1. Grant MG0075-09: Management Planning of Wangchuck Centennial Park

Time frame: July 2009 through 30 June 2012 (3 years)

In Spring 2009, a grant of US$3000,000 was awarded to plan and establish Wangchuck Centennial Park, the country’s second largest protected area. The park was inaugurated on 13 December 2008, as Bhutan’s tenth protected area to commemorate the Centenary of the Monarch. Park headquarters will be located at Nasiphel village under Choekhor gewog in Bumthang. The park has an area of 3763 square kilometers, encompassing Lhuentse, Punakha, Trongsa, Wangduephodrang and Bumthang.

Progress:

• Brochures and flyers that were produced and distributed on the activities of the Wangchuck Centennial Park were very useful in publicizing the Park’s objectives and goals. The total cost of the production was Nu.66,750.
• The construction of the WCP headquarters has been awarded to M/s National Builders, and is expected to be complete before June 2012. So far expenses on advertisement and mobilization advances has cost Nu.1,000,899.50
• To help in employment of local communities through ecotourism, the WCP in collaboration with the Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment conducted an intensive nature tour guide training to 13 school dropouts, and the Department of Forests and Park Services and Tourism Council of Bhutan awarded the certificates jointly.
• On the human resources development front, field staffs of the WCP underwent basic computer application and database management training at the Nyinshar Computer Learning Center in Phuentsholing; and a computer course on Dzongkha Unicode at the Dzongkha Language Institute in Thimphu. These trainings have improved the staffs in preparing reports and maintaining database in their fields. A total cost of Nu.204,000 were incurred on the program.
• A seven-member team of stakeholders of WCP (which includes the CFO’s of Territorial Divisions and National Parks around WCP) undertook a study tour to Protected Area’s of Thailand, for better awareness on PA management. A fund of Nu.464.864.20 was spent on the study tour.

2. Grant MB0080-09: Conservation and Protection of Local Tsenden

Time frame: September 2009 through August 2012 (3 years)

The Department of Forests under Ministry of Agriculture was awarded a grant of Nu.12,250,000 for the conservation and protection of local Tsenden (Bhutan Cypress) through plantation program.

Progress:

• About 60 kilograms of Local Tsenden seeds were collected and distributed to Divisions and Dzongkhags for seedling production in their nurseries. Depending on the availability of budget, funds have been allocated accordingly to produce Tsenden seedlings. Furthermore, large-scale production of the nurseries are established in Paro and Zhemgang Dzongkhags.
• Currently the Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment is studying on the natural Tsenden stands, and the findings will be presented to the Ministry/DoFPS around November 2011.
• A total of 94 acres of new Tsenden plantation has been established at various locations under different Dzongkhags, namely Trongsa, Trashigang, Wangdue, Punakha, Tsirang and Thimphu. However, about 35 acres of the plantation had to be taken up for replacement and maintenance works.

3. Grant MB0081-09: To Photograph the Natural Heritage of Bhutan

Timeframe: January 2010 through December 2012 (3 years)

Mr. Yeshey Dorji, a professional photographer and author of Bhutan Birds, was awarded Nu.6,226,405 to record a photographic documentation of Bhutan’s natural and cultural heritage, flora and fauna; as a form of conservation.

Progress:

The grantee has submitted more than 10,000 raw photographs related to mountains, monasteries, birds, butterflies, and rural villages.

4. Grant MB0082-09: Bio-prospecting project at the National Biodiversity Center

Time frame: January 2010 through December 2011(2 years)

In the fall of 2009, the trust fund granted a budget of US$300,000 to the National Biodiversity Center of Ministry of Agriculture, to finance a Bio-prospecting project. The overall objective of the project is to develop sound policy and legal framework to initiate bio-prospecting activities in the country with in partnership with national and international stakeholders.

Progress:

• To formulate a policy and legal framework on access to Biological Resources, Benefit-Sharing and protection of Traditional Knowledge (TK), the first national workshop on developing Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) policy was conducted. The workshop was facilitated with participants from various stakeholders and international experts in Intellectual Property Rights.
• For systematic documentation of TK associated with Biodiversity, a desktop study for TK inventory has been initiated.
• The laboratory equipments have been installed and biotech graduates employed to study the installation and conduct tests on common plants with medicinal values.
• Furthermore, a bio-diversity officer has been sent for training on TK Documentation and Biochemical Extraction and Analysis.
• To initiate in-country bio-prospecting and promote advanced researches, research on species is presently being carried out in collaboration with a leading company; and if results has potentials, then Bhutan would export raw materials, hence open up market for non-wood forest products.
• It is also expected to develop institutional collaboration with the multi/international bio-prospecting pharmaceutical/nutraceutical and cosmetic companies

5. Grant MB0083-09: Development of Chubu Tsachu

Timeframe: January 2010 through December 2011 (2 years)

In January 2010, a grant of US$100,000 was awarded to Jigme Dorji National Park and Punakha Dzongkhag Administration to promote community based sustainable nature/ecotourism tourism of Chubhu Tsachu, and consequently gain support on the protection and integration of Bhutan’s unique culture and natural resources. The project will be implemented in collaboration with significant stakeholders, namely, the Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators, Nature Conservation Division and Tourism Council of Bhutan.

Progress:

Although this grant was suspended up till May 2011 as grantee carried out activity that was not approved. The Management Board of the Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation accorded approval for revival of this project with the change in project implementation role. The Punakha Dzongkha Administration will implement the project and Jigme Dorji National Park (JDNP) will function as the co-implementor. A Memorandum of Understanding will be signed between the Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation, Punakha Dzongkhag Administration and the Jigme Dorji National Park and the project implementation will start by September 2011.

6. Grant MB0084-09: Piloting an Indigenous Wildlife Repellent for Crop Protection

Time frame: January 2010 through December 2011 (2 years)

In December 2009, a grant of Nu.3,985,000 was awarded to the Ministry of Agriculture to finance the installation of 300 sets of repellent. The indigenous repellent, developed by National Post Harvest Centre, is aimed at increasing crop production through reduction of crop damage by wild animals.

Progress:

• The procurement and assembling of the 100 sets of improved 3^rd model repellent has been completed and ready to be installed in five Dzongkhags of Samtse, Zhemgang, Mongar, Lhuentse and Samdrupjongkhar. The trial sets installed at Pangbisa in Paro has been a success; and a similar solar fencing trial is ready to take place at Samdrupjongkhar within the first quarter of FY2011-12.

7. Grant MB0087-10: Masters in Environmental Management and Development

Timeframe: July 2010 through June 2012 (2 years)

The board approved a grant of Nu.4,110,000 to Royal Audit Authority finance a masters degree in Environmental Management and Development to Mr. Chandra Bdr. Gurung, at the Australian National University for two years.

8. Grant MB0090-10: National Forest Inventory and Ecosystem Health Monitoring

Timeframe: August 2010 through July 2012 (2 years)

In July 2010, the Forest Resources Development Division under Department of Forest & Park, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, was awarded US$299,852 to develop an inventory on the ecosystem of the country’s forestry resources to address and put in corrective measures for sustainable forest management and assist in authentication of the existing biodiversity in-situ.

Progress:

• High-end equipments have been purchased and relevant officers of Forest Resource Development Division, Department of Forest and Park Services have been trained to conduct NFI. Total expenditure incurred as of June 2011 is Nu. 589,1188.63

• In the process of developing methodology for Biomass calculation

9. Grant MB0091-10: Flowers of Bhutan

Timeframe: July 2010 through December 2011 (1year, 6 months)

As per ministry of Agriculture’s request, the board approved the reprinting of 1000 copies of Late Dasho Keiji Nishioka’s Flowers of Bhutan book by Hokkaido University Press, Japan. The secretariat will recover the grant through sale of the book.

Progress:

A draft “Flowers of Bhutan will be ready by September 2011

10. Grant MB0092-10: Development of Environmental Resource Centre

Timeframe: July 2010 through July 2012

In July 2010, the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) was awarded a grant of US$300,000 to strengthen the institutional capacity, which will increase public participation in environmental conservation, providing opportunities in sound decision making and conservation activities by establishing and developing an environmental resource centre in the country.

Progress:

• 83% of the construction of the Environmental Resource Centre has been completed. As of July 2011, an expenditure of Nu. 4,405,961.79 has incurred since inception.
• Orders worth Nu. 837,732.60 have been placed on procurement and installation of furniture from China.
• IT and Audiovisual equipment worth Nu. 156,935.00 have been procured through an open bid.
• For the development of Library and Research facilities, a sum of Nu. 1,172,379.00 have been awarded to the winning supplier. Furthermore, a volunteer from the United States has been hired to develop the ERC into a functional library and research centre.

11. Grant MB0099Y11: Piloting Integrated Solid Waste Management in Bajothan

Timeframe: July 2011 through June 2014 (3 three years)

In June 2011, a grant of Ngultrum eight million was awarded to Wangdue Municipality, Wangdue Dzongkhag Administration, to establish an integrated solid waste management system and develop appropriate mechanisms by involving private partners and informal sector in solid waste management.

12. Grant MB00100Y11: Bumdeling Black-Necked Crane Habitat Reclamation Project

Timeframe: July 2011 through June 2014 (3 years)

The Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary in Trashi Yangtse Dzongkhag was awarded Ngultrum 2.1222 million in July 2011 to study and provide a conducive feeding and roosting place for black-necked cranes through reclamation of flooded area.

13. Grant MB00101Y11: Improved Fuel-wood Cook Stoves

Timeframe: September 2011 through August 2014 (4 years)

In July 2011, a grant of Ngultrum 13.5 million was awarded to the Renewal Energy Division of Department of Energy under Ministry of Economic Affairs to improve, produce and disseminate fuel-efficient stoves to end-users in rural communities to reduce the current high levels of fuel wood use for domestic purposes; and consequently provide greater access to clean and affordable energy while reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions.

14. Grant MB00102Y11:Implementation of National Human Wildlife Conflict Management Strategy

Timeframe: Jul 2011 through October 2011

In July 2011, a grant of Ngultrum 1.9 million was awarded to the Wildlife Conservation Division, Department of Forest and Park Services to implement some of the strategic human wildlife conflict activities. The activities are construction of seven kilometer solar fence, building of elephant trenches and to pilot livestock insurance scheme.

15. Grant MB00103Y11: Enhancing Local Stewardship of Forests through Alternate Roofing in Merak and Sakteng

Timeframe: July 2011 through August 2011 (2 months)

BTF co-funded a grant of Ngultrum 2.7 million to Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary, Department of Forests & park Services to reduce the demand for shingles in Merak and Sakteng to save fir trees from being felled in huge numbers.

16. Grant MB0104Y11: Masters in Business Administration

Timeframe: July 2011 through June 2013 (2 years)

In July, 2011, the trust fund’s Program Officer, Mr. Dorji commenced his master’s degree in Business Administration, specializing in Project Management at the Australian National University in Australia.

17. Grant SC00105-11: Establishment of Nature Club and Environmental Education Program

Timeframe: July 2011 through October 2011 (4 months)

The Woolathang Community Primary School under Tewong Gewog in Punakha Dzongkhag was awarded a grant of Nu.222,000 to create awareness, educate and equip the Woolathang Community school children, teachers and the local community on environmental conservation.

18. Grant SC00106-11: Greenest Cleanest Village Competition

Timeframe: July 2011 through June 2012 (1 year)

In July 2011, a grant of Nu.400,000 was awarded to Yangphel Adventures Travel to finance the development and implementation of a community project to address public awareness on civic sustainability and GNH practices in the Paro valley.

19. Grant SC00107-11: Field Research for Undergraduate Students at College of Natural Resources

Timeframe: August 2011 through December 2011

A lump sum budget of Ngultrum 135,000 has been awarded to nine undergraduate students of college of Natural Resources of Lobesa. The research topics include, Amphibian Survey in Punakha-Wangdi, Transhuman practices, its impact and constraint to Red Panda Habitat, Damage of Agriculture Crops by Wild Pigs and their impacts, Fish Diversity Assessment during monsoon season, Impact of Wild Dog on Farmers’ Livelihood, Fish Diversity and the impacts of Hydropower dams on Fish Migration and Identification of potential Ecotourism products in Sakten Wildlife Sanctuary.

20. Grant SC00108-11: Develop White Bellied Heron Documentary

Timeframe: August 2011 through November 2011

A sum of Ngultrum 135,000 has been awarded to Bhutan Reality Picture to develop a documentary on White Bellied Heron. This documentary is to create awareness on critically endangered White Bellied heron that would provide community support in the conservation effort of this bird.