Category: Biodiversity News

For landlocked Bhutan characterized by rugged terrain and harsh climatic conditions, the highly adapted traditional horse breeds played an unfailing role in country’s trade during the pre-modernization era. It continues to play an important role in many parts of the country where motorable road has not yet reached. However, the horse population in the country is rapidly declining due to various factors, including their diminishing utility. Reducing population size leads to inbreeding which in turn affects survival, performance and productivity. Assessment of genetic diversity is one of the tools to determine the status of the diversity and develop strategies for effective management of animal genetic resources.

As the National Biodiversity Centre (NBC) is mandated to promoting conservation and sustainable utilization of biodiversity, in particular of the traditional genetic diversity, a team from Animal Genetic Resources Program of NBC assessed the genetic diversity and population structure of Bhutanese traditional horses (Yuta, Boeta and Sharta)  using  the standard DNA microsatellite genotyping tools.

The following are the key findings from the study:

• The genetic diversity in traditional horse population was high with low levels of inbreeding. This is expected due to the optimum population which is still available, the lack of specific horse breeding programs and prevailing random mating practices in the country.

• Genetic differentiation among the traditional breeds was however low. The can be attributed to lack of isolation of breeds and a high level of genetic exchanges among the horse breeds (interbreeding) observed.

Overall, this study suggests that the traditional horse breeds of Bhutan are genetically less differentiated. However, a high individual genetic diversity provides an optimistic outlook for the survival of the declining traditional horse population, if appropriate management interventions are implemented.

Full publication of the study is available from http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0199376 or  http://biodiversity.bt/document/show/193
Submitted by: NBC

8^th June, 2018: The National Biodiversity Center (NBC) along with the NPIF project implementing partners, Menjong Sorig Pharmaceutical Corporation Limited (MSPCL) and Bio Bhutan organized a daylong seminar on “sharing of experiences on the implementation of the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) regime in Bhutan” at Norkhil Boutique Hotel and Spa, Thimphu.

The seminar was focused on the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity which is an international agreement which aims at sharing the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources in a fair and equitable way.

Bhutan ratified the Nagoya protocol in 2012 and initiated the operationalization of the ABS regime in the Country. Subsequently, the ABS Policy of Bhutan was endorsed as the National Policy and the institutional mechanism for implementing ABS in the country was established. In 2014, NBC in partnership with UNDP CO secured an ABS project from Nagoya Protocol Implementation Fund. As a part of the project, the Center piloted ABS projects in collaboration with MSPCL, Bio Bhutan and local communities of Loggchina Gewog in Chukkha, Langthel in Trongsa and Dagala Gewog in Thimphu. During the course of its implementation over the last four years, many experiences and knowledge were generated by the implementing partners which was being disseminated to the relevant stakeholders through this seminar.

The seminar constituted of series of presentations/talks on the Convention on Biological Diversity and ABS from NBC followed by experiences sharing by Bio Bhutan, Dagala Community representatives MSPCL and NBC including discussions and question/answer session. The seminar also provided a platform for the participants to foster partnership/build network amongst the stakeholders (local communities, private sectors, researchers and the ABS authorities) involved in access and utilization of the biological resources and its associated traditional knowledge.

The seminar was attended by 27 officials;   Representatives from United Nation Development Programme, Department of Agriculture, Department of Livestock, Agriculture Research Development Center, Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, private entrepreneurs (Dragon herbs, Mountain Mist Soaps, Bhutan Cordyceps, Bhutan Organics, Norbu Healing) and Thimphu TechPark along with implementing agencies (NBC, Bio Bhutan and MSPCL).

The seminar was funded by UNDP-GEF through the NPIF Project.

-NBC

The Bhutan Biodiversity Portal has more than 57,000 biodiversity observations, including nearly 13,000 observations made with photographs. The National Biodiversity Centre would like to congratulate and acknowledge the following recipients of the Bhutan Biodiversity Portal Top Observer Awards:

• Mr. Tandin Wangchuk – 2353 observations
• Mr. Phuentsho – 1982 observations

Dasho Paljor J. Dorji, Advisor to the National Environment Commission, presented award certificates to our winners during International Biodiversity Day celebrations in Thimphu on 22 May 2018. As our Top Observers are based in central and eastern Bhutan they accepted their awards via video.

Mr. Tandin Wangchuk’s acceptance video for Bhutan Biodiversity Portal Top Observer Award

Mr.Phuentsho’s acceptance video for Bhutan Biodiversity Portal Top Observer Award

Winners of the Wild River BioBlitz

During the month of April, the National Biodiversity Centre teamed up with WWF Bhutan to run the Wild River BioBlitz. The BioBlitz generated an impressive 1124 observations (compared with 131 observations during the same period last year!).

We are pleased to announce the prize winners.

Best find – Rarest/most unusual observation

1. Mr. Jigme Wangchuk (Prize: Set of five fabulous Bhutan invertebrate field guides, WWF cap)

Black flies pupa stage     Photo credit: Mr. Jigme Wangchuk

2. Mr. Tshering Tobgay (Prize: Kaadoo: Explore Bhutan Wilderness, WWF cap)

Asian Small-clawed otter.    Photo credit:Mr. Tshering Tobgay

Best photograph

1. Mr. Phuntsho Wangdi (Prize: Set of five fabulous Bhutan invertebrate field guides, WWF cap)

Ruddy Shelduck.   Photo credit: Mr. Phuntsho Wangdi

2. Mr. Phuentsho (Prize: Kaadoo: Explore Bhutan Wilderness, WWF cap)

Himalayan Toad.   Photo credit: Mr. Phuentsho

Champion observer – Most number of observations submitted

1. Mr. Seangyeal Chhopheal (Prize: Set of five fabulous Bhutan invertebrate field guides, WWF cap)
Mr. Seangyeal Chhopheal (view his profile here) uploaded 282 observations during the Wild River BioBlitz.

2. Mr. Dorji Duba (Prize: Kaadoo: Explore Bhutan Wilderness, WWF cap)
Mr. Dorji Duba (view his profile here) submitted an impressive 405 observations during April 2018, which was nearly one-third of all observations submitted during the Wild River BioBlitz.

One of Mr. Dorji Duba’s cheeky “aquatic biodiversity” snaps of a Barking deer (also called a Northern Red Muntjac), submitted as part of the Wild River BioBlitz.

Interview with Wild River BioBlitz Champion Observer, Mr. Dorji Duba

Where do you live?
I live in Tashilling, Tshangkha, Trongsa

Where do you work?
I am a Senior Forester with the Jigme Singye Wangchuk National Park, Trongsa.

What motivated you to post so many observations to the BBP?
Just capturing the images of wildlife and storing them in your computer and camera is not enough. Share your findings and let your friends and people around the world see and learn about what they have never seen or come across before.

When did you start making observations?
My interest began when I started my life as a forester in 1999, but I couldn’t afford a camera. My dream of buying a camera came true only in September 2012. Then I started to capture everything I came across which was numerous as I always go to the field for camera trapping.

What was your most favorite or memorable observation and why?
My most favorite or memorable observation was of the endangered Himalayan musk deer captured during the period when I was trying to explore Black Mountain. I visited and tried many years back but did not came across that animal. During my second attempt only I could see it. But the capture was not easy. It took nearly one hour as it was summer and everybody knows how the weather conditions are at high altitude during that season.

What inspires you in life?
The beauty of nature.

Busy Butterfly BioBlitz results have been announced.

With the arrival of summer the butterflies are busy performing their function as pollinators, carrying pollen from plant to plant, helping fruits, vegetables, and flowers to produce new seeds. We want you to take a closer look at these beautiful creatures today. For the month of June 2018 the Bhutan Biodiversity Portal has teamed up with WWF Bhutan  to run the Busy Butterfly BioBlitz!

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

Upload your photographs of butterflies.

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 caps

Prizes will be awarded in the following categories:

• Champion observer – Most number of observations submitted
• 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 butterflies.
• Select the Arthropods icon to ensure you are in the running for the Busy Butterfly 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 the Busy Butterfly BioBlitz

Competition Period – Start and End Time

The Busy Butterfly BioBlitz will start on 7 June and run until 30th June 2018. 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 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.