Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park (JSWNP)

The ESMP categorizes BFL projects in Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park as Category B, meaning impacts are site-specific and reversible. It details mitigation strategies for four 2025 activities: improving waterholes and salt licks, removing invasive plants, constructing a new water source at the head office, and maintaining the Taksha Park Range office. The plan emphasizes compliance with both Royal Government of Bhutan laws and WWF's more extensive Social Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures, particularly regarding non-title holders and community consultation. It includes detailed occupational health and safety (OHS) standards and a multi-tiered grievance redressal mechanism involving BFL, WWF, and the Green Climate Fund.

• The BFL project in Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park (JSWNP) is classified as a Category B project, indicating that potential adverse environmental and social impacts are "site-specific, reversible and can be readily mitigated".
• Four specific activities are planned for JSWNP in 2025-26: the improvement of waterholes and salt licks at Tingtibi and Nabji (Nu. 200,000); invasive plant species removal and fodder grass plantation at Langthel (Nu. 500,000); construction of a new water source at the JSWNP Head Office in Tshangkha (Nu. 790,133.75); and maintenance of the Taksha Park Range Office and Staff quarters (Nu. 1,560,000).
• Where discrepancies exist between Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) laws and WWF’s Social Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures (SIPP), the WWF SIPP prevails. Key differences include the SIPP's broader eligibility for assistance for land users lacking formal legal titles and more extensive requirements for community consultations.
• The ESMP identifies common short-term, minor adverse impacts across the planned activities, including the generation of waste (debris and sediments), noise disturbance, ground disturbance, and risks to occupational health and safety of workers.
• A comprehensive grievance redressal mechanism is established, allowing stakeholders to report issues via the BFL-specific mechanism (through gewog or forest offices), the WWF Grievance Mechanism (via a Project Complaints Officer), or the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Independent Review Mechanism.
• The document mandates strict Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) standards for contractors, including the provision of personal protective equipment (helmet, gloves, boots, and reflective vests), the prohibition of child labor, and the requirement for an OHS information session for all workers prior to starting activities.

APA

WWF International (2025). Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park (JSWNP). https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/60uf13skpy_12.JSWNP_ESMP_2025.pdf

Chicago

WWF International. Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park (JSWNP). 2025. https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/60uf13skpy_12.JSWNP_ESMP_2025.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park (JSWNP) |date=2025 |url=https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/60uf13skpy_12.JSWNP_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 Singye Wangchuck National Park (JSWNP)}}, institution = {WWF International}, year = {2025}, url = {https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/60uf13skpy_12.JSWNP_ESMP_2025.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }