Environmental and Social Management Plan for Biological Corridor 07 (Monger) for 2026

The ESMP for Biological Corridor 07 (BC-7) in Bhutan outlines mitigation strategies for four planned activities in 2026: operational support for the Yangbari eco-camp, re-electrification of staff quarters in Lhuentse, establishment of a tree nursery in Sherichu, and a 10-hectare plantation in Daksamanag. The document details the environmental and socio-economic baseline of BC-7, which includes diverse forest types and threatened species like the Pallas’s fish eagle and smooth-coated otter. It mandates specific safeguards for waste management, occupational health and safety (OHS), and stakeholder engagement, while providing grievance redressal mechanisms through BFL, WWF, and the Green Climate Fund.

• The Bhutan for Life (BFL) project is classified as a Category B project because potential adverse environmental and social impacts are "site-specific, reversible and can be readily mitigated".
• Biological Corridor 07 (BC-7) spans 390.8 km2 in Lhuentse and 28.86 km2 in Mongar, linking Wangchuck Centennial National Park, Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary, and Phrumsengla National Park.
• The BC-7 area contains significant biodiversity, including 307 plant species and 28 mammal species. Notable avian species include the endangered Pallas’s fish eagle and vulnerable black-necked crane, which use the Kurichhu river stretch.
• Four specific activities are planned for 2026-2027: operational support for the Yangbari eco-camp (Nu. 8.025 million), re-electrification of Lhuentse Range staff quarters (Nu. 0.250 million), a modern nursery at Sherichu (Nu. 3.794 million), and a 10 ha plantation at Daksamanag (Nu. 2.5 million).
• The Yangbari eco-camp project aims to develop a high-end fishing destination for the Golden Mahseer, requiring the construction of three additional lodges, a multipurpose hall, and a river-view deck.
• Environmental risks identified for the 2026 activities include waste generation, air and noise pollution, soil and hydrology disturbance, and the potential introduction of invasive species or forest pests.
• Social risks associated with the projects include workers' health and safety, noise disturbance, potential conflicts between temporary workers and local communities, and restrictions on traditional grazing routes or resource access.
• Mitigation measures for construction activities include prohibiting the burning of waste, restricting noisy work to daytime hours (typically 7 am to 7 pm), and providing workers with safety gear and first aid kits.
• To protect wildlife during the Daksamanag plantation, the plan requires identifying wildlife movement corridors and leaving them unfenced.
• The document establishes a multi-tiered grievance redressal mechanism involving BFL-specific channels, a WWF Project Complaints Officer, and the GCF Independent Review Mechanism.

APA

WWF International (2026). Environmental and Social Management Plan for Biological Corridor 07 (Monger) for 2026. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/2490/4.BC7_ESMP_2026Y8_2026.pdf

Chicago

WWF International. Environmental and Social Management Plan for Biological Corridor 07 (Monger) for 2026. 2026. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/2490/4.BC7_ESMP_2026Y8_2026.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=Environmental and Social Management Plan for Biological Corridor 07 (Monger) for 2026 |date=2026 |url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/2490/4.BC7_ESMP_2026Y8_2026.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfinternational2026environmental, author = {{WWF International}}, title = {{Environmental and Social Management Plan for Biological Corridor 07 (Monger) for 2026}}, institution = {WWF International}, year = {2026}, url = {https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/2490/4.BC7_ESMP_2026Y8_2026.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }