Category: Biodiversity News

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.

National Biodiversity Centre conducted the Bhutan Biodiversity Portal Awareness campaign at various schools in the eastern region of the country. The campaign is supported by GEF-LDCF (NAPA III) Project coordinated by the Ministry of Finance (MoF) through the support of UNDP – Bhutan.

The Centre commenced its first Bhutan Biodiversity Portal awareness campaign in Autsho Central School, located at Lhuentse Dzongkhag on 28th April 2023 followed by an awareness campaign at Tashitse Higher Secondary School, Trashigang on 1st May 2023 and at Baylling Central School and Trashiyangtse Primary School in Trashiyangtse District on 4th and 5th May 2023 respectively.

Bhutan Biodiversity Portal awareness campaign at Autsho Central School, Lhuentse

Bhutan Biodiversity Portal is a unique repository of information on Bhutan’s biodiversity enhancing citizen science or participation in Biodiversity Conservation and information generation. The Portal provides open and free access to biodiversity information. Over the years, the Portal has undergone a series of upgrades in addition to some of the user-friendly features. However, there is a lack of awareness of the Bhutan Biodiversity Portal, let alone its upgrades and the new features additions.

Bhutan Biodiversity Portal awareness campaign at Tashitse Higher Secondary School, Trashigang

The awareness campaigns were attended by students of various grades ranging from primary-grade students to higher-grade students including Nature Club members and Scouts. Students were advocated on the paramount importance the Bhutan Biodiversity Portal plays in biodiversity conservation. The students were also quizzed on the Bhutan Biodiversity to instill valuable knowledge in their young minds.

Bhutan Biodiversity Portal awareness campaign at Baylling Central School, Trashiyangtse

Bhutan Biodiversity Portal awareness campaign at Trashiyangtse Primary School, Trashiyangtse