Author: NBC

On 9th June 2023, the National Biodiversity Center conducted an “Interactive Session” with the Farmers of Samar Gewog, Haa Dzongkhag. This “Interactive Session” was conducted as a part of ongoing study on Seed System in Bhutan under the project “Biodiversity for Opportunity, Livelihood and Development (BOLD)-Work Package (WP3) supported by the Crop Trust and Norwegian University of Life Sciences. Seed security is one among many other important factors to contribute to food and nutrition security. Therefore, the objective of the Study on Seed System is to understand the functioning of Seed System in Bhutan.

The “Interactive Session” was attended by the Gup, Administration Officer and representative farmers from 5 Chiwogs viz. Dorikha Langjogang, Langpa Norbugang, Balamnang, Jenkanang Pudunang and Sharri.

Under this study on Seed systems, the “Interactive Sessions” are being conducted with all the key organizations, institutions, individuals that are involved in works related to seeds viz.  from maintaining crop diversity, plant breeding, evaluation, selection, release, multiplication, seed dissemination, cultivation etc.

With this, the NBC completed Interactive Session with 25 stakeholders/actors involved in the works related to seeds. There are still about eight stakeholders to be covered under this study.

The information will be documented, collated, analyzed and synthesized to understand the functioning of the Seed System and develop a Theories of Change which will serve as inputs for the development of the Main project to strengthen the Seed System in Bhutan.

National Biodiversity Centre and Dzedokha Phacheng Detshen: On 8th June 2023, the National Biodiversity Center in the presence of Gewog Administration (Gup, Mangmi & Gewog Administration Officer) and Gewog Agriculture Extension Officer officially handed over the Natural Product Development Facility to the Dzedokha Phacheng Detshen.

The National Biodiversity Centre being the National Focal Point for Nagoya Protocol on Access & Benefit Sharing (ABS) implemented Nagoya Protocol project in 2014 in partnership with UNDP-Bhutan and Dzedokha Phacheng Detshen for sustainable utilization and conservation of the Zingiber cassumnar locally called ‘phacheng’. Total of three projects were initiated with the primary objective of piloting ABS. Of the three, the Dzedokha Phacheng Detshen group focused on utilizing Traditional Knowledge associated with Zingiber cassumunar.

Dzedokha is located in the southern part of Bhutan under the Loggchina gewog. The gewog consists of 5 Chiwogs with a population of little over 2500. Dzedokha Chiwog was chosen as the site to implement the project based on participatory Rural Appraisal.

The main source of income for the community was from citrus, cardamom and ginger. However, due to emergence of pests and diseases in citrus and cardamom their only source of stable income was reduced to ginger. Therefore, to diversity economic opportunities the project worked a zingiber cassumunar to diversify the income . The wild ginger, locally known as ‘Phachang’ has traditionally been used by local communities of Loggchina to alleviate joint and muscle pain for generations. After, phytochemical analysis the essential oil revealed valuable compounds responsible for analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic activity. Therefore, the farmers’ group ‘Dzedokha Phachang Detshen’ was established consisting of 49 members and ‘ZHINOR’ massage was produced as a massage balm and liniment.

The communities are trained on sustainable cultivation, processing and extraction, product development, packaging and marketing including group management and a Natural Product Development Facility was also established at Dzedokha village. The Natural Product development facility is equipped with a mass distillation unit and a product development room.

The Centre is confident that the facility at the community’s disposal will foster more community engagement and ensure optimal utilization of the resources for progressive development of the community, hence the Centre deems fit to hand over the facility to the community to engage them in income generating activity and for sustainable management of TK associated genetic resources. 

National Biodiversity Centre under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL), in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Climate Change and the National Focal Point to the Convention on Biological Diversity, along with support from the UNDP Country Office and other relevant stakeholders organized a National Inception Workshop on Early Action Support for Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plan (NBSAP) to kickstart the development of the 5th NBSAP and the 7th National Report (NR) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UN-CBD).

The participants were delivered with a comprehensive understanding of the project’s background, objectives, ToR, Rules of Procedures and proposed course of action. The National Inception Workshop aimed to gather valuable advice, feedback, and support from members of the Technical Working Group representing various agencies and relevant stakeholder who will be playing a crucial role in initiating the process of developing the new NBSAP and 7th NR.

The National Inception Workshop on Early Action Support for GBF and NBSAP were attended by the Director and a representatives from Department of Livestock (MoAL), Department of Environment and Climate Change (MoENR), Nature Conservation Division (MoENR), Department of Water (MoENR) UNDP Bhutan, Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (MoH), Department of Macro-Fiscal and Development Finance (MoF), Department of Planning, Budget and Performance (MoF), WWF Bhutan, Department of Agricultural Marketing and Cooperatives (MoAL), National Mushroom Centre (MoAL), BioFIN, Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN), Bhutan Ecological Society (BES), RSA Pvt. Ltd, National Soil Services Centre (MoAL), Department of Tourism and Department of Agriculture.

From Agreement to Action: Build Back Biodiversity!
International Biodiversity Day is a momentous occasion that brings people from all walks of life together to celebrate the incredible diversity of life on our planet. It is a day dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of biodiversity and the urgent need to protect and conserve it.

On this special day, National Biodiversity Centre with support from Department of Environment & Climate Change and UNDP Bhutan commemorated the International Biodiversity Day with the theme “From Agreement to Action: Build Back Biodiversity! on 22nd May 2023 at Royal Botanical Garden Serbithang.
The special occasion was graced by His Excellency Lyonpo Yeshey Penjor, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL), Hon’ble Dy. Resident Representative of UNDP Bhutan, Khurshid Alam, Senior Technical Advisor, Mr. Andrew Seidl and the Program Director, Mr. Pierre Joesph of the Biodiversity Finance Initiative- BIOFIN, Director General Mr. Dorji Dhradhul of Department of Tourism. Director Mr. Yonten Gyamtsho, Department of Agriculture, MoAL, Conservation Directory of WWF Bhutan and various officials from UNDP Bhutan, Ministry of Finance, Department of Environment and Climate Change, Department of Forest and Park Services.

During the event, the Royal Government of Bhutan with support from UNDP Bhutan Country Office launched four Biodiversity Finance Solutions. The event was also marked by the launch of the Second Edition of the “A Century of New Orchid Records in Bhutan”. The event also unveiled the Top Three bird observation contributors in Bhutan Biodiversity Portal and the Top Three bird Photographs submitted for the Bird Photography Contest held in celebration of the National Bird Month.

International Biodiversity Day concluded with a tree plantation program and the Garden tour.