Institutional Support for Bhutan Forestry Institute


( Project BT0017 )

The Bhutan Forestry Institute (BFI) under the Forestry Services Division plays a crucial role in training natural resource managers, in particular forest guards. BFI's main goal is to produce natural resource technicians who are skilled in managing forest and wildlife resources sustainably, as well as in communicating and working with the local people.

WWF has supported the training of instructors in wildlife conservation, community forestry practices, and extension education. BFI instructors also attend teacher training courses and a few faculty members have received additional training in wildlife management and extension/community forestry.

With WWF assistance, BFI has also developed a field manual for foresters and guards and conducts regular refresher courses in wildlife biology, park management, and forestry extension for natural resource managers. Regular workshops on biological inventory and wildlife survey techniques have also been conducted for BFI trainees and FSD staff. Preliminary revisions to the curriculum have been made by a WWF consultant from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. The revised course, which includes wildlife biology and park management components, has been endorsed by the government for implementation. It also has stronger emphasis on field work.

Classroom, laboratory, and library facilities at the Institute have been upgraded, trainee hostels renovated, and general campus facilities improved. Most significantly, the Institute is planning to encourage women candidates to participate in its traditionally male forestry programme.

BFI will liaise with other institutes like the country's Sherubtse College and the National Resources Training Institute to develop and implement carefully tailored courses for protected area management. This will promote updated, highly relevant forestry and conservation programmes.

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Copyright 1996, The World Wide Fund For Nature