Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for Biological Corridor 8

The ESMP for Biological Corridor 8 (BC 08) in Bhutan outlines the environmental and social safeguards required for five planned activities in 2020: the construction of a Range Office, maintenance of an existing office, restoration of lowland grasslands, improvement of waterholes and salt licks, and combined zonation. The document provides a baseline of the area's high forest cover (over 99%), rich biodiversity including endangered species like the tiger and red panda, and the socio-economic dependence of local households on forest and livestock resources. It details specific mitigation measures for risks such as noise, waste, water contamination, and occupational hazards, while establishing a monitoring and stakeholder engagement framework to ensure compliance with both Royal Government of Bhutan laws and WWF safeguard policies.

• Biological Corridor 08 (BC 08) covers 577.90 km2 and serves as a critical ecological link between Jigme Dorji National Park, Wangchuck Centennial National Park, and Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park, facilitating the movement of fauna and flora in response to climate change.
• The landscape is characterized by extreme forest coverage, with more than 99% of its 577.90 km2 area consisting of forests, shrubs, and alpine scrubs, while built-up areas and rocky terrain account for only 0.30%.
• The area supports significant biodiversity, including 297 plant species and several endangered mammals such as the tiger, dhole, red panda, and Himalayan musk deer, as well as four near-threatened bird species.
• Local communities in Wangdue and Trongsa Dzongkhags rely heavily on the corridor for livelihoods, with agriculture and livestock farming as primary sources of income, and significant dependence on non-wood forest products like Cordyceps.
• Five specific activities are planned for 2020 with a total budget of approximately USD 92,870 (excluding ESMP mitigation costs), including the construction of a Range Office at Domkhar (USD 72,108) and combined zonation (USD 10,000).
• The ESMP identifies several potential adverse impacts from these activities, including noise disturbance near the Vocational Training Institute, water contamination of nearby streams, and the risk of increased poaching following the improvement of waterholes and salt licks.
• In cases of discrepancy between the Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) laws and WWF's Social and Environmental Safeguards (SIPP), the WWF policies prevail, particularly regarding the eligibility of non-title holders for compensation and the requirement for extensive community consultations.

APA

WWF International (2020). Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for Biological Corridor 8. https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/3wcl9hf58j_BC8_ESMP_1_.pdf

Chicago

WWF International. Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for Biological Corridor 8. 2020. https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/3wcl9hf58j_BC8_ESMP_1_.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for Biological Corridor 8 |date=2020 |url=https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/3wcl9hf58j_BC8_ESMP_1_.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 Biological Corridor 8}}, institution = {WWF International}, year = {2020}, url = {https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/3wcl9hf58j_BC8_ESMP_1_.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }