Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for National Plant Protection Centre 2024

The 2024 ESMP for the National Plant Protection Centre (NPPC) outlines the environmental and social safeguards for installing portable electric fencing across multiple Bhutanese districts. With a budget of Nu. 6,950,000, the project aims to benefit approximately 200 households by reducing crop predation by elephants, boars, deer, and monkeys. The plan identifies minor risks such as solid waste generation and soil disturbance, prescribing mitigation measures including waste segregation and adherence to technical digging guidelines. It mandates strict 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 regarding land-user compensation and community consultation. The document also provides comprehensive occupational health and safety (OHS) standards and grievance redressal mechanisms involving BFL, WWF, and the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

• The project allocates Nu. 6,950,000 for the installation of portable electric fencing between January and June 2024, targeting approximately 200 households to reduce crop losses caused by wild elephants, boars, deer, and monkeys.
• The ESMP identifies three primary potential environmental and social impacts: the generation of solid waste at camp sites, minor soil disturbance from digging holes for fencing poles, and risks to the occupational health and safety of workers.
• To mitigate identified risks, the plan requires the identification and segregation of waste types, the use of designated waste disposal sites, and the adherence to the 'Reference Manual for electric fence' for soil digging to minimize surface disturbance.
• The project operates under a dual regulatory framework of Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) laws and WWF’s Social Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures (SIPP). In instances of discrepancy, WWF's SIPP prevails, particularly regarding the eligibility of non-title holders for compensation and the requirement for extensive community consultations.
• A multi-tiered grievance redressal mechanism is established, allowing stakeholders to report issues through the BFL-specific mechanism (via local gewog or forest offices), the WWF Grievance Mechanism (via a Project Complaints Officer), or the GCF Independent Review Mechanism.
• The document specifies detailed Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) standards, including the provision of personal protective equipment (helmet, gloves, boots, and reflective vests) and strict requirements for worker accommodation, such as a minimum of 1 meter between beds and the prohibition of 'hot-bedding'.

APA

WWF International (2024). Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for National Plant Protection Centre 2024. https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/5ys7p4woej_NPPC_ESMP_2024.pdf

Chicago

WWF International. Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for National Plant Protection Centre 2024. 2024. https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/5ys7p4woej_NPPC_ESMP_2024.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for National Plant Protection Centre 2024 |date=2024 |url=https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/5ys7p4woej_NPPC_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 National Plant Protection Centre 2024}}, institution = {WWF International}, year = {2024}, url = {https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/5ys7p4woej_NPPC_ESMP_2024.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }