As part of the assessment, consultations were held
both centrally and locally and the stakeholder concerns have been incorporated as a
guide during grant selection and implementation. In addition, an Environmental and
Social Management Framework is developed based on field visits, interview with the
local community and local governance representatives, as well as the RGOB and
World Bank policy requirements.
While the project is classified as environmental category B, the overall project
outcome is expected to be beneficial from environmental and social perspectives.
However, the risks associated with implementation of activities inside protected areas,
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which are areas of ecological sensitivity and of high conservation value, both
nationally and internationally, could be high requiring extra diligence. Past experience
has shown that when protected area and forest reserve improvement/development
activities which may have adverse environmental and social impacts are undertaken
by responsible national agencies, the need to carry out environmental and social
assessments has been overlooked. The proposed project activities will likely to have
limited adverse social impacts.
One of the main findings is that there are no serious adverse environmental and social
impacts due to project activities and many of the potential impacts can be easily
mitigated through well-established measures and community participation. The
framework has also identified a negative list eliminating activities that will impact
key natural ecosystems. It was also noted that capacity building of the local
institutions and local communities is essential in order to implement the projects.
Further, concern of forest and land degradation in the areas and need for reforestation
and afforestation programs to recuperate for better productivity has been identified.
The project would improve community livelihood conditions through development of
pasture, supply of more number of breeding bulls and better breed of livestock,
distribution of high yielding fodder tree seedlings, fodder grass seeds, promotion of
organic farming and vegetable production, and yak product diversification. The main
impact that may take place is livelihood impacts as a result of land-use changes to
ensure sustainable agriculture and livestock practices. There are also concerns such as
cultural disintegration and leading to loss of rural values and possible migration due
to increased income from the project.
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Chapter 1 – Introduction
With the guidance of the Fourth King of Bhutan, the Bhutan Trust Fund for
Environmental Conservation (BTFEC) was established in 1992 as a collaborative
venture among the Royal Government of Bhutan, the United Nations Development
Program and the World Wildlife Fund. From the early 1990s, the BTFEC has
supported through grants in the establishment of protected area system in Bhutan,
training of Bhutanese individuals, strengthening existing and launching new
institutions to manage protected areas, and carrying out research to inform policy
makers, environmental leaders and conservation practitioners.
The Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) through the Bhutan Trust Fund for
Environmental Conservation (BTFEC) has initiated the process of preparing
Sustainable Financing for Biodiversity Conservation and Natural Resources
Management Project with a grant from the Global Environment Facility (GEF)/World
Bank. The Project is based on the Conservation Management plans (2012-2017) of
Wildlife Conservation Division of RGoB, BTFEC Action Plan (2011 – 2015) and
BTFEC Strategic Plan (2010 – 2015).
The proposed Project will be implemented in the administrative jurisdiction of three
northern protected areas namely Jigme Dorji National Park, Wangchuck Centennial
Park and Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary. The Project area would consist of 27
Gewogs in ten Dzongkhags of north western, north central and north eastern Bhutan
including Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Wangdue, Gasa, Bumthang, Trongsa, Trashi
Yangtse, Mongar and Lhuntse.
An assessment of the social and environmental consequences of the proposed Project
was necessary to understand the risks associated with project activities and to identify
potential ways to avoid, minimize, mitigate and manage any adverse effects that
might arise due to project investments, as well as long-term activities of the BTFEC.
Project envisages several small-scale community infrastructures and activities to
sustain livelihoods dependent on natural resources spread far and wide in three
national parks within ten different Dzongkhags. As precise locations of the potential
project activities, and their exact scope are not known during preparation, an initial
assessment of the current environmental and social status of the Project area, as well
as a Social and Environmental Management Framework (SEMF) as a guide to be used
during implementation, when project/activity location and scope will be known has
been developed.
1.1 Objective of the Assessment and Management Framework
The overall objective of the current assignment is to conduct an Environmental and
Social Assessment (ESA) and prepare a Social and Environment Management
Framework (SEMF) for the proposed project. Following are the specific objectives:
Conduct a combined sectoral social and environmental analysis of BTFEC’s
overall grant program and not excluding grant activities proposed under
component 2;
Develop a combined Social and Environment Management Framework and
procedures that could be suitably applied to grant activities likely to be
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proposed as part of this project as well as be applied more broadly to the range
of activities in BTFEC’s national conservation grant programs
1.2 Methodology of the Study
The assessment and the social and environmental management framework present in
this report are based on analysis of information collected through literature review,
consultative meetings/ interviews and field visits. Documents reviewed include
various policies, legislations, regulations, guidelines and relevant documents of
RGOB and the World Bank Safeguard Policies. In addition, other relevant documents
such as the conservation management plans of operational protected areas, 10th Five-
Year Plan (FYP) Main Document, Wildlife Conservation Division, and Conservation
Management Plan – 2012 – 2017 were reviewed.
Consultative meetings and interviews were held with a number of institutions and
inidviduals, ranging from officials of government agencies at the central level,
Dzongkhag Tshogdu (GT) members, and local villagers in the field. Field visits
included visits to Nubi in Trongsa, Gangzur in Lhuntse, Mangme of Sephu and gewog
clerk of Tang in Bumthang. During the field consultations, the consultant was
assisted by park officials and RNR agents of various gewogs visited during the course
of field work. The consultations were held in two forms: (1) group discussions with
cross-section of men and women, including some GYT members; and, (2), interviews
of individual households, particularly those considered as vulnerable. The vulnerable
households were determined in terms of low cash income, landlessness or small land
holdings, recurrent food deficit, high proportion of dependents (young children, old
parents, disable members), women headed households due to death/illness of husband
or divorce. In each field consultation site/gewog, either Tsogpas or Mangme were
requested to identify vulnerable households. See Annex 1 (List of officials and
stakeholders met), and Annex 2 (Summary of Consultations).
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Chapter 2 – BTFEC’s Grant Program
This chapter provides the BTFEC grant program in order to provide the context of the
existing system which will be supported through the proposed Project.
2.1 Objectives
The main objective of BTFEC’s grant program is aimed at improving the operational
effectiveness and sustainability of the institute and to achieve the following three
outcomes:
1. Enhanced operational effectiveness and sustainability of the BTFEC
2. Improved conservation management of the high altitude northern areas
landscape (including protected areas and associated alpine meadows, forests
and agricultural ecosystems)
3. Mainstreamed conservation and sustainable forest and natural resources
management approaches in policy, strategy and plans.
2.2 Coverage
The programs which the Trust Fund was mandated to support aligned clearly with the
national priorities and the themes for BTFEC support were as following:
(a) Training professionals in ecology, natural resources, management, forestry
and environment;
(b) Assessing biological resources and develop an ecological information base;
(c) Developing and implementing protected area management plans;
(d) Public awareness and environmental education in schools;
(e) Institutional support to related sectors/agencies; and
(f) Projects integrating conservation and development.
2.3 Strategic priorities and activities
The first Strategic Plan was adopted as the guiding document of BTFEC activities in
1997. The plan had a twenty-year horizon that envisioned the BTFEC becoming a
contributor across the entire green sector by the end of that period. Fine-tuning of the
plan was delegated to the Technical Advisory Panel, which was mandated to develop
five-year plans that would achieve the broad goals and to review and evaluate grants
consistent with the medium-term plans the Board would approve.
The long-term goals for the BTFEC included developing a fully functioning protected
areas system comprised of nine areas, catalyzing funding to build a conservation
information management system and helping to incorporate environmental awareness
and education into the education system. At the time the first Strategic Plan was
developed, experience with the first five years of grant-making had shown that the
capacity of grantees to prepare proposals and implement activities was inadequate and
that the institutions required to manage all aspects of conservation were weak. The
BTFEC thus concluded that its priority objective was to strengthen institutions to
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promote effective management of conservation programs and build capacity of its
grantees to implement field activities1.
2.4 Current practices of integrating environmental and social concerns
In terms of achievement, it has been concluded that the 92 grants valued at Nu 450
million (US$ 10 million) approved through 2009/2010 were substantively consistent
with the broad goals of the Strategic Plan, as well as with the program and funding
objectives that determined the areas of grant support. The long-term strategy itself
was implemented with very positive outlook, but not fully completed and require
further improvements to ensure sustainability.
The current practices of integrating environment and social concerns to the grant
program are at its infant stage, although all efforts are made to follow existing
RGOB’s environmental policy. With the support of the proposed Project, BTFEC
intends to incorporate and improve the international environmental and social
practices that are also in line with national requirements as part of operationalizing of
the grant program. Hence the tools proposed as part of this framework will be piloted
on the ground for their practicality and effectiveness and will be included as part of
the BTFEC’s Operations Manual that will be improved during the project
implementation.
1 Mikitin, K. Recommendations for Improving Operational Effectiveness and Sustainability, July 2012
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Chapter 3 – Sustainable Financing for Biodiversity Conservation and
Natural Resources Management Project
The proposed project is consistent with the GEF strategy under GEF 5 “Improve
Sustainability of Protected Area Systems” which supports the objectives of improving
the sustainability of the protected areas located in the high altitude northern areas
(HANAS) landscape of Bhutan and improving the long term financial sustainability
of these protected areas. The project will work through the existing Bhutan Trust
Fund for Environmental Conservation (BTFEC) to improve its operational
effectiveness, transparency and capacity to manage funds required for management of
the HANAS landscape, and more importantly become an effective instrument for
sustainable financing for biodiversity conservation in Bhutan as a whole.
The HANAS landscape occupies around 1,500,000 hectares consisting of three
protected areas (Map 1), intervening biological corridors, agricultural lands and
village settlements, alpine grazing lands and reserved forestlands. Within the HANAS
landscape, the project will support efforts to expand and improve the management
effectiveness of three existing protected areas and intervening forest corridors through
review and update of existing management plans, zonation, monitoring of critical
species, research, inventory and surveys and engagement of local communities in
habitat management and community stewardship. It will also support efforts to reduce
negative impacts on productive sectors and community actions, particularly outside
the protected areas and support mainstreaming of biodiversity in local and sector
policies and programs through targeted capacity building, documentation and
dissemination of best practices, and highlight the contribution of biodiversity to
ecotourism, and livestock and forest management.
The project will also support improved agriculture and sustainable land and grazing
management interventions to arrest land and forest degradation and productivity
losses and improve local socio-economics. Through these efforts, the project will help
reduce pressure on existing forest resources, in particular the broadleaved forests
through targeted interventions in protected areas, alpine meadows and agricultural
lands and support good management practice in existing forests (SMF/REDD+),
improve a range of service through SFM and even encourage the application of
payment of ecosystem services in selected areas. The results emanating from the
investments on the ground and experiences will provide a platform for generating
national efforts and building capacity to further strengthen protected area and
sustainable land, grazing land and forest management in the country.
3.1 Project Area Profile
3.1.1 Location
The project area would consist of 27 Gewogs in ten Dzongkhags of north western,
north central and North eastern Bhutan including Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Wangdue,
Gasa, Bumthang, Trongsa, Trashi Yangtse, Mongar and Lhuntse. Map 1 below shows
the project location (ten dzongkhags and 27 gewogs that will be within the 3 protected
areas). The specific gewogs map of the project area is shown in Annex 3.
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Map 1. Showing the location of the project area
3.1.2 Objective
The primary objective of the Project is to improve the operational effectiveness and
sustainability of BTFEC, which has a long history and experience in financing grants
for conservation activities in Bhutan.
This objective would be achieved by improving conservation management of the high
altitude northern areas landscape, mainstreamed conservation and sustainable forest
and natural resources management approaches and in the selected three National
Parks. Sustainable community grazing and land management would be improved
based on set criteria. Mainstreaming of conservation and sustainable forest and
natural resources management approaches would be developed through improved
capacity building and development of plans and policy. Employment opportunities
would result from community engagement in various activities such as non-farm
income generating activities. The composition of projects would be governed by the
provisions contained in the 10th Five-Year Plan (2008- 2013) and anticipated
provisions under the forthcoming 11th Five-Year Plan (2013-18).
3.1.3 Project Components
The project has three main components:
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Component 1: Enhanced operational effectiveness and sustainability of the
Bhutan Trust Fund for Environment Conservation
The objective of Component 1 is to support BTFEC in carrying out the update and
implementation of the Strategic Plan by adopting more modern governance and
business practices and ensuring the adequacy of its resources and tools going forward.
With a view to its operational effectiveness, BTFEC’s Board has (will have) endorsed
the following improvements: (i) increase and diversification of BTFEC Board
representation; (ii) prioritization of interventions in the seven program areas of the
Strategic Plan 2010-2015; (iii) preparation of a sustainable plan for the Protected Area
(PA) network; (iv) creation of a system to monitor the impacts of BTFEC’s grant
program and institutional performance; (iv) modernization of the grant-making
process towards efficiency, equity and transparency; (v) review of options for
BTFEC’s future investment management.
To ensure that BTFEC has the resources and tools for implementing change, its Board
agreed on the following changes: (i) recruitment of additional staff to share the
numerous operational responsibilities and tasks; (ii) engagement of short-term
consultants for legal advice on changes to BTFEC’s structure, preparation of a
sustainable financing plan for the PA system and introduction of modern operating
systems and processes; and (iii) development of new business lines to expand
BTFEC’s management of funding for conservation initiatives.
Specifically, Component 1 will finance training, technical assistance, equipment and
data management systems and limited piloting to implement the following activities.
Updating and modernizing the Royal Charter to align it with good practices on
non-profit governance
Supplementing the Royal Charter with bylaws to codify the Board’s rules and
practices
Prioritizing grant selection on the basis of needs, risks and opportunities
Modernizing grant-making through improvements to the grant award process,
grant documentation, Monitoring and Evaluation of the grant portfolio and
dissemination of experiences and lessons of grant implementation
Updating the Operations Manual to clarify or simplify procedures for grant
selection, grant-making and other areas of program management as required
Conducting a review of options for future arrangements on managing
investments
Improving institutional and staff capacity for grants and financial management
through staff recruitment, training and external technical support
Developing a fund raising strategy and testing new financial instruments that
will allow for the generation of non-budgetary resources for self-sustaining of
conservation activities
Component 2: Improved conservation management of the high altitude
northern areas landscape (including protected areas and associated alpine
meadows, forests and agricultural ecosystems)
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This component aims to demonstrate BTFEC’s conservation outcomes and enhance
its grant-making operations. To that end, BTFEC will finance grants – on a
competitive basis – that would improve conservation management in the high altitude
northern area ecosystems of Bhutan. The conservation grants for the targeted areas
will be processed and approved through BTFEC’s grant management system. In
accordance with BTFEC’s grant award process, the maximum grant amount is
US$300,000 and grant proposals are considered by BTFEC’s Board twice a year.
Two types of grants will be provided under Component 2. The first type will support
the testing and implementation of appropriate management strategies and proactive
plans to anticipate and address threats to the protected area and biodiversity corridor
complexes in HANAS. This would enable the conservation of broadleaf forests and
other ecosystems within HANAS and help maintain their ecological integrity and the
economic and ecological services they support. The activities that would be supported
would include: (i) review and update of existing management plans for protected
areas and zoning and enforcement of land-use regulations; (ii) monitoring of species
of special concern, especially tigers and other charismatic species; (iii) research on
critical species; (iv) engagement of local communities in habitat management and
community stewardship and improved livelihoods and incomes; and (v) improved
staff training and capacity for conservation. Hence, the grants would finance expert
services (including community mobilization), training, workshops and equipment.
The second type of grants will support a range of community activities that aim to
strengthen the adoption of: (i) sustainable agricultural land use and grazing
management practices; (ii) co-management of forests and alpine meadows; and (iii)
community-based ecotourism and value addition products. Grants of this type would
finance goods, small works, community mobilization and training as well as other
consultancies.
As part of this this component, the BTFEC is targeting to bring at least three protected
areas covering 1,000,000 hectares of forested land under improved management and
protection to increase/stabilize the population of selected key floral and faunal
species. These would include the following activities:
Review and update of existing management plans for protected areas
Zoning and enforcement of land-use regulations;
Monitoring of species of special concern, especially tigers and other
charismatic species; research on critical species;
Engagement of local communities in habitat management and community
stewardship and improved socio-economics and incomes; and
Improved staff training and capacity for conservation.
This component is also aiming to pilot rangeland (alpine meadow) co-management
with herders through improved management planning, increase productivity for
domestic livestock by re-seeding degraded natural rangeland with native grass species
and developing improved pasture on private/government lease land (on a limited
scale) in the vicinity of permanent village for better livestock management, rotational
grazing, breed improvement, productive development and value addition. At least
2,500 hectares of alpine meadows to bring under sustainable grazing management
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practice and reduce impact on adjacent forests areas with the involvement of high
altitude local community living in the HANAS areas.
The grants will also support a range of community activities to strengthen the
adoption of sustainable co-management of forests and agricultural lands in non-core
wildlife habitats to provide improved and diversified agricultural and forests products
and incomes to local communities and engage them as conservation stewards. This
would be achieved through biophysical and socio-economic mapping to identify
causes and incidences of land degradation, identification of ‘hot spots’ of land
vulnerability, community decision making and prioritization of Sustainable Land
Management (SLM) practices and investments, training and implementation and
community monitoring and subsequent mainstreaming of SLM practices into gewog
level planning. It is expected cover at least 2500 hectares of vulnerable agricultural
lands under sustainable community land management and reduce impact on adjacent
forest land. The project will support regeneration of selected degenerated forest lands
outside of protected areas and help improve incomes to communities from collection
and marketing of non-timber forests products and community management of critical
sub-watersheds to protect water sources and critical forest resources based on existing
experiences of community based forestry management of the country.
Lastly, this component would enable the conservation of broadleaf forests and other
ecosystems within HANAS and help maintain their ecological integrity and the
economic and ecological services they support. At least 100,000 hectares of forest
lands under sustainable management (reduced pressures) and provide supplementary
income from community-based ecotourism and use of Non Timber Forest Products
(NTFPs) with value addition.
Component 3: Mainstreamed conservation and sustainable forest and natural
resources management approaches in policy, strategy and plans:
The lessons from the management of PAs and the HANAS landscape derived from
the implementation of Component 2 will inform policies pertaining to key natural
resource sectors, including watershed management, upland agriculture and livestock,
forestry, wildlife conservation and also infrastructure development. Such learning
and experience would contribute to the development and improvement of existing
Natural Resources Management (NRM) guidelines and provide examples of good
practices in key NRM sectors and support new models of integrating protected areas,
sustainable grazing and agricultural management approaches into sector and geog
(sub-district) level planning to prevent the loss and fragmentation of forests and
critical habitats. It will facilitate the replication of the lessons and good practices
more broadly throughout the country. The implementation of activities under this
component will also be supported through BTFEC’s competitive grant-making.
At this stage of project preparation, it is envisaged that the activities under this
component will include: (i) gap analysis of policies and guidelines on conservation
management; (ii) high level exchange program with countries that implement high
impact conservation policies; (iii) workshops for implementing agencies to share
lessons and experiences; (iv) stakeholder meetings toward mainstreaming
conservation and NRM into national policies; (v) local community consultations; (vi)
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dissemination of good practices, results and outcomes stemming from the
implementation of the grant-funded activities.
3.2 Description of Project Area Environment
3.2.1 Country Overview
Bhutan is internationally reputed for its well-preserved natural environment. Stable
political leadership, low population pressure, cautious and environmentally sound
development policies have delivered the country into the 21st century with much of
its biodiversity and natural environment intact. Land use surveys completed by the
MoA in 1995 revealed that a good 64.4 per cent of the country was under forest cover
(72.5 per cent when scrub forest is included).
Land use in Bhutan is predominantly forests (72.5%) and agriculture (7.7%). The
pasture and alpine meadows cover 3.9% of land. From 1958 to 2000, there was an
increasing trend in the major land uses - forestry, agriculture and pastures. Shifting
cultivation, although declining, still forms an important land use within the arable
agriculture. A significant proportion, i.e. 2.4% of the total area is under landslips and
erosion, which reflects the fragility of the mountain areas. Snow/glacier and rock
outcrops combined constitute about 12.5% of the land area. Settlement accounts only
for 0.1% but it is fast growing due to urbanization.
The country’s extreme altitudinal variation has created a corresponding range of
climatic conditions varying from hot and humid tropical/ subtropical conditions in the
southern foothills to cold and dry tundric conditions in the northern mountains. This is
further modified by latitude, precipitation, slope gradient, and exposure to sunlight
and wind, giving each valley and often opposite-facing slopes a unique set of climatic
conditions. As a result of the wide variation in macro and micro-climatic conditions,
there is great diversity of vegetation within the country’s small Dzongkha-graphical
area, which forms eleven different vegetation zones in the country. Extensive forest
cover and the wide range of vegetation zones have endowed Bhutan with one of the
most spectacular biodiversity in the world. Its diverse ecosystems harbor more than
5,400 species of vascular plants, 770 species of birds and 170 species of mammals.
Wild fauna includes several globally threatened species. In keeping with its rich
biodiversity and the need to maintain it for sustainable development, the country has
designated a vast protected area system – a network of four national parks, four
wildlife sanctuaries, and a strict nature reserve (see Map 2). The system, together with
the connecting biological corridors, occupies more than 35 per cent of the country’s
area and encompasses representative examples of all major ecosystems found in the
country – from subtropical forests and grasslands in the south to alpine scrubland and
meadows in the north – making Bhutan one of the most comprehensive and robust
national parks management in the world.
11
Map 2. Protected areas and biological corridor of Bhutan
3.2.2 Project Area Environment Overview
3.2.2.1 Climate, Water and Hydrology
Project area climate varies with the altitudes and covers an area approximately
16,982.51 square kilometer (1,698,251 ha). The climate is temperate in the middle
altitude (between 1800m to 3500m), alpine in the north or higher altitude (more than
3500 m). The project activities would be implemented mainly in the temperate areas.
Average annual rainfall in the project area ranges widely. The rain fall is less than 750
mm in most parts of project areas, i.e. northern parts of the ten Dzongkhags (NSB
2009). The rainfall is affected by monsoons. Project area experiences dry and cold
winter months (December through February) and almost no precipitation until March.
The main rainfall months are June through September. The summer monsoon (June
through September) brings heavy rains, high humidity, flash floods and landslides.
The temperatures in the project area also vary according to elevation. The valleys and
hills are warm and rainy in summer and cold in winter, with a pleasant spring and
autumn. The great Himalayan range is snow-capped throughout and severely cold in
winter.
The three project areas are the main source and catchment area of the major rivers of
Bhutan. The major rivers that run through the project area are Wang Chhu, Mangde
Chhu, Chamkhar Chhu, Puna Tsang Chhu (or Sunkosh), Kuri Chu and Kulong chu.
These rivers offer good potential for hydropower development, and are considered
nationally important. Besides, these bigger rivers, there are numerous local streams
and springs which are used by local people for drinking, irrigation and other purposes
such as indigenous water mills, micro-hydropower schemes, etc.
12
3.2.2.2 Topography and Geology
Most part of the project area is characterized by rugged and mountainous terrain, with
river valleys. The project area elevation varies from 1500 m to 6450 m. The project
area is under protected area and has dense forest cover with few shrub and grassland
in the alpine regions and snow peaks in the high mountains. There are seven different
types of vegetation zones in the project area ranging from chirpine forest and mixed
conifers forests to alpine scrubs2. Glaciers and moraines are common features of
these peaks.
The Tethyan Belt covers portions of Northern Higher Himalaya Range, i.e. project
area, Crystalline Belt of the central and eastern part of Bhutan Himalaya. It consists of
various rocks information and is represented by sedimentary rocks (Pre-Cambrian to
Cretaceous) intruded by Tertiary granites. The main rock types of this belt are shale,
phyllite, slate, calearous phyllite, quartzite and limestone with intrusive granite.
3.2.2.3 Agricultural area and agricultural practices
The total area of the project is 10,750 square kilometers (1,075,000 ha). Agriculture
has a dominant role in the socio-economics of the communities residing in this area.
However agricultural land is limited. Agricultural land in project area covers less than
140 square kilometer (140,000 ha) or 2.09% of the total area.
Agriculture practice in the project area is largely traditional, manual and subsistence.
Use of chemical fertilizer and pesticide is negligible or none. Depredation of crops by
wildlife such as wild boars, Himalayan Black Bears, monkeys, porcupines and
rodents is a problem commonly complained by the local farmers. Depending on the
availability of water and nature of land, farmers practice wetland (irrigated) and dry-
land (rain-fed) agriculture.
Livestock is part and parcel of traditional agriculture system. Forest and livestock
provide organic materials needed for land fertility. Forest/vegetation covers are also
important for regulating the availability of water for agricultural purpose. Agriculture
development is hampered due to lack of water irrigation channels, rough terrain, poor
soil quality and limited number of arable lands.
3.2.2.4 Physical Cultural Resources
Bhutan is very rich in physical and cultural sites. At the project sites in the 10
Dzongkhags, there are neither historical sites nor any religious monuments that are
known or listed nationally or internationally that may be affected by any of the
proposed project activities.
However, religious and/or cultural sites of local values are many in rural Bhutan.
Local cultural sites of different types are found commonly in and around villages,
settlements and along the travel routes. These could be temples, monastic institution,
stupas, sacred natural features, dwelling place for deities, holy trees, cremation sites,
etc.
2 MOAF (2010) Land Cover figures 2010
13
3.2.3 Profile of the project area
3.2.3.1 Jigme Dorji National Park
Jigme Dorji National Park (JDNP) extends across 4 dzongkhags encompassing 14
gewogs. Gasa dzongkhag lies entirely within the park with Punakha, Paro and
Thimphu falls partially within the Park jurisdiction. Approximately, 1,172 households
with 6,956 people residing within the park administrative boundary have user rights
on the natural resources for daily living. In addition, there are 1,682 households with
total population of 8,702 residing adjacent to the park boundary and they are also
dependent on the natural resources for their domestic needs. Although, it difficult to
specify the population growth trend, discussion with local communities suggest that
the local population is increasing due to improved health facilities and nutritional
diets from enhanced income generation from Cordyceps3 and livestock products
(consultative meeting analysis, 11-16, July, 2012, draft report).
Table 1: Number and distribution of human population in the Jigme Dorji National
Park
Sl. No.
Gewog Dzongkhag No. of Households Human Population
1 Kawang Thimphu 40 240
2 Lingzhi Thimphu 78 564
3 Naro Thimphu 56 299
4 Soe Thimphu 28 255
5 Goenkhame Gasa 119 708
6 Goenkhatoe Gasa 60 440
7 Laya Gasa 172 1,200
8 Lunana Gasa 12 142
9 Goenshari Punakha 129 607
10 Kabjisa Punakha 85 425
11 Toewang Punakha 105 525
12 Chhubu Punakha 150 750
13 Doteng Paro 30 150
14 Tsento Paro 108 651
Total 1,172 6,956 Source: JDNP conservation strategic plan 2012
Socio-Economic practices
Within the JDNP, the socio-economic practices of the local community can be
divided into two categories based on their farming system, altitude and locality, viz.
3 The Cordyceps mushrooms have a long history as medicinal fungi. The earliest clear record is a
Tibetan medical text authored by Zurkhar Nyamnyi Dorje in the 15th Century outlining the tonic
propensities of Yartsa gunbu (Cordyceps sinensis renamed now toOphiocordyceps sinensis), especially
as an aphrodisiac. Reference: Winkler, D. 2008. Yartsa Gunbu (Cordyceps sinensis) and the Fungal
Commodification of the Rural Economy in Tibet AR. Economic Botany 63.2: 291–306.
14
one category of the community purely dependent on the yak herding and other
category largely subsists on crop production and livestock rearing.
Of the total of 1,172 households residing within the park, 499 households, which
translates to about 42.6% depends entirely on yak rearing and they are known as
Bjobs (highlanders or semi-nomad) of the western Bhutan. Due to the cold climatic
conditions and the short vegetative period, agricultural crops are very limited. Small-
scale crop productions like barley, buckwheat, mustard, wheat, turnips, radish, etc. are
practiced. The economic main stay of the nomadic communities is the yak rearing.
There are about 16,222 yaks4, 1,071 horses and 105 mules supporting the socio-
economic of 3,240 people living in the extremely harsh climatic conditions within
JDNP. With legalization of Cordyceps collection in 2004, these communities were
provided with an additional income opportunity and it has become one of the main
sources of livelihoods for these people. Also, the local community of Lingshi gewog
accrues substantial economic benefits from medicinal plants other than the Cordyceps
as it is found abundantly in their alpine meadows. Annually, the local community
harvest about 3,247 kg of medicinal herbs5 from the forest and are being supplied to
Institute of Traditional Medicines in Thimphu.
The local communities residing in the lower areas of the park largely depends on crop
production and livestock rearing. The rice is the major crop cultivated by the
community and its annual production in 2010 was 6,092 tonnes6. Other crops grown
in the areas are wheat, barley, millets, buckwheat and maize in small quantities.
Alternative income generating cash crops grown by the local communities include
potatoes, chilly, radish, turnip, cabbage, beans, spinach, pumpkin and cucumber.
Local communities of the lower areas also produce some fruits such as apple, peach,
pear, banana, plum, mandarin, and guava mostly for their self-consumption. Livestock
includes 7,332 cattle, 1,089 horses and 448 mules. With improved accessibility to
markets, non-traditional off farm economic activities such as wage labour, contract
work, and small business are increasingly becoming important socio-economic
sources. Remittances from family members in public and private sector services
complement income in some households.
Land use and tenure
JDNP has the maximum concentration of villages inside the park with 14 gewogs and
the total land area is 7,457.3 km² (745,730 ha) of which 0.54% is agricultural land.
The agriculture is the most dominant land use, with wetland7 and dryland
8 as main
form of crop cultivation. About 2.6% of the households within the park do not hold
any cultivable land and is mostly dominant in the Naro gewog. Following are some of
the land use figures (RNR Statistics 2009, MOAF):
1,963.8 acres (795 ha) of dryland and 3,401.1 acres (1,376 ha) of wetland are
operational9;
4 2010, Department of Agriculture, livestock census 2010 and gewog office 5 field visit to gewog office and ITM Thimphu
6 Agricultural statistic report 2010, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests
7 Wetland is used normally for cultivating rice. 8 Dryland is used for kitchen, cash crops, etc. 9 “Operational” means currently being used for cultivation
15
47.4% of the households own wetland, 67.9% dryland and 6.4 percent cash crop
land;
39.3% of the households hold less than an acre10
of agricultural land, 31.6%
between 1 and 3 acres, 13.8% between 3 and 5 acres, 6.7 % between 5 and 10
acres and 1.4 % more than 10 acres;
755.1 acres of wetland are owned and operated by the owner, 144.5 acres leased
out, 193 acres leased in and 95.4 acres left fallow;
4,334.4 acres of dryland are owned and operated by the owner, 204.1 acres leased
out, 313.3 acres leased in and 3,683.4 acres left fallow.
Natural Resources
A large number of vegetation types exist in JDNP due to the wide altitudinal and
topographic variations in the Park. For the purpose of conservation planning, eight
broad habitat types have been identified and mapped. These habitats also represent
distinct vegetation communities ranging from Temperate Broadleaf forest to Alpine
Scree. Some of the most noted animals found in the park are tigers, snow leopards,
Himalayan muck deer, marmots, red panda and tragopans use a narrow range of
habitat types while others such as common leopards, Himalayan black bear, sambar,
wild boar, and wild dog use a wider range of habitat types. Others such as blue sheep
and takin migrate between habitat types seasonally.
The total number of tree, shrub, climber and herbaceous species (including grasses
and orchids) were 138, 240, 47, and 1,009 respectively. In total 1,434 species
belonging to 144 families of higher plants are found within JDNP.
3.2.3.2 Wangchuck Centennial Park
In aggregate, there are 1,601 households with 10,588 people living the in the park
distributed across 10 gewogs representing five different ethnic communities11
. The
community of Wangchuck Centennial Park (WCP) can be classified into two main
groups based on the farming practice (viz. yak herding community and non-yak
herding community). The yak-herding communities represent about 12% of the
households, while the rest are farming (non-yak herding) communities. The latter are
permanently settled either within the park or along the periphery of the park
boundary, especially in the temperate forest zone.
Table 2: Number and distribution of the human population in WCP and buffer zone. Sl.No Gewog Dzongkhag Total
household
Human
population
1 Chhokhor Bumthang 637 5800
2 Tang Bumthang 33 182
3 Lunana Gasa 141 708
4 Sephu Wanduephodrang 283 1397
5 Dangchu Wangduephodrang 105 578
6 Kazhi Wangduephodrang 44 220
7 Nubi Trongsa 75 405
10
1 acre = 0.4 ha approximately 11
Wangchuck Centennial Park – Conservation Management Strategic Plan 2012-2017 (draft)
16
8 Khoma Lhuntse 66 317
9 Gangzur Lhuntse 55 220
10 Kurtoe Lhuntse 162 761
Total 1061 10588
Source: Wangchuck Centennial Park – Conservation Management Strategic Plan 2012-2017
Socio-Economic practices
Majority of the people living in and periphery of the WCP depends on yak herding
and livestock raring. Yak herders do not possess agricultural fields, and rely entirely
on yak herding. They have customary grazing rights over areas that have been grazed
by their families for generations.
The farming community depends on the subsistence production from agricultural
land, supplemented by livestock. The crops and cropping pattern varies among
gewogs, with a variety of crops from wheat, barley, buckwheat (sweet and bitter),
paddy, mustard, potato and vegetables being cultivated depending upon the altitude of
the villages. Over the years, crops also have changed in response to crop raiding by
animals and market forces. For instance, potato is now abundantly cultivated in Tang
and forms a major source of the economy, while buckwheat and wheat, which were
the primary crops about 20 years ago have been reduced due to crop raiding by bears,
lack of labour to guard crops, and because of a more lucrative market for potatoes,
which can be sold in Phuentsholing. This indicates that crops and cropping patterns
are very much driven by number of forces, and can even respond and adapt to climate
change trends.
In Chhokhor gewog, the agricultural land belongs to the threp/mein (non-yak herding)
community, but in Lunana every household possess some dry land to cultivate barley,
(the staple crop of the area), and vegetables. In Sephu and Chhokhor geogs, yak
herders do not own any agricultural land except the land to build their house.
The community used to grow cereals in tseri12
lands; however, after the government
imposed a ban on tseri cultivation by the Land Act of 2007, people no longer grow
cereal crops. Some communities, especially in Lhuntse dzongkhag, are engaged in
share-cropping to supplement the cereal deficiency. The division of yield between the
land owners and share-croppers differ from gweog to gewog. In some villages the
croppers are unwilling to undertake share-cropping because of labour and crop raiding
problems. Overall, share-cropping has decreased in almost all the gewogs.
A yak dominates the livestock population in WCP. Livestock numbers per household
are highest in Lunana, Chokkhor and Sephu gewogs. The yak herders have practiced
transhumance for years, moving their yak herds from the higher elevations in the
summer grazing areas to lower elevations in the winter, to utilize available grazing
land and avoid the extreme winter conditions in higher altitudes. Yak herders graze
their livestock in the WCP during summer months, between the fourth and ninth
Bhutanese months. Herders have customary grazing rights within the entire WCP,
except for the rocky outcrops and snow-peaked mountains. Hence they are very much
dependent upon the WCP for their livelihoods vis-à-vis yak herding.
12
Tseri – Shifting Cultivation
17
In addition to yak herding, the Cordyceps collection has become a major source of
income for the communities of WCP. Maximum quantity of Cordyceps collection this
year was from Chhokhor, Dangchhu, Sephu and Lunana which falls under jurisdiction
of WCP where 1,578 households collected a total of 131.53 kg of Cordyceps, which
translated into a cash income of Nu. 97.5 million or US $ 1.3 million
Land use and tenure
10 gewogs within the WCP has a total land area of 11,145.9 square kilomers
(1,114,590 ha) of which 0.82% is used as agricultural land. Most of the agricultural
areas are in the buffer zone, with very little agricultural land within the park. Dry land
agriculture holdings are highest in Tang gewog and lowest in Kazhi gewog. Wetland
holdings are similar in all gewogs, the exception being Tang gewog, which does not
have any wetland agricultural holdings. Dry land agriculture cultivation dominates the
land use in all the geowgs. 1.4 % of the total households do not own any agriculture
land for cultivation. Following are some of the land use figures (RNR Statistics
2009):
3,455.6 acres of dryland and 480.9 acres of wetland are operational;
45.6 % of the households owned wetland, 89.2 % dryland and 0.8 percent cash
crop land;
29.3 % of the households hold less than an acre of agricultural land, 39.9 %
between 1 and 3 acres, 13.2 % between 3 and 5 acres, 8 % between 5 and 10 acres
and 9.6 % more than 10 acres;
755.1 acres of acres of wetland are owned and operated by the owner, 144.5 acres
leased out, 193 acres leased in and 95.4 acres left fallow;
4,334.4 acres of dryland are owned and operated by the owner, 204.1 acres leased
out, 313.3 acres leased in and 3,683.4 acres left fallow.
Natural Resources13
The park has three ecological zones with six different habit types – cool broadleaf
forest, mixed conifer forest, fir forest, juniper forests, alpine meadows and scrubs and
alpine scree. A total of 693 species of vascular plants belonging to 51 families are
found in the WCP. There are 39 species of mammals recorded and eight of these
species are IUCN listed. About 250 species of birds have been recorded in the project
area.
The altitudinal range complex terrain and representation of two zoogeographical
realms confer the project area with a diverse flora and fauna with several charismatic
species and ecosystems which habours both tigers, snow leopard and several other
rare and endangered species included in schedule 1 of the FNCA 1995.
3.2.3.3 Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary
Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS) extends across three dzongkhags. In aggregate,
there are 1,005 households with 5,280 people living the in the park distributed across 13
Wangchuck Centennial Park – Conservation Management Strategic Plan 2012 - 2017
18
3 gewogs. The average population density in three gewogs within the park is 4 people
per square kilometer with maximum population density of 9 people per square
kilometer located in Sherimung gewog under Mongar dzongkhag. Linguistically, all
the three gewogs have different dialects of their own; however, the people of
Bumdeling and Khoma have similar dialects and can be understood by both the
communities. Two gewogs seemed to have some ancestral connection and takes about
a day walk to get into either of the gewogs. Similarly to gewogs in other two
protected areas, the population seemed to be increasing annually due to improved
health facilities and nutritional diets from enhanced income generation from livestock
and agricultural products as popped up during the discussion with local communities
in consultative meeting (consultative meeting analysis, 26 July – 1st
August, 2012,
draft report).
Table 3: Number and distribution of the human population in Bumdeling National
Park
Sl. No. Gewog Dzongkhag
No. of Households Human Population
1 Khoma Lhuntse
266 2824
2 Sherigmuhung Mongar
393 2750
3 Bumdeling Trashi Yangtse
346 2530
Total 1005 8104 Source: Gewog office 2012, during the field visit
Socio-economic practices
Local communities of 3 gewogs primarily subsist on crop production and livestock
rearing. The annual agricultural products including vegetable and fruits accounts to
about 1,909 tonnes of which, rice is the single most cereal produce followed by maize
(RNR Agricultural Statistics, 2010). Out of 3 gewogs, Khoma seems to be producing
more agricultural products than other 2 gewogs. Local women of Khoma are known
for their skills in weaving textiles made of silks (kishuthara), and weaving constitutes
a major source of income in many households. Livestock population includes 5,200
cattle, 554 horses and 77 mules. A small portion of the community also own yak and
derive their income from the yak herding. The community of Bumdeling and Khoma
make additional income from Cordyceps harvesting but the income generated per
household is very low compared to other Cordycpeps collecting community. A total
quantity of Cordyceps collected by the community of Bumdeling this year was 1.56
kg and the revenue generated was Nu.573,270.5 or US $ 10,236.00. Like any other
communities in Bhutan, off farm economic activities such as wage labour, contract
work, small business are increasingly seen as an important sources of socio-economic
in addition to little remittances from family members in public and private sector
services to complement the income in some households.
The major agricultural crops grown in three gewogs are paddy, maize and barley with
small quantity of other cereals like millet, buckwheat, and mustard. Sherimung gewog
seems to be suitable for the growth of all the cereals and vegetables as indicated in the
RNR Agriculture Statistics of 2010.
19
Land use and tenure
Three gewogs within the BWS has a total land area of 1,084.7 square kilometers
(108,470 ha) of which 0.73% are used as agricultural land. Dry land agriculture
cultivation dominates the land use in all three gewogs. Only about 13% of the total
agricultural land is being used as wetland by the local community of 3 gewogs. About
30 households in Sherimung gewog is either without agricultural land or with very
limited acreage of land for cultivation. Following are some of the land use figures
(RNR Statistics 2009):
1,523 acres of dryland and 520.90 acres of wetland are operational ;
66.8 % of the households owned wetland, 90.6 % dryland and 0.8 % cash crop
land;
25.4 % of the households hold less than an acre of agricultural land, 51.3 %
between 1 and 3 acres, 17 % between 3 and 5 acres, 5 % between 5 and 10 acres
and 1.3 % more than 10 acres;
312 acres of acres of wetland are owned and operated by the owner, 62.3 acres
leased out, 43.5 acres leased in and 103 acres left fallow;
922.7 acres of dryland are owned and operated by the owner, 36.1 acres leased
out, 77.3 acres leased in and 486.7 acres left fallow.
Natural Resources14
Broadleaf forests dominate about one-third of the Sanctuary and the remaining is of
conifer forests. Within the sanctuary and its buffer zone, four globally endangered
mammals (tiger, snow leopard, red panda and capped langur) and five globally
threatened birds species (Rufus necked Hornbill, Palla’s Fish Eagle, Chestnut
Breasted Partridge, Black-necked Crane and Wood’s Snipe) are found.
Of the many globally vulnerable flora and fauna, there are also blue poppy and yew
and Chinese caterpillar, a fungus which totally protected in Bhutan15
.
14
Bomdeling Wildlife Sanctuary – Conservation Management Plan July 2001 - 2007 15
Bomdeling Wildlife Sanctuary – Conservation Management Plan July 2001 – 2007 (pp 3)
20
Chapter 4 – Environmental and Social Assessment
4.1 Existing Pressures
4.1.1 Environmental Pressures
The country is strongly committed to ensuring a future where the natural environment
is still intact. The strong political will for environmental conservation that exists in
the country has translated into the policy resolution of maintaining at least 60 % of the
country under forest cover at all times and the establishment of a comprehensive
protected areas system encompassing more than 26 % of the country. Country has
also developed wide range of policies and acts for the protection and conservation of
the environment, and for environmental management. Despite such policies and
efforts, pressures are mounting due to population growth, and infrastructure
development.
The eastern and southern Bhutan, where population densities are high and human
activities are more intense, localized deforestation and overgrazing are occurring.
There is increasing demand for forest products such as fuel-wood and house-building
timber. The country and the project area, given its fragile mountain terrain and
ecosystem, are highly vulnerable to natural disasters mainly in the form of landslides,
soil erosion, and flash floods, as well as earthquake and Glacial Lake Outburst
Floods. Roadblocks due to landslides are a recurrent phenomenon during the
monsoons. Every year monsoon rains cause a number of floods and landslides,
causing loss of human lives and damage to infrastructures and natural resources. In
recent time, farmers and grazers have continued to face human-wildlife conflicts such
as crop and livestock depredation.
4.1.2 Social Pressures
Bhutan is assessed to be on track to achieve its Millennium Development Goals
(MDGs). However, while the poverty rate has fallen from 36% in 2000 to 23% in
2008, the MDG mid-term report notes worsening of conditions affecting those
suffering from severe poverty. Household food security is linked to low food
production and weak agricultural productivity, limited access to land and other
productive assets, extensive crop destruction by wild life and pests, inadequate
opportunities for rural employment, poor food utilization, and weak access to road
and transport infrastructure. Bhutan's mountainous terrain is a fundamental constraint
to growth and rural poverty reduction. Poor road access isolates a large proportion of
rural people from markets and social services, and limits their livelihood to
subsistence agriculture. The RGOB and development partners have responded to this
constraint by constructing more than 1,500 kilometers of farm roads and tracks since
2003. The proportion of rural people within one hour walking distance of a road head
increased from 40% in 2000 to 53% in 2008. The proportion of people residing within
six hours walking distance from a road has increased from 84% to 90%. Property
rights are also much more equal than in most of South Asia, with women rather than
men inheriting property in some areas.
21
4.2 Potential Environmental and Social Impacts of the BTFEC overall grant
program and the project
While the project is classified as environmental category B, the overall project
outcome is expected to be overwhelmingly beneficial from environmental and social
perspectives. However, the risks associated with implementation of activities inside
protected areas, which are areas of ecological sensitivity and of high conservation
value, both nationally and internationally, could be high requiring extra diligence.
Past experience has shown that when protected area and forest reserve
improvement/development activities which may have adverse environmental and
social impacts are undertaken by responsible national agencies, the need to carry out
environmental and social assessments has been overlooked.
The proposed project activities will likely to have limited adverse social impacts. The
main impact that may take place is livelihood impacts as a result of land-use changes
to ensure sustainable agriculture and livestock practices. There are also concerns such
as cultural disintegration and leading to loss of rural values and possible migration
due to increased income from the project.
4.2.1 Overall impacts
The Component 2 of the project, which supports the BTFEC’s grant program where
activities such as promotion of improved breeds of livestock and sustainable
agriculture and tourism will be financed, it is important that the program design and
implementation follows a participatory and inclusive process to ensure the above
impacts are managed to the level acceptable to the beneficiaries and that the most
needy and vulnerable households equally benefit from the project. Therefore, the
issues such as gender, social inclusion, vulnerable households and community
consultation and participation need to be carefully considered in the planning and
implementation process.
The preliminary analysis of project components indicated that Component 2 of the
project where financing will be provided for the BTFEC grant program will likely to
have environmental and social impacts, which has been summarized in Table 3.
Table 3: Component 2 activities and their environmental and social impacts
Activity Environmental and/or Social Impacts Magnitude of Impacts
Review and update of existing
management plans for protected
areas
Better management of protected areas High
Improved/maintained conservation
status of key biodiversity
High
Zoning and enforcement of
land-use regulations
Changes in land-use by communities
that may have livelihood impacts
Moderate
Land use information in place that can
be used to develop solutions for natural
resource management issues
High
Reduced land degradation Moderate
Opportunity to develop financial or
legal incentives that can lead to proper
land use decisions, or eliminate one-
sided central planning leading to over-
utilization of the land resources
High
22
Improve long-term quality of the land
for human use, the prevention or
resolution of social conflicts related to
land use, and the conservation of
ecosystems of high biodiversity value
High
Monitoring of species of special
concern, especially tigers and
other charismatic species and
research on critical species
Better understanding of conservation
status of keystone species that will
allow timely interventions in the face of
threats
Moderate
Improved knowledge on behaviours of
fauna, particularly focused on human-
animal conflicts and opportunity to
develop human-animal co-existence
models
Moderate
Engagement of local
communities in ecosystem
management and community
stewardship
Opportunity to embody responsible
planning and management of natural
resources with community participation
and ownership
High
Improved status of ecosystems that can
sustain conservation needs and
livelihoods needs
High
Improvements in socio-
economic income
Opportunity to provide improvements to
basic infrastructure needs that contribute
towards social development
High
Improved and sustained livelihoods to
project beneficiaries that are acceptable
to the community, the well-being of the
environment and sustainability of
natural resources
Moderate/High
Inadequate attention to environmental
and social concerns related to
infrastructure development activities
Low/Moderate
Improved staff training and
capacity for conservation
Better management of protected areas High
Pilot rangeland (alpine meadow)
co-management with herders
Improved resource management High
Increased productivity for domestic
livestock re-seeding degraded natural
rangeland with native grass species and
developing improved pasture on
private/government lease land
High
Opportunity to pilot rotational grazing,
breed improvement, productive
development and value addition
High
Reduced impacts to the adjacent forest
areas
High
Adoption of sustainable co-
management of forests and
agricultural lands in non-core
wildlife habitats and engage
local communities as
conservation stewards
Improved and diversified agricultural
and forest products
High
Improved incomes to local communities
from collection and marketing of non-
timber forests products
High
Improved sustainable land management
practices through informed decisions
that will improve protection of critical
sub-watersheds and forest resources
High
Reduced impacts to the adjacent forest
areas
High
Regeneration of degenerated forest
lands outside of protected areas
High
Provide supplementary income Improved incomes to local communities High
23
from community-based
ecotourism and use of Non
Timber Forest Products
(NTFPs) with value addition
Over-harvesting of NTFPs Low
Increased visitation beyond the carrying
capacity of the PA
Low
Physical impacts caused by tourism-
related land clearing and construction,
continuing tourist activities and long-
term changes in local economies and
ecologies.
Low
Development of tourism facilities such
as accommodation, water supplies,
restaurants and recreation facilities can
involve sand mining, soil erosion and
extensive paving
Low
Habitat degradation with air and noise
pollution due to vehicles, solid waste
and littering, trampling, tourism leisure
activities, etc.
Moderate
Increased visitation putting pressure on
animal habits and behaviors
Moderate
Improper siting can lead to land
degradation and loss of wildlife habitats
and deterioration of scenery
Moderate
The following sub-sections identify the possible environmental and social impacts
that could arise due to project activities that are focused on community socio-
economic improvement in the project areas.
4.2.2 Impacts of Infrastructure works
Environmental concerns of the project are mainly related to the infrastructure works.
Wide variety of small rural infrastructure could be supported under the project;
including farmers managed irrigation schemes to improve agriculture, community
micro-infrastructure such as drinking water, footbridges, range offices and simple
storage facilities.
Potential environmental impacts of community infrastructures such small irrigation
schemes, fencing the grazing land, foot bridges, drinking water supply and simple
storage facility are expected to be low/ minimal. The construction of Park Range
office is also expected to be low adverse impact. The impacts will arise due to:
Improper siting of facilities
Transportation corrugated galvanized iron sheets, timber, and other building
material, which maybe locally extracted.
Extraction of raw material such as gravel, sand, etc. from PAs/GFRs and
degrading habitats
Inappropriate disposal of soil, debris, etc.
Poor site management during construction work
Noise pollution associated with construction work and the resultant disturbance to
wildlife
Removal plants of conservation value
Spread of invasive species from vehicles and material brought into the park from
outside
Burning of uprooted vegetation and spread of forest fires
24
4.2.3 Impacts of Improving Productive Assets of Existing Producer Groups
The productive activities under Improving Productive Assets of Existing Producer
Groups are likely to be environmentally benign as the support intends to help local
community to increase productivity through improved grazing management
approaches, high yield agricultural products with sustainability practices that will
improve the environmental conditions and reduce threats towards natural resources.
The project will be supporting Bhutan's environment-friendly agriculture policy, such
as organic farming as far as possible, selecting/promoting/improving local high yield
crop varieties, introducing sustainable land management practices, training and
support of well-tested and already ongoing livestock support package, better/more
efficient use of NTFPs and introducing sustainable harvesting methods, sustainable
land uses for grazing land, and locally developed and tested measures for protecting
crops from wild-life. Minor environmental concerns related to agricultural
productivity activities and project approach is summarized in table below.
Table 4: Environmental and social concerns related to agricultural productivity
activities
Improving Productive
Assets Activity
Potential
environmental concern
Project approach
Reclamation/restoration
of degraded pastureland
Potential of agro-
biodiversity (local
species) loss in the long-
run due to promotion of
higher yield or disease
resistant species.
The National Biodiversity Centre (NBC) has
an ongoing program for conservation of agro-
biodiversity and genetic resources (including
maintenance of gene bank).
Restoration of degraded
agricultural land - wheat
and barley, vegetables
(kitchen garden)
Potential of agro-
biodiversity (local
species) loss in the long-
run due to promotion of
higher yield or disease
resistant species.
Higher yield and/or disease resistant variety
would be selected from among the native
varieties. The NBC has an ongoing program
for conservation of agro-biodiversity and
genetic resources (including maintenance of
gene bank). Most species are already
conserved. Project will coordinate with NBC
as required.
Support Community
Forest Groups and
households for their
wood and NTFPs
production and value
addition activities.
Increased pressure on the
community forests or
private forest (lingshi to
ITMS)
This will emphasize improving current practice
in terms of higher efficiency and value-
addition and hence reducing the pressures and
likely to contribute positively. As owner
(Community Forest Group) is involved,
therefore community participation will be high
and only sustainable harvesting will be
promoted.
High yielding yaks,
jersey, brown swiss,
pigs, poultry
Pressure on grazing land
and nearby forests.
Improvement management practices will
reduce the pressure on grazing lands and
nearby forests.
Project would support well-tested productive
breeds, and training that takes into account of
the health and hygiene.
Wildlife management
practices (mitigation
measures for crop
damage by wildlife)
Adverse impacts on
wildlife and people and
their assets (injuries,
crop damage, etc.)
The project would support measures already
tested in Bhutan (developed by the Wengkhar
Research Centre and the National Post Harvest
Centre under the coordination of the National
Plant Protection Centre). This will help in
25
reducing human-wildlife conflicts. New
measures that will support human-wildlife co-
existence will be also promoted based on
scientific information.
4.2.4 Impacts on Natural Habitats
The entire project falls under protected areas which are homes to over 693 species of
vascular plants, 39 mammal species, and 250 bird species, 42 species of butterflies
recorded from the parks and their buffer zones. The mammal fauna includes several
iconic species such as the tiger (Panthera tigris), snow leopard (Uncia uncia), wolf
(Canis lupus), Bhutan takin (Budorcas taxicolor whitei), Himalayan black bear
(Ursus thibetanus), red panda (Ailurus fulgens) and other unidentified species etc. As
highlighted in the introduction of the chapter, the risks associated with
implementation of activities inside protected areas, which are areas of ecological
sensitivity and of high conservation value would be high requiring extra diligence. All
care should be taken to ensure project financed activities do not result in habitat loss
and degradation.
4.2.5 Impacts due to chemical pesticide use
The project would not support purchase of chemical pesticides. RGOB’s general
approach is to promote organic agriculture. Hence, the procurement, distribution and
use of pesticides in Bhutan are strictly controlled. The Plant Protection Centre, a
government agency under MOAF, is the only agency with authority to import,
distribute, and sell pesticides. Chemical pesticides are not-available freely in the
market. In the seed treatment (and RNR demonstration activities), pesticides are used
by qualified and trained persons following standard FAO guidelines. High risk
pesticides (including WHO Class Ia and Ib) are banned in Bhutan.
4.2.6 Impacts on physical cultural resources
Bhutan in general is rich in physical cultural resources. Cultural sites of different
types are found commonly in and around villages, settlements and along the travel
routes. Environmental screening and assessments should cover the possibility of any
impacts and should provide adequate measures to avoid and/or mitigate adverse
impacts on the physical cultural resources. Bhutan environmental law requires that
permit or No-Objection Certificate for any activity within protected areas or a cultural
site or sacred landscape. In addition, local bodies are empowered and mandated for
the protection of cultural properties including temples, monastic institution and their
religious treasures, stupas, sacred natural features, dwelling place for deities, etc.
4.3 Environmental Policy, Regulations and Institutions
4.3.1 RGOB’s Policies, Regulations and Guidelines
Bhutan has reasonably sound environmental policies and regulations. Bhutan’s
environmental policies, legislation, and regulations pertaining to environmental
assessment are relatively recent. The Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan requires
RGOB to: a) protect, conserve and improve the pristine environment and safeguard
26
the biodiversity of the country; (b) prevent pollution and ecological degradation; (c)
secure ecologically balanced sustainable development while promoting justifiable
economic and social development; and (d) ensure a safe and healthy environment; and
(e) to ensure that a minimum of sixty percent of Bhutan’s total land be maintained
under forest cover at all times. The country has made significant progress in specific
environmental management policy and regulation development as listed below (See
Annex 4 for details).
National Environment Protection Act 2007
National Forest Policy, 1974 and 2011
Land Act of Bhutan 2007
National Environmental Strategy 1999
Forest and Nature Conservation Act, 1995
Forest and Nature Conservation Rules, 2000
Environmental Assessment Act, 2000
Regulation for the Environmental Clearance of Projects, 2002
Regulation for Strategic Environmental Assessment, 2002
National Environmental Protection Act of Bhutan, 2007
Application for Environmental Clearance Guidelines
Environmental Codes of Practices16 (first published in 1999 and later revised
in 2003/04)
Pesticides Act of Bhutan, 2000
Biodiversity Act of Bhutan, 2003
The Water Act of Bhutan 2011
In addition to the above and in the context of decentralized environmental
management, the DT and GT Chathrims 2002 are important policy instruments as
they mandate the locally elected bodies to exercise authority and functions for a
number of activities related to environmental management.
Bhutan also has issued environmental quality standards related to ambient water
quality, industrial effluent discharge, ambient air quality, industrial emission,
sewerage effluent, workplace emission, vehicle emission, and noise level limits.
In case social safeguards the following Policies and Regulations of the Royal
Government of Bhutan is relevant:
The Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan: The mother of all legislations in the
country, the Constitution of Bhutan protects the people’s property rights where a
person shall not be deprived of property by acquisition or requisition, except for a
public purpose and on payment of fair compensation in accordance with the
provisions of the law.
The Land Act of Bhutan 2007: The primary legal instrument for land acquisition and
resettlement in Bhutan is the Land Act of Bhutan 2007, which was enacted by the
87th session of the National Assembly. The Land Act of Bhutan 2007 regulates and
administers the ownership and the use of land for socio-economic development and
environmental well being of the country. The Land Act of Bhutan 2007 came into
16
There are three ECoPs for Installation of Underground and Overhead Utilities, for storm Water
Drainage System, and for Tourism Activities.
27
force on 1 January, 2008, superseding the Land Act of Bhutan 1979. Under the Act,
an autonomous National Land Commission (NLC) is empowered to issue lag thram
(ownership certificate) and has the authority to register land or amend change in
thram. The NLC is empowered to acquire land, allot substitute land and approve
compensation.
Land Rules and Regulations (2007): To support the implementation of the Land Act
of Bhutan 2007, the NLC formulated Land Rules and Regulations which define the
institutional functions, procedural requirements and regulatory provisions for
management of national land records, land ownership entitlements and land rights,
land registration, land conveyance, land acquisition and compensation, land grants,
allotment of government land, and Government Reserve Forest land, cadastral survey,
documentation and mapping, land conversion, land lease, easement, and annulment of
land.
The Moveable cultural property act of Bhutan (2005): This Act is to conserve and
protect the Movable Cultural Property of Bhutan. In case there is concern that
Cultural Property owned by public Lhakhang has been lost, exchanged or sold, the
Department of Culture may conduct an investigation at any time. Further, The
caretakers shall conduct checks from time to time whether all Cultural Properties are
in place. Similarly people living near the Lhakhang shall render help when necessary
for safeguarding Cultural Properties.
The Religious Organizations Act of Bhutan (2007): This Act assists the other cultural
act in providing for registration and administration of the religious organizations to
protect and preserve the spiritual heritage of Bhutan.
4.3.1.1 Process of Environmental Assessment and Management
All development projects/ activities require acquiring environmental clearance (EC)
from National Environmental Commission Secretariat (NECS) or Competent
Authority (CA), unless an activity is exempted under the RECOP. Authority to issue
an EC, if a project proponent happens also to be a designated CA, defaults to NECS
for that particular activity.
EC application: The EC application needs to contain: a) No Objection Certificates
(NoCs), b) Environmental Information (EI). The EI need to include the following
information: i) potential adverse effects of the project on the environment, ii)
compliance plan to comply with relevant guidelines and codes of practice, iii) a plan
for avoiding, minimizing, or reducing impacts (management plan), and iv)
environmental and other benefits of the project.
Screening and assessment: CA checks the EI and NoCs, as part of environmental
screening. The screening may lead to one of three outcomes: (a) issuance of an EC;
(b) requirement for further study (Environmental Assessment - EA); or (c) rejection
of the application. Full EA is required if a development activity will take place in a
protected area.
Public Consultation: Consultation with affected communities is expected to take
place at two stages in the EA process: when the NoC is issued from the designated
28
agency and during the preparation of the EA. Only the directly affected agency or
people are consulted.
Compliance monitoring: The EC issuing agency is responsible for monitoring the
compliance. The holder of the EC is responsible for monitoring and keeping records
regularly. NECS and/or CA are mandated for annual compliance monitoring, which is
announced and pre-informed. They are also empowered for unannounced or spot-
checking. These are rarely practiced.
4.3.1.2 Protected Areas and Forests
The Forest and Nature Conservation Act (FNCA) and the Forest and Nature
Conservation Rules (FNCR) prohibit any construction, including motor roads,
buildings, fences, or any other physical structures inside a Protected Areas (PA),
except with written permission or authorization from the MoAF. In the core zone of
PA only activity necessary for achieving conservation objective are permitted. Certain
activities, such as felling trees, waste disposal, building structures, are strictly
controlled within the forests. Land clearance is not permitted (a) within 100 feet on
either side of the banks or edge of rivers, streams or watercourses, which are kept as
riparian reserve for conservation, and (b) land with greater than 45-degree slope.
4.3.1.3 Chemical Pesticides
Bhutan encourages the practices of organic agriculture. Hence chemical pesticides
procurement/import, distribution and use are well controlled through a centralized
system and are legally governed by The Pesticides Act of Bhutan (PAB), 2000. The
Act has been enacted with the purpose of, among other things, ensuring that
integrated pest management is pursued, limiting the use of pesticides as the last resort.
Integrated Pest Management guidelines are in place and are under implementation as
a part of the National Plant Protection Center’s regular program. PAB (Articles 4 to 6)
stipulates strict requirements for import, sale and use of pesticides. Banned and
permissible pesticide list has been included in Annex 5.
4.3.1.4 Physical Cultural Resources
Bhutan law has provisions for protection and conservation of physical cultural
resources. The RECOP (section 17) requires official clearance from the Ministry of
Home and Cultural Affairs for any project/ activity within 50 m distance of a cultural
site or sacred landscapes. The DT Chathrim 2002 mandates the DT to adopt and
enforce regulations for designation and protection of monuments of cultural and
historical importance in the Dzongkhag. The GT Chathrim 2002 mandates the GT to
administer, monitor and review Dzongkhag plan activities, including maintenance and
preservation of religious monuments that are not under the custody of monastic body
or central agencies.
4.3.2 WB Safeguards Policies Applicable to the Project
The Bank’s safeguard policies require that potentially adverse environmental impacts
and social impacts of Bank Group investment projects are identified, avoided or
minimized where feasible, and mitigated or monitored.
29
The safeguard policies provide a mechanism for integrating environmental and social
concerns into development decision-making. Most safeguard policies provide that: (a)
potentially adverse environmental impacts as well as specific social impacts should be
identified and assessed early in the project cycle; (b) unavoidable adverse impacts
should be minimized or mitigated to the extent feasible; and (c) timely information
should be provided to the stakeholders, who should have the opportunity to comment
on both the nature and significance of impacts and the proposed mitigation measures.
Safeguard policies that are relevant to this Project pertain to:
Environmental Assessment (OP/BP 4.01): This policy is applicable because the
proposed project intends to support physical activities that will have environmental
and social impacts. However, it is not anticipated that the Project will result in any
significant adverse and irreversible environmental and social impacts as described
under the section 4.2 above. Based on the initial analysis, the overall project will fall
under Category B.
This means that (a) all activities that fall under the prescribed categories stipulated in
the national laws of RGOB, environmental assessments will be done according to
local regulations particularly, Environmental Assessment Act, 2000 and Regulation
for the Environmental Clearance of Projects, 2002 and applicable World Bank
environmental safeguard; and (b) all other sub-projects that do not require screening
according to national regulations but where World Bank environmental safeguard
policies are applicable and/or having some level of environmental impacts will be
screened using appropriate methodology (as proposed in this framework), depending
on the nature and scale of potential impacts, and mitigated. The RGOB is responsible
for carrying out the Environmental and Social Screening, Environmental and Social
Assessment (ESA) and preparation of Environmental and Social Management Plans
(ESMPs) and for implementing the necessary safeguards.
According to Annex C of the World Bank OP 4.01 an Environmental Management
Plan (EMP) (or ESMP) is a recommended element of ESA reports for Category B
projects. The EMP should consists of a set of mitigation, management, monitoring,
and institutional measures to be taken during implementation and operation to
eliminate adverse environmental and social impacts, offset them, or reduce them to
acceptable levels. The plan should also include the actions needed to implement these
measures. In preparation of an EMP, the ESA consultant should:
(a) Identify the set of responses to potentially adverse impacts;
(b) Determine requirements for ensuring that those responses are made
effectively and in a timely manner
(c) Describe the means for meeting those requirements
This safeguard policy requires consultations at different stages. The BTFEC as the
key implementing agency of the project will need to consult people/groups likely to
be affected by the proposed project and other stakeholders such as local government
agencies, local NGOs about the project's environmental and social aspects and takes
their views into account. The Environmental and Social Assessment and Management
Framework (ESAMF) as the environmental and social safeguards document of this
project needs to be disclosed at a public place accessible to project-affected groups
30
and local NGOs and in a form and language understandable to key stakeholders.
Within this context, as part of the project preparation activities, consultations have
been held with project beneficiaries and stakeholders and their views and concerns
have been taken into account in finalizing this document. The ESAMF will be
disclosed to public.
Natural Habitats (OP/BP 4.04). Some of the project activities under the proposed
project may have impacts on the known natural habitat such as protected area and
their buffer zones, on areas proposed for protection/conservation, and/or on areas of
known high conservation value. The policy prohibits World Bank support for
projects, which would lead to the significant loss or degradation of any critical natural
habitats. Overall, the project promotes the improvement of conservation efforts of
three protected areas and therefore activities that are proposed under the project are to
ensure positive impacts to natural habitsts. There 10 Dzongkhags in the project area
that touches protected areas or buffer zones. Negative list (non-eligibility for project
support) ensures that activities are not located in or dependent on resources from
critical natural habitats, as well as would not lead to significant loss or degradation of
habitats.
Pest management (OP/BP 4.09): Improved irrigation and agriculture productivity
enhancing activities may induce pesticide use in limited amounts, and some
demonstration activities at Dzongkhag RNR centres, such as seed protection which
may involve use of pesticides. However, project will not directly support procurement
of pesticides and will prepare a Pest Management Plan, based on the principles of
OP/BP 4.09 and PAB 2000 of RGOB once the activities are more specified.
Forestry (OP/BP 4.36): Some of the infrastructure to be supported under the proposed
project may be located in the community or government forest area, which means
possibility of minor removal of trees and hence impacts on the forests. Hence this
policy is applicable. The project will make arrangements to ensure removal of trees is
minimized and a compensatory plan including reforestation and/or afforestation will
be prepared and implemented.
Physical Cultural Resources (OP/BP 4.11): It is possible that the small-scale
community infrastructure under the proposed project are located close to religious,
cultural, historical, and archeological sites, or sites of aesthetic or natural landscape
value. This policy is applicable when any project or project/ activity involve
significant scale excavation, earth moving, flooding, and any project in or near PCR
site. Once the activities are screened and if negative impacts to physical cultural
resources are identified, either alternate site will be explored or appropriate mitigation
measures that will protect the resource will be put in place before any activity
commences.
The policy requires that for materials that may be discovered during project
implementation (“chance finds”) there be provision for “chance find” procedures in
the context of the PCR management plan or PCR component of the EMP. Bhutan’s
legislation does not address the issue of “chance finds.” Cultural heritage appear to
restrict its treatment to the pre-implementation phase and to known sites or those
discovered during the EA process, and do not make any provisions for unanticipated
discoveries of PCR during project implementation.
31
Operational Policy 4.12 on Involuntary Resettlement. The proposed project will not
permit any involuntary resettlement and involuntary land acquisition. Even though
involuntary land acquisition and resettlement of individuals and/or families will not
take place due to project activities, co-management activities, ecosystem restoration
and improved land use and conservation planning are likely to affect land use patterns
of the communities. This will have an impact on their livelihoods. As RGOB
procedures on land acquisition and resettlement has not been assessed to be
equivalent to the World Bank’s operational policy on involuntary resettlement, OP
4.12 will be triggered, and a Resettlement Policy Framework (as part of the
Framework of this project) establishes the process by which members of potentially
affected communities will be consulted and participate in design of project activities
and provide mitigatory/compensation measures as well as restoration of socio-
economics for those affected that are acceptable to the communities. This resettlement
policy framework will outline the policy, measures for restoration of livelihoods,
compensation and other assistance measures for affected persons, as well as required
institutional arrangements. An entitlement matrix will be prepared that will act as a
guide to compensation and assistance to those persons affected as well as propose a
grievance redressal mechanism.
4.3.3 Institutions and environmental and social management capacity
4.3.3.1 Implementing Agencies
Overall project will be managed by the BTFEC. In addition, the following agencies
will be involved in the implementation of the project.
Ministry of Agriculture and Forests (MOAF). The National Park Management
(NPM) is constituted under the MOAF, consisting of the full-time dedicated Park
Manager and part-time Component Coordinators responsible for central coordination
and execution, oversight, technical support and guidance. The NPM will be
responsible for the overall project coordination and management, as well as financial
management, environmental and social and procurement oversight, monitoring and
evaluation of grants received by MOAF. The NPM will be supported by technical
contract staff for engineering design, geotechnical assessments community
mobilization, and other specialties including ensuring environmental and social
safeguards, as relevant.
Dzongkhag Administration: Dzongkhag Tshogdu (DT), as the dzonghkag’s elected
body will be responsible, in particular for implementation of some of the activities
under the component 2.
The Dzongkhag Tshogde (GT) will be the implementing entity with the Gup as the
chief executive.
Community/ Users. Implementation responsibility for community micro-
infrastructures works rests with the Dzongkhag Tshogde (GT), Gup Administrative
Officer, Park Managers and Dzongkhag RNR staff.
32
4.3.3.2 Social and Environmental roles of relevant agencies and their capacity
Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation (BTFEC): The BTFEC’s current
capacity to ensure environmental and social sustainability of its investments is weak.
However, as part of operational improvement of the institute and its grant making,
capacity to manage environmental and social sustainability will be incorporated as
part of financing including initial external technical support to continue grant making
while internal capacity is developed. While it may not be practical to ensure dedicated
staff at local level implementing entities such as Dzongkhag Administration,
communities, etc. BTFEC’s dedicated staff for environment and social safeguard will
ensure due diligence including local level awareness creation and training of
individual at sites to assist in guiding the implementation and monitoring as part of
grant program.
National Environmental Commission Secretariat (NECS): Overall responsibility of
the enforcing environmental assessment and management in the country lies with the
NECS. However, various functions and responsibilities have been delegated to
sectoral ministries and district authority. The NECS may not be directly involved in
the environmental management of the proposed project given small scale activities
envisaged, except in new farm roads. A negative list has identified even small scale
works that are environmentally sensitive that need to be avoided, and delegation of
authority for other cases. However, NECS may play a role in issuing environmental
clearance for new farm roads, monitoring, and providing guidance when needed.
Ministry of Agriculture and Forest (MOAF). MOAF is competent authority for certain
type of project activities which is referred in Annex 2 of RECOP. The list of activities
is included in Annex 6. As such it is responsible for issuing environmental clearances
to those activities, and also carrying out periodic environmental compliance
monitoring. Environmental Act and Regulations requires an Environmental Unit in
the sectoral ministries. However, MOAF is yet to form such unit. There is no
environmental staff at the MOAF at present.
Ministry of Cultural and Home Affairs (MOCHA): MOCHA will responsible in
implementing all land compensation or resettlement issues that involves local
communities.
District Environmental Committee (DEC). District Environmental Committee (DEC)
consists of Dzongkhag planning officer, Dzongkhag forest officer, Dzongkhag land
record officer, Dzongkhag agriculture officer, Dzongkhag environmental officer, and
Dzongkhag engineer. District Environmental Officer is a NECS cadre deputed to
district. DEC is responsible for issuing Environmental Clearance to the project/
activity mandated to the committee and for periodic compliance of the project to
which EC has been issued. As part of its regular activities, NECS has given general
orientation to DEOs before sending them to districts. These orientations focus mainly
on Bhutan's environmental requirements.
Park Managers: The local Park Mangers will be responsible in managing and
implementation of the program with the help of the local communities. The Park
Managers will ensure that all environmental and social requirements are fulfilled
33
based on approvals from the relevant organizations such as Department of Culture,
NECS, MOAF, etc.
4.3.3.3 Adequacy of environmental and social management by RGOB
The composite RGOB environmental clearance processes, in principle, are consistent
with World Bank environmental and public disclosure requirements. However, all
activities with an impact on the environment under the proposed project will be
subjected to some form of an environmental and social analysis, prior to disbursement
of funds. The extent of the analyses will depend on a given activity; the site selected
and will be based on the screening process.
The RGOB’s Environmental Assessment Act, 2000 and Regulation for the
Environmental Clearance of Projects, 2002 will ensure if project activities are likely
impact the environment in a negative manner, necessary mitigation measures are in
place. Also, Forest and Nature Conservation Act, 1995, Forest and Nature
Conservation Rules, 2006, Forest Policy, 1974 and 1979 and Biodiversity Act, 2003
of Bhutan makes it mandatory to address issues in natural habitats and therefore OP
4.04 will be complied with during project implementation.
The RGOB confirms that due to project activities communities living in forests and
natural habitats will not be displaced or any land conversion activities will be
promoted unless in agreement with affected communities. Furthermore, restrictions of
access to forests will not be imposed by the project. The Forest and Nature
Conservation Act, 1995 and Forest, Nature Conservation Rules, 2006 and Forest
Policy, as well as the Land Act, 2007 will ensure that any impact to the land is
managed within these regulations.
Although there is no legislation specifically tailored for minor ethnic groups or
vulnerable groups, the country’s development philosophy is based on all-inclusive,
nondiscriminatory development, which is gaining further ground with the growing
impetus on decentralization. The national decentralization policy is geared towards
enhancing local governance and promoting broad-based participation at the local
community level. While geogs are officially considered the smallest unit for planning
and administration of development programmes, local activities and priorities
emanate from the chiog level. Each chiog is represented in the GYT by its tshogpa.
The tshogpa convenes chiog meetings to discuss and draw consensus on local
activities and priorities before submitting them to the GYT. Such meetings are
required to be attended by a member from each household in the chiog, irrespective of
social or economic standing.
In conclusion, the RGOB’s clearance procedure is adequate and fairly reliable for the
context of this project. The BTFEC will also include environmental and social
sustainability and management requirements as part of the improvements that will be
made for its Operations Manual. The World Bank will review safeguards
documentation, as appropriately used, prepared under the project and provide
necessary concurrence for the approval of disbursements of funds. Any activity
defined in this framework, which does not fall within the RGOB safeguards
requirements will need to develop appropriate environmental analyses and planning
34
and will be reviewed by World Bank and provide necessary concurrence for the
approval of disbursements of funds.
35
Chapter 5 – Social and Environmental Management Framework
The Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) outlines the
framework for planning, implementation and monitoring of environmental and social
management measures required to ensure that potential adverse environmental and
social impacts from the project activities are eliminated, offset, or reduced to an
acceptable level. At the same time, it is expected that the ESMF will help the project
enhance environmental and social benefits from the project interventions. The ESMF
has been built on relevant existing national policies, legislations, regulations and
guidelines and on WB safeguard policy requirements. Adequate level of screening is
expected as part of the proposals to the grant facility of BTFEC.
Interventions proposed under this project are expected to be small and cause minimal
negative social impacts. Land acquisition and resettlement are unlikely and
discouraged under the project. However, as a precautionary measure, measures will
be taken to address unavoidable impacts that may arise from: (i) loss of structures; (ii)
loss of livelihood systems/income opportunity (due to the loss of productive land or
impact to a structure where a livelihood activity is being carried out, regardless of the
legal status of ownership); and (iii) loss of community property resources (religious
structures, grazing land). The framework guides the compensation for lost assets,
livelihoods, community property, and resettlement and rehabilitation of project
affected people. However, as RGOB guidelines and legislation for these
circumstances has not been assessed to be equivalent to the World Bank’s operational
policy on involuntary resettlement, OP 4.12 will be followed. Stakeholder
consultations and social screening during the feasibility stage of each activity will
identify and categorize the level of impacts.
5.1 Negative List of Activities
Environmental and social approach proposed is to emphasize early consideration of
environmental and social risks and factors, avoidance of higher risks, and value-
addition to the projects by timely environmental and social inputs and long-term
sustainability of interventions. Hence, environmental and social steps and processes/
procedures are closely linked with overall grant making of the BTFEC and project
steps, processes and procedures. The approach is based largely on the Bhutan
environmental legislation, requirements, processes and procedures with some
improvement based on practical experiences and considering World Bank policies.
Any activity that falls within the negative list below will not be included under the
project for funding. However, if such activities will be supported through the overall
BTFEC’s grant program, it is expected that such activities will adhere to the RGOB’s
policies, regulations and guidelines related to environmental and social safeguards
management.
Any project/ activity located in the protected area or area proposed for
protection or area of known high conservation value or nearby an area, which
is known to be a critical wildlife habitat (irrespective of whether or not inside
a protected area). Critical wildlife habitats would essentially include habitats
of globally threatened species as per the red list prepared by the IUCN and
36
those that are listed as totally protected species in the FNCR, OR project/
activity that depend on resources from those areas.
Any project/ activity in areas where land slope is more than 45 degree and/ or
known high landslide/ erosion risk area.
Any project/ activity that leads to construction of dam / water retaining or
diversion structure that is 10 m or more in height, raising of an existing dam
height or if it presents with a special design complexity or pose significant
disaster risks if it breaks (e.g. downstream settlements, resources, etc. and in
zone of high seismicity, landslides or flood, including Glacial Lake Outburst
Flood (GLOF) areas.
Any project / activity that will require full Environmental Assessment by the
Bhutan Environmental Assessment Act and Regulation
Any activity that involves cutting of trees or land clearance within 100 feet on
either side of the banks or edge of the rivers, streams, water courses or water
sources kept as riparian reserve for conservation
Any project/ activity that will lead to purchase/ use of pesticides that fall in
WHO Class Ia and Ib, and Class II or pesticides that are banned by RGoB
(Annex 5 of banned pesticide in Bhutan)
Any activity that may adversely impact nationally and/or internationally
renowned/ listed cultural site (within 50 m of its premise).
Any activity that resettles or impact livelihood of 50 number of families
5.2 Environmental and Social Safeguards Processing Steps
Implementation will follow the following steps closely linking with activity planning,
design and implementation steps.
Step 1: Preliminary Environmental Information and Analysis
Step 2: Environmental and Social Screening and Assessment
Step 3: Environmental and Social Recommendation and Preparation of Project DPR
Step 4: Environmental Clearance and social clearances
Step 5: Social Management Plan
Step 5: Site-Environmental Management Plan
Step 6: Compliance and Final Monitoring
The project/grant program steps and environmental and social steps are linked as
described in the table below.
37
Table 5: Project/grant program steps and environmental and social processing steps
Project/grant program
step
Environmental Step Social Step Remarks
Pre-feasibility and/or
feasibility study (after
Dzongkhag/Park
Management selects the
concept for further
consideration)
Collection of preliminary
environmental information
together with sub project
pre-feasibility or
feasibility field
investigation. (by DEC)
Collect religious
monuments and structure
information (Park
Managers)
Obtain relevant NoCs.
Preliminary analysis of
project's environmental
risks and identification of
probable mitigation /
recommendations.
Community involvement
while developing the
project(s).
Collection of household
information, number of
families and land holding
(Park Managers)
Land ownership certification
(Dzongkhag Land Record)
Identify households without
ownership certificate issued
by RGOB
Pre-feasibility and/or
Feasibility Report
contains
environmental section
in which
environmental
situation of project
site/ immediate
surroundings, potential
risks to the project,
and probable
mitigations will be
described. Report
contains NoCs also.
Selection of sub project
pre-feasibility or
feasibility report for
preparing Project Report
or detailed project report
(DPR)
Review the environmental
information provided in
the pre-feasibility or
feasibility report, and
carry out Initial
Environmental Screening.
Prepare environmental
checklist based on the
preliminary information
and make the decision on
the need for a detailed
Environmental
Assessment
Stakeholders includes
Dzongkhag and RNR
officials, communities and
gewog official, meeting and
consultative meeting to be
conducted by Gup and Park
Managers
Review of land holdings,
census, property, livestock
information in consultation
with the Gewog
Administrative Officer, Gup,
Tshogpa and National Park
management unit.
Prepare social checklist based
on the preliminary
information and make the
decision on the need for a
detailed Social Assessment
Initial Environmental
screening will check:
i) if the project is
eligible, ii) if the
project is exempted by
Bhutan environmental
laws from further
environmental
investigation, and iii)
who is the Competent
Authority for
reviewing and issuing
environmental
clearance.
Checklists format will
be prepared by
BTFEC and filled out
by the independent
consultant
Preparation of project
DPR by Park
Management on behalf of
the community or the
Park.
National Park
Management also prepares
EI as required by Bhutan
law (if not exempted).
NoCs are checked and if
needed additional NoCs
obtained.
National Park Management
will prepare the Social
Impact studies.
NoCs has to be obtain from
the community by the NPM
Compensation issues should
be resolved in consultation
with the community and the
gewog administration by
NPM
Substitute lost lands or cash
compensation as per the Land
Act of Bhutan 2007.
Resettlement allowance in
cash equivalent to the
difference between
compensation as per the Land
Act of Bhutan 2007 and full
replacement value as per
current values in the same
vicinity, plus value of all land
EI needs to be
prepared before DPR
preparation so that
environmental inputs
go into DPR.
EI and/or DPR also
contain all NoCs.
If there are impacts on
community land or
community livelihood
activities, an
additional report will
be prepared to
document the details
of proposed
compensations with
agreements from the
affected households
38
transaction fees and charges.
Allotment of replacement
land for families who become
landless including households
without land ownership
certificate after acquisition as
per provisions of the Land
Act of Bhutan 2007 and/or as
required by the World Bank
Involuntary Resettlement
policy.
If there are livelihood
impacts, provision of
compensation for the lost
livelihood based on market
prices and compensation to
commence livelihood
activities in an alternative
location and/or
compensation to start an
alternative livelihood as
required by the World Bank
Involuntary Resettlement
policy
Conduct detailed
Environmental
Assessment if needed
Conduct detailed Social
Assessment if needed
Detailed assessments
will be carried out
with the services of a
consultant
Incorporation of
environmental
recommendation into
project plan & design,
bids, contract/ MoU
(supported and ensured by
NPM)
Prior to finalization of
DPR including bid
documents or MoU.
Approval of DPR by
NEC/MOAF
Obtain EC, if not
exempted
Obtain all social related
clearance from the
community and gewog
administration
Prior to DPR approval
Approval of DPR by the
World Bank
Obtain clearance from the
World Bank
Obtain clearance from the
World Bank
Prior to final DPR
approval
Acquiring of land - Consultation meetings with
the local community who are
being affected
Provision of replacements,
allowances and
compensations identified
during the pre-
feasibility/feasibility
Document the process and
details of replacements,
allowances and
compensations provided as a
Resettlement Action Plan
(RAP)
This step is only
applicable if
community land will
be acquired or
livelihood impacts are
present due to project
activity
This step should be
completed before the
bidding process
commences
Preparation of
Environment and Social
Management Plans
Project proponent
prepares Site-
Environmental
Management Plan
Project proponent prepares
site social management plan
(only necessary if the RAP
has not been fully
implemented prior to bidding
process)
Cleared by the
Safeguard staff of the
BTFEC
39
Bidding and awarding
contract or signing MoU
Inclusion of
environmental
requirements to the bid
document
Brief prospecting
contractors/ implementer
on environmental
requirements
Inclusion of social
requirements to the bid
document
Brief prospecting contractors/
implementer on social
requirements
Prior to bidding
Post finalizing of MoU
Construction
mobilization order
Contractor ensures the
environmental
specifications, including
the site-specific
Environmental
Management Plan are
implemented
Contractor ensures the social
specifications, including the
site-specific Social
Management Plan are
implemented
Site-in-charge will
monitor the site-
EMP/SMP and clears
the construction plan if
EMP/SMP
implementation is
satisfactory
Supervision, and
monitoring
DEC and/or MOAF (by
itself or engaging private/
NGO) carry out
compliance monitoring
every three month (to each
EC required projects and
sample of EC not required
project)
Gewog administration Monitoring report is
shared with
Dzongkhag and NPM,
who will instruct site-
in-charge and
implementers for
necessary actions.
NPM and Dzongkhag
follow up on
implementation.
5.2.1 Preliminary Environmental Information and Analysis
The project and the overall grant program follow a demand-driven approach. Initial
concept of the project comes from the community or park management, usually
verbally, and pass through deliberations and scrutiny, first by respective Gewog, and
then by Dzongkhag. Once selected by Dzongkhag for further considerations, viability
in the form of pre-feasibility and/or feasibility study is carried by a Dzongkhag team
(which may consist of Dzongkhag sectoral staffs including engineer, forest officer,
environmental officer, agriculture officer, planning officer, etc).
During the pre-feasibility and feasibility field investigation, the Dzongkhag team will
check environmental risks by collecting environmental information of the project site
and its surroundings: a checklist has been prepared to help in this process (Annex 7.)
The team will observe the sites, make simple measurements and also discuss with the
local people and stakeholders. The team will analyze the environmental risks, and
identify possible measures for avoidance, minimization, or mitigation of the risks/
impacts. These will be shared with the technical members of the team for
consideration while detailing the project plans and designs. The pre-feasibility or
feasibility report will contain environmental and social chapter summarizing the
findings and recommendations.
The initial analysis of project-supported activities and proposed mitigation measures
are given in the table below:
40
Table 6: The initial analysis of project-supported activities and proposed mitigation measures
Expected
Outputs
Activities Environmental Impacts Social Impacts Mitigation Measures Timeframe Responsible
Institutes
Supporting
Agencies
Component 2: Improved Conservation management of the high altitude northern areas landscape (consisting of areas and associated alpine meadows, forest and agricultural ecosystem
At least 3
protected
areas covering
over
1,000,000
hectares under
improved
management
and protection
Review and update
of existing
management plans
for protected areas
• Better management of
protected areas
• Improved/ maintained
conservation status of
key biodiversity
• If there is increase in
faunal species, there is
likely to be
(a) domestic cattle and
wildlife conflict
which would
impact the socio-
economic of the
local community
(b) increased crop
depredation from
wild herbivores
and ungulates
o Develop and conduct a baseline
study of the existing
environment and its ecosystem
o Conduct socio-economic study
to understand the loss of
domestic cattle, agricultural
crops and its impacts
o Develop a combined
sustainable livelihood
management plan consistent
with the 3 park management
that already exists
Planning and
implementing
stages
JDNP, WCP
and BWS
Wildlife
Conservation
Division, Gewog
RNR staff, RDCs
and UWICE,
Department of
Forests
Zoning and
enforcement of
land-use regulations
• Land use information in
place that can be used
to develop solutions for
natural resource
management issues
• Reduced land
degradation
• The conservation of
ecosystems of high
biodiversity value
• Changes in land-use by
communities that may
have livelihood impacts
• loss of property and
affecting income
generation means • Opportunity to develop
financial or legal
incentives that can lead
to proper land use
decisions, or eliminate
one-sided central
planning leading to
over-utilization of the
land resources
• Improve long-term
quality of the land for
human use, and the
prevention or resolution
of social conflicts
related to land use
o Ensure zoning is carried out
taking the current land-use
practices by the communities
into consideration and any
changes to be done with full
agreement of the communities
o Substitute lost lands or cash
compensation as per the Land
Act of Bhutan 2007.
o Resettlement allowance in cash
equivalent to the difference
between compensation as per
the Land Act of Bhutan 2007
and full replacement value as
per current values in the same
vicinity, plus value of all land
transaction fees and charges.
o Allotment of replacement land
for families who become
landless after acquisition as per
provisions of the Land Act of
Planning and
implementing
stages
JDNP, WCP
and BWS
Wildlife
Conservation
Division, Gewog
RNR staff, RDCs
and UWICE,
Department of
Forests
41
Bhutan 2007
Improved staff
training and
capacity for
conservation
• Better management of
protected areas
• - - Planning and
implementing
stages
JDNP, WCP
and BWS
Wildlife
Conservation
Division, Gewog
RNR staff, RDCs
and UWICE,
Department of
Forests
Population of
selected key
species stable
or increasing
Monitoring of
species of special
concern, especially
tigers and other
charismatic species
and research on
critical species
• Increased incidences of
wild animal hunting and
poisoning due to
increased livestock and
crop depredation
• Might disturb the
ecological balance due
to increase of key stone
species
• Better understanding of
conservation status of
keystone species that
will allow timely
interventions in the face
of threats
• Possibility of increased
incidences of human-
wild life conflict
• Might restrict the
developmental activities
for the farmers
o Conduct baseline study to
understand human wildlife
conflict situation within 3
protected areas to improve
knowledge on behaviours of
fauna, particularly focused on
human-animal conflict
o Develop human-animal co-
existence models
o Initiate the livestock and crop
insurance scheme on pilot basis
Planning stage JDNP, WCP
and BWS
Wildlife
Conservation
Division, Gewog
RNR staff, RDCs
and UWICE,
Department of
Forests and Park
Services
Engagement of local
communities in
ecosystem
management and
community
stewardship
• Improved status of
ecosystems that can
sustain conservation
needs and livelihoods
needs
• Opportunity to embody
responsible planning
and management
of natural resources with
community participation
and ownership
o Joint management planning and
implementation
Planning and
implementing
stages
JDNP, WCP
and BWS
Wildlife
Conservation
Division, Gewog
RNR staff, RDCs
and UWICE,
Department of
Forests
Improvement
of income
level and
well-being of
beneficiary
communities
Basic infrastructure
needs that
contribute towards
social development
• Inadequate attention to
environmental concerns
related to infrastructure
development activities
• Inadequate attention to
social concerns related
to infrastructure
development activities
o Incorporate use of code of
practices and environment,
health and safety guidelines
Planning and
implementing
stages
At least 2,500
hectares of
alpine
Pilot rangeland
(alpine meadow) co-
management with
• Positive environmental
impact to the
nearby/adjacent forest
• There is likely to be
positive impact to the
socio-economic benefit
o Demarcate and designate
proper area to develop grazing
land
Planning and
implementing
stages
Gewog
Administratio
n, Park Office
Gewog Livestock
Extension Agent,
Dzongkhag
42
meadows
brought under
sustainable
grazing
management
practice and
reduced
impact on
adjacent
forests
herders due to less or non-
grazing in the forest
land
• May induce use of
fertilizer, pesticides by
the local communities
• May increase use of
exotic grass or fodder
species
• Possible forest to
adjacent forest when
burning the shrubs for
next season as local
practices
• May induce land
degradation as mono
culture will be practiced
• In some cases there may
be increased
encroachment of forest
land due to success of
sustainable grazing
practices
• May lead to
unproductive forest
coverage due to
disturbance of natural
ecosystem
• Destruction of natural
habitat due to cutting of
slow growing trees for
more alpine meadow
grasslands for grazing
• Production of FYM may
demand farmers to keep
large numbers of cattle
thereby contributing to
overgrazing
to the community due to
increased productivity
• There is likely to be
increase in community
yak grazing and
improve the feed system
for better yield of dairy
products
o Avoid introduction of exotic
grass seeds
o Avoid meadow burning during
dry and windy seasons
o Use of pesticides, fertilizers
should be not be permitted as
per protected area guidelines
and rules and regulations
o Introduce and employ proper
collection, storage, and
dispersal methods for FYM so
that there is negligible waste
and increased production of
FYM per cattle
and local
community
Livestock Officer,
Livestock Health
Division, BHU,
Public Health
Division (DoH)
At least 2,500 Adoption of • Introduction of • Erosion of local o Exclude from the project any Planning and Local Gewog Agriculture
43
hectares of
vulnerable
agricultural
land under
sustainable
community
land
management
practice and
reduced
impact on
adjacent
sustainable co-
management of
forests and
agricultural lands in
non-core wildlife
habitats and engage
local communities
as conservation
stewards
vegetables may
sometimes involve
introduction of exotic
species therefore
disturbances to natural
local ecosystem
• Mono-cultural
agricultural can bring
degradation of land/soil
fertility and less
resistance to pest and
diseases
• Use of pesticides,
fertilizer and herbicides
in the high altitudes
could have negative
impact
• Induce the use of exotic
and genetically
modified agricultural
seeds
• Improved sustainable
land management
practices through
informed decisions that
will improve protection
of critical sub-
watersheds and forest
resources
• Reduced impacts to the
adjacent forest areas
communities value,
customs and practices
due introduction of new
and possibly permanent
agricultural practices as
the local communities
have always been
nomadic culture
• Improved and
diversified agricultural
and forest products
•
pesticides that are classified as
class I,IIa, and IIb by WHO
o Develop Pest Management
Plans to manage the use of
pesticides within ecologically
acceptable levels, as well as
within health and safety
standards
o Apply chemical pesticides at
low limits and encourage
farmers at lower altitude to use
bio-digester as developed and
tested by National Organic
Programme - Encourage the
farmers to use the seeds
provided by druk seed
corporation and agriculture
extension agents
o Promote worm composting or
vermiculture with specific skill
development through farmers
training
o Promote regeneration of
degenerated forest lands outside
of protected areas
operation stage community,
Gewog
Administratio
n, Park Office
Extension Agent,
Dzongkhag
Agriculture Officer,
NPPC, RDC, Druk
Seed Corporation
At least
100,000
hectares of
forest lands
under
sustainable
management
(reduced
Provide
supplementary
income from
community-based
ecotourism and use
of Non Timber
Forest Products
(NTFPs) with value
• Indiscriminate
unsustainable harvesting
of cordyceps and other
medicinal species,
degradation of fragile
alpine ecosystem, and
destruction of alpine
slow growing alpine
• Increased income
• Disruption of
community relationship
within different gewogs
as a result of unclear
gewog boundaries
• Out migration of people
from community due to
o Development of sustainable
harvesting management plan
based on scientific information,
development and
implementation of field friendly
policy and regulation,
enforcing people to use
alternative energy sources such
Operation
stage
Local
community,
Gewog
Administratio
n, Park Office
Gewog Forestry
Extension Agent,
Research
Development
Centers (RDCs),
Dzongkhag Forestry
Officer, Social
Forestry Division,
44
pressures) and
providing
supplementary
income from
ecotourism
and use of
NTFPs
addition vegetation for fuelwood
• Increased visitation
beyond the carrying
capacity of the PA and
putting pressure on
animal habits and
behaviors
• Improper siting can lead
to land degradation and
loss of wildlife habitats
and deterioration of
scenery
• Development of tourism
facilities such as
accommodation, water
supplies, restaurants and
recreation facilities can
involve sand mining,
soil erosion and
extensive paving
• Habitat degradation
with air and noise
pollution due to
vehicles, solid waste
and littering, trampling,
tourism leisure
activities, etc.
increased income
• Improved incomes to
local communities
• Physical impacts caused
by tourism-related land
clearing and
construction, continuing
tourist activities and
long-term changes in
local economies and
ecologies
as solar and kerosene by
cordyceps collectors
o Immediate gewog boundary
demarcation carried out and
accordingly informing the
gewog administration and local
community
o - Improve and develop basic
amenities in the villages to
retain local rural communities
Territorial Forestry
Division, Policy
and Planning
Division (MoAF),
Land Commission
Secretariat,
Dzongkhag Land
Record Officer,
Dzongkhag Yargay
Tsogdu (DYT)
• Excessive harvesting of
medicinal plants and
other NTFPs leading to
extinction
• Loss of future income
from extinction due to
overharvesting
o Conduct detail ecological study
on the distribution and its
availability, parts used and their
status in IUCN red list, based
on scientifically written
management plan
Planning and
operation stage
Gewog
Adminsitartio
n, Local
Community
and Park
Office
Gewog Forestry
Extension Agent,
Research
Development
Centers (RDCs),
Dzongkhag Forestry
Officer, Social
Forestry Division,
Territorial Forestry
Division,
Indigenous
Traditional
45
Medicinal Services
• Destruction of
vegetation through
cutting of slow growing
trees for firewood from
promotion ecotourism
activity
• Erosion of delicate
vegetation through use
of yaks and horses for
transportation
• Erosion of Bhutanese
culture and value
systems in the rural
areas
• Conflict of community
over grazing land
o Strict adherence to the
regulation passed by TAB for
the use of firewood by trekkers
and increasing use of LPG or
kerosene by tour operators
o Encouraging and supporting the
farmers residing along the
trekking route to develop home
stay facilities with minimum
tourist guesthouse standards
Planning and
operation stage
Local
community,
Gewog
Administratio
n, Park Office
Tourism council of
Bhutan, Dzongkhag
Engineering
Division, Nature,
Recreation and
Ecotourism
Division (DoFPS),
Department of
Forest and Park
Services
• Indiscriminate disposal
of non-biodegradable
waste along the tourist
trails
• Erosion of Bhutanese
culture and value
systems in the rural
areas
o Increased auditing of non-
biodegradable waste at the
entry and exit trekking point by
park officials and promotion of
livestock and vegetable
products by farmers and
organizing increased frequency
of cleaning campaign by TCB
Increased awareness education
to the rural community on the
importance of preserving native
culture for future sustainability
of tourism in the areas and
development and
implementation of stringent
code of ethics to be followed by
the visiting tourists /guests
o Improved waste management
system
Planning and
operation stage
Local
community,
Gewog
Administratio
n, Park
Office,
Tourism
Authority of
Bhutan
NRED (DoFPS),
NEC, Department
of Culture
(MoHCA)
Tourism Council of
Bhutan
• Degeneration of forests
as a result of harvesting
of billets for mushroom
spawning
• - o Promote mushroom varieties
that do not need billets for
spawning
o Plan and employ appropriate
silvicultural techniques, e.g
coppicing for harvesting billets
Planning and
operation stage
Gewog
Adminsitartio
n, Local
Community
and Park
Office
Gewog Forestry
Extension Agent,
Research
Development
Centers (RDCs),
Dzongkhag Forestry
46
o - Develop marketing strategy to
improve the market access
Officer, Social
Forestry Division,
Territorial Forestry
Division, National
Mushroom Centre
Component 3: Mainstreamed conservation and sustainable forest and natural resources management approaches (developed under component 2) into national policies, strategies and
plans and replication of such approaches elsewhere in Bhutan
Procedures
and guidelines
for
establishing
sustainable
resources
management
development
and
documented
for at least 5
natural types
(e.g. grazing,
forestry,
protected
areas, water
and land
management)
Development of
guidelines for
establishing
sustainable
resources
management
• Better management of
natural resources
• Inadequste community
consultation in the
development of
guidelines that reduces
ownership, impacts to
the soci-economic well-
being of people
o The social issues should be
consulted
o Extensive issue should be
covered which involves, land
holdings, socio-economic
o Inventories and qualitative
traditional knowledge should be
recorded to avoid any social
conflict
o Loss of property and income
generation
o Procedures and guidelines
should focus on climate change
issues, socio-economic of the
local communities living within
the parks
o Inventories of 5 natural types of
landscapes such as grazing
area, type of forestry, water and
land management should be
made to avoid future
interventions
o Capacity building of the local
communities through training
o Substitute lost lands or cash
compensation as per the Land
Act of Bhutan 2007.
o Resettlement allowance in cash
equivalent to the difference
between compensation as per
the Land Act of Bhutan 2007.
and full replacement value as
Initial stage till
the end of the
program
Department
of forest,
Wildlife
Conservation
Division, Park
Management
Units,
Gewogs and
Dzongkhag
representative
s
National
Environment
Commission
Secretariat,
Research
Development
Centers (RDCs),
Dzongkhag Forestry
Officer, Social
Forestry Division,
Territorial Forestry
Division BTFEC,
donor agencies
47
per current values in the same
vicinity, plus value of all land
transaction fees and charges.
o - Allotment of replacement land
for families who become
landless after acquisition as per
provisions of the Land Act of
Bhutan 2007
Biodiversity
and
sustainable
natural
resource
management
consideration
incorporation
into revision
of at least 5
existing NRM
sector
policies,
strategies and
guidelines
(forestry,
agriculture,
grazing,
watershed
management)
Improvements to
NRM sector
policies, strategies
and
• Better management of
natural resources
• o Capacity building of the local
communities through training
o Capacity building of the local
park management and
implementers
Initial stage till
the end of the
program and
annually
Department
of forest,
Wildlife
Conservation
Division, Park
Management
Units,
Gewogs and
Dzongkhag
representative
s
National
Environment
Commission
Secretariat,
Research
Development
Centers (RDCs),
Dzongkhag Forestry
Officer, Social
Forestry Division,
Territorial Forestry
Division BTFEC,
donor agencies
48
5.2.2 Social and Environmental Screening and Assessment
Social screening: Social screening will be carried out as part of the technical design
for each subproject to assess the precise nature and magnitude of social impacts. To
ensure consistency in the application of social screening criteria across different
sectors, MoAF would prepare and use a standard social screening format based on
upon the current NEC and the Wildlife Conservation Division environmental
screening guidelines and its past experience of executing similar projects. The
screening format should cover but not limited to following issues:
Loss of land, regardless of the status of ownership
Loss of structures
Loss of socio-economics
Impacts on vulnerable groups
Impacts on common community resources
To guide the MoAF in preparing a social screening format, a sample format is
provided as part of this framework in Annex 8.
Social screening will identify the potential for loss of land, assets/structures, socio-
economics, willingness of the community to donate land to the project, and other
significant social impacts. The findings the social screening will include
recommendations for the exclusion of the subproject if involuntary land acquisition or
serious social impacts are anticipated. Social screening will also enable the
categorization of subprojects based on their level of social impacts. Where the extent
of adverse social impacts is minor and no displacement or loss of assets or socio-
economics is expected, further social assessment will not be necessary. However, for
those subprojects where there is a potential for land acquisition and/or significant
social impacts, detailed social assessments/studies will be carried out and if required
appropriate social safeguard instruments developed. The screening will also identify
the vulnerable households among the affected and any gender disparities.
Environmental Screening: If the project is viable, the pre-feasibility/ feasibility report
will be sent to the NPM as a written proposal for funding support. NPM will review
the report for technical soundness and costs in view of possible funding support, and
if selected for funding, a team will be send to the field for preparing a Detailed Project
Proposal. DPR is actually a proponent's responsibility. However, as community lack
capacity, NPM/ NPM will prepare DPR on behalf of the community. At this stage,
project proponent needs to prepare detailed Environmental Information as required by
the Bhutan environmental law, if the project does not fall in the exempted category.
As the community lack capacity, they need to be supported in preparing the EI, and
this could be best done by NPM prior to the DPR. The EI contains a simplified
version of the Site EMP, and all required NoCs. The EI feedback and
recommendations need to be incorporated into the DPR, and thus help internalize the
environmental factors and adding value to the project and the grant program.
5.2.3 Environmental and Social Recommendations and Project DPR
The project DPR needs to internalize all relevant environmental and social
recommendations, factors and mitigations into the plan, design and costs as well as in
49
the contract clauses or MoU clauses. This may be supported and ensured by the
environmental and social experts in the NPM prior to finalization of the DPR.
In addition, during this stage an additional report should be prepared if there are
impacts on community land or community livelihood activities to document the
details of proposed compensations.
5.2.4 Environmental Clearance (EC) and Social Clearances
The project DPR is approved by the NPM or Steering Committee. Before approval,
environmental clearance (EC), as well as relevant social clearances needs to be
obtained. NECS is the competent authority for certain type of projects; whereas WCD
MoAF is mandated for EC for certain type of projects (Annex 6). The EI is submitted
to the concerned CA for obtaining EC. For the exempted projects EC is not required -
however, DPR must contain all relevant NoCs and incorporate environmental
recommendations made in the pre-feasibility/ feasibility (preliminary environmental
analysis).
Social clearances will be obtained from Chiwog communities those who have been
affected due to the project activities and the final clearance should be obtained from
the gup of the gewog.
5.2.5 Social Management Plan (Resettlement Framework)
This matrix is developed on the basis of relevant government and World Bank
policies as well as anticipated impacts under the proposed programs. It is expected
that the project land needs will be marginal and are expected to be obtained through
voluntary donation by individual households or communities, as practiced in earlier
World Bank projects.
Types of Impact Entitlement Unit Entitlements
Loss of private
lands
Affected HHs having
ownership certificate
issued by the RGoB
Substitute lost lands or cash compensation as per the
Land Act of Bhutan 2007.
Resettlement allowance in cash equivalent to the
difference between compensation as per the Land Act of
Bhutan 2007 and full replacement value as per current
values in the same vicinity, plus value of all land
transaction fees and charges.
Allotment of replacement land for families who become
landless after acquisition as per provisions of the Land
Act of Bhutan 2007.
Affected HHs without
ownership certificate
issued by RGOB
Replacement land and resettlement allowance in cash as
per the World Bank IR Policy agreed with the World
Bank
Affected Vulnerable HHs Additional assistance to be identified most vulnerable groups
to restore livelihoods.
Preferential treatment in employment in project
activities
Skill training and income generation support
Priority in Poverty reduction/social development
programs
Loss of residential
structures
Affected person/families Cash compensation in line with the Bhutan Schedule of
Rate.
To ensure compensation at replacement value,
rehabilitation assistance in cash equivalent to cover
depreciation over and above compensation determined
50
on the basis of BSR rates.
Loss of cash
crops
Affected HHs Compensation for cash crops and trees calculated as per
the Land Act of Bhutan 2007. 2007 (revised rates),
including non-title holders.
Loss of income Affected person/
Families
Rehabilitation assistance for lost or diminished livelihoods.
Preferential treatment17 in employment in project
activities
Skill training and income generation support
Priority consideration in poverty reduction/social
development programs
In the case of landless families who suffer partial or total
loss of livelihood, allotment of land free of cost.
Loss of
Community
Resources
Affected
Institution /community Compensation for re-establishing or re-constructing lost
community resources such as religious and cultural
structures or providing alternatives in consultation with
affected communities.
Temporary losses Affected
Person /families Cash compensation/transition allowance
5.2.6 Site-Environmental Management Plan
As recommended in the Application for Environmental Clearance Guidelines, the
Project Proponent will prepare Site-Environmental Management Plan during the
inception of the project or sub-project. The project proponent will conduct a
walkthrough together with local stakeholders including the community, Dzongkhag,
site-engineers, section officer, etc. before preparing site-EMP. Site-in-charge will
approve the site-EMP before works at site begins. The implementers will carry out the
activities of the project as per the Site-EMP. The Site-EMP will be also included in
the contractor documents with appropriate clauses to ensure the EMP is implemented.
Table presented below identifies a generic Environmental Management Plan to be
used in conjunction with the site-specific plan.
17
Construction contracts include provision that PAPs will have priority in wage labor/employment on
sub-project construction during implementation and post construction s maintenance works.
51
Impact Potential
Significance
Location Mitigation Measures Frequency of
Interventions
Implementing
Responsibility
Monitoring
Responsibility
Poor design impacting
structural integrity and safety of
infrastructure such as physical
trauma associated with failure
of structures, fires, injuries due
to falls or contact of machinery,
respiratory distress from dust,
fumes and noxious odours and
exposure to hazardous materials
High Project site Incorporate as appropriate the
following during planning, siting
and design phases:
Inclusion of buffer strips or physical
separations around project sites
Incorporation of siting and safety
engineering criteria to prevent
failures due natural and/or man-
made risks (such as wind, flooding,
landslides, fires, etc.
Application of locally regulated
building codes to ensure structural
integrity
Certification of designing and
constructing infrastructure, the
applicability and appropriateness of
structural criteria
During design
stage
Design engineer
Improper disposal of debris
during site clearing blocking
drains and waterways and
contaminating water
High Construction
area and
disposal
sites
Regular removal of debris generated
to an approved disposal site
If demolished material contains
hazardous waste, disposal should be
carried out as per the guidelines
provided the RGOB
All structures demolished should be
removed, and debris recycled or
disposed of in sites authorized by
the appropriate authority
At least once a
week; all debris
generated as part
of site clearing
including
demolition of
buildings should
be done before
construction
activities
commence
Contractor Supervising
Officer with
the support of
local
stakeholders
Improper storing and lengthy
stockpiled period of gravel/soil
washing off to low-lying areas
and sea
Moderate Construction
area
All materials should be stored in a
manner to minimize erosion. Silt
traps shall be placed where
appropriate to minimize
sedimentation of nearby waterways.
At the stage of
construction
planning
Contractor Supervising
Officer
52
Impact Potential
Significance
Location Mitigation Measures Frequency of
Interventions
Implementing
Responsibility
Monitoring
Responsibility
Reduce the length of stockpiling
through proper planning of
construction stages.
Storm water congestion on site
can creating inconveniences to
the community and construction
work due to water stagnation;
this can also cause vector-borne
diseases
Moderate Construction
area
Drainage paths should be cut at the
early stages of the construction
work to divert the storm water out
Ensure water is not stagnated on the
construction area at all times
Eliminate any possible breeding
habitats
Early stages of
site preparation
Contractor Supervising
Officer with
the support of
local
stakeholders
Overexploitation of water for
construction and labour camps
High Construction
site
Water should be obtained with a
consent from the relevant authority
Water use at site should be
monitored to manage possible over
use and improper use
Consent to be
taken by the time
of mobilization
Water usage to be
monitored daily
Contractor Supervising
Officer with
the support of
local
stakeholders
Waste water generated during
construction and from labour
camps can also contaminate
water sources
Moderate Construction
areas and the
vicinity
Divert the waste water to an existing
sewage systems with the approval
of the relevant authority
Treat water generated through
construction activities, particularly
water mixed with paint and similar
hazardous material
To be set up at the
early stages of
mobilization
During the times
when hazardous
material are in use
Contractor Supervising
Officer with
the support of
local
stakeholders
The use of machines working
with fuel, oils and lubricants on
work sites maybe a source of
water contamination risks by
infiltration
Moderate Construction
areas and the
vicinity
All machines should good
conditions without any possible
leaks
Handling of fuel, oils and lubricants
for the machines should be done on
designated workshops/ fuel sheds
located in the vicinity of the site
At all times Contractor Supervising
Officer with
the support of
local
stakeholders
Accidental spillage of oil and
chemicals impacting
groundwater and uncontrolled
site runoff to nearby coastal
Moderate Construction
areas and the
vicinity
Plan should be in place to respond
to such accidents
At the stage of
construction
planning
Contractor Supervising
Officer with
the support of
local
53
Impact Potential
Significance
Location Mitigation Measures Frequency of
Interventions
Implementing
Responsibility
Monitoring
Responsibility
waters impacting water quality
due to suspended solids and
other contaminants.
stakeholders
Various types of waste such as
litter, human waste, food waste,
etc. from labour camps, as well
as construction-related wastes
will be generated can create
inconveniences to public and
school users, and contribute
negatively towards public
health; wastes that are not
disposed properly can become
breeding grounds for water
borne diseases and can
contribute to groundwater and
coastal water contamination;
and unsafe disposal of asbestos
from degraded roofs may cause
public health issues
High Construction
areas and the
vicinity
Waste management plan should be
agreed at the mobilization stage
A waste recycling plan shall be
prepared by the contractor to reduce
the amount of waste disposed
Waste generated during site
clearance should be disposed of in
areas approved by the local
authority
Construction sites shall be cleared
on a daily basis of any material that
can cause injury or potential
become a public health hazard
Proper and marked waste bins
should be located on construction
sites and labour camps
Disposal of hazardous materials
shall be done in a manner that does
not cause harm to surrounding
environment and public. Paints,
thinners and other material shall be
temporarily stored and disposed of
RGOB approved methodology and
sites in consultation with the local
authorities.
Temporary storage areas should be
barricaded and marked.
During decommissioning activities,
hazardous material shall be
identified (e.g asbestos sheets) and
Planning part
should be carried
out as
construction
planning and
should be in place
by the time of
mobilization
At least weekly
disposal of waste
should take place
Contractor Supervising
Officer with
the support of
local
stakeholders
54
Impact Potential
Significance
Location Mitigation Measures Frequency of
Interventions
Implementing
Responsibility
Monitoring
Responsibility
removed separately and
immediately to minimize
contamination and disposal to be
done according to national
guidelines.
Unsustainable and unapproved
extraction of construction
materials such as sand, timber,
gravel, etc. placing a burden of
the resources
Low Sites of
resources
Source construction material only
from RGOB approved sites and
licensed commercial vendors
At the time of
extraction /
purchasing
Contractor Supervising
officer
Transportation of material to
and from the site creating
disturbances to residences can
cause injury and increase traffic
congestion in the area and
transportation of construction
material on open vehicles and
the high speed of vehicle
running can generate dust and
will cause potential safety
issues
High Construction
site and
vicinity
Plan transportation to take place
outside peak traffic hours.
Speed limits should be introduced
for various strategic points.
Vehicles should also have proper
reverse signaling (both light and
sound) to reduce possible accidents.
Material transportation should be
carried out in closed vehicles or
make arrangements to cover the
vehicles.
Emphasizing safety aspects among
drivers and use of licensed drivers
only
Avoiding dangerous routes and
times of the day to reduce risks of
accidents
Improve signage and visibility and
overall safety of roads used
Coordination with emergency units
to ensure that appropriate first aid is
provided in the event of accidents
Employing safe traffic control
Planning should
be done as part of
construction
planning
All other actions
to be carried out
at all times
Contractor Supervising
officer
55
Impact Potential
Significance
Location Mitigation Measures Frequency of
Interventions
Implementing
Responsibility
Monitoring
Responsibility
measures, including road signs and
flag persons to warn of dangerous
conditions
Improper location of camps and
workers making space for
interactions with community
leading to negative social
impacts – applicable
particularly labour is bought in
from outside the community
Moderate Construction
site and
vicinity
Labour camps if needed to be set up
should be located in a site with
minimum interaction with the
community
Closely monitor the movements of
workers through strict labour
supervision.
Setting up of
labour camps and
access to
labourers should
be planned as part
of construction
planning
Supervision
should be carried
out at all times
Contractor Supervising
Officer with
the support of
local
stakeholders
Construction sites that are not
cordoned off can contribute
towards potential safety hazards
to residents who are located
close to the construction site
High Construction
site and
vicinity
Vehicle drivers should maintain
appropriate speeds in order to avoid
accidents, especially when driving
in populated areas.
Strict labour supervision should be
undertaken of construction workers
Labour awareness programmes to
educate labourers on codes of
conduct shall be introduced
Safety regulations shall be followed
by contractors to minimize risks
Necessary barriers, warnings, signs
demarcating unsafe areas should be
followed according to standard
construction practices
Safety nets should be used to cover
buildings and prevent injury to
workers, as well as the community
living in the vicinity
Code of conduct
and safety
protocols should
be put in place as
part of
construction
planning
First aid facility
should be in place
as soon as the
contractor
mobilizes to the
site
Labour awareness
creation on safety
should be carried
out as soon as the
staff are
mobilized
Contractor Supervising
Officer with
the support of
local
stakeholders
56
Impact Potential
Significance
Location Mitigation Measures Frequency of
Interventions
Implementing
Responsibility
Monitoring
Responsibility
Safety paths should be identified for
peoples movements.
Provide first aid facilities in case of
an emergency and safety protocols
during such event.
Provide safety equipment to
workers
Physical
interventions
should be in place
at all times of
construction
activities
During site preparation and
construction work noise will be
generated due to construction
related work creating
disturbances to residents living
close to the construction site;
and construction-induced traffic
movement from pick-ups,
excavators, dump trucks, etc.,
use of powerful mechanical
equipment, and demolition of
existing buildings will also
contribute to noise pollution.
High Construction
site and
vicinity
Noise shall be kept to minimum
required standards during school
hours in order to prevent any
inconveniences
Where possible, usage of noise
generating equipment should be
kept to the minimum
Strict labour supervision should be
undertaken to reduce noise
Equipment used on site shall be in
good serviced condition.
All times during
construction
activities
Contractor Supervising
Officer with
the support of
local
stakeholders
Dust generated during
excavation work, backfilling,
reinstatement work, demolition
activities, cement mixing,
handling construction material,
truck movement in the site area
can impacts the air quality
during construction; dust
generated during clearing and
construction work can cause
difficulties for students who
have respiratory problems, soil/
gravel kept for long periods
High Construction
site and
vicinity
Materials such as gravel and soil
shall be covered during transport
Frequent watering down of
construction site shall be needed to
minimize dust generation
Put up dust barriers in
decommissioning areas and areas of
extensive earth works and cement
mixing areas
Excessive dust generating activities
should be planned out during off
peak traffic times
All times during
construction
activities
Contractor Supervising
Officer with
the support of
local
stakeholders
57
Impact Potential
Significance
Location Mitigation Measures Frequency of
Interventions
Implementing
Responsibility
Monitoring
Responsibility
without proper cover can
generate dust and become an
inconvenience to surrounding
residents; transportation of
materials to site will also
generate dust; and
decommissioning of existing
structures can also create dust
that is potentially hazardous.
Gaseous emissions from
construction plants, paint and
vehicles contributing to air
pollution
High Construction
site and
vicinity
The vehicles should be maintained
well to reduce excessive emissions
Construction plants and paint
storage and mixing areas should be
away from areas used by residences
Operation of construction plants and
painting should preferably take
place during off peak traffic times
All times during
construction
activities
Contractor Supervising
Officer with
the support of
local
stakeholders
58
5.2.7 Compliance and final monitoring
Regular supervision and quality control of the construction will be done by the site
team (site engineer and section officer). NECS/DEC and/or WCD MOAF will carry
out periodic environmental compliance monitoring18
, all project for which EC is
required and on representative sample of those project for which EC is not required,
as required by the Bhutan law. Periodic compliance monitoring will be carried out
once in three months in general (one monitoring mid-way of construction if
construction period is three month or less, two monitoring if construction period is
three to six months, every three month for more than six-month construction period).
However, if new environmental and/or social issues not identified during the
assessment have risen or the mitigations measures agreed have not been adequately
implemented, monitoring will need to be done more frequently.
Besides, final environmental and social monitoring for demobilization certification
will also be carried out. Project resources, if necessary, will be made available to
WCD MOAF for engaging private party or NGO in supporting the periodic
compliance and final monitoring. Quarterly report will be produced with consolidated
screening information of all sites and will be shared with the World Bank, which
includes efforts made by the project towards avoidance of potential impacts on natural
habitats, forest resources and/or cultural/heritage/religious sites. Consolidated
monitoring reports will be prepared by the MOAF bi-annually for activities supported
through project financing and will be shared with the World Bank team. An annual
environmental and social audit will be conducted to assess the effectiveness of
safeguard screening and ESMP implementation.
5.3 Consultations and Grievance Addressing
Environmental consultation and grievance addressing: Consultations are inbuilt in
the project planning, design and implementation approach. Pre-feasibility and
feasibility team will conduct and record consultations with the stakeholders including
local body, communities, users such forest users committee or water-users committee,
schools/ clubs and other stakeholders as part of the assessment. During construction,
the site supervision team will consult regularly with the affected people/community as
well as local stakeholders for their observations and feedback, and the periodic
monitoring team from Dzongkhag or from WCD or from NECS or NGOs will also
consult with these stakeholders.
For the grievances, the project implementation and/or supervision team at site will
keep a feedback register and let the local stakeholder know that they may register
their project related complaints or comments or suggestions. The project team will
review these feedbacks and take appropriate actions. Complaints may also be
registered at the gewog/Dzongkhag, which is close to the site. The gewog will take up
these complaints with the project team and forward the complaints to Dzongkhag.
Complainant has the option of filing the case with the Dzongkhag administration or
even to the court.
18
Periodic or surprise compliance monitoring is the responsibility of the Competent Authority issuing
the Environmental Clearance.
59
Social Grievance redress mechanism: Bhutan has a robust grievance redress system.
Any issue on grievances will be verified at the gewog level by the gup. The poorest of
the poor grievance issues are put up to Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs by the
Dzongkhag, which get forwarded to the His Majesty’s Secretariat for compensation.
Informal traditional dispute mechanisms, based primarily on negotiations between
aggrieved parties and through community meetings to reach consensus on a
satisfactory resolution, are already practiced in Bhutan in general and in the
participating gewogs in particular. These traditional dispute practices appear to
function well and are generally accepted by all community members as a satisfactory
means for resolving disputes and grievances. The project will rely on these existing
systems for addressing grievance from the project. However, to make the grievance
redress process more systematic, but still working within traditional community
norms and practices, aggrieved parties will follow following steps.
Any complaining parties will submit a formal complaint to the Tshogpa of the
Chiwog for consideration;
If it cannot be resolved within the jurisdiction of the Tshogpa of the Chiwog,
the grievance case will be submitted to the GT. The GT will review the
grievance case and call a public hearing.
Where the complainant does not agree with the recommendation of the public
hearing, he or she can file the case with the Dzongkhag Administration for
review and intervention. The Dzongkhag Administration will review the case
and make recommendations to resolve the case.
The complainant can always file his or her case in court at any time where the
case will be reviewed and settled.
Any appeals to the above mentioned committees will be recorded in a register,
identifying the name of the aggrieved party, date of grievance registered, nature of
grievance, and measures suggested to address the grievance, including escalating
resolution of the grievance to MOAF or RGOB for recourse through traditional
judicial practices, and date of grievance redress.
As part of the World Bank requirement BTFEC will use the existing Dzongkhag
Administration Grievance Redressal Committee (GRC) consisting of the Dzongkhag
Administration grievance redressal team, as well as a community leader from the
project area, a representative from the affected household and a representative from a
non-governmental organization located in the area. Any issue that has not been
handled at the local level should be moved to the GRC to be set up at the MOAF with
representatives from the community affected, a non-governmental organization and
representative from the BTFEC (preferably the safeguard staff). This process should
be followed for any grievance due to the project finance and before advising the
aggrieved party to seek legal support. All proceedings of the GRCs should be
properly recorded and made available to public in accessible places.
5.4 Environmental and Social Management Cost
Project level environmental and social mitigation costs will be internalized within the
project DPR. The subproject preparation cost should also include any environmental
study/ assessment cost, and each project EI or EMP will have estimates for specific
60
item wise mitigation cost for each relevant subproject. This will be reflected in the
subproject DPR, and will be confirmed before approval of project DPR.
5.5 Specific considerations on Natural Habitats, Forestry, Pest Management
and Physical Cultural Resources
5.5.1 Natural Habitats
During the preliminary environmental investigations and environmental screening of
a grant proposal if it was determined that there is significant impact to natural habitats
(i.e. degradation of natural habitats), an environmental assessment should be
conducted to identify the magnitude of the impacts, possible impact avoidance
measures and/or measures to off-set the impacts. If the site is a critical natural habitat,
alternative site for the proposed activity need to be identified. The approved
mitigation measures in such circumstances will need to include in the preparation of
site-specific environmental management plans.
5.5.2 Forestry
While the project does not support commercial extraction of natural forest resources
or activities that may cause significant impacts to forest resources, as a precautionary
measure, a verification will be made that such activities are not supported by the
project. All construction material extraction should be from RGOB designated timber
production areas. In case this is not possible, an environmental assessment should be
conducted to identify the magnitude of the impacts, possible impact avoidance
measures and/or measures to off-set the impacts. Similar to natural habitats, the
approved mitigation measures in will need to be included in the preparation of site-
specific environmental management plans.
5.5.3 Pest Management
The pest management issues which can be potentially raised by the project may relate
to possible both direct and indirect effect of stimulating greater use of agro-chemicals
associated with more intensive cultivation and/ or higher crop value.
The objective of ESMF in this regard is to encourage adoption of Integrated Pest
Management (IPM) approach and increase beneficiaries’ awareness of pesticide-
related hazards and good practices for safe pesticides use and handling as well as to
provide relevant training and information dissemination activities.
Principles of the Integrated Pest Management: The primary aim of pest management
is to manage pests and diseases that may negatively affect production of crops so that
they remain at a level that is under an economically damaging threshold. Pesticides
should be managed to reduce human exposure and health hazards, to avoid their
migration into off-site land or water environments and to avoid ecological impacts
such as destruction of beneficial species and the development of pesticide resistance.
One important strategy is to promote and facilitate the use of Integrated Pest
61
Management (IPM) through preparation and implementation of an Integrated Pest
Management Plan (PMP).
Integrated pest management consists of the judicious use of both chemical and
nonchemical control techniques to achieve effective and economically efficient pest
management with minimal environmental contamination. IPM therefore may include
the use of:
a) Mechanical and Physical Control;
b) Cultural Control;
c) Biological Control, and
d) Rational Chemical Control.
Integrated Pest Management is the use of multiple techniques to prevent or suppress
pests in a given situation. Although IPM emphasizes the use of nonchemical
strategies, chemical control may be an option used in conjunction with other methods.
Integrated pest management strategies depend on surveillance to establish the need for
control and to monitor the effectiveness of management efforts. World Bank Group in
the Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines provides the following stages
should be considered when designing and implementing an Integrated Pest
Management Strategy, giving preference to alternative pest management strategies,
with the use of synthetic chemical pesticides as a last option. As a first essential step,
those who make pest management decisions should be provided with training in
identification of pests and beneficial (e.g. natural enemy) species, identification of
weeds, and field scouting methods to evaluate which pests are present and whether
they have reached an economic control threshold (the density at which they begin to
cause economically significant losses).
Alternatives to Pesticide Application: Where feasible, the following alternatives to
pesticides should be considered:
Rotate crops to reduce the presence of pests and weeds in the soil ecosystem;
Use pest-resistant crop varieties;
Use mechanical weed control and / or thermal weeding;
Support and use beneficial organisms, such as insects, birds, mites, and
microbial agents, to perform biological control of pests;
Protect natural enemies of pests by providing a favorable habitat, such as
bushes for nesting sites and other original vegetation that can house pest
predators and by avoiding the use of broad-spectrum pesticides;
Use animals to graze areas and manage plant coverage;
Use mechanical controls such as manual removal, traps, barriers, light, and
sound to kill, relocate, or repel pests.
Pesticide Application: If pesticide application is warranted, users are recommended
take the following actions:
Train personnel to apply pesticides and ensure that personnel have received
applicable certifications or equivalent training where such certifications are
not required;
Review and follow the manufacturer’s directions on maximum recommended
dosage or treatment as well as published reports on using the reduced rate of
62
pesticide application without loss of effect, and apply the minimum effective
dose;
Avoid routine “calendar-based” application, and apply pesticides only when
needed and useful based on criteria such as field observations, weather data
(e.g. appropriate temperature, low wind, etc.),
Avoid the use of highly hazardous pesticides, particularly by uncertified,
untrained or inadequately equipped users. This includes:
Pesticides that fall under the World Health Organization Recommended
Classification of Pesticides by Hazard Classes 1a and 1b should be avoided in
almost all cases, to be used only when no practical alternatives are available
and where the handling and use of the products will be done in accordance
with national laws by certified personnel in conjunction with health and
environmental exposure monitoring;
Pesticides that fall under the World Health Organization Recommended
Classification of Pesticides by Hazard Class II should be avoided if the project
host country lacks restrictions on distribution and use of these chemicals, or if
they are likely to be accessible to personnel without proper training,
equipment, and facilities to handle, store, apply, and dispose of these products
properly;
Avoid the use of pesticides listed in Annexes A and B of the Stockholm
Convention, except under the conditions noted in the convention and those
subject to international bans or phaseouts;
Use only pesticides that are manufactured under license and registered and
approved by the appropriate authority and in accordance with the Food and
Agriculture Organization’s (FAO’s) International Code of Conduct on the
Distribution and Use of Pesticides;
Use only pesticides that are labeled in accordance with international standards
and norms, such as the FAO’s Revised Guidelines for Good Labeling Practice
for Pesticides;
Select application technologies and practices designed to reduce unintentional
drift or runoff only as indicated in an IPM program, and under controlled
conditions;
Maintain and calibrate pesticide application equipment in accordance with
manufacturer’s recommendations. Use application equipment that is registered
in the country of use;
Establish untreated buffer zones or strips along water sources, rivers, streams,
ponds, lakes, and ditches to help protect water resources;
Avoid use of pesticides that have been linked to localized environmental
problems and threats.
Pesticide Handling and Storage: Contamination of soils, groundwater, or surface
water resources, due to accidental spills during transfer, mixing, and storage of
pesticides should be prevented by following the hazardous materials storage and
handling recommendations. These are the following:
Store pesticides in their original packaging, in a dedicated, dry, cool, frost-
free, and well aerated location that can be locked and properly identified with
signs, with access limited to authorized people. No human or animal food may
be stored in this location. The store room should also be designed with spill
63
containment measures and sited in consideration of potential for
contamination of soil and water resources;
Mixing and transfer of pesticides should be undertaken by trained personnel in
ventilated and well lit areas, using containers designed and dedicated for this
purpose.
Containers should not be used for any other purpose (e.g. drinking water).
Contaminated containers should be handled as hazardous waste, and should be
disposed in specially designated for hazardous wastes sites. Ideally, disposal
of containers contaminated with pesticides should be done in a manner
consistent with FAO guidelines and with manufacturer's directions;
Purchase and store no more pesticide than needed and rotate stock using a
“first-in, first-out” principle so that pesticides do not become obsolete.
Additionally, the use of obsolete pesticides should be avoided under all
circumstances; A management plan that includes measures for the
containment, storage and ultimate destruction of all obsolete stocks should be
prepared in accordance to guidelines by FAO and consistent with country
commitments under the Stockholm, Rotterdam and Basel Conventions.
Collect rinse water from equipment cleaning for reuse (such as for the dilution
of identical pesticides to concentrations used for application);
Ensure that protective clothing worn during pesticide application is either
cleaned or disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner;
Maintain records of pesticide use and effectiveness.
Pest Management Plan: The entity which will be dealing with pest management
within the projects to be supported under the project has to be guided by the Pest
Management Plan. The content of the Pest Management Plan should apply to all the
activities and individuals working. It should be emphasized also that non-chemical
control efforts will be used to the maximum extent possible before pesticides are
used.
The Pest Management Plan should be a framework through which pest management
is defined and accomplished. The Plan should identify elements of the program to
include health and environmental safety, pest identification, and pest management, as
well as pesticide storage, transportation, use and disposal. Management Plan is to be
used as a tool to reduce reliance on pesticides, to enhance environmental protection,
and to maximize the use of integrated pest management techniques.
The Pest Management Plan shall contain pest management requirements, outlines the
resources necessary for surveillance and control, and describes the administrative,
safety and environmental requirements. The Plan should provide guidance for
operating and maintaining an effective pest management program/ activities. Pests
considering in the Plan may be weeds and other unwanted vegetation, crawling
insects and other vertebrate pests. Without control, these pests provoke plants’
deceases. Adherence to the Plan will ensure effective, economical and
environmentally acceptable pest management and will maintain compliance with
pertinent laws and regulations. The recommended structure of a Pest Management
Plan is presented in the Annex 9. The need for a stand-alone and comprehensive Pest
Management Plan will be decided based on the findings of the preliminary
environmental investigation and environmental screening steps, and/or environmental
64
assessment. If the impacts due to a given grant is low, pest management requirements
will be included as part of the Environmental Management Plan.
Measures to raise awareness and educate potential beneficiaries regarding safe
pesticide handling and use of Integrated Pest Management: These measures are
targeted at providing a framework for educating farmers regarding pesticides handling
and promoting integrated pest management (IPM) and thus, understanding and
managing pest problems in the horticultural sector, reducing human and
environmental health risks associated with pesticide use, and protecting ecosystem by
conserving beneficial agents such as natural enemies of pests and pollinators to
increase productivity. The proposed activities would also cover field demonstrations
with improved pesticides usage as well as IPM technologies. BTFEC will be the
coordinator for the implementation of these activities.
The training will be focused on at least the following areas:
Pest characteristics
Control measures, including IPM approaches in horticultural sector, involving
agricultural, physical, biological, and chemical control methods
Safety issues (for pest handling, transportation, usage and storage)
Field demonstrations on Pest problems diagnosed and related IPM
opportunities identified in horticultural sector, pest management practices,
including agricultural, physical, biological and chemical control methods
5.5.4 Physical Cultural Resources
While the project will follow the procedures in place by the RGOB for PCRs
identified that may be impact due to project activities during the identification and
preparation stages, for materials that may be discovered during project
implementation, procedures to be used in chance findings is described in Annex 10. If
PCRs have been identified that may get affected by the project activities, measure that
will need to be put in place to project PCRs should be included as part of the
environmental management plan for the site.
65
Chapter 6 – Institutional Arrangements and Capacity
6.1 Institutional Arrangement
Institutional arrangement for social and environmental management has been
designed in harmony of existing institutional system in the country and overall project
and grant program implementation arrangement. The institutional entity and their
roles and responsibilities are as follows.
National Environment Commission Secretariat (NECS): NECS is involved only in the
higher risks projects and those for which NECS is the Competent Authority (See
Annex 6). In the project within its mandate, NECS will review the Environmental
Clearance applications including project Environmental Information (EI) and issue or
deny Environmental Clearance. NECS is also responsible, as an EC issuance entity,
for periodic and spot check for environmental compliance. NECS, if necessary, may
delegate some of these functions to another agency including to DEC. NECS, as an
apex agency in environmental assessment in Bhutan, has a role of overall watch dog
and also providing need-based guidance and coordination in matters related to
environmental management.
WCD Ministry of Agriculture and Forests. WCD Ministry of Agriculture and Forest
is responsible for screening projects under its jurisdiction, for which it is the
Competent Authority (see Annex 6.) WCD will issue Environmental Clearance for
the project for which it is the CA, and is also responsible for periodic environmental
monitoring for compliance and final environmental monitoring. WCD of MOAF will
be also responsible in managing the social issues.
National Park Management (NPM). The role of NPM is overall oversight,
coordination, and technical support. The environmental management related function
of NPM include reviewing the environmental section of the pre-feasibility and
feasibility studies, and checking the following: is the project eligible?, is it exempted
from further environmental investigation?, is EI required for this? Who is the
Competent Authority?
NPM will be responsible for collecting detailed environmental information of sub-
projects for which EI and EC are required, as required by EAA, RECOP and
Application Guidelines for Environmental Clearances. EI, where, required will be
prepared prior to project DPR so that EI feeds into the DPR. NPM in coordination
with DEC will also plan and organize environmental orientations, awareness, and
training. NPM may enhance its capability by engaging environmental consultant for
such services.
District/ Dzongkhag Environmental Committee (DEC). DEC will be responsible for
collecting preliminary environmental information of project and its locality during
pre-feasibility/ feasibility stage. DEC will write environmental section of the pre-
feasibility/ feasibility report. DEC will ensure that all No Objection Certificates are
obtained. DEC also supports project supervision team in supervising and recording
environmental mitigation activities. DEC also will support site-supervision team in
reviewing and approving Implementer's/ Contractor's Construction Site
Environmental Management Plan.
66
Dzongkhag and local Community. During pre-feasibility/ feasibility and during EI
preparation stage, Dzongkhag and local community will help the DEC and/ or NPM
in obtaining environmental information, share their observations and insights,
concerns and suggestions, and in securing NOCs. During project implementation,
they will observe the construction activity and report any non-compliance or
grievances.
Implementer and/or Contractor. Application Guidelines for Environmental Clearance
requires implementers’ and/ contractor to have Construction Site Environmental
Management Plan. Implementer/ contractor will prepare such plan and have it
approved by Site-Incharge before beginning construction. Implementer/ contractor
will consult site supervision team, and Dzongkhag and community and conduct joint
walk-through while preparing such plan.
6.2 Capacity Assessment and Strengthening
Consultations and interactions with various stakeholders including MoAF, DECs,
NGOs and communities revealed that inadequate capacity at various levels is a
constraint in effective and efficient environmental management of the project.
Although Bhutan's environmental legislation requires ministries to establish an
environmental unit, there is no environmental unit at the MOAF yet. WCD of the
ministry has been assigned the environmental CA function. There is no environmental
staff at the ministry or WCD. Capacity of NECS is adequate for the type of activities
envisaged under the project: but NECS staffs are already overstretched. DEC has an
Environmental Officer deputed from NECS in recent times. At present, NECS and
WCD both have not been able to carry out periodic monitoring and spot check at
desirable levels. The DEC Environmental Officer is responsible not only for
Dzongkhag's activities but also asked to support various line agencies. The
Environmental Officer is obviously very busy and overloaded. There is good
awareness of environmental process at the Dzongkhag level due to orientations
organized by NECS and projects. Dzongkhags and communities knowledge and
insights of local environment are very good, but their ability to prepare documents
that is required by the legislations and guidelines is very low. Contractors also lack
capacity in preparing the construction site environmental management plan.
In order to overcome the capacity weaknesses identified above, the project will
include the following specific measures for strengthening capacity:
Table 6: Need based training and seminar: Type of Training/ capacity
building
Duration Target Group Institutions Expected results
Training on basic GIS and
environmental Assessment
1 month DoL, NSSC, WMD
and Forest Officers of
the project area
To be identified A well established database
system of the project area
Training/workshops on
Waste Management
1 month Stakeholders of the
project Area, Forest
Officers,
NECS, Tourism
Council of
Bhutan (TCB)
A well informed
stakeholders on waste
management system
Training on Environmental
Leadership
2 week Forest Officers of
Project area
To be identified A well informed forest
officers on environmental
management system
Awareness workshop on 1 month Community and local Department of A well prepared community
67
Community Patrolling stakeholders Forests and
Parks (DFP)
on how to patrol for illegal
poachers
Awareness program on
firewood consumptions and
alternative technology
10 days Community schools
and local stakeholders
NECS and DFP Reduction of fuel wood
consumption in the project
area
Training on Sustainable
Harvesting of High altitude
medicinal plants
1 week Community and
Forest Officers
Indigenous
Hospital and
DFP
Good harvesting technique
and providing sustainable
livelihood approach
Awareness on soil
conservation
1 week Stakeholders and
local communities
NSSC and DFP Well managed soil
conservation
Training program on
ecotourism and community
tourism
10 days Local Communities TCB and NRED A well prepared ecotourism
system by the local
communities
Basic training on responsible
tourism and as service
industry
10 days Local Communities TCB and NRED A well prepared ecotourism
system by the local
communities
Training on Environmental
Education
2 weeks Community schools,
local stakeholders and
forest officials
NECS A well informed teachers
and communities
Capacity building on species
conservation
2 week Community schools,
local stakeholders and
forest officials
DFP, NBC and
NRTI
A well trained stakeholders
on local species
conservation
Study Tour on best practices
of highland pasture
management
2 week Local stakeholders
and forest officials
To be identified A well informed
stakeholders and forest
officials
Basic training program on
Environmental Impact
Assessment (EA)
4 week Local stakeholders
and forest officials
NECS A well trained stakeholders
on environmental
assessments
Strengthen environmental competency through provision of human resources.
Recruitment of an Environmental Specialist/ consultant to support NPM in various
environmental functions described in previous sections. The specialist support may be
needed more in the initial stage due to preparatory works, system/tools establishment,
and orientations/training. The input could be gradually reduced.
Communities and contractor will need to be trained or made aware in various
activities assigned to them: this could be done through need-based support by hiring
short-term consultants.
Organizing targeted and need-based awareness, orientations and training tailored to
the needs of different stakeholders including awareness to project community,
practical training to contractors/implementers and site supervision team/staff, and
orientations to project stakeholders at centre and districts.
Engaging private sector or NGO or local organization such as School Nature Clubs
for certain type of environmental activities, for example for monitoring and awareness
raising in the project/project area.
NECS and/or WCD MOAF may access project fund for engaging NGO or private
sector for performing periodic compliance monitoring of project. Project may also
support hiring short-term consultant, if needed; to support DECs in doing project's
environmental management works.
Reviewing environmental consequences and performance of already built similar
structures for lesson learning purpose, dissemination of the lessons, and refining the
approaches and guidelines.
68
Annex 1. List of officials and stakeholders Laya Gewog, Gasa (12-13, July 2012)
Sl. No. Name Gender Village From vulnerable
household
Group Discussion
1 Kinley Dorji Male Lungo No
2 Chhimi Dema Female Lupcha No
3 Pema Thinley Male Lupcha No
5 Rinchen Male Pashi No
6 Sangay Tenzin Male Neylu No
7 Phurpa Lhamo Female Lupcha No
8 Lhaba Tsering (Tshoga) Male Lungo No
9 Passang (Tsogpa) Male Tongra
Household Interview
1 Dendup Male Tongra No
2 Tenzin Male Longu No
3 Lhakpa Sithup (Tsogpa) Male Toko No
4 Pemba Male Lungo No
5 Lhaba Tshering Male Pashi No
6 Bidha Female Neylu No
7 Kinley Lhadon Female Lupcha No
8 Pema Tshering Male Lupcha No
9 Khando Male Neylu No
10 Wangyel Male Toko No
11 Pey Male Lukcha No
12 Wangyel (Tshopa) Male Neylu No
Goenkhamae Gewog, Gasa (14th July, 2012)
Sl. No. Name Gender Village From vulnerable
household
Group Discussion
1 Karma Tsherin (Gup) Gayza
2 Phub Lhamo Female Khailo No
3 Tshering Female Khailo No
4 Namgay Male Gayza No
5 Shaya Dorji Male Jabisa No
6 Penjor Male Damji No
7 Zeko Male Damji No
Household Interview
1 Nim Dem Female Khailo No
2 Zam Female Thangkha Yes
3 Gyem Lhamo Female Zomina Yes
4 Kinley Male Bajina Yes
69
5 Pachu Dem Female Damji Yes
6 Tshering (shopkeeper) Male Khailo No
7 Namgay Tshering Male Tsahithang No
8 Ugyen Tshering Male Yemina No
Goenkhatoe Gewog, Gasa (15th July, 2012)
Sl. No. Name Gender Village From vulnerable
household
Group Discussion
1 Kaka (tsogpa) Male Remi No
2 Pema Dorji(Gup) Male Choley No
3 Lham Tshering Male Tsepgang No
4 Dorji Male Choley No
5 Thinley Mo Female Remi No
6 Tshering Dendup Male Baychhu No
7 Dema Female Baychhu No
Household Interviews
1 Tashi Chophel Male Tsepgang No
2 Dorji Male Choley No
3 Karma Male Tsheringkha Yes
4 Sangay Dem Female Tsepgang Yes
5 Gyem Lham Male Mani Yes
6 Tashi Male Baychhu No
7 Bago Male Choley No
8 Santen Wangchuk Male Tsepgang No
9 Chador Male Mani No
10 Gaki Female Baychhu No
Lunana Gewog, Gasa (16th July, 2012)
Sl. No. Name Gender Village From vulnerable
household
Group Discussion
1 Gyam Tshering Male Haide No
2 Kaka Male Thangza No
3 Lungten wangmo Female Threlga No
4 Ugyen Penjor Male Ramina No
5 Dawa Male Haide NO
6 Yangzom Female Threlga No
Household Interview
1 Drawo Male Tshozhong No
2 Rinchen Dorji Male Tenche No
3 Selden Male Tshozhong No
4 Dorji Bider Male Threlga No
5 Gyem Tshering Male Remina No
6 Kinley Zam Female Thangza No
70
7 Pema Female Remina No
8 Pem Gyam Female Thangza No
Lingshi, Thimphu (19, July 2012)
Sl. No. Name Gender Village From vulnerable
household
Group Discussion
1 Wangdi (Gup) Male Gangyuel No
2 Rinzin Sither Male Miseryul No
3 Jigme Choden Female Zangbuel thang No
4 Kencho Goenpo Male Gayphug No
5 Pema Dema Female Khangyul NO
6 Tenzin Namgyel Male Lhalung No
7 Samten Choden Female Shayul No
Household Interview
1 Thinley Lhendup Male Khangyul No
2 Kencho Edon Female Lhalung No
3 Yeshi Dorji Male Chhuzurkha No
4 Norbu Rinzin Male Gangyul No
5 Dorji Wangmo Female Shayul No
6 Karma Dorji Male Gangyul No
7 Tsering Wangdi Male Khangyul No
8 Rinchen Dendup Male Zangbuelthang No
Naro Gewog, Thimphu (20th July, 2012)
Sl. No. Name Gender Village From vulnerable
household
Group Discusssion
1 Wangchuk (Gup) Male Tasithang No
2 Phub Dorji (tsogpa) Male Naro No
3 Dema Female Barshong No
4 Jigme Male Tegithep No
5 Thsewang Dorji Male Gulona No
Household Interview
1 Rinchen Tshering Male Sichhu No
2 Tshering Male Jagaythang No
3 Karma Choden Female Barshong No
4 Chimbi Male Mentsiphug No
5 Yeshi Dorji Male Yumthang No
7 Dechen Dema Female Thangkana No
8 Gangla Male Naro No
Soe Gewog, Thimphu (22nd
July, 2012)
Sl. No. Name Gender Village From vulnerable
household
71
Group Discussion
1 Chhimi Dorji (Mangme) Male Jangothang No
2 Passang Dorji Male Zomphu No
3 Zangmo Female Jangothang No
4 Chencho Male Dozoten No
5 Yangki Lhamo Female Tekithang No
6 Tshering Peljor Male Damgochong No
Household Interview
1 Nidup Tshering Male Dotarithang Yes
2 Tshering Lham Female Jumphu Yes
3 Dorji Wangmo Female Damgochong No
4 Phurpa Dorji Male Tekithang No
5 Pema Khando Male Dogyel Lachu No
6 Pelzom Female Zomphu No
7 Ugyen Dorji Male Dozoten No
Nubi Gewog, Trongsa (23rd
-24th July, 2012)
Sl. No. Name Gender Village From vulnerable
household
Group Discussion
1 Thuba (Mangme) Male Bimji No
2 Wangchuck (Tsogpa) Male Jangthang No
3 Palden Lhendup (Tsogpa) Male Semji No
4 Kezang Jurmi (Tsogpa) Male Dorjen No
5 Dawa Gyeltshen (Tsogpa) Male Sinphu No
6 Chimi Dukpa (Tsogpa) Male Bimji No
Household Interview
1 Pem Dem Female Drezhig Yes
2 Tsang Tsa Male Sinphu Yes
3 Kinley Wangmo Female Thangngyel Yes
4 Leki Wangmo Female Thangngyel Yes
5 Katamo Female Kaba Yes
6 Chogay Male Bimji Yes
7 Sumcho Female Ganthang Yes
8 Buthimo Female Bjee Trong Yes
9 Lemo Female Bjee Yes
Tang Gewog, Bumthang (24th-25
th July, 2012)
Sl. No. Name Gender Village From vulnerable
household
Group Discussion
1 Dechen Zangmo Female Jamshong No
2 Jamtsho Male Chutey No
3 Tshering Dorji Male Khangrab No
72
4 Choni Dorji Male Chutey No
5 Pema Lhamo Female Khangrab No
6 Rinchen Lhamo Female Khangrab No
Household Interview
1 Ugyen Dema Female Gamling Yes
2 Leki Dema Female Tandingang No
3 Ugyen Lhamo Female Tandingang Yes
4 Duba Male Tandingang No
5 Phurba Male Chutey Yes
6 Phub Wangmo Female Khangrab Yes
7 Pema Wangdi Male Khangrab No
8 Pangla Male Tandingang No
Bumdeling Gewog, Trashi Yangtse (27th July, 2012)
Sl. No. Name Gender Village From vulnerable
household
Group Discussion
1 Tshering Gyeltshen Male No
2 Sonam Dendup Male Tarphel No
3 Dechen wangmo Female Traphel No
4 Lobzang Pema Female Signphel No
5 Phurba Tshering Male Chang No
6 Tshering dema Female Tsaling N 0
7 Dorji Gyeltshen Male Ngangteng No
8 Sangay Gyeltshen Male Zhapang No
9 Ugyen Dema Female Ngangteng No
10 Tshering Choden Female Pangkhar No
Household Interview
1 Tenzin Deki Female Tarphel No
2 Cheki Dorji Male Lamdra No
3 Karma Male Tarphel No
4 Pema Gyelpo Male Betsamang No
5 Pema Tsewang Male Ngalemang No
6 Shedra Namgyel Male Bumdeling No
7 Mani Zangmo Female Teney No
8 Choney wangmo Female Khenkhar No
9 Wangdi Male Ngalemang No
10 Bumpa Lhamo Female Phanteng No
11 Sangay Drukpa Male Singphel No
12 Lhakpa Tshering Male Singphel No
13 Thangyey Wangmo Female Bamdel No
Sherimung Gewog (28th
-29th July, 2012)
73
Sl. No. Name Gender Village From vulnerable
household
Group Discussion
1 Tashi Dorji (Gup) Male Soenakhar No
2 Dechen Gyalpo Male Yarab No
3 Tshomo Female Jabgang No
9 Thukten Male Thramo No
5 Choney Jamtsho Male Thiling No
6 Ugyen Zangmo Female Muhung No
7 Dolma Female Drongphu No
Household Interview
1 Kezang Namgay Male Yarab Yes
2 Rinchen Female Soenakhar Yes
3 Sangay Dorji Male Drongphu No
4 Sangay Wangmo Female Serzhong No
5 Tashi Tobgay Female Gangmung No
6 Tshewang Male Shiling No
7 Sangay Wangmo Female Soenakhar No
8 Tshewang Dorji Male Soenakhar No
Khoma Gewog, Lhuntse (30th
July, 2012)
Sl. No. Name Gender Village From vulnerable
household
Group Discussion
1 Sither Tshering (Gup) Male No
2 Lungten Female Sinphu Yes
3 Yeshi Tshewang Male Khoma Yes
4 Jamtsho Male Rongmateng No
5 Kuenzang Dolma Female Rongmateng No
6 Jigme Dorji Male Goenpa Karpo No
7 Sonam Pelmo Female Goenpa Karpo No
8 Goenpo Male Nylamdung No
Household Interview
1 Pema Wangmo Female Khoma Yes
2 Machemo Female Khoma Yes
3 Dorji Choden Female Pangkhar Yes
4 Pemo Female Pangkhar Yes
5 Gaydenmo Female Pangkhar Yes
6 Jigmela Male Pangkhar Yes
7 Jangchub Dorji Male Taya No
8 Sonam Wangdi Male Serphu No
9 Ugyen Wangdi Male Pamgkhar No
10 Dechen Palden Female Pangkhar No
74
Chhokhor Gwog, Bumthang (2nd
August, 2012)
Sl. No. Name Gender Village From Vulverable
household
Group Discussion
1 Pema Tshering (Tsogpa) Male Dhur No
2 Lemo Female Dhur No
3 Tashi Tshering Male Lusabe No
4 Sonam Phuntsho (Tsogpa) Male Kharsa No
5 Tashi Wangmo Female Kharsa No
6 Ugyen Thinley Male Thangbe No
7 Thsering Dorji (Tsogpa) Male Dorjibe No
8 Tashi Wangmo Female Goling No
Household Interview
1 Sonam Yangchen Female Dhur No
2 Jemba Male Kharsa No
3 Wangchuk Dema Female Kharsa No
4 Chekey Lhendup Male Changwang No
5 Gorden Male Dawathang No
6 Sonam Tshering Male Dhur No
7 Tashi Lhamo Female Nasphel No
8 Kuenga Phuntsho Male Zhebjaythang
Sephu Gewog, Wangduephodrang (3rd
– 4th August, 2012)
Sl. No. Name Gender Village From Vulverable
household
Group Discussion
1 Sangay Dorji (Mangme) Male Bimbilo No
2 Lam Dorji (Tsogpa) Male Buso No
3 Phurba (Tsogpa) Male Naldra No
4 Mani (Tsogpa) Male Rukubji No
5 Pema (Tsogpa) Male Bimbilo No
6 Rinchen (Tsogpa) Male Longtey No
Other people met during the field consultation from 11th July - 4th August, 2012
Sl.
No. Name Gender Designation Organization
1 Duptho Male Member of Parliament Bumdeling-Jamkhar
2 Pangkey Dukpa Male Park Manager BWS
3 Tashi Male Forester Sherzhong Range, BWS
4 Kinley Phuntsho Male Gewog Adm Officer Gangzur Gewog
5 Tashi Dorji Male Forestry Officer WCP
6 Phub Dorji Male Deputy Ranger Officer WCP
75
7 Ratan Giri Male Forester Sephu Range, WCP
8 Tenzin Male Assistant Forestry Officer Chokhor Range, CWP
9 Leki Wangdi Male Forester Laya Range, JDNP
10 Jigme Lhaden Female Forester Khoma Range, BWS
11 Pema Thinley Male Sr. Ranger Officer JDNP
12 Karma Jamtsho Male Assistant Forestry Officer Gasa Range, JDNP
13 Dargay Male Sr. Ranger Officer Lingshi Range, JDNP
14 Damcho Dorji Male Sr. Ranger Officer GFEA, Lingshi
15 Namgay Dorji Male Assistant Forestry Officer JDNP
16 Phub Tshering Male Deputy Range Officer Lingshi Range, JDNP
17 Yonten Male Forester Soe Range, JDNP
18 Pema Dorji Male Assistant Forestry Officer Soe Range, JDNP
19 Sonam Younten Male Deputy Ranger Officer Laya Range, JDNP
20 Sangay Dorji Male Forester Gasa Range, JDNP
21 Jangchuk Dorji Male Sr. Range Officer Sherzhong Range, BWS
22 Sangay Drakpa Male Sr. Range Officer Bumdeling Range, BWS
Table: Summary of Primary Stakeholders Consulted at the Local Level
Gewog No. of
people
Male Female Belonging to
Vulnerable
Household
Focus Group Discussion No. % No. % No. %
Laya (JDNP) 9 7 77.8 2 22.2 0 0.0
Goenkhamae (JDNP) 7 5 71.4 2 28.6 0 0.0
Goenkhatoe (JDNP) 7 5 71.4 2 28.6 0 0.0
Lunana (WCP) 6 4 66.7 2 33.3 0 0.0
Lingshi (JDNP) 7 4 57.1 3 42.9 0 0.0
Naro (JDNP) 5 4 80.0 1 20.0 0 0.0
Soe (JDNP) 6 4 66.7 2 33.3 0 0.0
Nubi (WCP) 6 6 100.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Tang (WCP) 6 3 50.0 3 50.0 0 0.0
Bumdeling (BWS) 10 5 50.0 5 50.0 0 0.0
Sherimung (BWS) 7 4 57.1 3 42.9 0 0.0
Khoma (WCP) 8 5 62.5 3 37.5 2 25.0
Chhokhor (WCP) 8 5 62.5 3 37.5 0 0.0
Sephu (WCP) 6 6 100.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
Household Interviews No. % No. % No. %
Laya (JDNP) 12 10 83.3 2 16.7 0 0
Goenkhamae (JDNP) 8 4 50.0 4 50.0 4 50
76
Goenkhatoe (JDNP) 10 8 80.0 2 20.0 3 30
Lunana (WCP) 8 5 62.5 3 37.5 0 0
Lingshi (JDNP 8 6 75.0 2 25.0 0 0
Naro (JDNP) 8 6 75.0 2 25.0 0 0
Soe (JDNP) 7 4 57.1 3 42.9 2 28.6
Nubi (WCP) 9 2 22.2 7 77.8 9 100
Tang (WCP) 8 4 50.0 4 50.0 4 50
Bumdeling (BWS) 13 8 61.5 5 38.5 0 0
Sherimung (BWS) 8 4 50.0 4 50.0 2 25
Khoma (WCP) 10 4 40.0 6 60.0 5 50
Chhokhor (WCP) 8 5 62.5 3 37.5 0 0
77
Annex 2. Summary of consultation
Out of 207 households, the team identified that 26 households is likely to be affected
due to the projects. Although this just an assumption made during the consultation but
this can only be verified once the project area is identified. The main assumption of
these affected households are due to small land holdings and will have minimal
negative impacts.
Geogs HH
#
Concern Responses Responsibility
Khoma 2 1 HH small land holding
1 HH disabled lady
Awareness program as well as
to avoid or minimize land to
be taken for the project from
the affected ones
NPM, National
Land Commission
(NLC)
Sherimung 2 Small land holding - do - NLC
Tang 4 Small land holding - do - NLC
Nubi 9 5 HH small land holding
4 HH single parent
- do - NPM, NLC
Soe 2 Small land holding - do - NLC
Goenkhatoe 3 Small land holding - do - NLC
Goenkhamae 4 3HH Small land holding
1 HH single parent
- do - NPM, NLC
The consultative meeting was held with the representative of the following gewogs:
1. Laya Gewog, Gasa,
2. Goenkhamae Gewog, Gasa,
3. Goenkhatoe Gewog, Gasa,
4. Lunana Gewog, Gasa,
5. Lingshi Gewog, Thimphu,
6. Naro Gewog Thimphu,
7. Soe Gewog Thimphu,
8. Nubi Gewog, Trongsa,
9. Tang Gewog, Bumthang,
10. Bumdeling Gewog Trashi Yangtse,
11. Sherimung Gewog Monggar,
12. Khoma Gewog, Lhuntse,
13. Choekhor Gewog, Bumthang and
14. Sephu Gewog, Wangdiphodrang
Laya Gewog, Gasa (12th
-13th
July, 2012)
Perception and Understanding of the Project
The people participated in the field consultation meeting and interview were familiar
with the proposed project activities for the sustainable financing for biodiversity
conservation and natural resources management of the HANAS areas. Majority of the
local community got similar activity support, although, smaller in magnitude from the
government and other organization like HEVETAS. Distribution of fodder tree
seedlings, fodder grass seeds, portable milk processing equipments, solar power,
fodder grass cutter, breeding bull and certain quantity of barbed wire for fencing were
some of the activity support provided in the past to the people of Laya. The
participants also expressed the importance of establishing community forest and its
associated social and economic benefits for future generation. So, the people of Laya
78
feel that the proposed project will bring them immense benefits in improving their
socio-economic as well as reducing pressure to the forestry resources.
Social Impact
The people consulted were unable to relate any significant negative impacts from the
proposed project; rather they felt that the project would definitely improve their socio-
economic conditions through development of pasture, supply of more number of
breeding bull and better breed of yak, distribution of high yielding fodder tree
seedlings, fodder grass seeds, promotion of organic farming and vegetable production,
and yak product diversification. To encourage the discussion on potential adverse
social impacts, few scenarios such as social disharmony among communities due to
inequitable sharing of project benefits. To this, the Gup responded that the benefits
will be distributed on the priority basis taking into consideration the economic
condition of the household in consultation with other local GYT members in the
gewog as well refer to the past list of beneficiary. When asked about the increasing
incidences of livestock depredation by the wild predators and more people coming in
conflict with wild animals, they informed that they have a very strong agreement
signed between the community and the Gewog Administration not to indulge in
killing wild animals at any cost. While discussing on this issue, the gup brought out
the problem of not being able to acquire environmental clearance for the construction
of farm road from Gasa to Laya which has been approved by the GYT and DYT. In
consulting with the JDNP officials on this matter, it was reported the environmental
clearance for the construction of road was denied as the proposed farm road passes
through the Takin corridors in Tsarijathang. The gup also expressed his unsatisfaction
over the allotment of natural resources, especially, the timber resources for the
construction of community service centers in the gewog.
Dispute Resolutions
Any nature of disputes in the community is first resolved by the tsogpa of the village.
If the dispute is not able to settle at the village level, the tsogpa forwards the case to
the gewog level, where the gup and mangi collectively attempt to resolve the disputes.
If the dispute is not settled at the gewog level, then the case is forwarded to
Dzongkahg Thrimkhang (District Court) and subsequently, it goes to High Court and
eventually to the Supreme Court for appeal if the person is not satisfy with the
judgments passed by the lower courts. Majority of the disputes are of petty in nature
and get resolved either at the village level or gewog level. Only those cases which are
serious in nature get forwarded to the higher courts.
Offences related to the forestry and wildlife is being dealt by the forestry officials.
Almost all the cases get resolved at the Range Office level by the Range Officer. In
the event of case being not able to resolve at the Range level, then it is forwarded
either to park head office or territorial division head office or subsequently to
respective district court.
Role of GYT, RNR and Park Officials
GYT members felt that the project would be best managed and implemented by the
park office with close collaboration with the gewog administration. However, they
strongly felt that the GYT members should be actively involved in terms of
collaboration and coordination in planning and implementation so that the project
activities provide maximum benefits to the community and it fits into the overall
79
gewog five year plan and also in keeping with the mandate entrusted by the GYT
Chathrim 2002. The gewog RNR and park officials informed that the project will
immensely support to achieve their regular plan activities to enhance the rural socio-
economic and they see their role as immediate technical guide and assistance to the
local people. The park official feels that they will gain additional cooperation from
the local community in managing the natural resources and biodiversity conservation
through this project. In terms of monitoring both social and environmental impacts,
they would assist the GYT in preparing the monitoring framework for the impact
assessment.
Vulnerable Group
When asked about the number of household vulnerable in the gewog, tsogpa and gup
uprightly responded that none of the household in laya gwog is vulnerable as of now.
This is mainly due to the legalization of cordyceps collection in 2004 by His Majesty
the fourth Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. The local communities make
adequate income from the sale of cordyceps annually to sustain and lead a
comfortable life in terms of recurrent food, cash and expenditure for their school
going children. In terms of ethnicity, the communities are all layaps, considered as
bjobs, and cannot be differentiated as being socially or culturally distinct from one
another.
Goenkhamae Gewog, Gasa (14th
July, 2012)
Perception and Understanding of the Project
The people participated in the field consultation meeting and interview were familiar
with the proposed project activities for the sustainable financing for biodiversity
conservation and natural resources management of the HANAS areas. Many people
from the community were involved in the agriculture product enhancement program
supported by UNDP where the households were distributed potato seeds and other
vegetables to increased organic farm product from the gwog. Few of the people also
got training in farmyard manure preparation from the locally available raw materials.
Some farmers were sent for in-country study tour to get exposed to farming and
livestock rearing practices and dairy management cooperatives. Also the community
forest management was another component of the study tour for the farmers. Barbed
wire for fencing was distributed from CDG and it has proved very helpful in reducing
the crop raiding by wild boar, sambar and barking deer. Trenches around the
agriculture field was also dug with the support of some project to deter wild ungulates
from crop depredation but it was not so successful, rather it has proved very fatal for
the livestock. The local communities of Goenkhamae are infact very excited to grab
the project opportunity to enhance their socio-economic and income generation.
Social Impact
None of the people consulted were unable to relate any significant negative impacts
from the proposed project; rather they foresee tremendous benefits from the proposed
project in improving their socio-economic conditions. The proposed project would
help the community to reduce unproductive cattle by promotion of artificial
insemination, distribution of breeding bull, and jersey. This will help minimize the
human wildlife conflict in the gewog. Development of silvo-pasture and promotion of
agricultural products through distribution of potato and vegetable seeds like
asparagus, mushroom cultivation, and increased training on the preparation and use of
organic manure and natural weed control to promote organic farm products. The issue
80
of inequitable sharing of project benefits can be resolved through priority ranking and
establishing the practical criteria by GYT in collaboration with RNR and park
officials.
Dispute Resolutions Any nature of disputes in the community is first resolved by the tsogpa of the village.
If the dispute is not able to settle at the village level, the tsogpa forwards the case to
the gewog level, where the gup and mangi collectively attempt to resolve the disputes.
If the dispute is not settled at the gewog level, then the case is forwarded to
Dzongkahg Thrimkhang (District Court) and subsequently, it goes to High Court and
eventually to the Supreme Court for appeal if the person is not satisfy with the
judgments passed by the lower courts. Majority of the disputes are of petty in nature
and get resolved either at the village level or gewog level. Only those cases which are
serious in nature get forwarded to the higher courts.
Offences related to the forestry and wildlife is being dealt by the forestry officials.
Almost all the cases get resolved at the Range Office level by the Range Officer. In
the event of case being not able to resolve at the Range level, then it is forwarded
either to park head office or territorial division head office or subsequently to
respective district court.
Role of GYT, RNR and Park Officials
GYT members felt that the project would be best managed and implemented by the
park office in close collaboration with the gewog administration. However, they
strongly felt that the GYT members should be actively involved in terms of
collaboration and coordination in planning and implementation so that the project
activities provide maximum benefits to the community and it fits into the overall
gewog five year plan and also in keeping with the mandate entrusted by the GYT
Chathrim 2002. In terms of project activity fund disbursement, they felt that the park
authority needs to consult and seek prior approval from the GYT. Also, they felt that
the monitoring of the project activity and achievement should be done by the donor
agency. The gewog RNR and park officials informed that the project will immensely
support to achieve their regular plan activities to enhance the rural socio-economic
and they see their role as immediate technical guide and assistance to the local people.
The park official feels that they will gain additional cooperation from the local
community in managing the natural resources and biodiversity conservation through
this project. In terms of monitoring both social and environmental impacts, they
would assist the GYT in preparing the monitoring framework for the impact
assessment.
Vulnerable Group
Although majority of the people in the community are self sufficient and average
income group with few households considered rich by the village standard based on
the size of land holdings and annual income generated. Tsogpa and gup guesstimated
that are about four households appropriately fall into the vulnerable group due to
limited land holding and female headed household with young children. Generally,
people in the gewog are not differentiated into any communal group and none of the
people are socially and culturally vulnerable.
Goenkhatoe Gewog, Gasa (15th
July, 2012)
81
Perception and Understanding of the Project
Many of the people who participated in the stakeholders meeting were able to recall
the activities that they have implemented in the past from the regular RGoB funbding
as well as few donor supported project. During the discussion, the people could
perceived that the project was about improving their socio-economic through
improved agriculture, pasture/tsamdo development, livestock product enhancement
and rural enterprise development and at the same time about the conservation and
improvement of their natural environment. They attach great deal of importance to
environmental protection and prevention of forest and land degradation for long term
benefits and ecosystem sustenance. These people were also provided and
implemented similar agriculture and livestock program activities from the regular
RGoB finance but in small scale. Plantation of mani ruta (Saussurea lappa),a
medicinal plant has also taken up with support of dazongkhag forestry sector and now
people are facing difficulty in marketing the products as they couldn’t find buyers
other than ITMS.
Social Impact
People hardly envisage negative impacts from the proposed project; rather they
foresee tremendous benefits that would contribute towards realizing the overarching
goal of gross national happiness. People felt that the reduction of unproductive cattle
and improved pasture development near their household will reduce the issue of
human wildlife confrontation in the gewog. Support for the renovation of Lhakhangs
and sacred sites (neys) will ensure the timely onset of monsoon rains for the farm
works and good harvest annually to compliment the efforts being made from the
agriculture sector by providing high yielding cereals and vegetable seeds.
Dispute Resolutions Normally, disputes among the communities are very few and mostly get resolved at
the local level. Dispute in the community is first resolved by the tsogpa of the village.
If the dispute is not able to settle at the village level, the tsogpa forwards the case to
the gewog level, where the gup and mangi collectively attempt to resolve the disputes.
If the dispute is not settled at the gewog level, then the case is forwarded to
Dzongkahg Thrimkhang (District Court) and subsequently, it goes to High Court and
eventually to the Supreme Court for appeal if the person is not satisfy with the
judgments passed by the lower courts. Majority of the disputes are of petty in nature
and get resolved either at the village level or gewog level. Only those cases which are
serious in nature get forwarded to the higher courts.
Offences related to the forestry and wildlife is being dealt by the forestry officials.
Almost all the cases get resolved at the Range Office level by the Range Officer. In
the event of case being not able to resolve at the Range level, then it is forwarded
either to park head office or territorial division head office or subsequently to
respective district court.
Role of GYT, RNR and Park Officials
GYT members felt that the project would be best managed and implemented by the
park office in close collaboration with the gewog administration. However, they
strongly felt that the GYT members should be actively involved in terms of
collaboration and coordination in planning and implementation so that the project
activities provide maximum benefits to the community and it fits into the overall
82
gewog five year plan and also in keeping with the mandate entrusted by the GYT
Chathrim 2002. The gewog RNR and park officials informed that the project will
immensely support to achieve their regular plan activities to enhance the rural socio-
economic and they see their role as immediate technical guide and assistance to the
local people. The park official feels that they will gain additional cooperation from
the local community in managing the natural resources and biodiversity conservation
through this project. In terms of monitoring both social and environmental impacts,
they would assist the GYT in preparing the monitoring framework for the impact
assessment.
Vulnerable Group
Tsogpa and gup couldn’t identify any vulnerable household from the gewog as they
are all average income people and none of them hit badly so far by any sort of disaster
or tragedy. People in the gewog are not differentiated into any ethnic group and none
of the people are socially and culturally vulnerable.
Lunana Gewog, Gasa (16th
July, 2012)
Perception and Understanding of the Project
Based on the views put forth by the people participated in the consultative meeting, it
indicates that the local communities of Lunana haven’t had the opportunity to
implement any project activities except the distribution of breeding bull. So, the
people have limited knowledge about the proposed project activities but they are of
the opinion that this proposed project will provide enormous benefits for the
improvement of their socio-economic. Majority of them were worried about the loss
of their livestock to the wild predators such as snow leopard and wild dog. When
asked about the livestock compensation from the Wildlife Conservation Division and
JDNP, they responded that none of them had received any sort of compensation so
far. People felt that it may be because of remoteness of the area and inaccessibility for
most of the time due to snow cover for verification of livestock kill on the spot.
Social Impact and Dispute Resolution
The participants for the meeting reported that people are migrating out of the gewog
although at small numbers due to harsh climatic condition and limited scope for
development with increasing income from the cordyceps collection. Their current
route to market centers via Ganglakarchung remains under snow cover for most of the
time posing serious impediments for the local community. Additionally, lack of
electricity and road facilities were some of the socially connected issues that were
raised during the meeting which might forced people to migrate out from the gewog
in search of better facilities. In view of the above, the meeting participants felt that
there are lots of positive benefits from the proposed project that would help retain
people in the gewog and make the life more comfortable. Majority of them were
desperately proposing feeder road via Punakha and electrification in the gewog to
reduce fuelwood consumption in addition to support for livestock and grazing land
improvement through distribution of breeding bull, improved breed livestock and high
yielding agricultural and vegetable seeds suitable for high altitude. Disputes among
the local community are very few and are dealt in a similar fashion described for other
gewogs.
83
Role of GYT, RNR and Park Officials
GYT members felt that involvement of local people in planning the proposed project
activities is the most essential part of the project implementation strategy that needs to
adapted as the target beneficiary are local community. They also felt important to
conduct stakeholder meeting to discuss the project activities and get it endorsed
during the GYT meeting for better cooperation and coordination during the project
implementation phase. Involvement of RNR and park officials for the project
planning and implementation were seen as necessity for technical backstopping and
guidance as the local community lack the required capacity. Also involvement of
these officials guarantees their stay and more interaction with the local communities
as it hardly happens at present due to harsh environmental conditions.
Vulnerable Group
Regarding vulnerable group in the gewog, the GYT members present in the meeting
assured that there are no households falling in the category of vulnerable group as the
local communities make substantial cash income annually from the cordyceps
harvesting. Infact, the people of Lunana are financially advanced from majority of the
people from other gewogs residing in the park as the cordyceps in their region are
superior in terms of quality and quantity. Culturally, all the people of Lunana are
considered of the same ethnicity.
Lingshi Gewog, Thimphu (19th
July, 2012)
Perception and Understanding of the Project
Support for the distribution of solar power to every household on cost sharing basis
(50% DoE and 50% JDNP), portable milk screamer unit, and fodder grass seeds for
pasture development were some of the activities that the participants could described
in the meeting after explaining the possible project activities from the proposed
project. Similarly, people felt that the proposed project will bring huge benefits to the
local community in terms of promoting livestock and agriculture productions through
sustainable agriculture land and pasture development. They expect to reduce the loss
of their livestock to the wild predators drastically with this upcoming project and
could initiate livestock insurance scheme to reduce potential human wildlife conflicts
in the gewog. The local community is also exploring to establish the community
medicinal plant management groups to supply medicinal plant raw materials for
ITMS.
Social Impact and Dispute Resolution
People do not foresee any adverse negative social impacts from the proposed project
activities rather they anticipate tremendous benefits that would contribute towards
improvement of their socio-economic opportunities. People felt that the reduction of
unproductive cattle and improved pasture development near their household will
reduce the issue of human wildlife confrontation in the gewog. Support for the
creation and maintenance of mule tracks and repair of bridges with RCC will greatly
enhance the tourism opportunity and accessibility for local communities in the gewog.
Hardly any disputes among households are expected from the proposed projects as
84
they will get equal opportunity to participate in the projects with support of gewog
administration, RNR and park officials. In case of disputes, proper resolving
mechanism is in place and can be handled as per the procedures laid down in the
gewog administration code of ethics.
Role of GYT, RNR and Park Officials
Here again, the GYT members felt that the project activities could be best
implemented by the park authority as they have all the required technical capacities.
However, they felt that activity planning should be developed in consultation with the
local community and GYT members as the project has to benefit local people and
need to fit into the gewog five year plan. RNR and park officials are ready to provide
technical backstopping to the gewog administration for implementation and
monitoring of the proposed project activities.
Vulnerable Group
Tsogpa and gup could identify only one vulnerable household that is needed to give
special attention during the implementation of the proposed project. She is a disabled
woman with a school going daughter and also has limited (20 decimal) land holding
only. Rests of the households in the community are more or less having access to
adequate income generation to run their family. There isn’t any person in the
communities who are considered socially lower than others and are vulnerable.
Naro Gewog, Thimphu (20th
July, 2012)
Perception and Understanding of the Project
People participated in the meeting could understand the proposed project activities
very clearly as they have been receiving support from the government at smaller scale
for the distribution of solar panel for lighting, portable milk processing equipment,
heating stove (Bukhari) and barbed wire to fence the pasture land. They felt that the
additional support for similar program activity would enhance the income generation
opportunities as the livestock rearing is the main source of socio-economic sustenance
for the local community of Naro. Support for the maintenance and creation of mule
tracks, poultry farm development, installation of medicinal plant drying unit, incense
processing unit, promotion and retrieval of traditional handicraft weaving from the
yak hair, construction and maintenance of bridges with RCC, supply of electricity and
restoration of degraded pasture and agriculture land due to frequent landslide are
some of the activities proposed in the meeting.
Social Impact and Dispute Resolution
The meeting participants could not think of any negative social impact that would
arise from the proposed project activity rather the project of this nature will bring
more synchronization among the local communities as they need to come together for
planning and implementation of the activity. They also foresee a scope for enhancing
the rapport between forestry officials and community as the proposed project is
gearing towards achieving sustainable conservation of high altitude ecosystem
through promotion of livestock, agriculture and ecotourism programs which is also
85
the main areas discussed for the 11th
five year plan submitted to the government
through GYT. However, the tsogpa of Naro gewog raised the danger of spreading
bovine diseases to the wild animals if necessary precautions are not taken at the right
time as they practiced a system of transhumance. Also, people felt that there is a need
for establishing special conservation fund to compensate the livestock lost to snow
leopard and wild dog as they lose significant number of livestock annually to these
predators.
Role of GYT, RNR and Park Officials
GYT members felt that the proposed project would be best implemented with strong
involvement of government officials especially the gewog RNR and park officials,
however, they strongly felt that they should be actively involved in terms of
collaboration and coordination in planning and implementation so that the project
activities provide maximum benefits to the community and it fits into the overall
gewog five year plan.
Vulnerable Group
In the meeting, we were informed that there are no people or household falls into the
vulnerable categories as per the WB safeguard policies as they get adequate income
from the sale of cordyceps and livestock products annually. In terms of land holding,
all the households in the gewog have very limited agriculture land but they have been
fortunate enough to receive 50 decimals of land kidu (grant) from His Majesty the
Fifth King of Bhutan recently.
Soe Gewog, Thimphu (22nd
July, 2012)
Perception and Understanding of the Project
In regards to project perception and understanding, the people gathered for the
consultative meeting could vividly described few government supported activities
such as distribution of grass seeds for pasture improvement and solar panel for
lighting. However, they felt that the proposed project is going to bring enormous
returns through enhancement of livestock programs and agriculture products and they
are positively looking forward to implement it with the technical support from gewog
RNR and park officials. People felt that the proposed project would help them to
accelerate the achievement of their five year planned programs, which is mainly focus
on agriculture and livestock product promotion.
Social Impact and Dispute Resolution
People hardly envisage any negative impacts from the proposed project; rather they
foresee tremendous benefits that would contribute towards realizing the goal of self-
sufficiency attainment through promotion of better agricultural technologies and
livestock rearing opportunities. People felt that the reduction of unproductive cattle
and improved pasture development near their household will help them to reduce
winter fodder shortage and increase the livestock products subsequently.
Role of GYT, RNR and Park Officials
86
Similar to other GYT members, they too felt that they don’t have an adequate human
resource capacity to handle the project separately by gewog administration. They
would very much want to implement the project activities collaboratively for better
success and impact. In terms of project activity planning, GYT would take a lead role
in collaboration with park and RNR officials.
Vulnerable Group
Although none of the people are socially vulnerable but the people participated in the
meeting identified two households that needs special attention during the planning
and implementation of the proposed project.
Nubi Gewog, Trongsa (23rd
– 24th
July, 2012)
Similar to government supported projects implemented by other gewogs stated above,
the people of Nubi gewog has also implemented project activity like distribution of
CGI sheet for house roofing to some households with the financial support from
WCP. Nearly 90% of the households in the gewog are covered with CGI sheet roofing
either with the support from park office or self finance. Distribution of improved
agricultural seeds, fodder grass seeds, fruit tree seedlings, construction and
maintenance of irrigational canals are some of the other government supported project
activities implemented in the gewog. People felt that they have good knowledge of
implementing such project activities that might provide support from the proposed
project.
The people participated in the consultative meeting could not identify any negative
impact that would jeopardize the relations among the local communities. In regards to
GYT, RNR and park officials’ role in project implementation, they felt the success of
the project will depend on the strong involvement of local community at the project
planning stage. The GYT members felt that their role is to coordinate and facilitate
the project activity discussion and planning to derive maximum benefit which will
have lasting impact for the community.
Nubi gewog reported maximum number of households in a vulnerable group that
needs to be taken care while planning and implementing the proposed project
activities. Majority of the vulnerable households belong to age group of more than 65
years and they have either no younger ones to look after or limited relatives to support
them. They are already receiving assistance from HM’s office.
Tang Gewog, Bumthang (24th
– 25th
July, 2012)
In regards to project awareness and understanding, people of Tang seemed to have
more exposure compared to other gewogs as they got an opportunity to implement
SWISS supported project especially in the livestock sector. Many of the households
were beneficiary of
Bumdeling Gewog, Trashiyangtse (27th
July, 2012)
During the consultative meeting held in Bumdeling, the views of people on project
awareness and understanding, social impact from the proposed project activities and
87
system of dispute resolution weren’t different from the people of other gewog. Most
of the people participated in the meeting were of the opinion that their income
generating scope would be broadened with additional financial support for agriculture
and livestock production enhancement programs. One of the new issues raised by the
participants of the meeting was the submergence of wetland due to constant flood and
landslide in Bumdeling areas posing serious threats not only to the winter roosting
habitat for cranes as well as to the local community. Annually, 2-3 acres of paddy
field are being lost to the floods despite constant protection works being carried out
with the support of BWS. As of now, atleast 70-80% of productive paddy field is
destroyed by the floods.
Mr. Duptho, Member of Parliament from Jamkhar Bumdeling consistency strongly
felt the need to carry out detail study to understand the causes of flood in the area to
help develop long term permanent solution. He was of the opinion that the temporary
protection woks carried out with the support of BWS and other donors are not really
solving this flood problem.
The local community felt that the gewog has huge potential to promote butterfly
tourism in addition to cultural tourism as the place has lot renowned holy sites such as
Rigsum Goenpa, Dechen Phodrang and Pemaling. The Bhutan Swallow Tail which
was declared as national butterfly recently is found at Tarphel which is few hours
walk from Bumdeling. Also, they felt that support in the promotion of mass
production of special variety of chilly, locally known as worka bangala is another
unique opportunity.
Few people were of the opinion that jersey, an improved breed of livestock, is not
doing well in the gewog unlike other places and need for some study to point out the
possible factors responsible for the failure of jersey rearing program.
Sherimung Gewog, Mongar (28th
– 29th
July, 2012)
People participated in the meeting and individual interview had similar views on the
project perception and understanding as well as social impact from the proposed
project and dispute resolution system. Even for the role of GYT, RNR and park
officials, they felt the same way as stated by other GYT members. The most
prominent constraints pointed by the meeting participants were the shortage of water
for drinking and irrigation as they have noted the drying up of water sources in the
gewog. The reason they felt was due to scanty rainfall over past few years and could
be attributed to climate variability impact as they have seen the forest cover
increasing. Another problem increasingly faced by the community of Sherimung
gewog is the heavy crop depredation by wild herbivores and ungulates such as wild
boar, monkeys and porcupine. Annually, they lose half an acre to one acre of crop to
these wild predators’ particularly wild boars and monkeys. Limited accessibility to
market place is also one factor that has restricted the people’s interest to invest extra
time in agricultural field. The main source of income needed for the sustenance of
their family is drawn from working as daily wage labourer and engagement in petty
works in the construction industry in other regions. It is reported that some of male
member of the family never returned to their village in the process of accumulating
cash income for family sustenance. They either get married in the place they worked
or get employed in the construction industry as carpenter or mason. The gup and
88
tsogpa reported that there are two households that falls within the vulnerable group
and may have to consider additional attention during the project planning and
implementation.
89
Annex 3. Project area Gewog map
90
Annex 4. National Policies and Acts
National Forest Policy, 1974 and National Forest Policy 2011
The essence of the National Forest Policy 1974 is primarily on conservation of forests
and associated resources for their ecological values and secondarily on their
exploitation for economic benefits but within the limits of sustainability. It hinges on
the following four guiding principles:
Protection of the land, its forest, soil, water resources and biodiversity against
degradation, such as loss of soil fertility, soil erosion, landslides, floods and other
ecological devastation and the improvement of all degraded forest land areas,
through proper management systems and practices;
Contribution to the production of food, water, energy and other commodities by
effectively coordinating the interaction between forestry and farming systems;
Meeting the long-term needs of Bhutanese people for wood and other forest
products by placing all production forest resources under sustainable
management;
Contribution to the growth of national and local economies, including exploitation
of export opportunities, through fully developed forest based industries, and to
contribute to balanced human resources development through training and
creation of employment opportunities.
National Forest Policy 2011. Consultation with communities is required.
Construction of road through the established community forest may loose the
naturally or artificially grown forest resources, which were managed by
community forest management group. So, the loss of resources may have to be
compensated as per the guidelines.
Forest and Nature Conservation Act, 1995
The first environmental legislation to be passed in Bhutan was the Bhutan Forest Act,
1969, which brought all forest resources under government custody with the intent to
regulate forest utilization and control excessive forest exploitation. This law was
repealed in 1995 with the enactment of the Forest and Nature Conservation Act
(FNCA), 1995, in keeping with evolving conservation needs and to allow for
community stewardship of forests. The objective of the FNCA is to “provide for the
protection and sustainable use of forests, wildlife and related natural resources of
Bhutan for the benefit of present and future generations”. It covers forest
management, prohibitions and concessions in government reserved forests, forestry
leases, social and community forestry, transport and trade of forestry produce,
protected areas, wildlife conservation, soil and water conservation, forest fire
prevention, and enforcement and penalties.
Forest and Nature Conservation Rules, 2000
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In accordance with the powers and duties conferred under the FNCA, the MoA
has promulgated the Forest and Nature Conservation Rules (FNCR), 2000, for:
preparation, review, approval, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of
forest management plans;
reservation of government reserved forests, allotment of land and land rights in
government reserved forests, regulation of activities in lands allotted for private
use, collection of forest produce from government reserved forests, compensation
for acquired lands, prohibitions, restrictions and concessions in government
reserved forests, and forestry lease;
creation of private and community forests, including procedures for registration of
private and community forests and effects consequent upon registration,
management and use of community forest resources, and responsibilities and
powers of the community forest management group and concerned government
agencies;
transport and trade of forest produce, including extraction and marketing
procedures and inspection of forest produce in transit or in trade;
declaration of protected areas, administration of PAs , and prohibitions in PAs;
protection of wildlife and use of certain wild species;
prevention of forest fires, land clearance, and activities potentially impacting soil,
water and wildlife resources; and
Enforcement and penalties for offences related to all of the above.
Environmental Assessment Act, 2000
The Environmental Assessment Act (EAA), 2000, establishes procedures for the
assessment of potential effects of strategic plans, policies, programs, and projects on
the environment, and for the determination of policies and measures to reduce
potential adverse effects and to promote environmental benefits. The Act requires the
RGoB to ensure that environmental concerns are fully taken into account when
formulating, renewing, modifying and implementing any policy, plan or program as
per regulations that may be adopted within the appropriate provision of the Act. It
makes environmental clearance (EC)19
mandatory for any project/ activity that may
have adverse impact(s) on the environment.
Based on the review of environmental information submitted by the project applicant,
the National Environment Commission Secretariat (NECS) or the Competent
Authority (CA)20
may issue/ deny EC or determine the need for a full environmental
assessment (EA). Where a full EA is determined necessary, the applicant will be
asked to prepare EA documents according to the terms of reference (ToR) approved
19
Article 6.11 of the EAA defines Environmental Clearance as the decision, issued in writing by the NECS or the
relevant Competent Authority, to let a project proceed, which includes terms (and conditions) to ensure that the
project is managed in an environmentally sound and sustainable way. 20
Article 6.2 of the EEA defines a Competent Authority as any agency of RGoB who has the power to issue
development consent for a project.
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by the NECS. On approval of the ToR by the NECS, the applicant is required to carry
out a full EA and consequently submit the EA Report to the NECS. The NECS will
review the EA report and accordingly issue/ deny EC.
The NECS or CA may issue EC when it is satisfied that: (a) the effects of the project
on the environment are foreseeable and acceptable; (b) the applicant is capable of
carrying out the terms of EC; (c) the project, alone or in connection with other
programs/ activities, contributes to the sustainable development of the Kingdom and
the conservation of its natural and cultural heritage; (d) adequate attention has been
paid to the interests of concerned people; and (e) the project is consistent with the
environmental commitments of the Kingdom.
EC for a project shall be reviewed and may be revised and renewed at least every five
years, unless a shorter period is stated. The NECS or CA may review and modify the
terms whenever there is: (a) unacceptable risks to the environment resulting from the
project which were not known at the time the clearance was issued; (b) availability of
improved and cleaner technology; and (c) a need to bring the project into compliance
with changes to the laws of the country.
Non-compliance with environmental terms specified in the issuance of environmental
clearance makes the offender liable to penalties that may include compensation for
environmental damage, fines, sanctions, and suspension or revocation of
environmental clearance in part or full.
Regulation for the Environmental Clearance of Projects, 2002
The Regulation defines responsibilities and procedures for the implementation of the
EAA concerning the issuance and enforcement of EC for individual projects and to:
provide meaningful opportunities for public review of potential environmental
impacts of projects;
ensure that all projects are implemented in line with the sustainable development
policy of the Royal Government;
ensure that all foreseeable impacts on the environment, including cumulative
effects are fully considered prior to any irrevocable commitments of resources or
funds;
ensure that all feasible alternatives are fully considered;
ensure that all feasible means to avoid or mitigate damage to the environment are
implemented;
encourage the use of renewable resources, clean technologies and methods;
ensure that concerned people benefit from projects in terms of social facilities;
help strengthen local institutions in environmental decision making; and
help create a uniform, comprehensive data base on the environmental and cultural
conditions and assets in the country.
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At the minimum, all EC applications must contain the following information:
The potential adverse effects of the project on the environment including direct,
indirect and cumulative effects;
How the project complies with relevant sectoral guidelines or codes of practices,
if any, issued by the NECS or CA;
How the impacts of the project will be avoided, minimized or reduced; and
The environmental benefits of the project, including how the project will benefit
concerned people and use clean and sustainable technologies.
All ECs must contain terms and conditions adequate to fully protect the environment
and satisfy the requirements set forth in the Regulation. The EC shall be subject to
and contingent upon public notice and the absence of any appeal within 30 days. At
the minimum, the EC shall specify binding mitigation and compliance measures, and
appropriate monitoring, recording and reporting requirements. Non-compliance with
environmental terms prescribed in the issuance of EC makes the offender liable to
penalties that may include compensation for environmental damage, fines, sanctions,
and suspension or revocation of EC in part or full. The NECS or CA may renew the
EC after expiry of its duration if the project is in compliance with the environmental
terms or may change the terms and conditions at the time of renewal with a sound
justification for such changes in writing to the holder.
The Act requires that all CAs establish an environmental unit to implement the EA
process for projects/ activities assigned to them. The NECS may require the applicant
to designate a focal person to ensure compliance with the terms of EC. All significant
projects are required to establish an environmental unit responsible for ensuring
compliance with the terms of EC.
Annex 2 of the Regulation lists projects/ activities for which competent authorities
have been assigned for screening and issuance/ denial of environmental clearance,
and projects/ activities that do not require EC.
Regulation for Strategic Environmental Assessment 2000
The purpose of this regulation is to:
Ensure that environmental concerns are fully taken into account by all government
agencies when formulating, renewing, modifying or implementing any policy,
plan or programme, including FYPs;
Ensure that the cumulative and large scale environmental effects are taken into
consideration while formulating, renewing, modifying or implementing any
policy, plan or programme;
Complement project-specific environmental reviews as per RECOP and to
encourage early identification of environmental objectives and impacts of all
government proposals at appropriate planning levels;
Promote the design of environmentally sustainable proposals that encourage the
use of renewable resources and clean technologies and practices; and
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Promote and encourage the development of comprehensive natural resource and
land use plans at the local, Dzongkhag and national levels.
It outlines the duties of government agencies formulating, renewing, modifying, or
implementing any policy, plan, or program, the principles of strategic environmental
assessment, and essential contents of the environmental statement.
Sectoral Environmental Assessment Guidelines and ECOPs
The sectoral guidelines for EA were first formulated in 1999, preceding the enactment
of the EAA in 2000. The guidelines then pertained to hydropower, power
transmission lines, highways and roads, forestry, mining and mineral processing, and
new and existing industries. In 2003/04, the NECS undertook a revision of the
existing sectoral EA guidelines with assistance from the Asian Development Bank
(ADB). In addition, it also developed new guidelines for tourism and urban
development sectors and environmental codes of practices (ECOP) for storm water
drainage system and installation of underground and overhead utilities. To support
environment friendly road construction, the Department of Roads (DoR) has
developed ECOP for roads.
In issuing ECs for roads, one of the terms and conditions specified by the NECS is
that the road construction must be in line with the ECOP developed by the DoR and
the Sectoral EA Guidelines for Highways and Roads issued by the NECS.
Information required to be submitted for EC in accordance to the sectoral EA
guidelines include:
Applicant’s details;
Project objectives;
Relevance to overall planning;
Funding and costs, including environmental management costs;
Project description, including project location, category and length of the road,
road specifications, management of excavated materials, and quantity of
explosives and the techniques that will be employed in their use;
Alternatives in terms of the project itself and road alignment;
Details of public consultation;
Project site environmental details such as topography, geology and water courses;
Project site ecological details such as land use and vegetation, protected areas, and
wildlife and flora;
Project site social details such as beneficiary population and affected properties
(including cultural properties);
Impacts and mitigation measures.
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Pesticides Act of Bhutan, 2000
The Pesticides Act of Bhutan (PAB), 2000, has been enacted with the objective to:
ensure integrated pest management (IPM) is pursued, limiting the use of
pesticides as the last resort;
ensure that only appropriate types and quality of pesticides are introduced in the
country;
ensure that pesticides are effective when used as recommended;
minimize deleterious effects on human beings and the environment consequent to
the application of pesticides; and
enable privatization of sale of pesticides as and when required.
Biodiversity Act of Bhutan, 2003
The Biodiversity Act of Bhutan, 2003, was ratified by the National Assembly in
August 2003. The Act asserts the sovereignty of the country over its genetic
resources, the need to promote conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity
resources as well as equitable sharing of benefits arising from sustainable use, and the
need to protect local people’s knowledge and interests related to biodiversity. It lays
down the conditions for the grant of access, benefit sharing, and protection, and
describes various rights, offences and penalties.
DYT and GYT Chathrims, 2002
In the context of decentralized environmental management, the DYT and GYT
Chathrims, 2002, have laid down a number of provisions. These Chathrims were
enacted with the main aim to support the decentralization policy and empower locally
elected community bodies (DYTs and GYTs) with the authority and responsibility to
decide, plan and implement development programmes and activities, including those
concerning environmental management, in their respective areas of jurisdiction.
Powers and functions vested in the DYTs and GYTs in relation to environmental
management are specified below.
Environment-related provisions in DYT Chathrim, 2002
Article 8 of the DYT Chathrim 2002 gives the DYT the power and function to:
promote awareness and dissemination of national objectives (section 3);
adopt procedures and rules to implement national laws, wherever relevant (section
10); and
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make recommendations on activities with major environmental impacts such as
construction of roads, extraction and conservation of forests, mining and
quarrying (section 13).
Article 9 of the DYT Chathrim 2002 gives the DYT the power and function to adopt
and enforce regulations with respect to:
designation and protection of monuments and sites of cultural and historical
interests (section 1);
designation and protection of areas of special scenic beauty or biodiversity as
Dzongkhag parks and sanctuaries (section 2);
control of noise pollution (section 8);
establishment of quarries and mines in accordance with Mines and Mineral
Management Act 1995; and
protection of public health as per prevailing national guidelines or acts (section
14).
Article 10 of the DYT Chathrim, 2002, gives the DYT broad administrative power
and function to give direction and approval on:
construction of farm and feeder roads (section 5);
forest management plan including extraction, conservation and forest road
construction in accordance with the FNCA (section 8);
protection of forests, tsamdo and all types of government and community lands
from illegal house and similar construction and other encroachments (section 19);
control of construction of structures, whether on national, communal or private
lands, within 50 feet of highways, including enforcement of measures such as
cessation of construction and demolition of the structures (section 20);
choice of trekking routes and camps for tourists (section 22); and
mobilization of voluntary actions in times of natural catastrophes and emergencies
(section 26).
Article 13 of the DYT Chathrim 2002 gives the Dzongkhag Administration the
powers and functions to:
construct farm and feeder roads, in conjunction with the NEC (section 5);
determine the choice of design, construction methods and building materials for
forms, which do not have to follow standard designs in conformity with
acceptable technical and structural norms (section 12); and
approve allocation of timber permits as per the rules and regulations issued by the
MoA from time to time (section 16).
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Environment-related provisions in GYT Chathrim 2002
Article 8 of the GYT Chathrim 2002 gives the GYT the power and function to adopt
and enforce regulations at the Dzongkhag level with respect to:
safe disposal of waste (section 1);
control and prevention of pollution of air, soil and water (section 2);
sanitation standards (section 3);
control of communicable livestock diseases within the Dzongkhag in accordance
with the Livestock Act 2001 (section 4);
allocation of safe and clean drinking water from water supply schemes (section 5);
allocation of irrigation water, in accordance with the provision of the Land Act
1979 (section 6); and
protection and harvesting of edible forest products in the local area in accordance
with the Forest and Nature Conservation Act 1995 (section 8).
Article 9 of the GYT Chathrim 2002 gives the GYT broad administrative power and
function at the Dzongkhag level with respect to:
Administration, monitoring and review of all activities that are part of the
Dzongkhag plan, including the maintenance of community properties such as
lhakhangs, goendeys and their nangtens, chhoerten, mani dangrem, water supply
schemes, irrigation channels, footpaths, mule tracks, farm and feeder roads,
suspension and cantilever bridges, micro-hydels, basic health units and outreach
clinics, lower secondary school and community schools, and extension centers of
the RNR sector (section 2);
Conservation and protection of water resources, lakes, springs, streams, and rivers
(section 7);
Custody and care of communal lands, community forests, including sokshing and
nyekhor tsamdo, medicinal herbs and accordingly prevention of illegal house
construction and all other types of encroachments on land and forests (section 8);
Prevention of construction of structures, whether on national, communal or
private lands, within 50 feet of highways falling in local area (section 9); and
Protection and preservation of ney, nyekhang or yulha and zhiday, which are not
part of custody of a monastic body or central agencies (section 10).
The Land Act of Bhutan 2007
The Act established autonomous National Land Commission (NLC) ,which took over
land administration from the Ministry of Agriculture. According to the Act, the
function of the Commission is to lay down policies, programs, regulations and
guidelines in accordance with the Act. The commission is empowered to issue lag
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thram (ownership certificate) and has the authority to register land or amend change
in thram. The NLC is empowered to acquire land, allot substitute land and approve
compensation.
To support the implementation of the Land Act of Bhutan 2007, the NLC formulated
Land Rules and Regulations (2007) which define the institutional functions,
procedural requirements and regulatory provisions for management of national land
records, land ownership entitlements and land rights, land registration, land
conveyance, land acquisition and compensation, land grants, allotment of government
land, cadastral survey, documentation and mapping, land conversion, land lease,
easement, and annulment of land.
Key provisions are as follows,
a) The Government as defined in these rules shall acquire a registered land only for public
interest.
b) Any Government Institution proposing acquisition shall state the public interests for
which the land is to be acquired.
c) Acquisition of land occupied by religious monuments shall not be acquired.
d) Land under acquisition shall be taken over only after registering the substitute land in the
name of the affected landowner or cash compensation has been made to the landowner.
e) Any Government Institution or Dratshang applying for acquisition shall be responsible to
provide cash compensation or facilitate providing substitute land or both, subject to the
approval of the Land Commission.
f) A Property Assessment and Valuation Agency (PAVA) established under the ministry of
finance to valuation and fixes the value of land and any other collateral property that may
be acquired.
g) The value of compensation for the land acquired including any landed property shall be
as per 151 to 154 of the Land Act of Bhutan 2007.
h) If registered land is acquired from rural areas the landowner shall have the discretion to
opt for substitute land or cash compensation.
i) The agency intending to acquire shall submit the application to the Secretariat projecting
the purpose and the extent of area of land required for proposed acquisition.
j) The Commission Secretariat shall verify and confirm the public interest of the proposed
acquisition, shall arrive at a decision on the proposal, instruct the Dzongkhag/Thromde
Committee to conduct and prepare a detailed report if proposal is found feasible.
k) The Dzongkhag Committee shall serve a notice to the landowner of the government’s
intention to acquire land at least 120 days prior to the acquisition of the land if the
Secretariat approves that the proposed acquisition may be processed.
l) For Thromde, the Executive Secretary shall convey the intention of the Government to
acquire land at least 120 days before the acquisition of land to the concerned land owner.
m) The Dzongkhag/Thromde Committee shall prepare a detailed report, specifying the
compensation to be provided, including clearance certificates under the applicable laws if
substitute land is to be provided, including survey report.
Summary of the Process for Land Acquisition as per the Land Act of Bhutan 2007.
2007 ( see below table)
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Policies and Regulations on IPs and Vulnerable Peoples
An overview of available literatures shows that Bhutan has not defined Indigenous
People (IP) and Vulnerable Community (VC) officially and there is no legislation
specifically tailored for IPs, minor ethnic groups or vulnerable groups.
Steps Details of the Procedures Time Required to Process
1. Submission of application to NLC secretariat for land acquisition
2. Evaluation and verification of requisition by NLC Decision within 2 weeks
after receipt of the
application
3. If feasible, the Secretariat shall instruct the Dzongkhag/Thromde
Committee to submit a detailed report.
If not feasible, the NLCS rejects the proposal and informs the
applicant, stating the reasons.
4. The Dzongkhag Committee shall issue a notice to the landowner of
the
Government’s intention to acquire land.
At least 120 days prior to
the
acquisition of the land
5. The Dzongkhag Committee shall prepare a detailed report in the
format prescribed under Annexure PLA Form (1) to PLA Form (7)
Specify the compensation to be provided, based on the valuation of
the PAVA
If compensation includes substitute land, clearance certificates under
the
applicable laws such as Forest and Nature Conservation Act and
Environment Act
If Chhuzhing is to be acquired for purpose other than Chhuzhing the
compliance of Chhuzhing conversion requirements prescribed under
Section 166 of the The Land Act of Bhutan 2007..
The location of the substitute land from rural area in compliance with
Section 155 of the The Land Act of Bhutan 2007..
Ensure compliance of restrictions under Section 137 of these rules
Survey report which shall include cadastral maps indicating clearly
the total area, location and identification of the land to be acquired
and substitute land
If compensation includes cash compensation the responsibility of the
particular Government Institution to pay cash compensation.
6. Payment of compensation, release, and registration of acquired land
substitute land
Upon final decision the Secretariat shall Convey to Dzongkhag
Committee and the landowner whose land is acquired.
Transfer of land ownership
and registration of acquired
land in the name of the
applicant within 30 days
from
the decision of the Land
Commission
7. Release of substitute land from the Government land and register
substitute
land in the name of the person whose land was acquired
Cause the applicant to make the necessary cash payment if cash
compensation is decided by the Land Commission
Ensure taking over of acquired only after compensation is provided
to the
Landowner
Within 30 days from the
decision of the
Commission
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However, Bhutan’s overall development philosophy is based on all-inclusive,
nondiscriminatory development, which is gaining further ground with the growing
impetus on decentralization. The national decentralization policy is geared towards
enhancing local governance and promoting broad-based participation at the local
community level. While geogs are officially considered the smallest unit for planning
and administration of development programmes, local activities and priorities
emanate from the chiwog21
level. Each chiog is represented in the GYT (Geog Yargye
Tshogchung or Block Development Committee) by its tshogpa (Representative of a
chiwog). The tshogpa convenes chiwog meetings to discuss and draw consensus on
local activities and priorities before submitting them to the GYT.
21
A groups of households for which a tshogpa is responsible. Larger villages are usually divided into
two or more chiogs while smaller villages constitute a single chiog.
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Annex 5. Permissible pesticides list to Bhutan
Insecticide 1. Chlopyrifos 20 EC
2. Cypermethrin 10E
3. Dimethoate 30EC
4. Fevelerate 0.4D
5. Malathion 5D
6. Malathion 50 EC
Fungicide 1. Carboxin 75WP
2. Captan 50WP
3. Carbendazin 50WP
4. Copper Oxychloride 50WP
5. Hexaconazole 5EC
6. Mancozeb 75WP
7. Metalaxyl 8%
8. Propiconazole 25 EC
9. Sulfur 80WP
10. Tricylazole 25 WP
Herbicide 1. Glyphossate 41 SL
2. Metribuzin 70WP
Rodenticides 1. Zinc Phosphate 80W/W
Acaricides 1. Dicofol 18.5 EC
Non Toxic 1. Sticker/spreader (sandovit)
2. Tree spray oil (TSO)
Bio- pesticide 1. Trichoderma viride
Source: National Plant Protection Center, Department of Agriculture, MOAF,
Thimphu
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Annex 6. Environmental Clearance Requirements
(According to RECOP Annex 2)
A. Exempted Activities
Activities not requiring Environmental Clearance are:
Consultancy firms
Cinemas no involving land use change
Barber shops
Communication services (telephone, TV cable services, etc.)
Umbrella repairs
Seedling nurseries
Carpet production without dyes
Restaurants
Hotels not involving land use change (taking into account waste disposal)
Arts and handicrafts
Electronic/ electrical repair services
Tailoring
Candle production
Potato chip production
Contracts
Incense production
Jari (Bhutanese tea leaves) production
Noodle production
Audiovisuals
Cobbling
Training institutes not involving land use changes
Desktop publishing
Photo studio without developing and printing facilities
Indoor games
Cycle repairs
Beauty parlours
Quilt making
Clearing and forwarding agencies
Health clubs
Tours and travel services
Discotheques
Textile production without dyes
Manufacture of organic fertilizers
Road resurfacing
Road maintenance
Bioengineering
Bridge maintenance not involving land use change
Road improvement (base course, black topping and permanent works)
Construction of buildings (individual residential houses in rural areas)
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Goods and passenger transport
Cottage mills
Goldsmith and blacksmith units
Laundry services
Tyre and tube repair services
Day care centre for children
B. Relevant Competent Authority for Environmental Clearance
Application for Environmental Clearance of activities that are not listed below is
required to be submitted to the National Environmental Commission Secretariat.
Competent Authority: Ministry of Trade and Industry
Department of Industry
Automobile services
Wooden/ steel furniture units
Sawmills
Printing Press
Tyre rethreading activities
Stone crushing activities
Bakery/ confectionaries
Oil mills
Manufacturing of handmade paper
Brick/ hollow-block manufacturing
Fabrication activities
Tiles production
Poultry farms
Carpet production using dyes
Textile production using dyes
Photo studios
Dry cleaning units
Department of Trade
Operation of fuel stations not involving land use changes
Department of Geology and Mines
Quarrying/ mining, covering less than 3 hectares
Mineral exploration
Emergency responses to natural disasters/ hazards
Competent Authority: Ministry of Works and Human Settlements (previously Ministry
of Communications)
National Authority for Construction Standards and Quality Control
Road widening/ curve improvement
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Construction of urban roads
Location of housing colony (temporary/ permanent)
Construction of urban drainage
Permanent works (retaining walls, breast walls, causeways)
Utilities and service lines
Road realignment (less than 1 km and not falling within a protected area)
River training works
Monsoon damage restoration works
Bridges
City Corporation
Construction of buildings
Any other activities within municipal boundary duly approved by the government
Competent Authority: Ministry of Agriculture
Department of Forestry Services
Surface collection of sand and boulder
Allocation of forest produces to rural communities outside FMUs
Community forest harvesting
Private forest harvesting
Afforestation
Reforestation
Management and collection on non-wood forest produce
All activities within an Forest Management Unit (road construction, logging
operations, reforestation)
Forest sanitation operations
Department of Agriculture
Irrigation channels
Activities related to agricultural research and development
Competent Authority: District Environmental Committee
Construction of:
1. Power tiller road
2. Mule tracks
3. Private road less than 500 meters
4. Community School
5. RNR centres including staff quarters
6. Geog centres including staff quarters
7. Labour camps
8. Outreach clinic centers
9. Farm roads less than 5 km
10. Solid waste disposal
11. Rural Water supply schemes
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Annex 7. Sample Checklist for Environmental Risk Identification
and Analysis
(for information collection, risk identification, and analysis)
Will the subproject and/or activity likely to affect the following? Where, why, and to
what extent? What can be done to avoid, minimize, or mitigate?
1. Protected Areas and known natural habitat (national parks, wildlife
reserve, legally protected or area proposed for protection, unprotected but
of known high conservation value) or biodiversity corridor, or nearby an
area which is known to be a critical wildlife habitat, and those area that
are listed as totally protected species in the FNCR.
2. Forest (national forest, reserve forest, religious forest, community forest,
private forest – core forest or fringe forest)
3. Known route of wildlife or wild bird movement
4. High risk of landslides and erosion prone areas
5. Flood Prone / River Cutting / Low Lying Areas
6. Water Sources / Water Bodies such as pond, lakes, springs, drinking
water sources etc.
7. Historical / religious / Cultural Sites such as monastery, temple, fort,
palace, other religious sites, etc.
8. Aesthetically important places / valued natural landscapes / viewpoints
9. Local/ Community Infrastructures (Irrigation canal, water supply, foot
trails, trails bridges, religious trees & resting places, electricity poles,
telephone poles etc.)
10. Agricultural land, private property (land, house, structure), local
resources, community forests, etc.
11. Increased use of chemical pesticide and fertilizer
12. Risk of disaster (such as from dam break or from fire, or from accidental
release of chemicals, etc.).
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Annex 8. Sample Social Screening format
A. General Information
Title of the Subproject:
Site Locality:
Screening Date:
B. Project Related Information
B1 Activities includes: (described in brief regarding subproject activities)
B2. Describe existing land use/occupancy of site and surroundings in brief and
accordingly draw a free-hand map (Please use separate sheet)
C. Socio-economic Information
C1 What are the asset(s) that would be affected due to Subproject Interventions? Yes or
No
Land ……….
Physical Structure (dwelling or commercial)………..
Trees/crops…….
Natural Resources (Water bodies/ Forest/ Public Pond)….
Community Resource Property…..
Others (please specify)….
C2 Land
C.2.1 Ownership of Land: Public/Private……………..
C.2.2 Type of Land: Agricultural/ Homestead/ Low Land /Fallow/ Pond/Others
Please specify……………….
Does the subproject require additional land permanently or on a temporary
basis?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sometimes as part of road/canal/community resource property upgrading
interventions, subprojects may require small parcels of land permanently to
meet engineering design requirements. In such case what would be the land
procurement policy?
Direct Purchase…Yes/no…………; voluntary donation……yes/no…;
acquisition ……….. Yes/no……………………………?
To except voluntarily donated land what would be the legal procedure?
In case of land acquisition, will there be physical and/or economic
displacement of people?
C2.3 Is there any squatter/ encroacher/ leaseholder residing on public lands? Yes/ No
and specify type
If yes.
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What would be the total numbers of Affected Families?
Is there any possibility of physical displacement?
How will their livelihoods be affected? (example: due to loss of shelter and
housing structure, loss of income source, loss of grazing field/ social
network/ family bondage etc) Do the affected families have school going
children? Yes/no
If yes,……………..how many such children are there?
Among the affected household, is there any person holding long term lease?
Yes/no…………… if yes, Land uses for what
purpose?...................................., Till how many years remains out of total
leasing period?...........................
C3 Structure (Housing/Commercial)
C 3.1 Type and total number of Housing structure that would be affected:
C 3.2 Is there any commercial/ business structure that would be affected?
C 3.3 Ownership types of the affected structures: Private/ Leaseholder/squatter/encroacher
Please specify
C 3.4 Is there any tenant identified using the affected structure? Yes/No
C 4. Trees and Crops
C 4.1 Is there any tree/plant that might be affected? Yes/no……… Total estimated number
by size………………………………………………?
C 4.2 Is there any social forestry /plantation project that would be affected?
Yes/no…………….
C 4.3 Is there any common fruit bearing tree that would be affected? Yes/no…………
Species…………..
C 4.4 Any agricultural land included within the subproject footprint? Yes/no…………
If yes, please provide necessary information regarding productivity of land, type and
quantity of Crop that might be affected and market value
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
………………..
C 5. Is there any Community Resource Property that would be affected?
Yes/No................ Please Specify………………….. Who are the beneficiaries of the
affected Community Resource? What is their reaction- Positive/negative?...................
Did they support the project?. Yes/No..............................What are the reasons to
support/ stand against the project?
C6. Is there any Natural Resource that might be affected? Yes/No……………
If yes, please describe regarding dependency on the Affected Resources
C7. Indigenous Peoples
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C 7.1 Is there any community of Indigenous Peoples residing within or adjacent the project
site? Yes/No………..For how long .....................?
C 7.2 Any Households of Indigenous Peoples would be affected?
Yes/No……………………
If yes, how many families would be affected?.........................
C 7.2 Is there any way that proposed project may pose any threat to cultural tradition and
way of life of indigenous Peoples? Yes/No………………………
C 8 Beneficiaries
C 8.1 Who are the Beneficiaries? How they would be benefited by the subproject?
Access to health facilities/services? Yes/No.........
Better access to schools, education and communication? Yes/No.........
Project activities would provide income-generating source. Yes/No.........
Please describe
Subproject shall promote marketing opportunities of the local products?
Yes/No…… If yes, how would that happen? Please elaborate
Are people ready to co-operate with the project? Yes/No...............
Please elaborate the reasons
C 9 How will the subproject create opportunities for Beneficiaries?
109
Annex 9. Recommended Format for a Pest Management Plan
1. Background which would outline
the purpose of the Plan,
indicate pest management authorities, and
pest management program objective;
2. Responsibilities of individuals
3. General Information which should provide data on land use and soil, in the area
where the pesticides are applied; climate, geo-morphology, settlements in the area
of concern, population, surface water, etc. as well as inventory of land use and
layout of facilities
4. Priority Areas that Require Pest Management
5. Integrated Pest Management
5.1 Principles of the Integrated Pest Management are:
a) Mechanical and Physical Control. This type of control alters the
environment in which a pest lives, traps and removes pests where they are not
wanted, or excludes pests. Examples of this type control include: harborage
elimination through caulking or filling voids, screening, etc.
b) Cultural Control. Strategies in this method involve manipulating
environmental conditions to suppress or eliminate pests. For example,
spreading manure from stables onto fields to dry prevents fly breeding.
Elimination of food and water for pests through good sanitary practices may
prevent pest populations from becoming established or from increasing
beyond a certain size.
c) Biological Control. In this control strategy, predators, parasites or disease
organisms are used to control pest populations. Sterile flies may be released to
lower reproductivity. Viruses and bacteria may be used which control growth
or otherwise kill insects. Parasitic wasps may be introduced to kill eggs, larvae
or other life stages. Biological control may be effective in and of itself, but is
often used in conjunction with other types of control.
d) Chemical Control. Pesticides kill living organisms, whether they will be
plants or animals. At one time, chemicals were considered to be the most
effective control available, but pest resistance rendered many pesticides
ineffective. The trend is to use pesticides which have limited residual action.
While this has reduced human exposure and lessened environmental impact,
the cost of chemical control has risen due to requirements for more frequent
application. Since personal protection and special handling and storage
requirements are necessary with the use of chemicals, the overall cost of using
chemicals as a sole means of control can be quite costly when compared with
nonchemical control methods.
5.2 Integrated Pest Management Outlines. This sub-chapter addresses each major
pest or category of similar pests is addressed, by site, in separate outlines.
110
5.3 Annual Plan for Surveillance, Prevention, and Control. In this sub-chapter has
to be indicated the number of man-hours expended for surveillance, prevention,
and control of pests.
6. Health and Safety. This chapter should contain health and safety requirements as
follows:
6.1 Medical Surveillance of Pest Management Personnel. All personnel who
apply pesticides have to are included in a medical surveillance program.
6.2 Hazard Communication. Pest management personnel are given hazard
communication training, to include hazardous materials in his workplace.
Additional training is to be given to new employees or when new hazardous
materials are introduced into the workplace.
6.3 Personal Protective Equipment.
In this chapter has to be described approved masks, respirators, chemical resistant
gloves and boots, and protective clothing (as specified by applicable laws,
regulations and/or the pesticide label) are provided to pesticide applicators. These
items are used as required during the mixing and application of pesticides.
Pesticide-contaminated protective clothing is not be laundered at home but
commercially. Severely contaminated clothing is not laundered, but is considered
a pesticide-related waste and disposed, as applicable for hazardous waste.
6.4 Fire Protection. The fire safety protection requirements have to be
established; the pest management coordinator has to control implementation of
measures to prevent fire.
7. Environmental Considerations.
7.1 Protection of the Public. Precautions are taken during pesticide application to
protect the public, on and off the installation. Pesticides should not be applied
outdoors when the wind speed exceeds 155 m/min. Whenever pesticides are
applied outdoors, care is taken to make sure that any spray drift is kept away from
individuals, including the applicator. Pesticide application indoors is
accomplished by individuals wearing the proper personal protective clothing and
equipment. At no time are personnel permitted in a treatment area during pesticide
application unless they have met the medical monitoring standards and are
appropriately protected.
7.2. Sensitive Areas. No pesticides are applied directly to wetlands or water areas
(lakes, rivers, etc.) unless use in such sites is specifically approved.
7.2. Endangered/Protected Species and Critical Habitats. Protected migratory
birds which periodically occur on the installation cannot be controlled without a
permit. The Pest Management Coordinator periodically evaluates ongoing pest
control operations and evaluates all new pest control operations to ensure
compliance with the list of endangered species No pest management operations
are conducted that are likely to have a negative impact on endangered or protected
species or their habitats without prior approval from environmental authorities.
111
7.3. Environmental Documentation. An environmental assessment which
specifically addresses the pesticide use program on the installation has been
prepared. This plan is referenced in the assessment as documentation of pesticide
use.
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Annex 10. PCR Chance Find Procedure
If any person discovers a physical cultural resource, such as (but not limited to)
archeological sites, historical sites, remains and objects, or a cemetery and/or
individual graves during excavation or construction, the Contractor shall:
1. Stop the construction activities in the area of the chance find;
2. Delineate the discovered site or area;
3. Secure the site to prevent any damage or loss of removable objects. In cases of
removable antiquities or sensitive remains, a night guard shall be arranged
until the responsible local authorities take over;
4. Notify the Supervising Officer who in turn will notify the responsible local
authorities immediately (within 24 hours or less);
5. Responsible local authorities are in charge of protecting and preserving the
site before deciding on subsequent appropriate procedures. This would require
a preliminary evaluation of the findings to be performed by archeologists. The
significance and importance of the findings should be assessed according to
the various criteria relevant to cultural heritage; those include the aesthetic,
historic, scientific or research, social and economic values used by the RGOB;
6. Decisions on how to handle the finding shall be taken by the responsible
authorities. This could include changes in the layout (such as when finding an
irremovable remain of cultural or archeological importance) conservation,
preservation, restoration and salvage;
7. Implementation for the authority decision concerning the management of the
finding shall be communicated in writing by relevant local authorities; and
8. Construction works could resume only after permission is granted from the
responsible local authorities concerning safeguard of the physical cultural
resource.
The Supervising Officer must have capacity to manage the processes in the plan. At a
minimum, expert opinion should be sought from government agencies or specialist
consultants for the following:
Issues with relocation / removal that cannot be resolved through the
procedures in this plan.
Restoration of damages to physical cultural resources or graves caused by
construction‐related
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