National Training Workshop on “Building capacity to Identify Bhutan’s Threatened Species” using IUCN Red List criteria and categories

Although Bhutan is small in size, it is home to a wealth of Biodiversity including many endemic and endangered species. However, aside from some preliminary assessments of flowering plants, there is little information on the status or trends of the Kingdom’s species.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the National Biodiversity Center (NBC) and Biodiversity Network Japan (BDNJ) is organizing a training workshop on “Building capacity to identify Bhutan’s threatened species” using IUCN Red List criteria and categories from 22^nd to 26^thof April, 2013 at Hotel Ro-Chog Pel, Babesa, Thimphu.

This workshop is therefore seen as a first step towards building Bhutan’s capacity to undertake its own Red List assessments of species, using the latest, globally accepted and best methodologies.The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species ™ is recognized as the most comprehensive and authoritative information base on the status of species world-wide.

A total of 26 officials from over 11 organisations including the various agencies under Ministry of Agriculture and Forests (MoAF), Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN), College of Natural Resources (CNR), (Royal University of Bhutan) and IUCN are participating in the workshop.

Two senior trainers from IUCN’s Global Red List Unit (Cambridge), Mr. Craig Hitlon-Taylor (Head) and Ms Caroline Pollock (Programme Officer) is leading the technical content using the latest, internationally-accepted and best practice methodologies. IUCN’s Asia Regional Office is providing the technical assistance along with the Bhutan’s National Biodiversity Centre, Serbithang. Additional support and guidance is provided by BDNJ, a Japanese NGO, whose main mission is the conservation of biodiversity through scientific research, policy advocacy, training and dissemination of scientific knowledge. The training workshop has been generously funded by a TOYOTA Environmental Activities Grant from TOYOTA MOTOR Corporation.

photo courtesy @ Choidup Zangpo, ICS, MoAF