Living Landscapes: Securing ecological connectivity of high conservation value areas in Bhutan

In southwestern Bhutan special biodiversity and ecosystem services worthy of protection exist (High Conservation Value Areas), which are, however, without any formal protection status. For their long-term protection at national, regional and local level, they should be considered as an integral part of comprehensive land use planning as well as in management plans of the District Forestry Offices. In addition to building up knowledge and capacities within the forest administrations, the project also provides them with technical equipment to monitor and implement the management plans. It also supports local communities in reducing human-wildlife-conflicts, securing water resources and developing business plans to generate additional income. The development of guidelines, pilot projects and the exchange of experience between districts and authorities are intended to enable multiplier effects in other landscapes and districts.

Project data

Countries: Bhutan
IKI funding: 8,873,998.00 €
Included preparation phase: 98,709.79 €
Duration: 04/2020 till 03/2028
Status: open
Implementing organisation: World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) - Germany
Political Partner: Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL) - Bhutan

Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MoENR) (Bhutan)

Ministry of Finance - Bhutan

National Land Commission (NLC) - Bhutan
Implementing Partner: Tarayana Foundation (TF)

World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) - Bhutan
Online: https://www.wwfbhutan.org.bt/projects_/living_landscapes__securing_high_conservation_value__hcv__in_the_south_western_bhutan/#:~:text=western%20Bhutan%20%7C%20WWF-,Living%20landscapes%3A%20securing%20High%20Conservation%20Value%20(HCV),in%20the%20south%2Dwestern%20Bhutan&text=The%20project%20seeks%20to%20achieve,in%20the%20south%2Dwestern%20Bhutan.

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State of implementation/results

Securing High Conservation Values (HCV) in nine districts across southwestern Bhutan:
- The work on HCV in Bhutan started with building the capacity of the relevant agencies including the development of HCV National Interpretation. HCV Screening was conducted for the nine Divisional Forest Offices (DFOs) following the HCV National Interpretation with technical support from the HCV Network. HCV screening results were endorsed by the Department of Forests and Park Services (DoFPS), the identified HCV areas were incorporated into the National Land Commission Secretariat (NLCS). An Operational Guidance for HCV Management and Monitoring was developed in 2023 based on which draft HCV management and monitoring plans were developed for all the nine HCV areas as part of the larger DFO management plans.
- Between January and June 2024, the Divisional Forest Offices (DFOs) conducted consultations with local communities and other local-level stakeholders for the nine proposed HCV areas. A total of 800 people (228 women) attended the consultation meetings for the identified and proposed HCV areas.
- To learn best practices and learnings from HCV management and monitoring in Malaysia, 24 members including the DFO managers, HCV National Expert Group members and members from the National Land Commission Secretariat (NLCS) went on a study visit to Sabah, Malaysia in May 2024. The learnings will help in the management of the HCVs in Bhutan including the development of management and monitoring plans.
- To create awareness on HCV concepts and principles public relations and awareness activities were intensified.
- An “HCV football championship” for youths was conducted in March, 2025 in collaboration with the Bhutan Football Federation to create awareness on six different categories of HCV and build conservation stewardship among youths.
- The project collaborated with the Journalist Association of Bhutan to collect impact stories from the project intervention sites within the landscape. Six stories and one digital content were developed in June, 2025 and published. The stories covered various topics linked to the project’s interventions like importance of HCV, rural economy and agriculture, securing and managing of water catchment areas and springs.
- The project developed a video documentary on key concepts and principles of HCV in June 2025. The documentary is meant to advocate the local stakeholders, project partners and general public on on the HCV concept and principles, introduce the six HCV-categories and show project interventions along the line. The documentary is available on WWF- Bhutan’s social media platform and also on yourutbe (www.youtube.com/…, www.youtube.com/…).
National Land Use Zoning:
- The project supported National Land Use Zoning (NLUZ) and Land Use Land Cover (LULC) work undertaken by the National Land Commission Secretariat (NLCS) in which HCV is integrated and mainstreamed for national land use planning in the future. The LULC report was published and the NLUZ Report was launched on 18 September 2023.
- The project supported the National Land Commission Secretariat (NLCS) in conducting land use coordination and data reconciliation workshops in September 2024 to resolve land use conflicts and refine the NLUZ baseline report. NLCS officials also participated in capacity-building training sessions, enhancing their expertise in land management. Additionally, a publication on the National Land Use Zoning (NLUZ) in Bhutan was presented at the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG) Conference held in Nepal in November 2024.
- Following the publication of the baseline report of National Land Use Zoning (NLUZ) in 2023, the need for further improvement of zoning data was felt necessary to continuously improve the report as a “living document”. Technical staff of the National Land Commission Secretariat (eight GIS technicians and survey engineers) received further training on remote sensing, mapping and data acquisition/ analysis for land use planning and zoning at the Asian Institute of Technology in Bangkok, Thailand in May 2025.
Development of Management Plans for Divisional Forest Offices (DFO):
- a. Biodiversity Survey:
  - As a prerequisite for developing a management plan, a Rapid Biodiversity Survey was conducted in 9 Divisional Forest Offices covering 3,168 km2 from late 2022 to early 2023. The survey was undertaken by 137 foresters covering 198 (4x4 km) survey grids. The respective reports were developed and finalized in early 2024 and are prepared for publication after approval by the authorities in mid-2025.
  - Tarayana Foundation prepared a report on invasive plant species in the project region together with the National Centre for Biodiversity (NBC) and the College of Natural Resources (CNR) after interviewing farmers. Publication of the study and based on it, implementation of training in the communities to identify and remove invasive species.
- b. Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment and Socio-economic Data Collection:
  - Besides a biodiversity survey, a Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment (CCVA) and a Socio-economic Survey are important prerequisites for the development of the Climate Smart Management Plans for the 9 Divisional Forest Offices in the project area. A total of 6231 (2284 women) people residing in the project landscape were interviewed from July to December 2023 to gather information on climate change and socio-economic conditions. After data collection, 18 officials attended a weeklong training on CCVA at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) in Nepal in November 2023 to be trained on how to conduct the climate vulnerability assessment using the data collected (www.wwfbhutan.org.bt/…).
  - From January to June 2024, as an output of the data collection and capacity building trainings, CCVA and socioeconomic survey reports were formulated from between January to June 2024 both at the project landscape level and at the respective DFOs level. The reports are under publication and the findings will be incorporated into the DFO management plans.
- c. Drafting of Holistic Management Plans for Divisional Forest Offices (DFOs):
  - Paro Divisional Forest Office (DFO) was selected as a pilot site for the development of a management plan so that lessons learned during the process could be incorporated into other DFO management plans. A draft management plan for Paro DFO was developed in 2023 for the next 10 years incorporating management and monitoring plans for HCV areas falling within the DFO. The draft plan was improved further with inputs on mainstreaming gender and environmental and social safeguards and HCVs until December 2024.
  - Using insights from HCV screening results, biodiversity assessment, socio-economic and Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment (CCVA) surveys, Human-Wildlife-Conflict screening, and conservation threat analyses, the nine DFOs have collaboratively developed holistic, climate-smart management plans. These plans were formulated in consultation with key stakeholders, including local communities, ensuring an inclusive and participatory approach. Guided by the DFO Management Plan Development Guidelines, established through the project, these plans incorporate environmental and social safeguards, with a strong emphasis on gender considerations. In addition to other management regimes, the plans specifically focus on HCV areas, including dedicated management and monitoring strategies to ensure their protection and sustainable use.
  - Internal consultation on the draft DFO Management Plans was conducted within the DFOs involving 40 forestry officials to seek feedback on the draft plans before getting them endorsed by the Department’s Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) within July 2025.
  - The 9 DFO management plans bring a total of 983.500 hectares under comprehensive and holistic management, integrating ecological, social, and economic goals using data-driven, adaptive, and sustainable practices, including different management regimes such as Community Forests, Forest Management Unit, areas for Non-Wood Forest Products (NWFP) collection and HCVAs.
- d. Revision of management plans for other forest management regimes within DFOs:
  - By December 2025 a total of special management plans covering a total of 8.818 hectares under the management regime of Community Forests (CF), Forest Management Unit (FMU) and NWPF were revised across 9 DFOs. This includes revision of management plans for 16 CFs, 3 NWFP and 1 FMU.
Forestry Nursery Development:
- Forest nurseries were established in Dagana, Samtse, Thimphu, and Tsirang DFOs to expand tree plantations and enhance landscaping efforts. Additionally, a high-tech forestry nursery was developed until the end of October 2024 at Gelephu under the Ugyen Wangchuck Institute of Forest Research and Training to support the propagation and cultivation of high-value timber and Non-Wood Forest Product (NWFP) species, with a particular focus on Agarwood (Aquilaria spec.) The Gelephu nursery will also promote research on innovative propagation techniques, pest and disease management, and serve as a training hub for nursery operators, farmers, and forestry personnel, with an annual production capacity of over 60,000 seedlings.
Livelihood Improvement:
- a. Ecotourism:
  - Development of ecotourism facilities in the five different locations Dagana, Gedu, Samtse, Sarpang, and Zhemgang DFO was completed in 2023 which included the construction and maintenance of eco-trails, construction of visitor amenities and installation of signages. It is expected to benefit at least 21,740 people in the project landscape.
  - A study on the conservation and application of local and traditional knowledge has been completed, which also addresses key issues for the project, such as the management of human-wildlife conflicts, water management measures, and adaptation to climate change.
  - Training on management and operation of homestays for 20 (11 women and 9 men) participants from Dagana and Gedu Districts was conducted in June, 2025. The training is expected to enhance their capacity in developing new homestays and managing the existing ones in their respective villages.
  - Construction of community lodge at Jigme village in Samtse district was completed in December 2025. It is aimed at bringing additional income while also preserving the unique local Lhop culture which comprises ethnic groups who live in the southwestern lowlands of Bhutan. For representatives of the local community who manage the lodge and provide services, a core hospitality operation training (10-day program) was conducted by the Bhutan Institute of Tourism and Hospitality.
  - A feasibility assessment of ecotourism sites and products has been successfully completed in December 2025, highlighting three promising sites for further development: Patshaling Gewog (Darey Sho and Darachu birding areas), Rangtse Nye pilgrimage site in Gakiling Gewog (pilgrimage sites and birding areas), and Thselung Nye site in Tshaluna Gewog (pilgrimage sites and homestays connected with Menchu cultural heritage – hot stone or hot spring baths as a traditional therapeutic practice). The study confirmed that these sites have strong potential, considering their sustainability, community engagement, market appeal, and readiness in terms of infrastructure.
- b. Human-wildlife co-existence:
  - Considering human-wildlife conflict (HWC) as a major issue undermining the livelihood of the local communities living in and around wildlife habitats, HWC management will be implemented based on WWF’s Conflict to Coexistence (C2C) approach. The focal officials from nine DFOs were trained on the conflict to co-existence (C2C) approach and HWC assessment in eight gewogs was conducted using the C2C assessment framework in the first half of 2024. Following this, Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) management strategies were co-developed for eight out of 18 municipalities (gewogs) in close consultation with stakeholders, including local communities, after a detailed assessment of the conflicts. The C2C assessment for the remaining 10 HWC hotspot gewogs was conducted in May and June 2025. The C2C strategy for these 10 gewogs is at final design and printing stage after being discussed and endorsed by the Project Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) in December 2025.
  - Under the C2C strategy WWF Bhutan and Tarayana Foundation installed electric and chain link fences construction in the second half of 2025 to protect farmer’s fields in HWC hot spot communities in eight Gewogs. A total of 16 kilometers fencing has been completed until December 2025 in Samphelling, Lhamoizingkha, Gakiling and Tashicholing Gewog benefiting around 300 households. Further fencing construction is under way in four Gewogs (with a projected total length of 9,5 Km) and one elephant protection wall in Dungkharling Gewog is being constructed along with the installation of solar streetlights, which will enhance nighttime safety for local residents.
- c. Sustainable agriculture:
  - The reclamation of sloping fallow land is a measure that helps to gain additional arable land for village communities positioned on hill sites. Terraces are dug out of the slope which are stabilized by simple quarry stone walls with wall cornices on top to prevent soil from being washed away during heavy rainfall. Between March and June 2025, 9 hectares of farmland were created from fallow land in the village of Balakhop (Tsirang District). This benefits 24 households.
  - The project also extended financial support to enable community members from Balakhop village to participate in the Tarayana Annual Fair held in the first week of May 2025 in Thimphu. The annual fair focuses on small rural businesses, artisanal and agricultural products. It is an important meeting place where producers can present their products, exchange expertise, and establish new business relationships. The Balakhop village stand generated sales equivalent to 3,500 Euros during the fare.
  - From June to December 2025 the project implemented a series of Sustainable Land Management (SLM) interventions across multiple gewogs in the Dzongkhags (districts) of Tsirang, Zhemgang, Haa, Samtse, Chhukha, Dagana, and Paro, covering a total area of 64 hectares and benefitting 218 households. SLM includes the construction of stone enclosures around fruit trees in hillside orchards (stone bunding), which retain soil and rainwater, as well as the establishment of composting pits and hedge rows.
- Building Capacity of Project Partners and Beneficiaries:
  - Until June 2024 a total of 551 (192 women) members of local communities each representing a household were trained on management of Non-wood Forest Products and Community Forests. Other training for communities included vermicomposting and invasive plant species management (472 people).
  - A total of 420 forestry officials and 38 officials from the National Land Commission Secretariat (NLCS) took part in different capacity-building trainings from January to December 2024. The trainings were provided on forest fire management, human-wildlife conflict management, SMART patrolling, GIS, drone operation, species research and surveys including data analysis and reporting, sustainable forest management, forest pest management, and basic flora and fauna identification training.
  - Tarayana Foundation presented project methodologies and impacts on water resource management at the COP28 UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai in December 2023 (www.linkedin.com/…).
  - Aimed at instilling conservation stewardship, public awareness campaigns were held across the nine DFOs focused on forest fire prevention, new forest and nature conservation rules and regulations and online forestry services. A total of 6320 people (1704/F) attended the awareness events.
  - To enhance institutional partnerships between DoFPS and institutions abroad to strengthen existing collaboration or build new ones, three teams with a total of 14 members visited three different institutions: 1. Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour, Germany; 2. The University of New England and Charles Sturt University in Australia and 3. Kasetsart University and Mae Hong Son Organic Company, Thailand in May and June 2024.
  - To support community based natural resource management, local communities were supported through building capacity for community forest and non-wood forest product management. The communities from 18 community forests and four non-wood forest produce group were trained between January to December 2024 on resource assessment and management plan development benefitting 106 households.
  - A tree nursery at the Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environmental Research (UWICER) was established. The nursery serves not only to raise seedlings but also as a demonstration and training facility for prospective foresters at UWICER. In addition, nurseries were established in the five forest offices Tsirang, Dagana, Samtse, Gedu and Paro.
  - Two Advanced Drone Operation Trainings were conducted for the National Land Commission Secretariat (NLCS) and for the Department of Forests and Park Services (DoFPS). A total of 31 (4 women) officials from DoFPS and 13 (2 women) from NLCS were trained in surveying, mapping, and surveillance using drones including basic maintenance and data analysis.
  - A total of 1140 forestry staff from different offices under the Department of Forests and Park Services took part in capacity building trainings from January to December, 2025. The trainings were provided on Human-Wildlife-Conflict mitigation (C2C assessments), wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, community forest management group governance, conservation law enforcement, and the use of SMART version 06 (SMART-Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool, an open-source software and training program to collect and process data derived during ranger patrols), HCV management and monitoring HCV operational guidelines, Agarwood (Aquilaria spec.) processing and distillation, low impact logging, women 's leadership and empowerment in conservation and monitoring and evaluation of different forest management regimes.
  - 11 staff from Tarayana Foundation visited the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Nepal in June 2025 to exchange knowledge and lessons on implementing low cost, integrated and contextually specific interventions. The visit highlighted best practices in water source protection, catchment restoration, and sustainable use of water, while emphasizing community-based approaches to maintain and enhance spring flows.
  - Several awareness and coordination meetings were conducted between April and June 2025 for forest fire prevention, raising awareness on HCV concepts, wildlife feeding, mitigation of HWC and revision of the existing legislation aligned with the new national developmental objectives. A total of 489 officials within DoFPS and other relevant agencies participated In these meetings.
  - A water caretaker/plumbing training program was conducted in Haa and Dagana. A total 269 persons took part in the training (83 women, 186 men).
  - Training on vermicomposting was provided to 154 community members from Tsirang and Chhukha Districts. Vermicompost restores soil nutrients and humus lost during land development (terracing) and turns an invasive weed species (Ageratina adenophora) into organic fertilizer.
- Securing Water Resources:
  - Based on the springshed assessment report published earlier, works on springshed management and improving water supply were carried out in 29 different locations covering 10 gewogs under seven districts in the project landscape directly benefitting 5010 people (2448 women) representing 830 households. The interventions include piloting spring water recharge areas improvement, installing rainwater harvesting facilities, developing water filtration and storage facilities, improving water distribution through pipes and water pumps in the village, and formation of water user group). One of the water management schemes was inaugurated by Her Majesty the Queen Mother Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, the Founding President of the Tarayana Foundation on 1st October 2023.
  - Additional water harvesting interventions were carried out in 18 different locations in four gewogs across three districts benefitting 534 households and 2703 people (1383 women) between January and December 2024. In total, until December 2024, water harvesting schemes were established in 18 gewogs under nine districts in the project landscape benefitting 1364 households with a population of 7713 people (3831 women).
  - From May to December 2025 the project focused on reviving drying springs through springshed management interventions, particularly by digging recharge trenches within identified potential recharge zones. Recharge trenches along the contour lines of the slope are dug to increase water infiltration thus enhancing the natural replenishment of spring water in the catchment and recharge area.
  - A total of 22 springs across nine Gewogs in seven Dzongkhags were covered under this initiative. Recharge activities were implemented over a total area of 67 hectares, benefiting approximately 675 households, along with around 250 monks in Sali village of Dogar Gewog, Paro Dzongkhag.
  - A springshed recharge intervention for Song They and Bodhygang springs for two villages (Tali and Kikhar) in Zhemgang district was carried out in May 2025. Recharge trenches along the contour lines of the slope were dug to increase water infiltration thus enhancing the natural replenishment of spring water in the catchment and recharge area on 14.5 hectares.
- Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES)- Omchhu Watershed:
  - An external project mid-term evaluation (MTE), commissioned by IKI through ZUG (Zukunft-Umwelt-Gesellschaft gGmbH) was carried out with the evaluation team visiting project sites for field verification from 20-31 May, 2024. The final MTE Report was delivered end of September 2024.
  - The project manager of WWF Germany visited Bhutan in April/May 2025. Project progress was assessed and meetings with political partners, DFOs and local communities were arranged. The first Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) Agreement was officially signed in Phuentsholing on 4 February 2026, with the ceremony honored by Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, Her Majesty the Queen Mother. The program targets the Omchhu Watershed, particularly Wangduegatshel Chiwog and Marpji Chiwog (two local communities), which serve as key areas for watershed protection. Under this arrangement, Phuentsholing Thromde acts as the downstream water user, drawing on watershed resources to supply about 27,658 residents, with roughly 1,775 households connected to water meters. By linking upstream watershed protectors with downstream users through the PES mechanism, the agreement fosters shared responsibility for conserving the watershed. This initiative supports sustainable watershed management, enhances local livelihoods, and ensures the long-term preservation of the Omchhu ecosystem.
- Business Plan development:
  - The project successfully completed business plan development for four districts (Samtse, Haa, Zhemgang and Tsirang), aiming to strengthen local entrepreneurship and guide sustainable livelihood initiatives.
  - In Zhemgang Dzongkhag, Kheng-Rig, the project produced “Pick: Bamboo Toothpicks Crafted in Bhutan”, while in Tsirangtoed Gewog, Tsirang Dzongkhag, it supported “Tsirang Bamboo Bliss”, creating a variety of bamboo-based home décor items.
  - In Youkha Gewog, Haa Dzongkhag, the initiative “Youkha Desho House” produces quality daphne products, and in Jigme Village, Dorokha Gewog, Samtse Dzongkhag, “Lhop Desho” focused on daphne-based crafts. The bark of the daphne shrub can be used to produce high-quality paper. This is particularly well known under the name Lokta paper.
  - Addditionally, a 15-day training on Business Management and Operations Planning was conducted to help rural entrepreneurs put the developed business plans into practice.