Department of Forest and Park Services: An Overview

At a glance, in an area of 38394 km², Bhutan has about 70 % of the total geographical area under forest cover. More than 50 % of the total area is managed as protected areas interconnected to each other via traversing network of biological corridors. With almost 70 % of the total population living as an agrarian society, yet our agriculture land use is a mere 3 % of the total geographical area.

We have various regimes of management such as protected area network (PAN), forest management unit (FMU), working scheme (WS), community forest (CF), private forestry (PF) with approved scientific management plans. On the précis, we have 17 operational FMUs, 5 WSs, 10 PAs & 529 CFs. FMUs and WSs purvey to the need of timber resources, PAN provides protection to various flora and fauna diversity and CFs caters to the need of rural society in terms of timber and non-timber resources. Those areas which are not managed under the purview of aforementioned management regimes are separately managed under a different scientific regime known as “management of forest areas outside FMU system” with approved management plans. This fulfils the policy statement 2 (b) of the National Forest Policy of Bhutan 2011 which requires all GRF land to be brought under the science-based management regimes for sustainable supply of products and ecosystem services.

At the helm of coordination, the department of forests and park services (DoFPS) is headed by a director general (DG) under whom at the HQ, 6 functional divisions provides technical as well as administrative guidance to directorate and field offices. The 6 functional divisions are FPED, WCD, SFED, FRMD, WMD, NRED.

FPED (forest protection and enforcement division) is a division responsible for forest land lease, forest clearances, forest offences, timber utilization and also homes forest fire management section of the department.

WCD (wildlife conservation division) is a focal agency dealing with in situ conservation of wildlife through management of 10 protected areas (5 national parks, 4 wildlife sanctuaries and 1 strict nature reserve). The division is responsible for catering to rescue and rehabilitate injured wild animals. Also embedded in its mandate, WCD coordinates human-wildlife conflict management and integrated conservation and development program.

SFED (social forestry and extension division) strives to facilitate and enhance people’s participation in joint management of forests and conservation through initiating and establishing CFs and PFs. Initially started as an afforestation division, SFED develops technical guidelines on plantation and NWFP utilization. The division technically backstops 20 dzongkhag forestry sectors (DzFS) in effective implementation of decentralized forestry extension services.

FRMD (forest resources management division) is mandated to sustainably manage forest resources based on sound forestry science. Sustainable forest management is achieved through identification, establishment and management of FMUs. Under its purview, management plans of 17 FMUs and 5 WSs are prepared which are implemented in the field by 12 territorial divisions. FRMD currently coordinates a comprehensive and exhaustive NFI with the blend of state of art equipment and geo-spatial technologies. It also houses database for information related to forestry in Bhutan.

WMD (watershed management division) is a recently established division which focuses on issues concerning water resources and watershed management. Additionally it serves as a focal point for climate change, wetland management, REDD+ activities and ecosystem services.

NRED (nature recreation and ecotourism division) is a focal agency which coordinates and facilitates all ecotourism and recreational programmes.

Technical backstopping and formulating policy framework and guidelines remain a common cross-cutting mandates like all other functional divisions.

12 Territorial divisions, 10 protected areas and 20 Dzongkhag forestry sectors basically provides similar functions related to service delivery, law enforcement, resources management and sectoral coordination. While the difference in technical mandate lies in territorial divisions focusing on timber resources mobilization, protected areas in wildlife management and dzongkhag forestry sectors in facilitating social programmes and providing extension services.

Under the departmental auspice, we have a research and training institute established in 2004 in Bumthang known as Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation & Environment (UWICE). The institute focuses in the area of research education and training forestry personnel. With the national mandate to coordinate nation-wide research programmes, RDC-Yusipang, Thimphu coordinates forestry related research programmes.

A government authorized resources mobilizing and marketing agency (not under DoFPS) under Druk holding and Investment (DHI) with corporate social responsibility is mandated to harvest and market timber and other natural resources as per the marketing policy of the government.

Conservation has long been accorded a highest and national priority. Over the decades, strong statutes and clauses therein have evolved to ensure protection, management and sustainable use of biodiversity resources. Article 5 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan mandates maintaining at least 60% of the total geographical area under forest cover for perpetuity. The Constitution also entrusts every citizen with trusteeship of country’s natural resources but also commands protection and preservation of natural resources as a fundamental duty of every citizen.

Gross national happiness (GNH), a celestial and unique development philosophy defines the quality of life in a holistic and psychological terms than GDP. Environment conservation being one of the pillars of GNH, ensures development pursuits are within the limits of sustainability without impairing biological productivity of natural resources. From mother of all statutes to the unique philosophy of GNH, all other national legislations have been instrumental in prioritizing conservation with pragmatic management practices which forefronts conservation as an imperative ultimatum.

Bhutan has one of the highest fractions of land under protected areas thereby providing an opportunity to maintain rich biodiversity. The progeny of conservation success has been depicted via catalogue of varied and numerous flora and fauna species. They include national symbols such as raven, takin, cypress, blue poppy; rare, endemic and endangered species such as golden langur, white-bellied heron, black-necked crane, Bhutan swallowtail, etc; and astonishingly 11 felid species are recorded in Bhutan including the magnificent Bengal tiger, the elusive snow leopard, charismatic lesser felid species such as clouded leopard, marbled cat, Asiatic golden cat, etc, and rare melanistic form of black panther.

Due to geographical diversity and diverse climatic condition, eco-floristic zonation are well represented over small area. The major forest types in Bhutan are sub-tropical broadleaf, warm broadleaf, cool broadleaf, chirpine, bluepine, mixed conifer, fir, sub-alpine and alpine scrub. Interestingly in some places we can observe a conspicuous distinction and interface of 2 forest types like mixed conifer forests giving way to fast growing bluepine forests.

In the face of rapid socio-economic development and keeping abreast the fast changing era, we confront copious challenges such as incessant dry season fires which poses an ever burgeoning threat to the long term goal of 60% forest cover, clandestine poaching causing serious threat to species conservation, illicit felling that fuels illegitimate timber market and inflates market trend, environmental degradation hence reducing forest cover by destroying habitats and fragmenting forest land, soaring timber demand due to booming and burgeoning developmental activities with huge pressure on limited timber resources, human resource constraint thwarting smooth implementation and monitoring and a both side bereaving situation such as human-wildlife conflict. Of recent there has been numerous incidences of trans-boundary smuggling of plant and animal (parts as well). Several apprehensions are made en route by forest department but this issue still needs enhanced cooperation and efforts from concerning trans-boundary countries.

Yet cycling the hurdles of multifaceted nature, department strives to achieve the following:

-         - Enhancing ecosystem sustainability

-          -Formulating policies and developing practices that are pragmatic and user friendly

-          -Addressing research needs through constant research and capacity development

-          -Increasing long term restoration capacity via resilience and convalescence

-        -Epitomizing and exemplifying  leadership role in forests and carbon monitoring (national, regional and at the global platform)

-          -And promoting quality science-based conservation and education.

By Ugyen Penjor (ugyenpenjorfrmd@gmail.com), FRMD, DoFPS.

Presentation on behalf of the department to the visit of 2013-15 batch of Indian Forest Service Officer Trainees on 13^th Feb 2015 at NRDCL Conference Hall, Thimphu. 

Floral diversity along the road..

Floral Diversity along the National Highway

As you travel from west to east or either way, you will observe an astounding diversity of flora on either side of your window. The plants seemingly familiar to your sight, the names that comes to your throat and yet stuck en route, the plants our folk and kin make use in their everyday lives but are least noticed. It is a general tendency of every human being (excluding few exceptions) to live in oblivion. We know these plants play a vital role in the livelihood of rural residents and there are few instances where people make sole living out of these natural boon.

I quite often travel across the country on official purpose and there is no moment more thrilling than getting an opportunity to come across diverse nature. I repudiate the fact that small areas have small diversity, this statement is blatantly denied as I have recorded innumerable species of plants just along the road. As one can discern through the composition of beautiful flora, travel along the highway in different seasons is more appealing. The flowers flaunt their flamboyant petals throughout the year, not a single species but there are hundreds of plants that flowers in all season.

The floral exquisiteness not only displays their adaptive nature but also attracts avian and mammal species by the hundreds. There is no better time than one can spend amid the natural aura. The melancholy of bird songs, gentle breeze swaying the riot of gleaming green, glistening beads of dew on leaf blades and the stunning display of flowers, what a feast for a tired eye.

So, next time when you travel along the highway, do not sleep, just give yourself a moment to observe and appreciate the bounty of nature and if possible take time to introduce yourself to nature, for SHE has unprecedented amusement in store for all.....happy travelling folks!

This has been published in K2 (23/08/2009) under anonymity. Quite a bleak writing.

It was never meant to quell this way

ZOOM: + - Reset

A shriveled and  derelict heart ceases to pump, dire lungs vexed,  dreaded and thoughts forfeit my sanity when I remember how we ended the way we should never have. The gloomy shadows of pain had now become my accomplice. The song once melodious, I now condemn as being the words of lament. The enlightening, lucid and bright sky now seems to darken and tangling my path. The blemish of love is tangible and goes deep! How am I supposed to forget what we had promised during our anticipated days? The nights warmer than the warmth of fire and days chillier than the breeze of snowflakes. The days cannot be more euphoric than having her in my arms. A chilling quiver runs through  when I recall my ruthlessness . Everything is falling apart, obscuring and leaving a loft behind as an impression of zest and remembrance. Today, I find my hands withered, ashen and comatose. My heart maimed with prejudice. How could it be a menace? my defiant mind questions in despair.

Not so long, the time during our Utopian days used to bless us beams of hopes and dreams. Now it emits tainted rays of despair and nightmares. We used to be the strength of each other, but now we are the weaknesses.

The unsullied and outstretched flowers that used to bloom and mascot my days, now afflict me with the despicable thorns of inevitable pain and anxiousness.

Profess everything that I heard of you aren't true? were the last words I spoke to her over the phone.  Silence was the only answer. I anticipated for the hands of time to turn back and reconcile the void. But my anticipation always remained anticipation.

Instinctively, I obsessed my mind with her thoughts amid the pain; I should never let her feel I shed enough tears for her. Just wishing in vain, like in fairy tales, that an angel would come from nowhere and discourse what is on my mind for her, the enc feelings for her. As the beads of glittering tears roll down my desolate cheeks, I conjectured in disdain, how had we gone wrong? Was it really meant so? Despite the interminable questions in my mind, I could elicit only the bare predicament reasons. Not like the river of any return but rather like the sun of tomorrow, I contrived my hope for her the ensuing days.

The breezes of pain have ailed me obnoxiously and I am left with no choice but to let myself sink in an abyss of pain and glum. Would she ever realize what she meant to me? Or am I only the culprit for the escapade and a target of the Cupid's arrow? Love sometimes unimaginably nauseates the mind. It gives the narcotic effect making me feel woozy and bizarre.

And for one brief shining moment, I know that life will have to go on, one way or other, with or without her. So, I free myself from her enduring thoughts and start the forlorn long walk to the road of no end, and somehow I know I will find myself again with the ardor of happiness and bliss.

Let me begin this blog with a poem long ago written for an open competition. I am sure not many has read this one but as a conventional norm, I will start with this (for now my dumb thick skull remains lethargic)....Have a happy reading

Prime Minstrel Dream

Enlivened by the expound dreams of a revered king,

Enviable path eloquent and audacity doth swing;

Towards achieving Bhutan disengaged from insidious corruption,

And build in one dream, the Heavens nation.

Ostracism soothed by equity,

Justice and parity triumph, sanctify us almighty!

Every boy and girl acquire same education,

Every man and woman treated alike, no gender discrimination.

Clean and emerald, our land, fresh water in plenty,

Nurture the nature promulgates, dearth and famine scanty;

A tree for a generation, for the existence to come,

A milieu for a nation, Shangri-La to become.

Let the populace be content, juvenile and old,

Every citizen is brave, youths are bold;

Subsist with their voices heard above,

Gross National Happiness, the celestial concept we love.

As I envisage, the trance of being a Prime Minister,

Days elope nights, summer befall winter;

Placid zephyr of peace and serenity prevail,

I pray, glee and love, all and sundry avail.