Environmental and Social Management Plan for Biological Corridor 1

The Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for Biological Corridor 1 (BC 1) outlines the framework for mitigating adverse impacts resulting from the construction of a beat office and the improvement of waterholes and salt licks in 2020. BC 1, a 149 sq. km area between Jigme Dorji National Park and Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve, supports endangered species including the Tiger and Snow leopard. The plan mandates 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 use rights and community consultation. Key mitigation strategies include noise and dust control for construction, increased patrolling to prevent poaching at waterholes, and strict waste management to protect nearby streams. Implementation is managed by BFL focal persons and contractors, with funding for the beat office at US$71,600 and waterhole/salt lick improvements at US$4,761.9.

• Biological Corridor 1 (BC 1) is a 30-kilometer long area covering 149 sq. km located between Jigme Dorji National Park (JDNP) and Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve (JKSNR). It supports 20 mammal species, including endangered Tiger, Snow leopard, Musk deer, and Wild dogs, as well as approximately 178 bird species and 71 identified medicinal plants.
• 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.
• Planned activities for 2020 include the construction of a beat office at Jetsephu (Namji, Phangdo) with a budget of US$71,600 and the improvement of waterholes and salt licks in Tsento and Bjee with a budget of US$4,761.9.
• The construction of the beat office presents risks of noise pollution, dust, and wastewater discharge into a nearby stream located 17 meters away. Mitigation measures include restricting work hours to 7am-7pm, water-spraying on dry days, and prohibiting the dumping of waste on fragile slopes or in water bodies.
• Improving waterholes and salt licks creates a risk of increased poaching because animals gather in concentrated spots. To mitigate this, the project will construct these facilities in areas where poaching is limited and increase patrolling by Biological Corridor authorities.
• The ESMP establishes a strict monitoring and reporting hierarchy: BFL focal persons conduct weekly or monthly visits, ESS consultants perform quarterly visits and reports, and the PCU (M&E officer) provides bi-annual reports to the Secretariat, which are then sent to WWF US.

APA

WWF International (2020). Environmental and Social Management Plan for Biological Corridor 1. https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/6vmj0v9fsu_BC1_ESMP.pdf

Chicago

WWF International. Environmental and Social Management Plan for Biological Corridor 1. 2020. https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/6vmj0v9fsu_BC1_ESMP.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=Environmental and Social Management Plan for Biological Corridor 1 |date=2020 |url=https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/6vmj0v9fsu_BC1_ESMP.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfinternational2020environmental, author = {{WWF International}}, title = {{Environmental and Social Management Plan for Biological Corridor 1}}, institution = {WWF International}, year = {2020}, url = {https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/6vmj0v9fsu_BC1_ESMP.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }