Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for Biological Corridor (BC) 1 Paro

The ESMP for Biological Corridor 1 (BC1) Paro categorizes planned 2025 activities as Category B, meaning potential environmental and social impacts are site-specific and reversible. The plan focuses on two primary activities: the construction of the Haa Range cum FMU office and the maintenance of the Shaba Forest Nursery. It outlines specific mitigation measures for dust, noise, waste, and occupational health and safety, while establishing a framework for stakeholder engagement and grievance redressal aligned with both Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) laws and WWF's Social Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures (SIPP).

• The project is classified as a Category B project because potential adverse environmental and social impacts on populations within or around Protected Areas are considered site-specific, reversible, and readily mitigatable.
• For 2025, the ESMP specifically covers two activities: the construction of the Haa Range cum FMU office in Wangtsha, Katsho, Haa, costing Nu. 10.00 million, and the maintenance of the Shaba Forest Nursery in Shaba, Paro, costing Nu. 0.060 million.
• Biological Corridor 1 (BC-01) covers 255.55 sq km, with over 80% of the area consisting of forests (44.63%) and shrubs (36.63%). The area is a critical habitat for diverse species, including Tigers, Snow leopards, Musk deer, and Takins, as well as approximately 183 bird species.
• The construction of the Haa Range cum FMU office is expected to have minimal risk as it occurs within an existing office compound and does not involve private land acquisition, tree felling, or displacement. Primary mitigation focuses on managing short-term minor dust, noise, and construction waste.
• Maintenance of the Shaba Forest Nursery is deemed low-risk, involving the replacement of green net roofing and the collection of topsoil, sand, and leaf mould. It will not introduce invasive species as only native seedlings will be raised.
• 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 the requirement for extensive community consultations.
• A multi-tiered Grievance Redressal Mechanism (GRM) is established, allowing stakeholders to report issues via the BFL-specific mechanism, the WWF Grievance Mechanism, or the GCF Independent Review Mechanism.

APA

WWF International (2025). Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for Biological Corridor (BC) 1 Paro. https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/1xo3wofls9_1.BC1_ESMP_2025_Paro_.pdf

Chicago

WWF International. Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for Biological Corridor (BC) 1 Paro. 2025. https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/1xo3wofls9_1.BC1_ESMP_2025_Paro_.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for Biological Corridor (BC) 1 Paro |date=2025 |url=https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/1xo3wofls9_1.BC1_ESMP_2025_Paro_.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfinternational2025environmental, author = {{WWF International}}, title = {{Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for Biological Corridor (BC) 1 Paro}}, institution = {WWF International}, year = {2025}, url = {https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/1xo3wofls9_1.BC1_ESMP_2025_Paro_.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }