Bhutan For Life Environmental and Social Management Plan

The ESMP outlines the environmental and social safeguards for the Bhutan for Life (BFL) project's activities from January 2023 to June 2024. Key planned activities include the establishment of a cane and bamboo enterprise in Mongar, the creation of 51.97 hectares of new plantations, the maintenance of 39.47 hectares of existing plantations, and the creation of 36.23 hectares of habitat enrichment plantations. The plan identifies potential risks such as construction waste, noise pollution, and the introduction of invasive species, providing specific mitigation measures and monitoring arrangements. Implementation is led by Green Bhutan Corporation Limited (GBCL) under the supervision of the Department of Forest and Park Services (DoFPS).

• The Bhutan for Life (BFL) project is a 14-year initiative designed to secure biodiversity conservation, human well-being, and climate resilience by improving the management of Bhutan's Protected Area System (PAS) and Biological Corridors (BCs).
• Between January 2023 and June 2024, the project will establish a cane and bamboo enterprise in Banjar village, Tsamang gewog, Mongar Dzongkhag, with a budget of Nu. 3,500,000. Activities include community consultation, resource assessment, construction of a weaving center, and skill development training.
• The project plans to create 51.97 hectares of new plantations across seven sites in JWS, S/Jongkhar, Tashigang, Tsirang, and Sarpang with a budget of Nu. 9,673,000. These plantations will be maintained annually until 2028.
• The plan includes the maintenance of 39.47 hectares of existing plantations across various locations, including Dagana, JWS, Tsirang, Sarpang, Samtse, Wangdue, and Punakha, with a budget of Nu. 785,000.
• A budget of Nu. 4,320,000 is allocated for the creation of 36.23 hectares of habitat enrichment plantations in PWS, RMNP, Pemagatsel, and Thimphu, with maintenance continuing until 2028.
• Potential environmental impacts identified for the planned activities include the generation of construction and plastic waste, noise pollution, dust generation, and the risk of introducing invasive species.
• To mitigate the risk of invasive species, the project requires that only native species be planted and that biological control measures be emphasized.
• Social impacts are primarily focused on occupational health and safety; mitigation includes prohibiting underage workers, ensuring decent work conditions, and implementing grievance mechanisms.
• Implementation of plantation activities is carried out by the state-owned enterprise Green Bhutan Corporation Limited (GBCL) under the supervision of the Department of Forest and Park Services (DoFPS).
• The total budget for the activities covered by the ESMP is Nu. 18,278,000, with the document stating that no separate fund for mitigation is required as the activities are small-scale.

APA

WWF International (2023). Bhutan For Life Environmental and Social Management Plan. https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/1joizvf2su_FRPMD_ESMP_2023.pdf

Chicago

WWF International. Bhutan For Life Environmental and Social Management Plan. 2023. https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/1joizvf2su_FRPMD_ESMP_2023.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=Bhutan For Life Environmental and Social Management Plan |date=January 2023 |url=https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/1joizvf2su_FRPMD_ESMP_2023.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfinternational2023bhutan, author = {{WWF International}}, title = {{Bhutan For Life Environmental and Social Management Plan}}, institution = {WWF International}, year = {2023}, month = jan, url = {https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/1joizvf2su_FRPMD_ESMP_2023.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }