Environmental and Social Management Plan for Jomotsangkha Wildlife Sanctuary

The Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for the Jomotsangkha Wildlife Sanctuary (JWS) outlines the safeguards and mitigation strategies for three 2024 activities: constructing waste disposal infrastructure, restoring lowland grasslands, and developing an ecotourism site. The plan ensures compliance with 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. Key environmental risks identified include vegetation loss, dust pollution, and disturbance to wildlife, particularly elephants. The document also details comprehensive occupational health and safety (OHS) standards for workers and establishes grievance redressal mechanisms through BFL, WWF, and the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

• The Jomotsangkha Wildlife Sanctuary (JWS), established in 1974 and gazetted in 1993, covers 362.49 sq.km and is the second smallest naturally protected area in Bhutan, hosting over 572 plant species and 35 mammal species, including critically endangered species like the Chinese Pangolin and Lady Slipper.
• Three primary activities are planned for 2024: the construction of waste disposal infrastructure in Aumshing (budgeted at Nu. 5,000,000), the restoration of 12.5 hectares of lowland grasslands in Kherkheri (budgeted at Nu. 400,000), and ecotourism site development in Rongchuthang (budgeted at Nu. 500,000).
• The project identifies several recurring environmental and social risks across the activities, including vegetation change from clearing, dust pollution, and the risk of disturbing natural habitats, specifically elephants, through the use of machinery like tractors.
• The ESMP mandates that WWF’s Social Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures (SIPP) prevail over Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) legislation in cases of discrepancy, particularly regarding the eligibility of non-title holders for compensation and the requirement for extensive community consultations.
• A comprehensive set of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) standards is required for all workers, including the provision of safety gear (helmets, gloves, boots, and reflective vests), mandatory information sessions on hazards, and specific guidelines for working at heights and managing electrical risks.
• The document establishes a multi-tiered Grievance Redressal Mechanism (GRM) allowing stakeholders to report issues via the BFL-specific mechanism, the WWF Grievance Mechanism (via a Project Complaints Officer), or the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Independent Review Mechanism.

APA

WWF International (2024). Environmental and Social Management Plan for Jomotsangkha Wildlife Sanctuary. https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/58ymc6xk85_JWS_ESMP_2024.pdf

Chicago

WWF International. Environmental and Social Management Plan for Jomotsangkha Wildlife Sanctuary. 2024. https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/58ymc6xk85_JWS_ESMP_2024.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=Environmental and Social Management Plan for Jomotsangkha Wildlife Sanctuary |date=2024 |url=https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/58ymc6xk85_JWS_ESMP_2024.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfinternational2024environmental, author = {{WWF International}}, title = {{Environmental and Social Management Plan for Jomotsangkha Wildlife Sanctuary}}, institution = {WWF International}, year = {2024}, url = {https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/58ymc6xk85_JWS_ESMP_2024.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }