Developing ecosystem-based solutions for managing biodiversity landscape in Bhutan

The White-Bellied Heron (WBH) is a critically endangered species and is no longer sighted in many of its traditional home ranges in the Eastern Himalayas. Bhutan’s WBH habitats located in the river basins of the Punatsangchhu and Mangdechhu are degraded and threatened by on-going large hydropower-plant construction and other development activities. Building on ecosystem-based solutions, appropriate conservation approaches and measures will be introduced and established through the project to restore and conserve the WBH landscape. Through increased community engagement and the establishment of ecosystem-based livelihood adaptation options, ecosystem services within the WBH landscape and the livelihoods of the local community will be improved. The knowledge and experience gained from the project in ecosystem-based and community-based conservation and adaptation will be shared for application to other landscapes in Bhutan and similar areas in other Himalayan countries.

Project data

Countries: Bhutan
IKI funding: 3,687,239.00 €
Duration: 07/2021 till 06/2026
Status: open
Implementing organisation: Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) Bhutan
Political Partner: Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL) - Bhutan

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

Ministry of Finance - Bhutan

Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment (MoICE) - Bhutan
Online: https://www.rspnbhutan.org/iki/

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State of implementation/results

Training of enumerators for ESRAM Assessment took place from 16/09/2021 to 17/09/2021 (www.rspnbhutan.org/…).
ESRAM Technical report, the Biodiversity assessment report and the ESRAM Study Protocols are finalised and published.
Project Inception Meeting at national stakeholder level in order to inform and enhance stakeholder coordination took place on 02/09/2021 (www.rspnbhutan.org/… content/uploads/2021/11/Inception-Meeting-Report_2021.pdf). The inception event was covered by the national print media (Kuensel) and by Bhutan Broadcasting Service, the national broadcast media house (kuenselonline.com/…, www.bbs.bt/…).
Up to date, restoration of degraded areas within the White-Bellied Heron habitats across six districts to an area of 54,9 hectares with engagement of community forest groups and private individuals.
Seven community-based nursery sites established in five districts (Punakha, Tsirang, Dagana, Trongsa, Zhemgang).
During the reporting period 2021–2025, the White-Bellied Heron population in Bhutan ranged from a low of 22 individuals in 2021 to a high of 29 individuals in 2025.
Drones are now used for WBH monitoring. The use of drones to survey the species and its nests was found feasible, enhancing data collection and surveys. During this Annual Population Survey of White-Bellied Heron, one nest was discovered through the use of a drone.
Two White-Bellied Heron habitat sites within project landscape are now declared Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) in collaboration with the Department of Forest and Park Services. Total KBA area 15.4 sq. km.
Four nature trails and campsites with basic amenities were developed within the WBH landscape (Berti nature trail in Zhemgang District; Sunkosh nature trail in Tsirang District; Bara Gumti nature trail in Dagana District and Kabjisa Hoka Tsho nature trail in Punakha District).
Homestay management training conducted with 66 community participants (34 female and 32 male).
62 village homestays in six Districts were supported. Total number of private accomodation certified by the Department of Tourism (DoT) raised to 33 to date.
National Village Homestay Guidelines endorsed and published by DoT.
Six Ecotourism promotional videos (including the Dzongkhag version) highlighting the ecotourism products and attractions developed and published.
Training of trainers (ToT) program on post-harvest, pest and disease control management and food processing to the agriculture extension officers' sites organized.
Training on plantation, harvesting technique of crops, soil and pest management, organic farming with 418 community participants (176 male and 242 female) completed.
15 Rural Water Supply Schemes (RWSS) are completed and provide reliable and safe drinking water to over 600 households in the White-Bellied Heron landscape. RWSS helps communities in adapting to climate change through proper management of water resources such as springshed management, water source revival and adoption of water safety plans.
Training of trainers (ToT) on Community Water Resource Management with the topic of Rural Water Supply Schemes (RWSS) sites. A total of 33 (25 male & 8 female) were trained.
28 local government officials from the White-Bellied Heron landscape were trained on rural entrepreneurship. This training promoted rural-based enterprises in beekeeping, fisheries, and high-value crop cultivation.
White-Bellied Heron Habitat Restoration Guideline developed and published in collaboration with Department of Forest and Park Services, Hydropower and Green Bhutan Corporation.
Ten community-based Human-Wildlife Conflict Management and Crop Compensation groups established in the project landscape.
Training was conducted for 17 Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) groups (14 male and 3 female) from 4 HWC sites on HWC Group Management Mechanism and Crop Compensation Scheme in August, 2023.
In collaboration with the local government, electric and solar fencing was implemented to address Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) issues at grassroots level. The initiative covered a total of 650 acres of farmland (2,6 sq. km) across 17 Climate-smart Agriculture communities.
EarthRanger tool launched to monitor White-Bellied Heron and other associated species. The daily observations by Local Conservation Support Group (LCSG) members and Foresters are now recorded through the tool, improving real-time data collection and species monitoring.
An Exchange Program Visit to India was held and shared the knowledge and lessons learnt from the implementation of the IKI project towards saving White-Bellied Heron. Besides sharing this knowledge, an elaborate discussion was held on scaling up a similar conservation approach at the regional level. The conservation organisations in India agreed to develop a Conservation Action Plan for White-Bellied Heron.
Realisation of the ‘WBH Conservation - Education, awareness & advocacy programme’ with participation of 513 people (165 male and 348 female) to date.