Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for Biological Corridor 4

The ESMP for Biological Corridor 4 (BC 4) outlines the environmental and social safeguards required for the Bhutan for Life (BFL) project. It provides a baseline of BC 4's biodiversity and socio-economic conditions and details a specific 2022 activity to improve low grassland at Pirchen through the removal of invasive species and controlled burning. The plan specifies mitigation measures for risks such as worker safety, accidental forest fires, and poaching, while establishing a monitoring framework and strict occupational health and safety (OHS) standards for contractors.

• Biological Corridor 4 (BC 4) is the largest biological corridor in Bhutan, covering 594 sq.km with elevations between 2284 and 570 masl. It supports 94 species of vascular plants, 25 species of mammal, and 150 species of birds.
• The human population in and around BC 4 consists of 7,653 people, primarily from the Khengpa community, with 74 households located permanently inside the corridor and 250 in the buffer area. Livelihoods are mainly based on agriculture (wetland, dry land, and swidden) and livestock rearing.
• A planned activity for 2022 involves the improvement of 4.58 hectares of low grassland at Pirchen by removing invasive alien species and using controlled patch burning to promote grass growth for wild ungulates and cattle.
• The ESMP identifies several potential risks associated with the Pirchen grassland activity, including worker health and safety, waste from campsites, increased poaching, accidental forest fires, and the accidental removal of endangered species.
• Mitigation measures for the Pirchen activity include implementing grievance mechanisms for workers, prohibiting waste dumping in fragile or culturally sensitive areas, increasing patrolling to prevent poaching, and conducting species mapping before implementation.
• The project mandates strict Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) standards for contractors, including the provision of personal protective equipment (helmet, gloves, boots, and reflective vests), the maintenance of first aid boxes within 200m of any workplace, and the implementation of fire precautions such as prohibiting smoking at construction sites.
• Implementation and monitoring of the ESMP are managed by the BFL focal person in BC 4, with disbursement of project funds contingent upon full compliance with safeguard requirements.

APA

WWF International (2022). Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for Biological Corridor 4. https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/6e55b2xfrg_BC4_ESMP.pdf

Chicago

WWF International. Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for Biological Corridor 4. 2022. https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/6e55b2xfrg_BC4_ESMP.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for Biological Corridor 4 |date=2022 |url=https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/6e55b2xfrg_BC4_ESMP.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfinternational2022bhutan, author = {{WWF International}}, title = {{Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for Biological Corridor 4}}, institution = {WWF International}, year = {2022}, url = {https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/6e55b2xfrg_BC4_ESMP.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }