Environmental and Social Management Plan

The ESMP outlines the management of 87.25 hectares of plantations across three sites in Bhutan, focusing on maintenance activities such as weeding and fencing. It identifies minor environmental risks, including waste generation and invasive species, and social risks, such as worker safety and grazing restrictions. Mitigation measures include waste removal, the use of native species, and community consultation. Implementation is led by Green Bhutan Corporation Limited (GBCL) under the supervision of the Department of Forest and Park Services (DoFPS), with monitoring conducted by the Bhutan for Life (BFL) project's ESS officer.

• 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".
• For the 2025-2026 financial year, the plan covers the maintenance of 87.25 hectares of plantations across three specific locations: 25 hectares at Sangchokhor (below road), 37 hectares at Sangchokhor (opposite), and 25.25 hectares at Tanga in the Jigme Keser Strict Nature Reserve (JKSNR).
• The maintenance activities, which include weeding, cleaning, mulching, replacing dead seedlings, and repairing fences, are budgeted at 4.320 million Nu and are intended to continue annually until 2030.
• Identified environmental risks are considered minor and include the generation of plastic waste from poly pots and the potential introduction of invasive species. Mitigation requires that "only native species are planted" and all waste be removed from the site after plantation.
• Social risks include worker health and safety and the restriction of community grazing access. To mitigate grazing restrictions, the project proposes a "Livelihood Restauration Plan (LRP)" or similar plan to provide alternative grazing areas through community consultation.
• Implementation is carried out by Green Bhutan Corporation Limited (GBCL), a state-owned enterprise, under the supervision of the Department of Forest and Park Services (DoFPS). Compliance with the ESMP is a mandatory requirement of the contract agreement between DoFPS and GBCL.
• The project adheres to both Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) laws and WWF's Social Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures (SIPP). In cases of discrepancy, particularly regarding the eligibility of non-title holders for compensation and community consultation requirements, the WWF SIPP provisions prevail.

APA

WWF International (2025). Environmental and Social Management Plan. https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/4frsq14xfp_21.FRPMD_ESMP_2025.pdf

Chicago

WWF International. Environmental and Social Management Plan. 2025. https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/4frsq14xfp_21.FRPMD_ESMP_2025.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=Environmental and Social Management Plan |date=2025 |url=https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/4frsq14xfp_21.FRPMD_ESMP_2025.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfinternational2025environmental, author = {{WWF International}}, title = {{Environmental and Social Management Plan}}, institution = {WWF International}, year = {2025}, url = {https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/4frsq14xfp_21.FRPMD_ESMP_2025.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }