bhutan participates in world’s largest climate change conference

Cabinet Secretary represents Bhutan at COP18

For developing countries including Bhutan, financing is a priority issue for adaption to the adverse impacts of climate change and also to ensure that development follows a low emission pathway

Bhutanese glaciers to shrink despite steady temperature

The research findings indicate that even if climate remained the same Bhutan would lose almost 10% of its glaciers within a few years

World’s poorest countries cautions the world’s most powerful person

As Mother Nature reminded the US presidential candidates (Obama and Romney during the final stages of campaign) about the change in climate, the Chair of the Least Developed Countries writes an open letter to the US President on its concerns

tiger range countries reaffirm commitment to save tigers

The 13 Tiger Range Countries (TRC) met for the second Asian Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation in Thimphu this week

biodiversity conservation to see increased funding

At United Nations Biodiversity Conference, developed countries agreed to double resources for biodiversity protection by 2015

bhutan’s most dangerous glacial lake tamed, finally

In a span of four working seasons, around 1,000 workers, including 123 soldiers were deployed to reduce the water level of the Lake which was posing a catastrophe in the making

The last working season. PIC: Dowchu Drukpa, DGM 

happiness of mountain women and men discussed

More than 200 women and men from all over the world gathered for the conference and called for a equitable and inclusive sustainable development

mountain men and women are impacted differently by climate change

Climate change has different impacts on men and women while they have different abilities to respond to the impacts

Bhutan struggles to control illegal wildlife trade

An article which I wrote for the third pole:

Bhutan is increasingly serving as a conduit for illegal wildlife smuggling between India and China, undermining the country’s conservation efforts. Dawa Wangchuk reports

http://www.thethirdpole.net/bhutan-struggles-to-control-illegal-wildlife-trade/

gender and sustainable mountain development in a changing world

The international conference will bring together stakeholders from the Hindu Kush-Himalayan region and beyond to set new agendas and strategize the way forward for gender-positive change

saving the planet’s biodiversity

The UN biodiversity summit that commenced this week is expected to review the progress so far and come up with decisions that will provide the much-needed stimulus to achieve the targets

retreating glaciers unlikely to change water availability water availability

Even though scientific evidences show that most glaciers in South Asia’s Hindu Kush Himalayan region are retreating, the consequences for the region’s water supply is unclear

Bhutan observes 25 years of montreal protocol

Since the signing of Montreal Protocol the world has phased out 98% of the ozone depleting substances

Documenting freshwater life in Bhutan

In an attempt to document the varieties of lives in the fresh waters in the country, a preliminary study on fresh water biodiversity was conducted at the Wangchuck Centennial Park in Bumthang

LDCs fear key issues could be lost in climate change negotiations

As the next round of climate negotiations begins in Bangkok, the chair of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) group warned that key issues that are vital to protect the countries from the ravages of climate change and which they are already experiencing could be lost

Bumdeling and Khotokha wetlands gain international significance

With the inclusion of the two protected wetlands, Bhutan joins the race to cover 250mn hectares of protected area around the world by 2015

Neighboring countries to take stewardship of Mt Kanchenjunga

Bhutan, India and Nepal have developed a road map for carrying out collaborative work on trans-boundary Biodiversity Management in Kanchenjunga landscape

Bhutan’s Poverty Environment Initiative on the right track

A common understanding was that environment conservation and poverty reduction should not be left out at the cost of development

three elusive cats caught together on camera

Snow leopards are usually solitary and nocturnal cats found above the tree line

For the first time in camera trapping survey, three adult snow leopards have been captured in a single frame, walking in a row, at the heart of the Wangchuck Centennial Park (WCP).

an edgy equation between bhutan’s snow leopards and the building mercury

Snow leopard habitat in Bhutan and the neighboring Himalayan countries could be substantially wiped out if green house emissions continue to increase

new nganglam town falls on the biological corridor

The location of the new Nganglam town right on the way of a crucial biological corridor has raised the age-old debate on development versus conservation

bhutan’s forest cover increases to 81%

Bhutan has successfully fulfilled its obligation is phasing out 100% of the CFC by 2010 and it has now embarked on the obligation to accelerate the phase-out of HCFC by 2025 instead of 2030 like other developing countries

pm assures the world of bhutan’s sustainable course

The outcome document of the conference falls far short of what needs to be done

Ministry wise impact on environment Part V (green procurement system needs to be in place, points out experts)

The expert group recommends incorporation of green elements in procurement of rules and regulations and taking account of environmental considerations while preparing the annual budget

the way to remain carbon neutral

The strategy comes at a time when Bhutan’s emissions are increasing year after year. According to NEC, by 2040 Bhutan’s emission level is estimated to touch 4.7mn, double than that of 2010 level.

Ministry wise impact on environment Part IV (reduce vehicle and aircraft emissions, start printing park and promote e-newspapers, experts advise moic)

Increased aviation activities under the civil aviation sector have contributed to the increasing green house gas emissions in the country

asia-pacific countries must balance economic development and environment

Asia-Pacific region not only has many of the world’s most climate exposed territories but is also home to millions of the most vulnerable people

Ministry wise impact on environment Part III (time to switch to digital apparatus to reduce medical waste pollution)

Medical waste is one of the most hazardous wastes that affect the environment

Ministry wise impact on environment Part II ( revisit 10,000mw hydropower dream and cap polluters to keep bhutan green: experts tells moea)

The government’s plan to develop 10,000MW of hydropower by 2020 has come in the way for the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) to declare itself as an environment-friendly ministry.

Ministry wise impact on environment Part 1 (development mandate makes mowhs the most un-green ministry)

Activities under Ministry of Works and Human Settlement (MoWHS) has maximum impact on the environment. Planned developmental activities carried out by the ministry accounted for the largest impact on the environment

ldcs call for a quick decision of the second period on kyoto protocol

As negotiators gather in Bonn for the latest round of talks this month, the LDC group has proposed a strong set of recommendations to achieve a legally binding agreement

how safe are bhutan’s tiger protected areas?

Not many safe havens for the endangered big cats are safe enough, states a World Wildlife Fund assessment, posing significant challenges in increasing world tiger population to 6,000 by 2022

Please Vote for my article for the 2012 IUCN Environment Award

The article that I sent for the award is called "When pheasant wings are clipped in the name of culture"
You can vote once everyday. Please do so once when you open your facebook page. The link is http://s-hq.it/JxGxBI

Thanks 

charting out a future course for sustainable mountain development

In order to review and update the current strategic framework and develop the next five-year plan, ICIMOD is proactively consulting with focal ministries and key stakeholders in the member countries on a priority basis

nec to establish car wash facilities across the country to combat water pollution

Detergent concentration of only 2 parts per million strip away fishes’ protective coating, resulting in their absorbing double the amount of chemicals they would normally

global action on climate change must begin at local levels - pm

A shared vision and collaborative efforts at public and the private sector level can mitigate the impact of climate change

in the ambience of a tiger habitat

The Walk-Shop led by the agriculture minister, Lyonpo Pema Gyamtsho, PIC: MOAF

It was first in JDNP that pictorial evidences confirmed the presence of tigers as high as 4,670 meters above sea level

redd+ implementation: financial benefits will be limited due to our small size but we will benefit tremendously in human capitals

The focal person for Reducing Emission from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) program for Bhutan, Tashi Samdrup, of the Watershed Management Division, speaks to Business Bhutan reporter Dawa T Wangchuk about REDD+ program in the country

redd+ strategy for bhutan to be developed

Bhutan may soon be able to sell its carbon credits to the industrialized countries once everything is in place

in the ambience of a tiger habitat

It was first in JDNP that pictorial evidences confirmed the presence of tigers as high as 4,670 meters above sea level

all countries vulnerable to heat waves, intense rain, floods and drought – warns ipcc special report

The report is mainly aimed at policymakers to act now and plan better for natural disasters

glaciar meltdown spells more doom, biodiversity at risk

Bhutan’s major concerns relate to the effect of rising temperature on glaciers that feed the rivers originating in the Himalayas

newly discovered species killed by speeding vehicle

an adult ferret killed on the spot. Pic RMNP

With such road kills taking place elsewhere in the country, there are chances that some species may go extinct even before they are discovered

snow elephant could have been an outcast, opine conservationists

On its way to break the world record. Pic: WCD

Sightings of other animals species like Gaur and Tiger at higher altitudes and irregular roosting of Black Necked Cranes in different altitude speak volumes of how animals are responding to climate change

A lone Asiatic elephant in the country has achieved a feat none of its species has ever come close to. By stomping through the mountains, reaching a height of 3,419 meters above sea level, the four-year old tusker has broken the record of the highest altitude ever scaled by an elephant. The last record stood at 2,800 meters.

sacred buddhist sites and its blessings may not be climate change proof

Some of the sacred natural sites in the region include the birth place of Lord Buddha in Lumbini, Nepal, Taktsang in Bhutan, majestic lakes blessed by holy men in India and a mountain revered as the centre of the universe – Mount Kailash in Tibet

snow leopard population may be thriving despite dwindling habitat

The elusive, endangered snow leopard is apparently thriving in a park in Bhutan, as seen in camera trap images released on Tuesday by World Wildlife Fund

women at greater risk than men in a changing environment

Women are the most likely to suffer from climate change, but they are also the most capable of creating change and adaption within their communities

wetland conservation crucial for wildlife habitat, agriculture, economics, and climate change mitigation

Bhutan celebrated the World Wetlands Day for the first time on February 2. The day was observed to undertake activities focused on increasing awareness on the benefits of wetlands, both locally and globally.

nec drafts policy to guide bhutan to stay carbon neutral

In 2009, Bhutan committed itself to remain carbon neutral for all times to come at Copenhagen in Denmark during the 15th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

bhutan will present environment challenges at Rio+20

It has been 20 years since the Rio Convention and this year leaders from around the world will come together at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in May for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) also known as Rio+20.