Private AreaMatchmaking Tools
› (14-P-07) Development of Royal Botanical park at Dochula Zone
- Thematic Area: Sustainable Use of Biodiversity
- Partner country: Bhutan
- Leading Agency: Royal Botanical and Recreational Parks Division, Department of Forests, Ministry of Agriculture
- Implementing Agencies: To be selected in the "Call for Proposals II Phase Pilot Projects"
- Beneficiaries: Apart from the local residents which includes Thimphu capital urban dwellers, Punakha and Wangdue basin population, schools and other institutions benifited.
› Problem Definition:
The proposed park area is increasingly impacted by growing urban dwellers of Thimphu, Punakha and Wangdi dzongkhags and institutions such as armed forces, training institutes, schools, including the growth of small scale industries and shopping centers. These problems are foreseen to impact the proposed park area if no actions are taken immediately. The problems are presented below:
• Public pressure for forest resources
• Demand for settlement and business enterprise establishment sites
• Increased human presence
› Project Description:
Some innovative measures activities as introduction of Yak and Pony ridding facilities are brought to field practice in collaborative context and mode to suit the local communities. The project staff could visit botanical and recreational parks of those well established model countries to study and gain management practices. This could lead to establishment of professional linkages with other sister organizations. Other innovative
designs in the context of Bhutan include local people arranging yak and horse riding facilities for visitors. This could be arranged when yaks are in the park area during winter to supplement income of yak herders. The park will levy entry fees to the Rhododendron Garden complex. The show case nucleus area in Lamperi is now well demarcated, to regulate visitors and to collect entry fees. The revenue generated by the park from the
visitors will gradually be ploughed back to sustain the park. The prime objective is to self sustain the organization and also gradually do away with financial burden to Government and the donor organizations.
› Overall Objective:
Continued Conservation of the natural environment in RBP area under up-scaling innovative program with enhancement of infrastructure, technical capacity including fund source secured. Address eco-tourism, promote dissemination of environmental education through appropriate signage and live models, translate over all
program in the context of Gross National Happiness (GNH). Replicate program to other eco-zones and Recreational Parks.
› Implementing Strategy:
Project will be implemented under already established 4 Unit/section heads as:
1. Biodiversity/Natural Resource Management Unit
2. Eco-tourism/Recreation Unit –
3. Environmental Education/Interprétation Unit
4. Patrol & Enforcement Unit.
