Category: Biodiversity News

The Community Orchid Garden at Jangbi village, Trongsa was established in 2004 through the support of the Dzongkhag Forest Sector and GEF-Small Grants Program. The Orchid Garden was established to promote community income generation and conservation of orchid species found in the locality. However, the community could not generate viable income due to poor orchid propagation and management skills. 

On the request of the of the Monpa community, the National Biodiversity Center (NBC) in collaboration with the Dzongkhag Forest Sector, Trongsa strengthened the community orchid garden and  provided a five-day hands-on training on orchids propagation and management to 51 farmers of Jangbi, Wangling and Phumzur villages from 11 to 15 June, 2012.

The key objective of the intervention is to promote conservation of the orchid diversity in the locality, community income generation (from sale of the orchids) and discourage collection from the wild. The Dzongkhag Forest Sector, Trongsa will very soon develop by-laws and a management plan for the sustainable management of the Orchid Garden. The garden has over twelve species of orchids including Cymbidium, Calanthe and Dendrobium species. Similar support was provided to the farmers’ groups of Samtengang,Wangdiphodrang and Simpho, Trongsa.

The National Biodiversity Centre, MoAF, Serbithang organized a one-day regional consultation workshop on the draft Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Policy of Bhutan on 3^rd April, 2012 at Hotel Tropical, Gelephu.  The workshop was organized to familiarize the regional stakeholders on the policy and to generate feedbacks for its improvement.

The Policy once approved will guide access to Genetic Resources and Traditional Knowledge (TK) associated with biological resources when used for research and commercial purposes and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from its utilization.

The Consultation workshop was attended by 40 participants comprising Chief Forest Officers, Dzongkhag RNR Sector Heads, Dzongkhag Environmental Officers, Researchers, DYT Chairman, local healers and representatives of Community Forest and Non-wood Forest Product groups of Dagana, Tsirang, Sarpang and Samtse dzongkhags.

The workshop was facilitated by Bioprospecting and ABS Division (NBC) and three international legal experts from Fridtjof Nansen Institute, Norway and Natural Justice-Lawyers for Communities and the Environment, South Africa.

The participants supported the draft policy and said it was very timely. They provided major comments on benefit sharing mechanism and development of community protocols on access to genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge. Similar consultation workshops will be organized in other regions of the country.

The Bhutan Garden has been awarded the Premier Accolade (2^nd highest score) in the International Outdoor Garden category, at the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2011 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Bhutan participated along with 29 other countries in the International Horticultural Exposition which was organized to celebrate the three auspicious occasions of His Majesty, King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 84^th Birthday Anniversary, Her Majesty, Queen Sirikit’s 80^th Birthday Anniversary and His Royal Highness Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn’s 60^th Birth Anniversary.

Bhutan presented the garden with the theme “Life in Harmony with Nature and Culture”.The garden showcased Bhutan’s rich culture and tradition, craftsmanship and the bond with Nature.

The participation at the Expo was coordinated by the National Biodiversity Centre with the support of the RNR-Engineering Division, Department of Agriculture and NRED, Department of Forests and Park Services, under the guidance of the Honorable Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests.

The National Biodiversity Centre, Serbithang has vacancy for one Field assistant at the Plant Gene Bank under the Elementary Services Personnel (ESP) for immediate appointment.

Interested candidates within the age group of 18 to 40 years may apply for the above mentioned post with the following documents in original latest by 26^th April, 2012.

1. Security Clearance Certificate.
2. Medical Fitness Certificate.
3. Employment Application Form duly filled.
4. NOC from the previous employer if the candidate is already employed.
5. Photocopy of the CID Card.

Selection interview will be held on 27th April, 2012 at NBC office, Serbithang at 10.a.m.