durban keeps the door open for the world to negotiate while kyoto protocol continues

The Durban climate summit agreed to extend the Kyoto Protocol and keep the negotiations going on till it comes out with a legally binding document before 2015 which will come into effect by 2020

almost a quarter of bhutanese glaciers have shrunk in last three decades

Scientists warn that climate change could be devastating as the Himalayan region provides food and energy to 1.3bn people living in downstream river basins

we will make our position very clear and unless we send this message through, it will be difficult for us to mobilize international support

As the 17th Conference of parties (COP17) approaches, the National Environment Commission’s Secretary, Dr. Ugyen Tshewang, who will be participating at the summit, talks to Business Bhutan’s Dawa T Wangchuk on Bhutan’s stand.

bhutan to seek a definite time line for emission cuts by developed countries at cop17

Bhutan will be looking forward to a meaningful commitment for emission reductions and implementation of the agreements from Cancun towards supporting adaptation at COP 17 in Durban, South Africa, later this month.

green spending equals 2.9% of gdp

Bhutan’s spending on environment has increased in the last fiscal from that of the year before and is described to be relatively better than other countries

transport sector to go green

Green House Gas (GHG) is one of the major contributors to climate change and the transport sector is also one of the sources for GHG emissions.

Emissions have been growing mostly in the energy and industrial sector. Emissions were most significant from agriculture sector due to methane and nitrous oxide from livestock management.

Between the first GHG inventory of 1994 and 2000, emissions from energy grew at a rate of 21.4% a year, mostly due to transport and industrial growth.

Apart for mitigation options for other sectors, the transport sector also has various options. The second national communication report which will be presented at the 17th Conference of Parties at Durban in South Africa includes theses options.

The report says that transport demand management which includes proper design of urban areas and promotion of non-motorized transport are seen as an important mitigation measures for the transport sector.

“Some of the management strategies explored in the surface Transport Master Plan for Bhutan provide various options for mitigation in the transport sector,” states the report.

The report says that improving efficiency of petrol and diesel vehicles are important.

For this, vehicle emission standards have been established and import duties removed for spare parts that are essential in engine exhaust control.

Other measures taken include the check on quality of fuel imported after vehicle emissions monitoring revealed that fuel quality was one of the major causes of vehicle pollution in Bhutan.

“The import of old and second hand vehicles are prohibited in Bhutan and so far prevented the dumping of old and inefficient vehicles in the country which can increase green house gas emissions,” says the report.

The report also suggests other options like promotion of alternative fuels, electric and hybrid technologies and mass transport options.

“Vehicles running on alternative fuels are becoming reality in many countries often with less or practically zero pollutants and there are various options for reducing transport emissions in Bhutan,” states the report.

Some of the options are compressed natural gas as these gases are safe, clean and cheaper fuel for transport which will reduce GHG emissions and other pollutants.

The report says that compressed natural gas filling stations are more complex than regular fuel stations as high pressure, high cost of compressors, storage and dispensers are involved. “And so lack of reserves, infrastructure and difficult terrain may be barriers,” states the report.

Another option is the liquefied petroleum gas which is superior o petrol and diesel in terms of vehicular emissions. The emissions of vehicles running on LPG comprise 75% less carbon monoxide, 85% less hydrocarbons, and 40% less nitrous oxide. “These results in 87% less ozone depletion as compared to vehicles running on petrol,” says the report.

Bio-fuel is another efficient, environment friendly and natural energy alternative to petroleum based fuels. “Ethanol and bio-diesel can be used with a certain percent of blending in petrol and diesel vehicles respectively and can reduce emissions and improve urban air quality,” says the report.

The report also says that with abundant and cheap hydroelectricity, use of electricity for mass transport and electric vehicles for personal transport are viable options.

There are other options for mass transit such as electric trolley busses and light rail transit which are being explored through the Bhutan Urban Transport Systems Project as alternative transport systems.

“Mass transportation systems must be promoted to tackle congestion and air pollution in the major urban areas of Bhutan,” states the report.

Bhutan has been seeing a rapid growth of vehicles year after year. Today, Bhutan has over 53,382 vehicles.

good weather helps meet the set target and medical transit camp saves a life

This year the team reduced the water level by 1.45 meters taking the total to 3.68 meters. It is now left with 1.32 meters to meet the overall target.

Around 40 women were also hired to reduce the water level at the Thorthormi lake. Pic: Karma Toeb

This year, a little more than half the number of required workers, hired to reduce the water level of Bhutan’s most dangerous glacier lake, Lake Thorthormi, met the 1.4 meters set target.

The 209 workers including 40 women were able to bring down the water level by 1.45 meters.

The team leader, Karma Toeb, said it was all due to good weather. “We had no difficulties of any kind and we didn’t lose any single day of excavation due to bad weather,” he said, adding that the weather was on their side this year.

Compared to last year, a little more than half the number of workers required were on the site. The number of people who turned up at Thanza was only 131, but managed to recruit local residents as time passed by. The required number of workers was 360. “We did a good work this year compared to last year. Last year, there were many workers but this year despite less workers and shorter period of excavation we managed everything well,” he said.

“We will need at least one more year of working season to complete the project,” says Karma Toeb.

The project was to be completed within four years of working season which ends this year and reduce the water level by 5 meters. But in 2008 when the project started no excavation work was done due to various technical reasons. Instead of four working seasons the project had to do with only three working seasons.

The project manager, Dowchu Drukpa, said one more year of working season will be extended. “Even with less number of workers, we managed to meet the target this year. With another working season and good weather we might be able to complete the project,” he said.

Not only the excavation work turned out well this year but one of the workers also ducked the unfortunate incident that occurred last year. After the three unfortunate deaths last year, the project initiated various programs of which one was to set up transit medical camps at two different locations.

One transit medical camp was set up at 3,900 meters before the highest pass toward Lunana and the other after the highest pass at around 4,100 meters. And this helped save a life. While the team was about to reach the highest pass, one of the workers developed serious altitude sickness. He could not move any further. “He could not even descend back so a medical team was mobilized from the first transit medical camp to come and get him,” said karma Toeb.

The medical team arrived at the right moment and he was taken back. “The medical camps helped a lot. It saved one human life,” said the project manager, Dowchu Drukpa.

In 2009, the workers reduced the water level by 86 centimeter while last year they achieved 1.37 meters. This year the team achieved 1.45 meters taking the total to 3.68 meters. It is now left with 1.32 meters to meet the overall target.

agriculture can be the solution for its own climate change problem

The implementation of climate smart agriculture practices will reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Even though agriculture is most vulnerable to climate change, it is also one of the major contributors to climate change. Yet, agriculture itself can be a part of the solution.

And the only way to tackle climate change while producing more food to feed the world’s growing population is climate smart agriculture.

At one of the side events of Bhutan Climate Summit held in Thimphu, an international development organization, SNV, held a session on Climate Smart Agriculture ‘Building Resilience through Organic Techniques’.

Speaking at the session, Climate smart agriculture expert, Dr. Thimmaiah, said agriculture with modern inputs like synthetic agro chemicals are one of the major causes of climate change because it contributes a significant proportion of greenhouse gases.

He said the use of these chemicals constitutes about 15% of greenhouse gases. “If you get back and see the production of these fertilizers, then it accounts to nearly 30% of green house gases. So to a large extent synthetic agro chemicals are the main reasons for the climate change in agriculture,” he said.

He said that while agriculture is most vulnerable to climate change, agriculture can also be a part of the solution.

“Farmers face challenges due to climate change, but they could also play a major role in addressing it,” he added.

He said other greenhouse gas emitters are rice cultivation where there is a flooding condition. “When you have the flooded condition it releases methane gas which contributes to around 10% of greenhouse gas,” he said.

Industrialized farming also contributes to greenhouse gas emission. Industrialized farming is when there are large number of cattle in confined places and are being fed.

“But in Bhutan we don’t have this problem since the cattle our farmers keep are the local ones and also not in large numbers,” said Dr. Thimmaiah, adding that in Bhutan cattle are not kept in confined areas but grazes freely.

Dr. Thimmaiah said there needs to be transformations in the management of soil, water, landscapes to ensure sustainable higher productivity and resilience while reducing the carbon footprint.

He said by increasing the organic content of the soil through conservation tillage, its water holding capacity increases, making yields more resilient and reducing erosion. “Agriculture can absorb carbon into the soil rather than emitting it. Soil can store three times more carbon than atmosphere and five times as much as forest,” he said.

According to some estimates, soils under eco-friendly farm practices can sequester 14% of the current annual CO2 emission.

Climate smart agriculture also gives attention to landscape approaches, for example, integrated planning of land, agriculture, forest, fisheries and water to ensure synergies are captured.

This will prepare grounds for organic production and improved market linkages, which can increase people’s ability to adapt to potential changes in climate, both for subsistence farming and for greater market orientation.

The session highlighted SNV’s support to agriculture value chains in Bhutan (supporting the national organic standards, promotion of low-cost agriculture technologies).

Dr. Thimmaiah said climate change will affect agriculture through various unusual outbreaks of pests and diseases, erratic rainfall, windstorms, droughts and flash floods.

For example, in 1996 rice blast epidemic caused around 80-90% crop loss while in 2007 50% of maize production was destroyed due to corn blight disease.

Climate smart agriculture is important for developing countries to meet the challenges of food security and climate change.

Adaptation and mitigation based on organic agriculture can build on well established practices of organic agriculture as a sustainable livelihood strategy.

Dr. Thimmaiah said climate smart agriculture can increase agriculture productivity, agro-ecosystem resilience, reduce greenhouse gas emission and facilitate carbon capture. “It will also enhance the achievement of national food security and development goals,” he added.

Climate smart agriculture is also a farming system approach that fosters sustainable agriculture environment, builds resilience in farming practices, and reduce dependency on external inputs.

countries most vulnerable to climate change to meet ahead of cop17

As the global summit for climate talks approaches, vulnerable countries make a point to form a united voice


A group of 32 vulnerable countries, which created the Climate Change Vulnerable Forum, including Bhutan is set to meet in Dhaka, two weeks ahead of UN climate talks (the 17th Conference of Parties) in Durban, South Africa, to forge a common agenda for the negotiation.

The Climate Vulnerable Forum includes countries from Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, representing some of the most vulnerable countries to the adverse impacts of climate change.

The secretary of the National Environment Commission of Bhutan, Dr. UgyenTshewang, said it is good to have a single voice and partnership in coming out with a common position.

“If leaders come together and come out with a strong common position it will benefit everyone,” said Dr. Ugyen Tshewang.

He also said the developing countries have been active and participatory and it is now the time that developed countries take part in it.

Speaking at a press conference in Dhaka, the Bangladesh State Minister for Environment and Forest, Dr. Hasan Mahmud, said the forum is to forge a united voice to raise the vulnerable countries’ concerns for release of green climate fund and fast-start fund for adaptation and technology transfer without condition for mitigation measures at Durban.

The Bangladeshi foreign minister, Dipu Moni, said the forum meeting aims at creating public awareness of the vulnerability issues and challenges globally and take those to the climate negotiations.

“It is expected to forge an opportunity for the vulnerable countries to take the momentum of Cancun negotiation further for global support to combat climate change,” she said.

The forum was founded at the initiative of the Maldives when eleven vulnerable countries from across the world met in Male in November 2009 to highlight their challenges and seek international assistance.

These countries include the Maldives, Kiribati, Bangladesh, Barbados, Bhutan, Ghana, Kenya, Nepal, Rwanda, Tanzania and Vietnam. The first summit of the forum adopted a declaration which expressed alarm at effects of human-induced global warming and sought international assistance to combat the dangers of man-made calamities.

The report published by the Climate Vulnerable Forum in 2010, titled ‘Climate Vulnerability Monitor 2010 – State of the climate crises’ placed Bhutan in the severe countries category. Severe countries category include countries which are the second most vulnerable to climate change.

“Severe countries are facing challenges that would place heavy additional stress in any given impact area. The majority of Severe countries will become Acute by 2030 unless action is taken to counteract the growing impact on these countries,” says the report.

The delegates of the participating countries are expected to issue a declaration from the vulnerable countries for action by industrialized nations and urgent support while they are also expected to affirm their determination to pursue green and low carbon growth development.

The objectives of the Bangladesh Climate Vulnerability Forum is to increase the level of awareness, identify and develop areas of common interest, build an enhanced understanding among observer state parties and other international actors, clarify climate change mainstreaming, and maximize clean development mechanism potential.

regional climate summit won’t wait for a global agreement

Facing common challenges and concerns, four eastern Himalayan countries – Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal – are now a step closer to the region’s own climate summit.

A high level policy meeting between the four countries was held in Thimphu last week which further fine tuned the framework of cooperation.

The delegates of the four countries further discussed the areas of cooperation on the four themes of water security, biodiversity persistence, food security, and energy security identified by the expert groups. The document will be presented to the ministerial level meeting on November 18.

It was also decided that the countries will hold its own national discussions on the implementation arrangement model and come up with feedbacks and suggestions.

Speaking at the meet, the agriculture minister, Lyonpo Pema Gyamtsho, said the journey to the summit had been inspiring in spite of the inherent difficulties faced from time to time.

“The process is unique as it is entirely driven by the four countries and that the issues discussed and emerging results are in line with their own needs and priorities rather than those of external agency or agencies,” said Lyonpo Pema Gyamtsho.

The summit will be limited to adaptation measures to climate change and more complex issues like green house gas (GHG) mitigation measures will not be pursued.

The four countries also agreed that bilateral issues related to any of the themes will not be discussed as they are clearly within the domain of the parties concerned and not a regional issue.

In July this year, these countries had an expert group meet on the four themes. Lyonpo Pema Gyamtsho said the expert group meet revealed that the countries shared common challenges and concerns and to address this effectively increased cooperation was needed.

“If we are to achieve meaningful results, we have to think like citizens of this common eco-region and not just as citizens of our own countries,” said Lyonpo Pema Gyamtsho.

Lyonpo said the four countries together have a better chance of securing a brighter future for the millions of people in the region by ensuring food, water, and energy security and by conserving the rich biological diversity.

He reminded that the Eastern Himalayan region cannot wait for a global agreement on the level of emission of GHG reduction or controlling the global temperature rise.

He said the glaciers are melting at an alarming rate, rivers drying up, crop yields decreasing, and people are already suffering from increased frequency of natural disasters like floods and droughts.

“We cannot simply wait till disasters happen, we must act now for the cost of inaction and indifference now would spell unimaginable scales of loss and destruction in future,” he said.

There will be a ministerial level meeting on November 18 while the summit will take place the following day.

timber import formalized-will help protect bhutan’s forests

With the guideline for import of timber in place, any Bhutanese can now import timber from outside the country

Caught between a rock and a hard place, the government has been exploring avenues to meet the timber shortage in the country, which has become worse by the day. The country’s policy to maintain 60% forest cover for all times and the growing demand for timber has led the government to allow import of timber from other countries.

With the increasing pace of development and numerous ongoing constructions across the country, it has become increasingly difficult to meet the timber requirement. Construction industry has repeatedly complained of unavailability of timber in the market.

The government has now come up with a guideline for import of timber.

According to the guidelines, any Bhutanese individual can now import timber both for personal use and commercial purposes including resale within the country. This is expected to reduce the growing pressure on the forests besides creating employment for Bhutanese.

The guidelines aims to facilitate smooth movement of timber into the country and put in place an appropriate system to prevent the introduction of exotic pests and diseases through such imports, and ensure adequate monitoring of the imported timber.

It says that based on the directions of the National Forest Policy, 1974, and the legal protection provided by the Forest Acts, the government laid focus on ensuring all forestry operations are based on the principle of sustained yield and minimizing environmental damages by forest roads.

“It is this consistent policy that the country has been able to maintain more than 72 percent of the country under forest cover,” states the guideline.

The guideline states that the option of increasing the supply by compromising on the principle of “sustained yield” is non-negotiable as it could lead to deforestation, thereby not fulfilling the constitutional requirement.

“The demand for timber is not likely to plateau or go down. Therefore, one of the feasible options to deal with the demand-supply problem is to allow or encourage import of timber,” states the guideline.

The guideline sets clear procedures for one to import timber. For one to import timber, one has to provide proper and valid documents specifying the origin of the timber.

It says that the importer should first apply to the Department of Forest and Park Services for approval. And while arrival at the entry point the importer must declare the timber consignment to the Bhutan Agriculture and Food regulatory Authority (BAFRA) for meeting the quarantine formalities.

“Once the quarantine requirements are fulfilled then the consignment will be handed over to forest officials,” states the guideline.

The guideline also says that any individual importing timber should pay a certain import fee levied by the department and if the importer does not produce required documents the imported timber will be confiscated.

The pricing and marketing of the imported timber is left to the importers. “The pricing and marketing will depend on the market situation and it will not be fixed by the Natural Resources Pricing Committee (NRPC),” states the guideline.

The Department of Forests and Park Services has also explored various avenues to increase the quantity of timber including opening up new Forest Management Unit (FMUs) but has not been able to keep up with the demand.

bhutan faces difficulty in implementing the cbd but is on the right track

Bhutan, a country well known for its environmental conservation efforts, is facing difficulties in implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

This is due to the lack of financial resources and technical expertise, states a report on the implementation of the CBD by International Center for Integrated Mountain Development.

It says that Bhutan is making efforts to protect and manage its biological resources and biodiversity but the lack of financial resources and technical expertise are the main constraints limiting the implementation of the CBD.

These constraints have limited supporting actions for conservation, the sustainable use of resources, and benefit sharing, as well as for identification and monitoring processes.

“Despite these limitations, Bhutan is doing its part by developing and implementing landscape plans, and linking protected areas by establishing biological corridors,” states the report, adding that Bhutan is trying to raise awareness of its biodiversity through various means like media and the school curriculum by establishing nature clubs.

The Convention on Biological Diversity is an international environmental agreement established for the conservation, sustainable use, and fair and equitable sharing of benefits of biological resources. The agreement has been ratified by 193 countries including Bhutan. The implementation started in 1993.

The report also says that Bhutan is attempting to build a satisfactory network of institutions that will provide protection and sustainable development for its biodiversity and is trying to secure international cooperation and technology transfer.

“Bhutan has taken some direct actions to prevent and mitigate the negative impacts of the key threats to mountain biodiversity,” states the report.

The report also says that Bhutan’s location gives it abrupt altitudinal variation and diverse ecosystems rich in biodiversity and as a result Bhutan is included in several global priorities for biodiversity conservation.

Countries signatory to the CBD has its own priority on the CBD articles as well as Bhutan.

According to the report, emerging economies like China and India have given high priority to almost all of the articles of the CBD while developing countries like Afghanistan, Bhutan, Nepal, and Pakistan have given medium priority to most of the articles.

“The choices they have made reflect the fact that each country is at a different level with respect to embracing conservation measures,” states the report.

The reports says that efforts aimed at the protection and management of Bhutan’s biological resources and biodiversity are currently under way and in recent years, Bhutan has undertaken specific measures to conserve mountain biodiversity, such as developing corridors to link protected areas.

“The countries in the region have taken direct and supportive actions for conservation, sustainable use, and benefit sharing of mountain biodiversity and are moving in a positive direction,” states the report.

It also says that progressive conservation policies and legislation for management of biological resources in a participatory way have been developed which provide a strong basis for supporting CBD implementation in the region.

Bhutan’s constitution also mandates that at least 60% of forest cover should be kept for all times to come. In addition, nearly 40% of the country is designated as protected area, and an additional 9.5 per cent is set aside as ‘biological corridors’, which are treated as Bhutan Biological Conservation Complexes.

Bhutan currently has 10 protected areas (5 national parks, 4 wildlife reserves, and 1 strict nature reserve), of which 6 are currently operational and 4 will be operational by 2013. In addition, Bhutan has about 13 conservation areas of which two are under effective management and 11 are under some form of intervention.

Bhutan has three distinct eco-zones: alpine, temperate, and temperate conifer and broadleaf forest. Forests cover about 72.5% of the territory. The country harbors 5603 vascular plant species, 667 bird species, 200 species of mammal, 49 species of freshwater fish, and an uncounted number of invertebrates.

SAARC wants transparency while accessing global funds

The ninth SAARC Environment Ministers’ meet held this week in the capital reviewed the implementation of the Thimphu Statement on Climate Change, the Convention on Cooperation on Environment and other documents, plans and agreements signed in the past. The environment ministers also renewed their commitment towards a common regional stand on environmental issues.
The agriculture and forest minister, Lyonpo Dr. Pema Gyamtsho (Phd), said SAARC countries will take a common stand at the 17th Conference of Parties (COP17) which includes accessing the global fund for climate change. “SAARC countries need to take a common stand in terms of accessing the global fund for climate change,” he said.
He said that the need for transparency in terms of allocating the global financial resources for the member countries will be one of the common stands. “Right now some countries feel that before they realize, the fund is already spent. So transparency is needed,” said Lyonpo Dr. Pema Gyamtsho.
He also stressed that there was a need to build trust among the member states. He mentioned that during COP15 at Copenhagen, the developed countries committed to provide a fund (fast start finance) of US$30bn for enhanced action on mitigation, adaption, technology development and transfer and capacity building.
However, the money never made it to the developing countries. “When some countries approached for this finance they were told the money was already spent,” said Lyonpo Dr. Pema Gyamtsho.
“We need to ask for transparency and this is one position we will think about,” added Lyonpo.
The mechanism to get better access to funds from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and other international sources will also be looked into.
There will also be several other common stands which the SAARC Secretariat will collect from various member countries, put together and present it at the 17th SAARC summit in Maldives later this year. Once it is endorsed it will be taken to COP 17 in Durban, South Africa.
The meet also endorsed the terms of reference (ToR) for four initiatives under the Thimphu Declaration. The four initiatives which include the monsoon initiative, marine initiative, mountain initiative and climate related disasters initiatives will be implemented with the support of the regional centers.
The SAARC metrological center will support the monsoon initiative, marine initiative by the Coastal zone management center and SAARC forestry center will support the mountain initiative while the SAARC disaster management center will support climate related disasters.
Another important decision taken by the meeting is to extend the timeline for the SAARC action plan for climate change which was initially proposed for a period of three years (2009-2011). This period will now be extended by three more years to 2014.
The Director of the SAARC department with the foreign ministry, Sonam Tshong, said this was because some components of the action plan were still under implementation. “Three years is too short, extending the action plan gives opportunities to modify or continue the implementation,” said Sonam Tshong.
For the convention on cooperation on environment to move forward all the member states have to endorse it. While four member states have already ratified the Convention, the meeting urged the remaining member states to expedite the ratification process to enable its entry into force.
In a statement by the Secretary General of SAARC, Fathimath Dhiyana Saeed, she said the Convention and the Thimphu Statement are important milestones to strengthen regional cooperation in the area of environment and climate change. “I urge the member states that have not yet done so, to ratify the Convention at an early date to enable its entry into force,” read the statement.
This meet marks the last high level meeting to be hosted by Bhutan before the chairmanship of SAARC is handed over to Maldives in November.

changing weather patterns might affect water sources

The agriculture ministry has taken several measures to ensure that wetlands in the country are protected

The water resources in Bhutan could be affected due to the changing weather patterns which in turn will lead to shifts in seasonal stream and river flows. This will also have an impact on the drinking water supply for rural communities as well as the ecosystem.

The recent climate change vulnerability assessment of the Wangchuk Centennial Park by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) showed that climate change might affect the water resources in the Park.

The conservation program director of WWF Bhutan, Vijay Moktan, said the seasonal flows of rivers might change with climate change. “Climate change might affect the flow of rivers which will probably change the existing diversity within the river systems as well as the source of water for many,” said Vijay Moktan.

The flow in the main river Chamkhar chu has decreased over the past 10-20 years, as has the flow of the Nikachu chu in Sephu gewog and the Mandge chu in Nubi gewog.

The conservation program director also said that due to climate change the rainfall pattern has also changed leading to various problems.

The report states that monsoons are expected to start later and end earlier. “It is likely that the monsoon component will intensify around June-September peak,” states the report.

“Monsoon rain is very useful for recharging the ground water which again comes out as spring water,” said Vijay Moktan.

He said if rainfall pattern changes, the ground water will also be affected which in turn will affect communities depending on spring waters.

The report states that some water sources in Sephu gewog in Wangduephodrang dzongkhag became dry around 10 years ago.

The report also states that pressure on existing water sources is also experienced through growing population which puts increased pressure on existing drinking water systems.

The study concluded that climate change projections indicate that snow melt contribution to stream flow will decrease. The snowfall season will also begin earlier according to the report.

A recent study by a team of specialist from the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) titled, “Monitoring of Snow Cover in the Hindu Kush-Himalaya,” revealed that snow covered areas in Bhutan decreased by an average of 1.74% over the past decade.

Speaking earlier to Business Bhutan, Deo Raj Gurung, the remote sensing specialist of ICIMOD, said that snow covered areas in Bhutan have been decreasing prominently during spring and summer. “There are various factors that contribute for the decrease in snowfall. One obvious example is climate change but we cannot be very conclusive only on the climate change,” said Deo RajGurung.

The report says that climatic trends such as increased intensity of rainfall events, erratic precipitation, a shift in the onset and end of the monsoon, and changes in snowmelt will have impacts that are unevenly distributed over space and time.

“It is expected that earlier an increased snowmelt, particularly in the western portion of the park, could have implications for the two hydroelectric projects being planned immediately downstream of WCP,” states the climate change vulnerability assessment report.

Such reports bode ill for hydropower projects, as it will also be affected due to the change in climate.

Recently the Prime Minister, Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley, in an interview with AFP, said that climate change could have a great impact on Bhutan’s plans to be a world leader in hydropower. “The glaciers are retreating very rapidly, some are even disappearing. The flow of water in our river system is fluctuating in ways that are very worrying,” Lyonchhen was quoted as saying in AFP. “The climate is changing, global warming is real and the impact on our hydrology is very severe.”

where traditional rain ritual is part of the larger scheme to adapt to a changing climate

remaining carbon neutral means sacrificing potential revenue

A conspicuous fallout to Bhutan’s commitment to remain carbon neutral for all times to come, that was made  at the 15th session of the Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, is that it may result in potential revenue loss for the country.

A recent report ‘Bhutan National Human Development Report 2011, Sustaining Progress: Rising to the Climate Challenge’ revealed that Bhutan’s declaration to remain carbon neutral comes at a cost. The report says that Bhutan will lose out in terms of revenue foregone from logging and timber extraction, reduced returns from farming and loss of revenue from mining of mineral resources and adopting non-intrusive forms of tourism.

“Fulfilling the commitment to remain carbon neutral means activities that could potentially harm the environment such as use of pesticides, logging and mining, and mass tourism would be controlled even if they represent better economic opportunities,” states the report.

It also says that the cost of maintaining ecological balance against rising population, agricultural growth, urbanization and industrialization, and the cost of conservation will be some of the challenges.

“The country will need to bear the additional cost of maintaining ecological balance against a rising population and the agricultural growth, city infrastructure and industrialization needed to meet its needs,” stated the report.

The global community holds a defined responsibility to come forward with a mechanism to reward Bhutan’s resolve and support appropriate mitigation and adaptation measures.

“In this regard Bhutan requires the global community to come forward with a mechanism to reward the country’s resolution and support Bhutan in undertaking appropriate mitigation and adaptation measures as well as adapt to climate change,” states the report.

The report also highlights some of the initiatives that are needed to support Bhutan to remain carbon neutral.

One of the initiatives is technology transfer. It says that as Bhutan is dependent mainly on hydropower, extension of grid to far flung and remote areas is an expensive option and therefore it is worthwhile to examine other renewable energy technologies.

While most Bhutanese in rural areas uses wood for cooking and heating purposes thereby affecting the environment, efforts to provide improved stoves that not only reduce fuel wood consumption but also offer health benefits must continue. The report also suggests an introduction of fuel efficient vehicles.

Other initiatives include innovation and public involvement, and ending energy poverty.

According to the report, the commitment to remain carbon neutral requires two approaches. The first is by creating ways to keep absorbing carbon. And second, the need to engage on sustainable pathways of human development that are low carbon based.

“The expansion of income, health, education, and other social and political achievements in Bhutan should be built on low-carbon trajectories,” the report read.

Slowing and altogether ending the future effects of climate change is an endeavor that binds all nations and people.

“The reality is that maintaining zero or net carbon sink budget for Bhutan will not shift global climate change trajectories but the implications of the commitment are far reaching, for Bhutan and globally,” states the report, adding that changing the understandings of economic growth is critical in Bhutan.

remaining carbon neutral means sacrificing potential revenue

A conspicuous fallout to Bhutan’s commitment to remain carbon neutral for all times to come, that was made  at the 15th session of the Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, is that it may result in potential revenue loss for the country.

A recent report ‘Bhutan National Human Development Report 2011, Sustaining Progress: Rising to the Climate Challenge’ revealed that Bhutan’s declaration to remain carbon neutral comes at a cost. The report says that Bhutan will lose out in terms of revenue foregone from logging and timber extraction, reduced returns from farming and loss of revenue from mining of mineral resources and adopting non-intrusive forms of tourism.

“Fulfilling the commitment to remain carbon neutral means activities that could potentially harm the environment such as use of pesticides, logging and mining, and mass tourism would be controlled even if they represent better economic opportunities,” states the report.

It also says that the cost of maintaining ecological balance against rising population, agricultural growth, urbanization and industrialization, and the cost of conservation will be some of the challenges.

“The country will need to bear the additional cost of maintaining ecological balance against a rising population and the agricultural growth, city infrastructure and industrialization needed to meet its needs,” stated the report.

The global community holds a defined responsibility to come forward with a mechanism to reward Bhutan’s resolve and support appropriate mitigation and adaptation measures.

“In this regard Bhutan requires the global community to come forward with a mechanism to reward the country’s resolution and support Bhutan in undertaking appropriate mitigation and adaptation measures as well as adapt to climate change,” states the report.

The report also highlights some of the initiatives that are needed to support Bhutan to remain carbon neutral.

One of the initiatives is technology transfer. It says that as Bhutan is dependent mainly on hydropower, extension of grid to far flung and remote areas is an expensive option and therefore it is worthwhile to examine other renewable energy technologies.

While most Bhutanese in rural areas uses wood for cooking and heating purposes thereby affecting the environment, efforts to provide improved stoves that not only reduce fuel wood consumption but also offer health benefits must continue. The report also suggests an introduction of fuel efficient vehicles.

Other initiatives include innovation and public involvement, and ending energy poverty.

According to the report, the commitment to remain carbon neutral requires two approaches. The first is by creating ways to keep absorbing carbon. And second, the need to engage on sustainable pathways of human development that are low carbon based.

“The expansion of income, health, education, and other social and political achievements in Bhutan should be built on low-carbon trajectories,” the report read.

Slowing and altogether ending the future effects of climate change is an endeavor that binds all nations and people.

“The reality is that maintaining zero or net carbon sink budget for Bhutan will not shift global climate change trajectories but the implications of the commitment are far reaching, for Bhutan and globally,” states the report, adding that changing the understandings of economic growth is critical in Bhutan.

remaining carbon neutral means sacrificing potential revenue

A conspicuous fallout to Bhutan’s commitment to remain carbon neutral for all times to come, that was made  at the 15th session of the Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, is that it may result in potential revenue loss for the country.

A recent report ‘Bhutan National Human Development Report 2011, Sustaining Progress: Rising to the Climate Challenge’ revealed that Bhutan’s declaration to remain carbon neutral comes at a cost. The report says that Bhutan will lose out in terms of revenue foregone from logging and timber extraction, reduced returns from farming and loss of revenue from mining of mineral resources and adopting non-intrusive forms of tourism.

“Fulfilling the commitment to remain carbon neutral means activities that could potentially harm the environment such as use of pesticides, logging and mining, and mass tourism would be controlled even if they represent better economic opportunities,” states the report.

It also says that the cost of maintaining ecological balance against rising population, agricultural growth, urbanization and industrialization, and the cost of conservation will be some of the challenges.

“The country will need to bear the additional cost of maintaining ecological balance against a rising population and the agricultural growth, city infrastructure and industrialization needed to meet its needs,” stated the report.

The global community holds a defined responsibility to come forward with a mechanism to reward Bhutan’s resolve and support appropriate mitigation and adaptation measures.

“In this regard Bhutan requires the global community to come forward with a mechanism to reward the country’s resolution and support Bhutan in undertaking appropriate mitigation and adaptation measures as well as adapt to climate change,” states the report.

The report also highlights some of the initiatives that are needed to support Bhutan to remain carbon neutral.

One of the initiatives is technology transfer. It says that as Bhutan is dependent mainly on hydropower, extension of grid to far flung and remote areas is an expensive option and therefore it is worthwhile to examine other renewable energy technologies.

While most Bhutanese in rural areas uses wood for cooking and heating purposes thereby affecting the environment, efforts to provide improved stoves that not only reduce fuel wood consumption but also offer health benefits must continue. The report also suggests an introduction of fuel efficient vehicles.

Other initiatives include innovation and public involvement, and ending energy poverty.

According to the report, the commitment to remain carbon neutral requires two approaches. The first is by creating ways to keep absorbing carbon. And second, the need to engage on sustainable pathways of human development that are low carbon based.

“The expansion of income, health, education, and other social and political achievements in Bhutan should be built on low-carbon trajectories,” the report read.

Slowing and altogether ending the future effects of climate change is an endeavor that binds all nations and people.

“The reality is that maintaining zero or net carbon sink budget for Bhutan will not shift global climate change trajectories but the implications of the commitment are far reaching, for Bhutan and globally,” states the report, adding that changing the understandings of economic growth is critical in Bhutan.

bhutan’s graduation from ldc could hamper flow of funds to fight climate change

Bhutan has declared to remain carbon neutral provided that support is forthcoming
If Bhutan graduates from the list of Least Developed Countries (LDCs), the country will not be able to access financing meant only for the LDCs like the LDC fund of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The head of Bhutan’s Environment Monitoring Division of the National Environment Commission, Thinley Namgyel, said graduating from LDC status does not make Bhutan’s efforts to combat climate change any different.
LDCs are given certain privileges to combat climate change. Under the UNFCCC, special consideration for the needs of LDCs is defined under Article 4.9 which states that, “The Parties shall take full account of the specific needs and special situations of the least developed countries in their actions with regard to funding and transfer of technology.”
Another special consideration given to LDCs is the more relaxed timeline within which LDC Parties to the UNFCCC can submit national reports to the UNFCCC.
Thinley Namgyel said if Bhutan graduates from LDC status, it will not have access to LDC fund of the UNFCCC but there will be access to other funds like the Adaptation Fund (under the Kyoto Protocol), Special Climate Change Fund (under the UNFCCC), bilateral and multilateral donors, and also in the future the Green Climate Fund.
Bhutan has so far accessed US$3.4mn from the LDC Fund to implement the National Adaptation Plan of Action (NAPA) project to reduce the risk of Glacier Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) at Thorthormi Lake and to establish an early warning system in the Punatsangchhu valley.
“Recently with increase in donations to the LDC Fund, the ceiling was raised to US$10m for each LDC. Since we already accessed $3.4m there is about $6.4m with which we can implement the remaining projects identified in our NAPA,” said Thinley Namgyel.
He said many other LDCs are still trying to access the LDC Fund but are having difficulty either due to capacity or technical issues.
“The LDC classification is an economic one and not indicative of our vulnerability to climate change. We will still remain vulnerable as small developing country with a very fragile mountainous landscape,” he said.
“One important factor to keep in mind is that even if we graduate from LDC status it does not mean we are suddenly able to afford all the costs of dealing with climate change,” he added.
He explained that as a small country, the use of per capita income in the LDC classification is misleading. “We may have the highest per capita income in South Asia but that is mainly due to hydropower projects funded through loans, and the fact remains that we still have one of the smallest economies.”
He said Bhutan has made significant socio-economic progress over the past decades but climate change has the potential to reverse many of the gains especially as the hydropower sector on which the country is banking on to help graduate from LDC status is highly vulnerable to climate change.
During the United Nations Conference on LDC in Istanbul, Turkey, the Istanbul Program of Action committed to halve the number of least developed countries by 2020 which puts further pressure on Bhutan which is already regarded as one of the top contenders for graduation.
To be an LDC, a country’s per capita income should be less than US$ 905. However, Bhutan’s per capita income has already reached around US$ 2,154.90 which means it has doubled the LDC rate and has to technically graduate.
Speaking earlier to Business Bhutan during the UN Conference on LDCs in Istanbul, the chief  of the international organizations under the foreign ministry’s multilateral department, Kinzang, said: “The only thing holding Bhutan back from graduating is its human asset index like infant mortality rate (40 per 1,000 live births), literacy rate (59.5%), poverty rate and economic vulnerability of being landlocked country heavily dependent on exports, limited economic activities and vulnerability to climate change and other crises”.
The economic affairs minister, Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk, who led the Bhutanese delegation at the UN Conference on LDCs in May this year, called for continuous assistance to Least Developed Countries (LDCs) including Bhutan.
Speaking at the conference, Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk said Bhutan as a small landlocked and least developed country, with very fragile mountain ecosystem was highly vulnerable to catastrophic glacial lake outburst, floods, drying water sources, increasing landslides and flashfloods, freak windstorms, decreasing snowfall and unpredictable rainfall patterns.
“The irony of climate change is that it’s devastating impacts are being felt more by the developing countries that are least responsible for causing the problem and has the lowest capacity to adapt and mitigate,” said the minister then.

weeping glacier

I was born in the family of 15,000 Himalayan Glaciers. Today, I am 1,000 years old. I guess so. I am not so sure for I have lost count. Over the years, instead of growing I have found myself  rather shrinking.  Age catches up. Or is there more?

(Environmental lecturer Michael Nolan captured the image on a trip to Norway in July while he was observing the ice-shelf, Austfonna, which is shrinking by almost 50m each year)

Inch by inch, I am shrinking. What is it that makes me smaller every year? I am in a state of limbo. It gives me chills when I think about disappearing from the face of mother earth.

Decades ago, I never felt the heat that I am experiencing today. It’s not very hot but it is enough to melt me. Recently, I have seen many humans around me. I think they are trying to find the answers to my questions. They come here often, always measure my length and depth. I think they have the answers.

My cousins are also shrinking and I guess it runs in the family. One day, a group of climate experts as they call themselves came toward me. They were carrying different types of equipment. Some of them hit hard on me and dug a hole. They were measuring my height and length. I remember back in the 1960’s a team also did the same thing.

And there was this old man. He was also in the team that came here long before. After they finished what they were doing, he stopped, took a long breath and said: “It is melting. The temperature of the area has also increased,” he said with a long gasp of air.

It was then I realized that the climate was changing and it was due to this that I was melting. I don’t want to. I have been here since the Himalayans were formed millions of years ago.

That night the sky was clear, I could see stars twinkling all over. I could feel the cool breeze like the icy death was fast approaching me. I couldn’t sleep that night.

Recently, I have been spotting humans in large numbers every year. It seems they are trying to get the stored water out and release it.

I heard there are humans living way below and these lakes as they call it might kill them if it bursts. I live with constant fear, a fear that I will kill thousands downstream.

But I am not what they think I am. Not a single day goes by when I think of the humans that live downstream. I feel this is why they come here every year and start releasing the stored water.

A few years back, I overheard one of my sisters saying that the United Nations’ climate science experts claimed that our race in will be extinct by 2035. It was a sad moment. All we could do was pray that the end wasn’t here.

And yes! Our prayers were answered.

The claim that the so called climate experts made were all wrong. But deep inside I still feel that I along with my family members will soon fade away from the face of mother earth.

with only half the workers recruited, taming bhutan’s most dangerous glacial lake becomes tougher

The set target for this year is to reduce the water level by 1.4 meters but it appears far fetched given that only half the number of manual workers have turned up this year

This year only 165 workers have been recruited to lower the water level at Lake Thorthormi, the biggest and the most dangerous glacial lake in Bhutan. This is just 50% of the number of workers required for the project.

The project manager, Dowchu Drukpa, said it will be difficult to achieve the target if only 165 workers will be working at the site. “This year the response is very poor and I don’t know why,” he said.

The target of the project is to reduce the water level by five meters (17,100,000 cubic meters).

The project manager said there could be several reasons why people didn’t come forward this year. “It could be the advertisement of the work, the local government elections as it coincided with our registration and also it could be because of the three deaths, but you never know,” he said.

The total requirement of the project is 340 workers. However, the project expects the highlanders to join the work as the cordyceps season was not good.

“We are hopeful that the highlanders will be forthcoming as the cordyceps season was not that good. We expect around 100 workers would turn up there,” he said.

He said that some of the workers had already worked for the last two years. In 2009, the workers achieved an 86 centimeter reduction while last year they achieved 1.37 meters (7,626,600 cubic meters of water released). This year the set target is 1.4meters.

After the three unfortunate deaths that occurred last year the project has initiated various programs. “Right after the incidents there were concerns not only from our side but also from the donors,” said Dowchu Drukpa.

He said the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) hired a medical consultancy to assess what happened and came up with a few recommendations.

The assessment report stated that some of the issues were not adequately addressed in terms of health aspects. The report recommended establishing transit medical camps.

“Moving to the site and coming back is the most crucial stage of the journey so two transit medical camps has now been set up at two different altitudes (one at 3,900meters and the other at around 4,100 meters),” he said.

If the workers are not able to move any further, they will be examined at the camp. The workers are also made to halt compulsorily at the medical camps for checkups.

Another recommendation by the team was to have a medical team at the site. “We had medical personnel before but they were fresh MBBS graduates who were not really experienced,” he said.

The project had already sent a few medical personnel for training on high altitude issues outside Bhutan.

Another recommendation was to have a detailed medical checkup of the workers before recruitment. A detailed system of medical checkup has now been instituted, following which of around 216 people checked, more than 30 failed the tests.

This year the work has been delayed by almost a month. It was supposed to start by mid July and end in September.

However, the work might be extended till mid-October depending on the weather.

himalayan countries to collectively fight biodiversity loss in the region

More than 200mn people depend on the Himalayan biodiversity for their livelihood but climate change may result in significant biodiversity loss by the end of this century

Four Himalayan countries, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal will now protect areas which interconnect these countries to conserve biodiversity and adapt to climate change. This was agreed during the second experts groups meet ‘Biodiversity Persistence and Climate Change’ leading up to the Bhutan Climate Summit later this year.

The agriculture minister, Lyonpo Pema Gyamtsho, said it is important for the four partner countries to come together in conserving biodiversity in the region as they share common issues, threats and challenges.

“The four eastern Himalayan countries are bound together by geography, history, culture, economy and ecology and therefore we cannot act in isolation if we are to secure the future of our region,” said Lyonpo Pema Gyamtsho, adding that biodiversity hotspots in the Himalayas are vulnerable to climate change because they are rich in endemic species with restricted distribution.

The nations have agreed on five key strategies and actions. The countries have decided to secure connected landscapes for enhanced ecosystem resilience. The four countries will identify potential Community Conservation Areas (CCA) to ensure regional connectivity. Implement regional conservation programs to conserve trans-boundary species of concern.

The countries have also agreed to ensure sustainable use of biodiversity for poverty alleviation and income generation by sharing knowledge on bio-prospecting, propagation and harvesting, markets and best practices to promote sustainable use.

It has also been agreed to establish a regional mechanism for information generation, knowledge sharing and capacity building.

Lyonpo Pema Gyamtsho highlighted the importance to save wild animals saying that national boundaries do not confine them. “We must recognize them as our regional heritage and take collective responsibility to ensure their survival,” he said.

He said the four countries were making good progress in protection of the Sundarbans between Bangladesh and India, Terai landscape between India and Nepal, the Manas Wildlife Sancturay between Bhutan and India and the Kanchenjunga landscape among India, Nepal and Bhutan. “These bilateral and trilateral cooperation sites should serve as models for future cooperation in regional biodiversity conservation,” said Lyonpo.

The Himalayas are home to an estimated 10,000 plant species, 300 mammal species, 977 bird species, 176 reptiles, 105 amphibians, and 269 freshwater fish. The region also has the highest density of Royal Bengal Tiger and is also home to the great one-horned Rhino.

bangladesh meet draws attention to regional water security issues

Water towers of Asia, Bhutan, Bangladesh, India and Nepal, will be hosting the regional expert group meeting on the four thematic issues on water, biodiversity, food, and energy this month

Bangladesh hosted the first regional expert group meeting on water security last week where Bhutan also presented its recommendations for the regional level action.

The state minister for environment and forest of Bangladesh, Dr Hasan Mahmud, at the inaugural session, stressed on strengthening collective action for regional water security guided by the principle of equity, fairness and internationally agreed climate adaptation policies.

“Water is fixed in the planet. A stronger collective action is very important in the South Asia region to make water available for the people, biodiversity and others animals,” he was quoted as saying in UNB Connect.

The four south Asian countries identified areas of cooperation and agreed to assess the existing hydro-meteorological network and enhance data collection process. They agreed to review climate modeling and appropriate modeling tools to develop hydrological scenarios at different scales in the region will also be selected. The member countries also agreed to enhance ecosystem management practices to minimize the impacts of climate change-induced disasters.

The Executive Secretary of the Bhutan Climate Secretariat, Tashi Jamtsho, said all four countries have already developed their national road map on all the four thematic issues. “Bhutan has also developed its papers on the four issues and will be presented at the four different meetings,” he said.

Bhutan will host the biodiversity meeting on July 12 and 13 in Thimphu. India will be hosting the food meeting on July 25 and 26 in Delhi while Nepal will host the last meeting on energy on July 28 and 29 in Kathmandu.

Last year during the a high-level technical consultative meeting in Kathmandu, Nepal, the agriculture minister, Lyonpo Pema Gyamtsho, said countries should work together in developing medium and long term strategies as citizens of the eastern Himalayas. “We share a common geography, common problems, and a common destiny and need to take collective action to tackle the problems posed by changing climate,” he said.

The outcome of the four regional meetings on the four issues will feed the Bhutan Climate Summit 2011 which aims at adapting and endorsing a 10-year roadmap for the adaptation to climate change in the region for ensuring food, water and energy security while maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.

young bhutanese and americans to bike for climate change

A group of young Bhutanese and Americans will take a journey to find out what climate change really means from a farmer to a hydropower engineer

Around 15 youth from Bhutan and the United States will set out on a biking expedition from Bumthang to Thimphu this month, learning on the way different aspects of climate change from the experiences of common people.

The 15-day “Bike to the Climate Summit” will have different themes each day exposing the bikers to harsh realities of climate change faced by a common farmer to a hydropower engineer.

The program officer of Bhutan Foundation, Jamyang Tashi, said the ride is an opportunity for the youth to learn about how climate change affects the lives of many different people in the country. “We are focusing on the youth because they will be inheriting the affects of climate change in future,” he said.

Based on their experiences, the participants will prepare recommendations that will be presented to political leaders at the regional Climate Change Summit to be held in November in Bhutan. The youth will also identify and adopt a community project to keep them connected even after the summit.

“They (youth participants) will capture their experiences on video along the way and will be screened during the Bhutan Climate Summit,” said Jamyang Tashi.

The executive secretary of Bhutan Climate Secretariat, Tashi Jamtsho, said the program is also aimed at creating an opportunity for youth from different cultures and countries to interact with and learn from each other.

He said that the event, a run-up to the summit, will help youth understand what climate change is really about. “We can get in experts on climate change but we also need firsthand experiences of people on the effects of climate change,” said Tashi Jamtsho.

Nicky Phear, instructor and program director of the University of Montana’s Climate Change Studies program, who will be participating in the event was quoted as saying in missoulian.com,: “This year, the big purpose of the trip is to prepare students to have a voice in the climate change summit,”

She said that she would be going back with more global awareness on climate change as a global issue and the effects felt by other parts of the world.

The event is organized by Bhutan Foundation and Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation.

assam villagers claim bhutanese mines and factories pollute rivers downstream, nec refutes

National Environment Commission officials say rivers are polluted by natural causes during monsoon

If an Indian media report is to be believed, Bhutan’s natural coal zone in the south may be polluting rivers that run through different villages downstream in India.

The media report claimed that polluted water released from coal mines in Samdrup Jongkhar posed threat to Paharpur, Hortola, Sukanjuli and nearby villages near Darangmela in the Indo-Bhutan areas of Basksa district in Assam.

The silicon factory upstream has been polluting the river and it has turned black due to the pollutants from coal mines, the villagers were quoted as saying in the Assam Tribune.

Villagers told the newspaper that a few years ago the water of Kalanadi was not black in colour as it is now.  The water used to be good for cultivation, drinking as well as for other activities, they said. The villagers also reported decrease in crop production and fish population, and that cattle and people were contracting various diseases.

They said that chemical substance like oil is seen floating on the surface of the river water which may be effluent of the silicon factory.

However, it is not an unknown fact that coal deposits along Bhutan’s southern belt are often washed into the rivers that flow through Indian villages during monsoon.

Speaking to Business Bhutan, an environment officer with the National Environment Commission (NEC) and the former Samdrup Jongkhar district environment officer, Tshering Dorji, said Bhutanese mines and silicon factory in Samdrup Jongkhar do not dump waste in the river as there are designated dumping areas.

He explained that coal deposits of a few abandoned coal mines might be carried away to the river during monsoon which polluted the river.

“The NEC has strict guidelines which the operators have to follow and if it is found to be violated, they will be penalized,” he said. “But there have been no such cases.”

The officiating environment officer of the SD Bhutan Ferro Silicon factory in Samdrup Jongkhar, Sonam Dhendup, said river Lebra is not very close to the factory as reported in the Indian media.  “It is situated around 5 football fields away from the river,” he said.

Sonam Dhendup said the by-products called micro-silica from the factory are transported to Kolkata. “We do not dump any waste in any river. We know it is harmful so we do not do it,” he said.

The general manager of Eastern Bhutan Coal Company, the only operational coal factory in Samdrup Jongkhar at present, B.B Tamang, said the reasons for the river turning black and muddy is due to natural causes.

“The river inside Bhutan is also muddy and black. This might be due to the coal deposits that are there in and around and that are eroded by rain and fed into the river. I don’t think we will dump coals in the river as it is very expensive,” said B.B Tamang.

“It is a concern but we are not dumping anything in the river. We have our own designated dumping sites inside the factory premises,” he said.

During a joint verification by the Bhutanese and the Indian authorities a few years ago on similar issues in a different area, it was established that rivers downstream were turning black and muddy during monsoons due to natural causes and not because of pollution from Bhutan.

environment trust fund to finance several conservation projects

One of the projects will reduce an estimated 196,668 tons of green house gas emission and 183,214 tons of fuel wood consumption for energy

The Bhutan Trust Fund for Environment Conservation (BTFEC) will spend Nu 32.587mn for various environment conservation projects starting next month.

The director for BTFEC, Dr. Pema Choephyel, said the project will be carried out in two phases.  “For the first half of the financial year we have five projects while similar amount will be in place for the second phase as well,” he said.

Out of the Nu 32.587mn, Nu 13.5mn will be allocated to the project that will improve fuel wood cooking stoves. This project will mainstream sustainable biomass energy production, conversion and utilization. It will further support innovative practices and market mechanisms for local sustainable biomass energy technology development and promotion.

This project is estimated to reduce 196,668 tons of Green House Gas emission and 183,214 tons of fuel wood consumption for energy.

The BTFEC will also provide Nu 8mn to Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) project at Bajothang in Wangduephodrang. The project is expected to put ISWM system in place and introduce behavioral change and outlook toward waste management.

“Waste management needs due consideration. We would look at the waste management chain from collection of waste to middlemen to disposal to recycling,” said Dr. Pema Choephyel, adding that this will be a pilot project on waste management.

A total of Nu 2.122mn will be allocated to the Bumdeling black necked crane habitat reclamation project in Tashiyangtse. One of the main objectives of this project is to protect the wetlands from flash floods and provide conducive breeding and roosting place for the endangered cranes.

The fund will be utilized for the construction of embankment and plantation along Glingbuchu and Kholongchu. The project is also aimed at promoting eco-tourism.

Another Nu 2.7mn will be provided to help residents of Merak and Sakteng by supplying alternative roofing for their houses. The 236 households in Merak and 139 in Sakteng will be supplied with CGI sheets to reduce their dependence on forest resources for roof shingles.

In addition, Nu 1.9mn will be kept aside for the implementation of the National Human Wildlife Conflicts management strategy.

To combat increasing human wildlife conflicts in Sipsoo and Sarpang, the funed will be used to construct stone masonry, elephant trench, and solar electric fencing. Livestock insurance scheme to compensate wildlife depredation of livestock will also be put in place.

Today there are 12 on-going projects worth Nu 135.409mn for various conservation programs. Since its inception, the BTFEC has spent Nu 358.689mn on 87 conservation related projects in the country.

investments in green economy will have greater outcomes, predicts a unep study

Lungs of the earth could generate millions of jobs as well as help combat climate change if only 0.034% more of the global GDP is invested in it

Creating millions of jobs, halving deforestation rates by 2030, increasing tree plantation rates by 140% by 2050 and combating climate change would just need an additional investment of US$ 40bn a year in the forestry sector according to a report by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).

“The Green Economy initiative has identified forestry as one of the 10 central sectors capable of propelling a transition to a low carbon, resource efficient, employment-generating future if backed by investment and forward-looking policies,” said Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and UNEP Executive Director.

And with the right kinds of enabling policies, such an investment – equivalent to about two-thirds more than what is spent on the sector today – could also sequester or remove an extra 28% of carbon from the atmosphere, thus playing a key role in combating climate change.Today, Bhutan has a forest cover of 70.46%, of which 62.43% is broadleaf, 22.69% mixed conifer, 6.77% fir, 3.98% chirpine, 2.96% blue pine and 1.16% broadleaf with conifer.

The agriculture and forest minister, Lyonpo (Dr) Pema Gyamtsho, in his message during the World Environment Day (WED) said the goods and services we derive from forest are essential to support our lives on a daily basis. “We are fortunate that today we have a relatively healthy forest cover and enjoy the economic and ecological benefits from it,” said Lyonpo.

However, with emerging challenges Bhutan needs to do a lot more. Lyonpo (Dr) Pema Gyamtsho said the ability to buy more and consume more has not spared our forest resources, as is evident from the shortage of timber in the market.

He said the efforts to boost economic growth through various projects and to bring roads and electricity to rural communities have also taken their toll on the forest. “If we do not check these losses, our ability to honor our constitutional duty to maintain at least 60% of our geographical area under forest cover would be severely compromised,” said Lyonpo.

The UNEP report states that in the intervening period between 2011 and 2050, investment of US$15bn annually of GDP would raise the value added in the forestry industry by more than 20% relative to business as usual.

It also suggests that a transition to a Green Economy could increase forested land -currently close to 4bn hectares – by over 3% in 2020, 8% by 2030 and over 20% by 2050. Also, carefully planned investments would also contribute to increased employment from 25mn today to 30mn by 2050.