Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve(JKSNR)

The ESMP for the Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve (JKSNR) focuses on the restoration of alpine meadows at Lolithang between October 2025 and March 2026. The project, part of the 'Bhutan for Life' (BFL) initiative, is categorized as Category B, meaning impacts are site-specific and reversible. Planned activities include prescribed burning to remove encroaching Berberis species and bio-engineering works such as check dams and grass slip planting. Mitigation measures address risks of forest fires, waste generation, and worker safety, with a dedicated budget of Nu. 10,000 for safety gear. The plan 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 social impacts and community consultation.

• The project is classified as a Category B project because potential adverse environmental and social impacts on populations within or around the Protected Areas are "site-specific, reversible and can be readily mitigated".
• The primary activity for 2025 is the improvement of alpine meadows at Lolithang, scheduled from October 2025 to March 2026 with a budget of Nu. 100,000. This intervention addresses the encroachment of "Juniper-Rhododendron Krumsholtz scrubs" and "berberis species" which have made natural pastures inaccessible to livestock and wildlife.
• The restoration work involves two main technical components: prescribed burning (including boundary delineation and bush clearing using power chain saws) and bio-engineering works (including the development of small check dams, bush layering, and grass slip planting).
• Identified environmental risks include the "Risk of forest fire during the burning", the generation of construction and general waste by workers, and the potential for introducing invasive plants. Social risks focus on "Risk of fire burns during the burning" and general worker health and safety.
• To mitigate risks, the plan requires controlled burning techniques (fire lines and backfiring), a "garbage-in and garbage-out policy" for waste, and the provision of protective gear for workers. A specific budget of Nu. 10,000 is allocated for the procurement of safety gears.
• The ESMP operates under a dual regulatory framework of 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 the extent of community consultations, the "provisions of the WWF’s SIPP shall prevail".

APA

WWF International (2025). Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve(JKSNR). https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/4yhz5gku2f_11.JKSNR_ESMP_2025.pdf

Chicago

WWF International. Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve(JKSNR). 2025. https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/4yhz5gku2f_11.JKSNR_ESMP_2025.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve(JKSNR) |date=2025 |url=https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/4yhz5gku2f_11.JKSNR_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 Khesar Strict Nature Reserve(JKSNR)}}, institution = {WWF International}, year = {2025}, url = {https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/4yhz5gku2f_11.JKSNR_ESMP_2025.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }