Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary (PWS)

The ESMP for Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary (PWS) outlines safeguards for two primary activities: river bank protection in the Nichula range and the development of ecotourism amenities at the Wangchulingka outpost. It defines mitigation measures for waste, noise, and worker safety, while ensuring compliance with both Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) laws and WWF's Social Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures (SIPP). The plan includes detailed occupational health and safety standards and a multi-tiered grievance redressal mechanism.

• The Bhutan for Life (BFL) project is a 14-year initiative designed to maintain Bhutan's carbon neutrality by increasing forest cover and enhancing the socioeconomic well-being of communities through climate-informed natural resource management.
• Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary (PWS) is the smallest protected area in Bhutan, covering 286.68 sq.km, and serves as a critical habitat for globally threatened species such as the golden langur, Asian elephant, Bengal tiger, and White-bellied Heron.
• Planned activities for early 2024 include the construction of a 25m long and 3m high gabion wall for river bank protection at Nichula range (budgeted at Nu. 1,200,000) and the development of ecotourism infrastructure at Wangchulingka outpost (budgeted at Nu. 4,257,000).
• In cases of discrepancy between national legislation and international standards, the WWF’s Social Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures (SIPP) will prevail, particularly regarding the eligibility of non-title holders for compensation and the requirement for extensive community consultations.
• The ESMP identifies minor short-term risks including waste generation, noise disturbance, and vegetation destruction, proposing mitigation such as the 'Reduce, Reuse and Recycle' concept and the use of only 'dead, dying and wind fallen timbers' for construction.
• A comprehensive grievance redressal system is established, allowing stakeholders to report issues through the BFL-specific mechanism, the WWF Grievance Mechanism, or the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Independent Review Mechanism.

APA

WWF International (2024). Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary (PWS). https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/5ajf8mw3av_PWS_ESMP_2024.pdf

Chicago

WWF International. Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary (PWS). 2024. https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/5ajf8mw3av_PWS_ESMP_2024.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary (PWS) |date=January 2024 |url=https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/5ajf8mw3av_PWS_ESMP_2024.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfinternational2024bhutan, author = {{WWF International}}, title = {{Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary (PWS)}}, institution = {WWF International}, year = {2024}, month = jan, url = {https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/5ajf8mw3av_PWS_ESMP_2024.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }