Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for Watershed Management Division

The Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for the Watershed Management Division (WMD) outlines the safeguards and mitigation strategies for installing hydromet stations at the Gangtey-Phobji, Bumdeling, and Khotokha Ramsar sites in Bhutan. With a capital investment of USD 75,000, these stations aim to monitor long-term climate impacts on wetlands. The plan identifies minor risks, such as proximity to religious sites and worker safety, and mandates community consultations and adherence to both Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) laws and WWF's Social Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures (SIPP). Implementation is managed by BFL focal persons with monitoring conducted by ESS consultants and the Project Coordination Unit (PCU).

• The Bhutan for Life (BFL) project is a 14-year initiative designed to secure biodiversity conservation, human well-being, and climate resilience in Bhutan by improving the management of protected areas (PAs) and biological corridors (BCs).
• The Watershed Management Division (WMD) is tasked with implementing BFL activities across three specific Ramsar sites: Gangtey-Phobji and Khotokha in Wangdue Phodrang Dzongkhag, and Bumdeling in Trashi Yangtse Dzongkhag.
• The primary planned activity for 2020 is the installation of hydromet stations at the three Ramsar sites to monitor long-term climate impacts on wetlands and provide weather data to local communities, with a capital investment of USD 75,000.
• The ESMP identifies two minor potential impacts: the placement of stations near religious sites and risks to workers' occupational health and safety. Mitigation includes mandatory community consultations to agree on locations and strict adherence to health and safety guidelines.
• Where discrepancies exist between Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) laws and WWF’s Social Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures (SIPP), the WWF standards prevail, particularly regarding the eligibility of non-title holders for compensation and the requirement for extensive community consultations.
• The Gangtey-Phobji and Bumdeling sites are critical wintering grounds for the vulnerable Black-Necked Crane (Grus nigricollis), supporting approximately 300 and 160 cranes respectively.

APA

WWF International (n.d.). Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for Watershed Management Division. https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/2decq3zpdo_WMD_ESMP.pdf

Chicago

WWF International. Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for Watershed Management Division. n.d. https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/2decq3zpdo_WMD_ESMP.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for Watershed Management Division |url=https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/2decq3zpdo_WMD_ESMP.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfinternationalndbhutan, author = {{WWF International}}, title = {{Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for Watershed Management Division}}, institution = {WWF International}, url = {https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/2decq3zpdo_WMD_ESMP.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }