Environmental and Social Management Plan for Jomotshangkha Wildlife Sanctuary for 2026

The 2026 ESMP for Jomotshangkha Wildlife Sanctuary outlines mitigation strategies for four key activities: lowland grassland restoration, waterhole maintenance, bio-engineering at the Tashithang landslide area, and a 5-hectare plantation at Lauri. The plan categorizes the project as 'Category B,' meaning impacts are site-specific and reversible. It details environmental risks such as invasive species spread and soil erosion, and social risks including worker safety from wildlife attacks and potential disruption of grazing rights. The document specifies a total budget of Nu. 2,000,000 and mandates compliance with both Royal Government of Bhutan laws and WWF's Social Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures.

• The project is classified as a Category B project because potential adverse environmental and social impacts on populations within or around Protected Areas are "site-specific, reversible and can be readily mitigated".
• Four specific activities are planned for 2026: lowland grassland management in Tsangparung, waterhole maintenance at Haspokhari, bio-engineering work at the Samrang Landslide area (Tshopangma), and a 5-hectare plantation of native high-value timber species, such as walnut, at Lauri.
• The total budget for the 2026 ESMP activities is Nu. 2,000,000, with the largest allocation being Nu. 1,250,000 for the Lauri plantation.
• A primary social risk across multiple activities is the danger to workers from wildlife attacks, specifically from elephants and gaur, which will be mitigated by having "Armed Forestry officials shall guard the workers".
• The plantation at Lauri presents a specific social risk regarding "Grazing right", as fencing the 5-hectare area could disrupt informal grazing rights for local livestock owners.
• In cases of discrepancy between Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) laws and WWF’s Social Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures (SIPP), the WWF SIPP will prevail, particularly regarding the eligibility of non-title holders for compensation and requirements for community consultation.

APA

WWF International (2026). Environmental and Social Management Plan for Jomotshangkha Wildlife Sanctuary for 2026. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/2497/10.JWS_ESMPY8_2026.pdf

Chicago

WWF International. Environmental and Social Management Plan for Jomotshangkha Wildlife Sanctuary for 2026. 2026. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/2497/10.JWS_ESMPY8_2026.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=Environmental and Social Management Plan for Jomotshangkha Wildlife Sanctuary for 2026 |date=2026 |url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/2497/10.JWS_ESMPY8_2026.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfinternational2026environmental, author = {{WWF International}}, title = {{Environmental and Social Management Plan for Jomotshangkha Wildlife Sanctuary for 2026}}, institution = {WWF International}, year = {2026}, url = {https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/2497/10.JWS_ESMPY8_2026.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }