Environmental and Social Management Plan for Biological Corridor 08 (Bumthang) for 2026

The ESMP for Biological Corridor 08 (Bumthang) outlines the environmental and social safeguards for a 3-hectare high-value timber plantation planned for 2026. It details the ecological baseline of the 577.90 km² corridor, identifies potential risks such as soil disturbance and restriction of grazing routes, and prescribes specific mitigation measures. The plan also establishes monitoring arrangements, stakeholder engagement protocols, and comprehensive occupational health and safety standards for workers.

• The Bhutan for Life (BFL) project is classified as a Category B project because potential adverse environmental and social impacts are "site-specific, reversible, and can be readily mitigated".
• Biological Corridor 08 (BC 08) covers 577.90 km² and serves as a critical ecological link between Jigme Dorji National Park, Wangchuck Centennial National Park, and Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park.
• The landscape of BC 08 is predominantly forested, with over 99% of its total area consisting of forests, shrubs, and alpine scrubs.
• Faunal surveys in BC 08 recorded several endangered species, including the Tiger (Panthera tigris), Dhole (Cuon alpinus), Red panda (Ailurus fulgens), and Himalayan musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster).
• The socio-economic profile of the region shows a high dependence on agriculture and livestock, with 423 households in Trongsa Dzongkhag and 466 households in Wangdue Dzongkhag residing in or around BC 08.
• Food security is a concern in the region, as 99% of respondents from Wangdue and 84% from Trongsa reported the need to purchase food grains.
• The primary planned activity for 2026 is a 3-hectare plantation of high-value timber species (Pinus wallichinan, Tsuga dumosa, Cupressus spp and Larix griffithii) at Zhitsetengkha, Tangsibji, with a budget of Nu. 750,000.
• Potential environmental risks associated with the 2026 plantation include soil disturbance leading to localized erosion, waste generation from seedling containers, and the potential for fencing to create barriers for wildlife and domestic animals.
• Social risks for the plantation activity include the potential disruption of seasonal grazing routes and restricted access to local resources due to barbed-wire fencing.
• Mitigation measures for the plantation include laying pits along contours to prevent erosion, identifying and leaving wildlife corridors unfenced, and conducting community consultations before implementation.
• The document mandates strict occupational health and safety (OHS) standards, including the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as helmets, gloves, and reflective vests, and the prohibition of underage workers.
• A multi-tiered grievance redressal mechanism is established, allowing stakeholders to report issues through BFL-specific channels, the WWF Grievance Mechanism, or the GCF Independent Review Mechanism.

APA

WWF International (2026). Environmental and Social Management Plan for Biological Corridor 08 (Bumthang) for 2026. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/2501/6.BC8_ESMPY8_2026.pdf

Chicago

WWF International. Environmental and Social Management Plan for Biological Corridor 08 (Bumthang) for 2026. 2026. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/2501/6.BC8_ESMPY8_2026.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=Environmental and Social Management Plan for Biological Corridor 08 (Bumthang) for 2026 |date=2026 |url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/2501/6.BC8_ESMPY8_2026.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfinternational2026environmental, author = {{WWF International}}, title = {{Environmental and Social Management Plan for Biological Corridor 08 (Bumthang) for 2026}}, institution = {WWF International}, year = {2026}, url = {https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/2501/6.BC8_ESMPY8_2026.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }