Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Park (JDNP)

The ESMP for Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Park (JDNP) outlines mitigation strategies for four 2025 activities: constructing a Range Office in Laya, restoring a mineral lick at Chuchurpo, reinforcing roofs in storm-prone areas (Soe, Naro, Lingzhi), and installing rainwater harvesting systems in Yaksa and Dula. The plan categorizes the project as 'Category B', meaning impacts are site-specific and reversible. It mandates strict adherence to both Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) laws and WWF's Social Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures (SIPP), with the latter prevailing in cases of discrepancy regarding community consultation and compensation for non-title land holders. Key mitigation focuses include waste management, occupational health and safety (OHS) for workers, and stakeholder engagement through consultation meetings and a multi-tiered grievance redressal mechanism involving BFL, WWF, and the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

• The project is classified as a Category B project because potential adverse environmental and social impacts are "site-specific, reversible and can be readily mitigated".
• Four specific activities are scheduled for 2025 requiring ESMPs: the construction of a Range Office at Singyethang, Laya; improvement of a mineral lick at Chuchurpo; roof reinforcement in Soe, Nago, and Lingshi; and rainwater harvesting system installation at Yaksa and Dula.
• In cases of discrepancy between 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 extensive community consultations.
• The Laya Range Office project, budgeted at Nu. 5.460 M, will include a Range Office, a Visitor Information Center (VIC), and staff quarters for six rangers, utilizing locally sourced sand, stones, and timber.
• Restoration of the Chuchurpo mineral lick is critical for the Bhutan Takin's survival as it is the "only mineral lick available in their lowland winter habitat", though it has been degraded by landslides.
• Climate adaptation measures include installing concrete bands on roofs of 15 households in Soe, Naro, and Lingzhi to prevent damage from windstorms, and providing rainwater harvesting systems to 15 herders in Yaksa and Dula to address water shortages caused by retreating glaciers and climate change.
• The ESMP mandates specific occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements, including the provision of helmets, safety boots, jackets, goggles, and gloves, and the implementation of a grievance mechanism for workers.
• A multi-layered Grievance Redressal Mechanism (GRM) is established, allowing stakeholders to file complaints through 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 Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Park (JDNP). https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/36kkgitktx_10.JDNP_ESMP_2025.pdf

Chicago

WWF International. Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Park (JDNP). 2025. https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/36kkgitktx_10.JDNP_ESMP_2025.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Park (JDNP) |date=2025 |url=https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/36kkgitktx_10.JDNP_ESMP_2025.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfinternational2025environmental, author = {{WWF International}}, title = {{Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Park (JDNP)}}, institution = {WWF International}, year = {2025}, url = {https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/36kkgitktx_10.JDNP_ESMP_2025.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }