Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary

The 2021 ESMP for the Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary (SWS) outlines mitigation strategies for four primary activities: restoring 20 hectares of alpine meadows, restoring 30 hectares of grassland, constructing 320m of river bank protection on the Keyjurong stream, and building a breast wall for staff quarters. The plan prioritizes worker health and safety, waste management, and soil erosion prevention, with a total budget of Nu. 3,528,813.00. Implementation is overseen by a BFL focal person and monitored through field reports and photographic evidence, ensuring compliance with both Royal Government of Bhutan laws and WWF's more extensive Social Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures.

• The Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary (SWS) covers 740.60 sq. km and is a critical habitat for globally threatened species, including the Royal Bengal Tiger, Red Panda, and Musk Deer. It is currently on the tentative list of UNESCO world heritage sites as a mixed World Heritage Site.
• The local population consists of approximately 5,000 'Brokpas', semi-nomadic highlanders who are heavily dependent on livestock rearing; 85% of the 772 households in Merak and Sakteng Gewog rely on livestock farming for their livelihood.
• Four specific activities are planned for 2021 with a total budget of Nu. 3,528,813.00: restoration of 20 hectares of alpine meadows (Nu. 450,000), restoration of 30 hectares of grassland (Nu. 650,000), river bank protection for the Keyjurong stream (Nu. 1,215,000), and construction of a breast wall for staff quarters (Nu. 800,000).
• The project identifies several environmental and social risks, including soil erosion on steep slopes during meadow and grassland restoration, noise and air pollution from excavators during river bank work, and potential stream contamination.
• To manage these risks, the ESMP mandates specific mitigation measures such as using safety gear (boots, gloves, masks), ensuring no underage workers are employed, and requiring that all non-degradable waste be removed from alpine meadows and working sites.
• The project operates under a dual regulatory framework; where Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) laws and WWF's Social Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures (SIPP) differ, the WWF SIPP prevails, particularly regarding the eligibility of non-title holders for compensation and the requirement for extensive community consultations.
• Monitoring is conducted by a BFL focal person and an ESS officer through field visits, photographic/video evidence, and reports, with fund disbursement contingent upon full compliance with safeguard requirements.

APA

WWF International (2021). Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary. https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/3z5jzyd2h7_SWS_ESMP_2021.pdf

Chicago

WWF International. Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary. 2021. https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/3z5jzyd2h7_SWS_ESMP_2021.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary |date=2021 |url=https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/3z5jzyd2h7_SWS_ESMP_2021.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfinternational2021bhutan, author = {{WWF International}}, title = {{Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary}}, institution = {WWF International}, year = {2021}, url = {https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/3z5jzyd2h7_SWS_ESMP_2021.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }