Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve

The document outlines a site-specific management plan for the Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve (JKSNR) in Bhutan. It identifies four primary activity areas for 2020: the construction of eco-tourism structures along the Haa-Nubtsonapata trail, the improvement of five waterholes, the construction of a reserve head office and access road at Bjee, and the construction of a range office and staff quarters at Sombeykha. The plan assesses potential risks—such as noise disturbance, dust pollution, waste generation, and soil erosion—and prescribes specific mitigation measures, including the use of earplugs for workers, water-spraying on dry days, and a 'garbage-in and garbage-out' policy. It establishes a monitoring framework involving weekly field visits and quarterly reports to ensure compliance with both Royal Government of Bhutan laws and WWF's Social Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures.

• The Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve (JKSNR) covers 784.35km2 and is characterized as the only protected area in Bhutan without permanent human settlements, except for some migratory yak herding communities.
• The reserve is a critical habitat for several endangered and threatened species, including the tiger, snow leopard, red panda, alpine musk deer, Bhutan takin, and Asiatic black bear, and contains 473 plant species.
• Planned 2020 activities include the construction of eco-tourism infrastructure (restrooms, waterlines, canopies, gazebos, and campsites) along the Haa-Nubtsonapata trail, with a budget of US$15,000.
• The project includes the improvement of five specific waterholes located at Phenlakha, Tshokeykem, Nakhatashigang, and two at Shaba-Shebji to support wildlife habitats.
• Infrastructure projects at Bjee and Sombeykha include a reserve head office with an access road and fencing (budgeted at US$98,246) and a range office with staff quarters (budgeted at US$71,600).
• To mitigate environmental and social risks, the ESMP mandates specific actions: restricting construction hours to 7am—7pm to limit noise, water-spraying routes to reduce dust, and implementing a grievance mechanism for workers.
• In cases of discrepancy between the Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) laws and WWF’s Social Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures (SIPP), the WWF SIPP prevails, particularly regarding the eligibility of non-title holders for compensation and the requirement for community consultations.

APA

WWF International (2020). Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve. https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/1ml581fchq_JKSNR_ESMP.pdf

Chicago

WWF International. Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve. 2020. https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/1ml581fchq_JKSNR_ESMP.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve |date=2020 |url=https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/1ml581fchq_JKSNR_ESMP.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfinternational2020bhutan, author = {{WWF International}}, title = {{Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve}}, institution = {WWF International}, year = {2020}, url = {https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/1ml581fchq_JKSNR_ESMP.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }