Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park

The document outlines a site-specific management plan for the Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park (JSWNP) as part of the 'Bhutan for Life' (BFL) project. It establishes a framework to ensure that planned 2021 activities—including waterhole revival, infrastructure construction, and meadow restoration—comply with both Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) laws and WWF's more extensive safeguard policies. The plan identifies potential risks such as poaching, water quality degradation, and worker safety, providing specific mitigation measures and monitoring schedules for each activity. It also includes comprehensive occupational health and safety (OHS) standards and worker accommodation guidelines to be followed by contractors.

• The Bhutan for Life (BFL) project is a 14-year initiative designed to secure biodiversity conservation, human well-being, and climate resilience in Bhutan, with specific goals to help the country remain carbon neutral by increasing forest and vegetative cover.
• Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park (JSWNP) covers 1,730 sq.km and is the third largest protected area in Bhutan, serving as a critical habitat for species including the Royal Bengal tiger and 50% of the 'Critically Endangered' White-bellied Heron population.
• Where discrepancies exist between Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) laws and WWF’s safeguard operational policies, the WWF’s SIPP prevails, particularly regarding the eligibility of non-title holders for compensation and the requirement for extensive community consultations.
• Five specific activities are planned for 2021 in JSWNP: the revival of the Tamala waterhole (Nu. 5,25,000), construction of a retention wall in Tingtibi (Nu. 2,80,000), renovation of office and staff quarters in Langthel range (Nu. 8,35,000), construction of a riverbank protection wall in Reeti (Nu. 5,00,000), and restoration of alpine meadows in Wangjela (Nu. 2,50,000).
• The restoration of alpine meadows in Wangjela aims to combat the encroachment of Juniper bushes and invasive Rosa sp., which have decreased pasturelands for yak herding and degraded the habitat of wild ungulates that serve as the prey base for tigers.
• The ESMP identifies common adverse impacts across construction activities, including dust production, noise disturbance, waste generation, and risks to workers' health and safety, including COVID-19.
• Mitigation measures for the Tamala waterhole revival include increasing patrolling to reduce poaching risks and ensuring that machinery does not enter the water during digging to minimize water quality disturbance.
• Implementation of the ESMP is the responsibility of the BFL focal person in JSWNP, and compliance is a prerequisite for the disbursement of project funds to the Park Authority.
• The document mandates strict Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) standards, including a maximum noise exposure of 85 dB(A) over 8 hours and the provision of specific personal protective equipment (PPE) such as helmets, gloves, and reflective vests.

APA

WWF International (2021). Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park. https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/6yub9uf9ko_JSWNP_ESMP_2021_.pdf

Chicago

WWF International. Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park. 2021. https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/6yub9uf9ko_JSWNP_ESMP_2021_.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park |date=2021 |url=https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/6yub9uf9ko_JSWNP_ESMP_2021_.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfinternational2021bhutan, author = {{WWF International}}, title = {{Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park}}, institution = {WWF International}, year = {2021}, url = {https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/6yub9uf9ko_JSWNP_ESMP_2021_.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }