Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology

The document outlines an ESMP for the National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM) under the Bhutan for Life (BFL) project. It focuses on the construction of a Cryosphere Monitoring and Research Base Camp at Thanaphu and the installation of three Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) in high-altitude regions. The plan identifies minor risks related to waste, dust, and occupational health and safety, providing specific mitigation strategies and monitoring schedules to ensure compliance with both Royal Government of Bhutan laws and WWF's Social Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures.

• The project involves two primary infrastructure activities: the construction of a Cryosphere Monitoring and Research Base Camp at Thanaphu in the headwaters of Chamkhar Chu (budgeted at Nu. 6.76 million) and the installation of three Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) in the high-altitude regions of Shodug, Thanaphu, and Thanza (with combined budgets of Nu. 6.0 million, Nu. 6.4 million, and Nu. 6.66 million respectively).
• The project sites are located in high-biodiversity areas, specifically within the Wangchuck Centennial National Park and the Jigme Dorji National Park, which harbor endangered species such as the Royal Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, and the national animal, the Bhutan Takin.
• Potential environmental and social impacts are classified as 'Minor' and 'Short term', primarily consisting of construction and household waste (estimated at 2 kg per day during construction), dust pollution, and occupational health and safety risks for workers.
• To mitigate waste and dust, the ESMP mandates the separate collection of biodegradable and non-degradable waste, the prohibition of dumping in non-designated places, and the watering of construction sites twice daily.
• The ESMP establishes a hierarchy of compliance where WWF's Social Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures (SIPP) prevail over Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) legislation in cases of discrepancy, particularly regarding the eligibility of non-title holders for compensation and the requirement for extensive community consultations.
• A comprehensive Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) framework is required, including the provision of personal protective equipment (helmets, gloves, boots, and reflective vests) and the implementation of specific safety standards for working at heights (above two meters) and managing electrical hazards.
• Monitoring will be conducted through field visits by the Site Engineer, BFL Focal, and ESS focal, with requirements for field visit reports to be submitted within two weeks of a visit and annual progress reports due in June 2025.

APA

WWF International (2024). Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology. https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/eiesbdmij_NCHM_ESMP_2024.pdf

Chicago

WWF International. Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology. 2024. https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/eiesbdmij_NCHM_ESMP_2024.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology |date=July 2024 |url=https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/eiesbdmij_NCHM_ESMP_2024.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfinternational2024bhutan, author = {{WWF International}}, title = {{Bhutan for Life Environmental and Social Management Plan for National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology}}, institution = {WWF International}, year = {2024}, month = jul, url = {https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/eiesbdmij_NCHM_ESMP_2024.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }