climate change is changing bhutan

Unlike in the past, Bhutanese people understand climate change and its impacts according to a recent study on Bhutanese communities.
The report - Understanding Sectoral Impacts of Climate Change - under the Regional Climate Risk Reduction Project studied three communities in three dzongkhags on the risk posed by glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF). The report focused on Samdingkha community in Punakha, Bajo-Thango community in Wangdue and Bathbalathang in Bumthang.
According to the study, at Simdingkha, people were aware of the process of global warming and climate change “to some extent.”
“People now understand how increase in population, increase in machineries, and forest depletion causes global warming and thereby climate change,” the report says.
Many people also mentioned the change they saw in their communities. Phurba Namgay, a deputy village headman from Tsheytshog Gewog, Wangduephodrang, said that flooding caused by cyclone Aila last year was more severe than the 1994 glacial flood.
“We cannot follow the pattern of cultivation we have been doing for ages due to rainfall inconsistency. We sometimes get rain during our usual harvest period in August-September,” said Tauchu, the village headman of Taewong, Punakha. Some said that snowfall during winter has now decreased.
The report also showed consolidated impact on various sectors. Rainfall in most places has become very intermittent, untimely and heavy in some instances. The general trend of increase in volume of water during monsoon and decrease during lean period still exits.
According to the report, in recent years, there has been a shift in rainfall both in terms of duration and period of occurrence. “Consistency is at stake,” the report says.
While there has been some shift in rainfall, snow, and frost, there has also been a change in agriculture and cropping pattern.
In Punakha and Wangduephodrang, inconsistency in rainfall has led to a shift in paddy cultivation. Chili growers also share similar brunt. Chili plants start flowering in March-April while early rain destroys them all.
A decade ago, farmers in Samdingkha had enough oranges in their orchard but now there is hardly enough for consumption. This is attributed to a new disease called citrus greening. Other pests like the Common Cutworm (Agrotis Segetum) and Bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) have become rampant in recent years which feed and damage chilies and tomatoes.
Due to inconsistency in frost occurrence there has been drastic reduction in potato production in Bumthang.
However, not all changes are bad. There are also positive impacts of climate change.
According to the report, in Bumthang, the temperature and the surrounding environment has become conducive for the growth of chili, paddy and maize.
These are crops for low altitude where it is much warmer. The emphasis on cultivation of these new crops by the farmers in Bumthang has taken a revolution, so much so that buckwheat, the main cereal in Bumthang, is declining.
So is the case in Punakha, dying orange trees have given way to the growth of Mangos.
Various measures are now taken up by the communities to counter the negative impacts of climate change. Apart from government led interventions, the communities have started planting trees to counter landslides and soil erosion.
In Bajo-Thango, gabion walls have been constructed along the river banks to avoid flooding.
Although the understanding of climate change between the educated and illiterate seems to differ, there is a consensus on its impact.
The compilation of the report involved three components. The first one is focused on assessing the impact of hydro-meteorological hazards on mountain communities and the socio-economic infrastructure. It was designed to help develop a better understanding of the nature, occurrence, impacts and trends of hydro-meteorological disasters and their inter-relationship. This would also identify risk mitigation and preparedness measures which can be implemented at community and local administration levels to address them.
The second component emphasizes more on identification and implementation of low cost, easily implementable community based disaster risk reduction initiatives including community based natural resources management.
The third component focused more on knowledge networking, information sharing, and policy documentation which will help develop institutional frameworks and appropriate policies for disaster risk reduction.
“The project is also contributing toward better understanding of specific hazards and feasible risk mitigation measures at the community level,” stated the report.

the only way to go is green

Branding Bhutanese people to be among the most eco-literate people in the developing world, Lyonchen Jigmi Y. Thinley said Bhutan has today become a leading example of harmonious living between man and nature.
“This is not because we have good laws and strategies but because we have one of the most diverse ecologies in the world as a result of our collective stewardship of our inheritance,” said Lyonchen. He was delivering the state of the nation report to the parliament Thursday.
One of the main initiatives and achievements in the past year was declaring Bhutan to be carbon neutral for all times to come. During the world climate change summit in Copenhagen (COP 15) Bhutan pledged to remain carbon neutral and serve as a net carbon sink.
“We did so not because it would make Bhutan famous or it would attract further development assistance but because it is the right thing to do and in the hope that others who were haggling over how much reduction they should impose on each other would be inspired into going a little further to make this world a safer place,” said Lyonchen.
Lyonchen added that it was because more than any other country Bhutan’s fragile Himalayan mountain kingdom was vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
The prime minister also expressed his hope for a major breakthrough in terms of global agreement on mitigation and adaption measures.
Additional steps taken by the government in strictly monitoring the pollution levels in the industrial areas has significantly improved the environmental performance of industries. “One might have noticed that the sky over our valleys last winter was much clearer than in the previous year,” said Lyonchen.
To keep an eye on the air quality, the Lyonchen said the media will be given daily air quality report (SPM) and a monthly report on the average gaseous pollutants across the country. This is done to raise public consciousness and participation so that the air quality becomes a matter of public concern and ownership.
To mitigate the threat of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF), the works to lower the water level of the Thorthomi glacial lake by five meters is also on the right track. The main and two subsidiary lakes have been lowered by more than 80 centimeters.
However, the Lyonchen said the achievement could have been more had it not been for the affects of cyclone Aila. “With the experience gained, we are hopeful of achieving a much higher reduction this year and to that extent mitigate the risks of a major disaster in the valleys of the Punatsangchu,” said Lyonchen.
Lyonchen also added that a fully automatic flood warning system in the valley is being installed to become operational by June next year.
With Bhutan recognized to be in an earthquake prone zone, a comprehensive earthquake hazard mapping is being initiated along with a strategy to build capacity and expertise to monitor and make rapid response to earthquakes.
A wide range of activities were undertaken to mitigate fire hazards using volunteers and the army personnel. Likewise, several initiatives have been taken to prevent landslides through tree planting for slope stabilization.
Ensuring that the economic development policy promotes growth and development of a green and sustainable economy, Lyonchen said that green technology, products, and practices will be given attractive incentives.
“In this regard, a very good beginning has been made by the pledge of all the school heads to make their schools green, free of non-biodegradable waste,” added the prime minister.
Apart from incentivizing green economy, green buildings are being encouraged to make cities greener.
An architect’s association has also been sensitized. According to the prime minister, a special meeting has been planned for an extensive discussion with the members aimed at promoting full partnership with the government in ensuring a high standard guide to monitor the construction of all future buildings that must incorporate sustainable features including seismic resilience.
For a start, the Office of the Attorney General and the IT Park will be constructed as model green buildings.
However, the government was not happy with the water supply and waste treatment systems in the capital as well as in other urban areas. While efforts are being made to overcome problems in other parts of the country the water supply problem in Thimphu is being addressed with the budget already allocated for it.
On waste management and sewage treatment, the government will take a fresh look at the most efficient and eco-friendly technology to tackle the issue. However Lyonchen said the funds for the project has to be explored.
The prime minister also reminded that the government has not given up on its dream to make Thimphu a bicycle and pedestrian city despite the initial setback. “Our determination comes from the knowledge that many residents of our capital, young and old are enthusiastically supportive,” said Lyonchen.

now it’s the eagle that is threatening the white-bellied heron

Even though the white-bellied heron found a different habitat following construction activities, the endangered bird is faced with another threat

The rare and endangered White-bellied heron moved away from their original habitat ever since developmental activities started along the Punatshangchu. Now, these birds have found sanctuary along the smaller tributaries of the river where there are less developmental activities.

But the story has taken a different twist after that.

Carnivore  birds like the Crested Serpent Eagle (spilornis cheela), Pallas’s Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus levcorrphus), and Osprey (Pandion Haliaetus) have all moved toward the Heron habitats.

Reason? The predators are starving and they have discovered the Heron to be a good meal material.

Ornithologist Rebecca Pradhan of the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) says this is not a good sign for the bird.

“These carnivore birds feed on fishes and even the birds,” she said.

There will be serious impact on the nesting white-bellied herons. A latest study by RSPN says that of the 30 White-bellied Herons six are nesting.

Locals near the habitats say that recently more number of eagles have been spotted in the area. These carnivore birds are a threat to the nesting herons and their food supply.

RSPN’s proposal for an artificial habitat for the birds is still in its infancy stage. However, this too might pose problems in food supply of the herons. Even if an artificial habitat is developed, the migration of the fish is still affected by the developmental activities along the Punatshangchu, thus affecting the food supply for the Herons.

Environmentalists say that a fish ladder across the Punatsangchu would be impossible as there will be more than one dams coming up in the area and also that the dams are high.  The only solution would be an artificial fish raising pond from which fishes can be taken and put into the artificial habitat areas. “This will be very expensive but to save the birds it’s worth it,” said an environmentalist.

However, more research is required, said Rebecca Pradhan.

There are two types of White bellied herons - breeding and non-breeding. Non-breeding herons can be found along Phochu and Mochu and Kamechu, Gewarongchu and Burichu. Breeding Herons are found in Ada, Nanzhina, Hararongchu in Wangduephodrang and Bertichu in Zhemgang.

White-bellied heron can be identified from their long legs for wading, grayish slender body with long head and neck, and huge thick bill. Its color camouflages it in the surroundings making it difficult to spot. It was sighted in Bhutan as early as 1975.

The white bellied heron is categorized under the critically endangered species under Red List Category by the IUCN in May 2007.

shopping bags go green

After more than 10 years of banning the use of plastic bags which failed due to limited alternatives in the market, RSPN has taken the initiative to introduce eco-friendly bags

Eco-friendly shopping bags made of jute and cotton are now introduced in the market. The Environment Education Officer of the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN), Dago Tshering said that 8,000 (4,000 jute and 4,000 cotton) eco-friendly bags were provided to a youth organization, Happy Green Design which will promote the bags.
“It is high time that we introduce eco-friendly bags in our market,” he said.
These bags according to him will be available in the centenary farmers market where the promoters will sell it at Nu 35 for a jute bag and Nu 20 for a cotton bag.
The money generated from the sale of the bags will be invested in designing different types of eco-friendly bags.
He added that the ban of plastic carry bags was not successful because there were very few alternatives.
“The introduction of eco-friendly bags will provide consumers with an alternative rather than use plastic carry bags,” said Dago Tshering.
Compared to the plastic bags, the eco-friendly bags are durable, handy and washable.
The introduction of these bags is a part of the Clean Bhutan Program which aims to improve the state of environment through establishing an integrated and sustainable solid waste management system and raising awareness of the people in both rural and urban areas of Bhutan.
“The eco-friendly bag is one of the initiatives under an objective to develop waste management alternatives through research,” said Dago Tshering.
According to the Clean Bhutan project, the state of environment in Bhutan’s rural and urban settlements has deteriorated over the years drawing special attention to the issue of solid waste which poses serious threats to public health and hygiene due to contamination of air, water and soil.
The management of solid waste is one of the conspicuous issues arising either due to insufficient infrastructure planning or municipal facilities and services in most parts of the country.
This problem is compounded by a high rate of population growth in urban areas. At this rate, the issue of solid waste management and associated environmental and social problems will be more pronounced in the absence of a proper solid waste management system.
Plastic bags are harmful to the environment as the decomposition process for these bags usually takes a hundred years or more. These plastic bags usually end up being thrown into rivers.

when potatoes change shape with climate change

To even get close to any sort of future climate forecast, we need meteorological data from the last few decades. This is one of the bottle necks of carrying out climate change studies in Bhutan:  an agriculture researcher

A potato. Nice little thing… round and yellow or red-skinned.
You buy it from the market and prepare your favorite kewa datshi. Simple, isn’t it?
Maybe not. The humble simple potato is facing climate change wrath. Its production is being affected, thanks to climate change.
This is not a joke. This is science. Climate change is pushing potato farming up the hills, literally.
With changing climate there is also a change in potato production, and will continue to change around the world, and Bhutan in not an exception.
Reports say that production of potatoes is already migrating to higher, cooler altitudes as some predictions put yield declines at up to 30% in the latter half of the 21st century.
The Council for RNR Research for Bhutan (CORRB) acknowledged that with the phenomena of climate change potato productivity may decrease due to abiotic stresses, such as heat and drought, and biotic stresses, such as pest and diseases.
“To reduce the expected adverse effects on potato growth and yield by climate change, there is a need of environmental assessments of the current potato fields so as to be able to adapt the cultivation area and seasons,” said Proffessor Kazuto Iwama, a potato scientist from Hokkaido University, Japan.
According to the Senior Research Officer, RNR-RC, Wengkhar, Pema Wangchuk, the impact of climate change is serious and Bhutan should be concerned. Studies show that the South Asian region will be affected more by drought which is the result of rising temperatures and decreasing water tables.
“In line with this, we hope to introduce drought tolerant varieties which will cope better in drought and heat-stressed conditions,” he said.
Potato hybrids are one promising response to the threat of climate change, with hopes pinned on the development of early-maturing varieties with shorter growth cycles, and Bhutan is already getting samples of various potato hybrids. This is being done with the help from the Laboratory of Field Crops Science, Hokkaido University.
Even to tolerate abiotic and biotic stresses, an improved system to propagate healthy seed tubers are required and Bhutan is on the way to get it done.
However, assessment of the effects of climate change on agriculture especially in crop production hasn’t been done in Bhutan.
“To study the impact of climate change on agriculture, especially in a mountainous country like Bhutan, is difficult as the agro-climatic conditions change rapidly over a short distance or altitude,” Pema Wangchuk said.
He also mentioned that farmers in the developing world are supposed to be more affected. “We have to realize that it will pose a grave risk to the farmers who lack the technology to adapt to the changing environment,” he added.
Where rainfall and humidity increases, so too will the threat of potato diseases, such as late blight (Phytophthora infestans), especially when combined with longer growing seasons. Bacterial wilt may also increase as the climate becomes warmer and wetter; and potato pests, including disease-carrying aphids, will survive at higher altitudes.
“To even get close to any sort of future climate forecast, we need meteorological data from the last few decades. This is one of the bottle necks of carrying out climate change studies in Bhutan,” said Pema Wangchuk.