Development of Jigme Dorji National Park


( Project BT0015 )

Encompassing the upper watershed areas of Bhutan's three major rivers, Jigme Dorji National Park (4,230 km2) is of vital importance to downstream communities in Bhutan, India and Bangladesh. A number of important conservation issues must be addressed in order to protect this watershed and its flora and fauna. Its main threat is competition for land use between the inhabitants of the park, who subsist mainly by yak-herding, and wildlife. With glaciers, alpine lakes and some of the highest peaks in Bhutan, the park has high potential for trekking tourism. Guidelines, however, need to be established before trekking tourism causes environmental damage to the park.

Preliminary biological and socioeconomic assessments of the park were initiated in 1993 and the field data was processed into GIS for management planning. Resident park communities and local government representatives participated in the formulation of a proposal for an integrated conservation and development project. Project activities include park infrastructure and community development, and support for conservation and extension work.

With WWF funding, baseline data was collected, wildlife species monitored, and fragile areas in the north demarcated during 1994 for the management plan, which is now being developed by WWF and the Forestry Services Division. The plan will incorporate participatory planning and community development, and address issues of land use, grazing, biodiversity and forest conservation, overharvesting of natural resources, and tourism.


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