Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for Biological Corridor (BC) 2 Wangdue Phodrang

The ESMP categorizes the construction of the Lobesa Range Office as a Category B project, meaning impacts are site-specific and reversible. It details mitigation strategies for waste, noise, and air quality, alongside strict occupational health and safety (OHS) standards for workers. The plan integrates WWF's Social Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures (SIPP) and Bhutanese national law to ensure biodiversity conservation and community wellbeing in the BC 02 landscape.

• The project is classified as a Category B project because potential adverse environmental and social impacts on populations within or around Protected Areas are "site-specific, reversible and can be readily mitigated".
• The primary planned activity for 2025-2026 is the construction of the Lobesa Range Office in Metsina, Barp Gewog, Punakha, with a budget of 10 million Nu. and a timeline from July 2025 to June 2026.
• Biological Corridor 02 (BC 02) covers 291.76 km2 and serves as a connecting landscape between Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park and Royal Botanical Park, Lampelri, supporting endangered species such as the Royal Bengal Tiger, red panda, and clouded leopard.
• The ESMP identifies several potential risks associated with the Lobesa Range Office construction, including construction waste generation, traffic disruption on the highway, noise disturbance to nearby households, and risks to communication lines.
• To mitigate social and environmental impacts, the contractor must implement specific measures: restricting construction hours to 7am—7pm, using green nets to prevent community entry into the site, and water-spraying routes on dry days to minimize dust.
• In cases of discrepancy between Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) laws and WWF’s Social Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures (SIPP), the WWF SIPP shall prevail, particularly regarding the eligibility of non-title holders for compensation and the requirement for extensive community consultations.
• The document mandates strict Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) standards, including the provision of personal protective equipment (helmet, gloves, boots, reflective vest), a maximum noise exposure of 90 dB(A) for 8 hours, and the requirement for a first aid box within 200m of any working place.

APA

WWF International (n.d.). Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for Biological Corridor (BC) 2 Wangdue Phodrang. https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/qe0h3h7kp_2.BC2_ESMP_2025_Wangdue_.pdf

Chicago

WWF International. Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for Biological Corridor (BC) 2 Wangdue Phodrang. n.d. https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/qe0h3h7kp_2.BC2_ESMP_2025_Wangdue_.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for Biological Corridor (BC) 2 Wangdue Phodrang |url=https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/qe0h3h7kp_2.BC2_ESMP_2025_Wangdue_.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfinternationalndenvironmental, author = {{WWF International}}, title = {{Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for Biological Corridor (BC) 2 Wangdue Phodrang}}, institution = {WWF International}, url = {https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/qe0h3h7kp_2.BC2_ESMP_2025_Wangdue_.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }