Ministry of Agriculture and Forest in collaboration with UNDP CO and by its implementing partners National Biodiversity Centre, MoAF, Menjong Sorig Pharmaceutical Corporation Ltd, MoH and Bio-Bhutan (Pvt. Company) launched nine nature-based products at the Taj Tashi, Thimphu in line with Access and Benefit Sharing framework on 5^th April, 2018. The products were anti-wrinkle cream, massage balm, liniment, massage oil, perfume, soaps, and hand sanitizer to support sustainable rural livelihoods.

The launch was graced by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Lyonchen Dasho Tshering Tobgay, and over 90 participants from different agencies, officials from international organizations, private and business entities, and local community representatives from the pilot Access and Benefit Sharing projects sites attended the product launch.

Speaking at the launch, the Honourable Prime Minister said, “the nature-based products represent the biodiversity hotspot” that Bhutan is known for globally. In line with the products, he said that the nature-based products are not just natural but they are also pristine products from the pristine natural environment of Bhutan. However, he cautioned that Bhutan should use its genetic resources sustainably and we must protect the associated traditional knowledge in using these biological resources.

Mr. Gerald Daly, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Bhutan, stressed on various threats to biodiversity that Bhutan faces. However, he added that Bhutan has in place various strategies supported both by policy and legal instruments. He said “The access to genetic resources and benefit mechanism (ABS) supported through this project is just one example of innovative approaches to complement the ongoing efforts of the government,” “The ABS mechanism puts ‘people’ at the center of conservation efforts by ensuring economic benefits.”

The ABS project is supporting collaborations among the government agencies and a private entity by engaging the local communities to support their livelihoods and promote conservation of biological diversity. As the benefits are beginning to manifest in the form of business, employment, research, technology transfer, and capacity development opportunities. The project will promote conservation of biodiversity, sustainable livelihoods and income generating opportunities for the communities.

The National Biodiversity Centre, Serbithang is pleased to invite sealed bids from eligible construction firm for providing and laying of HDPE POND LINER FOR FISHERY POND Royal Botanical Garden, under NBC, Serbithang.
The tender documents can be downloaded from the link provided below:
Last date of submission: not later than 11am on 04/05/2018
Opening date: 11:30am on 04/05/2018
For detail, contact: 02-351417/350268

NBC-SBD-Works-RBGSNBC

The National Biodiversity Centre, Serbithang is pleased to announce the vacancy for the following post:

Interested applicants who meet the above requirements may apply to the Program Director, National Biodiversity Centre, MoAFs, Serbithang, Thimphu, not later than 5pm, 18^th April, 2018 with the following documents:

• Duly filled Job Application form with 3 passport size photograph
• Copy of valid Citizenship ID Card
• Copy of Security Clearance certificate
• Copy of Medical Fitness certificate
• Copy of No Objection Certificate (NOC) from current employer, if employed

The interview for the shortlisted candidates will be held on 20^th April, 2018, from 09:30am.

For further clarification, please contact 351417/351418 during office hours.

Thursday 22 March 2018 is World Water Day with the theme “Nature for Water” and to celebrate, the National Biodiversity Centre is pleased to announce the Wild River BioBlitz.

“We are encouraging everybody to take photographs of wildlife they see in and around our rivers and to upload these images to the Bhutan Biodiversity Portal. You might be surprised at what you find if you look – fish, birds, dragonflies, many species of plants and more,“ said Ms. Sangay Dema, Principal Biodiversity Officer at NBC.

“We have a network of experts on hand to help identify observations made as part of the Wild River BioBlitz. A new spider was discovered by citizen science as part of a recent BioBlitz in Australia. We are excited by what members of the public might find.”

“By entering the Wild Rivers BioBlitz you can win great prizes, learn about Bhutan’s biodiversity and contribute to science!” said Ms. Danielle Northey, Australian Volunteer at NBC.

NBC has teamed up with WWF Bhutan to offer great prizes for the champion observer, the best species find and the best photograph.

All photographs submitted as part of the Wild River BioBlitz will contribute to the Bhutan Biodiversity Portal which is a central official repository of information about Bhutan’s biodiversity.

Dr.Tashi Yangzome Dorji, Program Director, NBC said “Every contribution counts! Your contribution will stay in the national repository for eternity and contribute towards long term conservation policy decisions and actions”.

The portal has the ability to accept species observations from citizen science, for example, photographs submitted as part of the Wild River BioBlitz, but also observations and species information collected as part of scientific research.

To ensure the long-term integrity of Bhutan’s river ecosystems and the sustainability of their services in the context of the country’s economic development, funding was recently provided by the World Bank and WWF Bhutan to develop additional features and fields to accommodate aquatic biodiversity data in the Bhutan Biodiversity Portal.

World Water Day is an annual international event which focuses attention on the importance of universal access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene facilities. The day also advocates the sustainable management of freshwater resources.

Ms. Sonam Choden, WWF Bhutan’s Freshwater Practice Lead said “Bhutan’s rivers, which flows into the Brahmaputra basin in neighbouring India, are part of a network of rivers emanating from Asia’s “water towers” that provide water for one-fifth of the world’s population.”

“It is vital that we care for the health of our river systems and that we conduct scientific research and collate biodiversity data to ensure that our aquatic resources are managed sustainably, using science based information. One way everybody can help is to contribute information to the Bhutan Biodiversity Portal” she said.

The Wild River BioBlitz will run throughout April 2018. To participate, register with the Bhutan Biodiversity Portal at www.biodiversity.bt. Further information about the Wild River BioBlitz is available at www.nbc.gov.bt/?p=2383.

For the month of April 2018 the Bhutan Biodiversity Portal has teamed up with WWF Bhutan  to run the Wild River BioBlitz!

• Win great prizes. 
• Learn about Bhutan’s amazing aquatic wildlife.
• Contribute to Bhutan’s growing repository of biodiversity information.

Upload your photographs of any wildlife you see in and around Bhutan’s rivers:

• Birds
• Fish
• Insects
• Plants
• Others

For your chance to win one of:

• Kaadoo: Explore Bhutan Wilderness (Bhutan’s first wildlife board game!) (3 to be won)
• Set of five fabulous Bhutan invertebrate field guides (3 to be won)
• Cool WWF t-shirts and caps

Prizes will be awarded in the following categories:

• Champion observer – Most number of observations submitted
• Best find – Rarest/most unusual observation
• Best photograph

Get involved

• Register to the Bhutan Biodiversity Portal at www.biodiversity.bt.
• Select “Contribute” and then “Add observation”. Note, many users find it easier to contribute observations using the Bhutan Biodiversity Portal mobile app.
• Upload your photograph/s of aquatic wildlife.
• Select the Aquatic icon under Habitat to ensure you are in the running for the Wild River BioBlitz.
• Try to identify the species or select the option for an expert to help.
• Submit your observation.

Further information

For further information please contact Ms. Sangay Dema, Principal Biodiversity Officer at the National Biodiversity Centre, email nbc.moaf@gmail.com or telephone 02 351 417.

Rules for Wild River BioBlitz

Competition Period – Start and End Time

The April 2018 Wild River BioBlitz will start on 1st April and run until 30th April. Observations must be submitted within this period to be eligible.

Winners will be announced as soon as possible on this website. Winners will be notified using the email address provided upon registering for the Bhutan Biodiversity Portal.

Observations – Eligibility

Observations must be submitted during the competition period.

The Bhutan Biodiversity Portal will accept just about any observation of a living organism. However, we may not accept an observation if we consider it “not suitable” for biodiversity records.

For the protection of wildlife, players are discouraged from disturbing the habitats of any species.

Contributors are also encouraged not to provide the exact location of the observation if the species is deemed threatened or endangered.

Safety

Please stay safe and follow these guidelines:

• Do not use your mobile phone while driving a vehicle.
• Stand still when you are using your mobile phone.
• Do not touch wildlife dead, injured or alive unless you are trained to do so.
• Never feed or lure wildlife with food.
• Do not disturb wildlife or wildlife habitats such as nests.
• Give dangerous animals plenty of space.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Wear a hat and sunscreen.
• Make sure somebody knows where you are at all times.

Prizes

Prizes will be awarded at the discretion of Bhutan Biodiversity Portal staff in the following categories:

• Champion observer – Most number of observations submitted
• Best find – Rarest/most unusual observation
• Best photograph

A Bhutan Biodiversity Portal user will not be awarded more than one prize. That is, if they are determined, through the rules outlined above, to have won more than one prize category, they will receive the prize that’s total retail value is more expensive, and be deemed ineligible for the other prize(s). The other prize(s) will be awarded to the user(s) who are determined to be next in line.