Bhutan Biodiversity Portal
A citizen-driven platform hosting species data, observations, and documents of Bhutan’s biodiversity.
NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY CENTRE
Leading Bhutan's efforts in biodiversity conservation and sustainable utilization since 1998.
Message from the Program Director
In Bhutan, we do not see ourselves as rulers of nature, but as its caretakers. Our Constitution commits us to protecting at least 60% forest cover – not because it’s easy, but because it’s right.
Biodiversity is not just about saving rare plants or animals. It is about preserving balance – between people and the natural world, between progress and protection. Every seed, every insect, every stream plays a role in the health of our planet.
At the National Biodiversity Centre, we work to protect not just species, but also the knowledge and culture that sustain them. Conservation is not just science; it is also a story of connection, of responsibility, and of love.
- Dr. Karma Dema Dorji
Our Programs
Biodiversity Information Management Program
National Herbarium Program
Royal Botanical Garden, Serbithang
Our Work in Motion
Explore Our Biodiversity Data
Bhutan Biodiversity Specimen Repository
An open access database of the preserved biological specimens of Bhutan.
NBC on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
Global access to NBC’s biodiversity records through the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF).
Biodiversity in Numbers
61
Snails & Slug
5369
Plants
158
Amphibians & Reptiles
8
Livestock Species
690
Fungi
1115
Moths
129
Mammals
750
Butterflies
77
Lady Beetles
166
Ground Beetles
86
Bees & wasps
61
Flies
130
Fishes
94
Dragonflies & Damselflies
55
Agriculture Plants
736
Birds
70
Aphids
What's new?
On the afternoon of 22nd July 2025, the National Biodiversity Centre (NBC), Bhutan hosted an insightful...
Eleven teachers from the Science Department of Lungtenphu Middle Secondary School visited the National...
Five undergraduate students from the College of Natural Resources (CNR), Royal University of Bhutan,...
The National biodiversity Centre (NBC) is delighted to celebrate the much-deserved promotion of Dr. Sangay...
Official Launch of the Bioprospecting Products developed under the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Framework...
First week of August 2025 | Online | Open to Bhutanese participants Are you part of an agency, research...
The National Biodiversity Centre (NBC) would like to notify that two conservation centers under the Animal...
The National Biodiversity Centre would like to inform the interested individuals that the much awaited...
The Centre is pleased to announce the monumental launch of Pangtse Makhu. Pangtse Makhu is a traditionally...
National Biodiversity Centre and Bhutan Biodiversity Portal would like to congratulate Karma Jamtsho,...
New Addition to the Flora of Bhutan: Impatiens Species Discovery The National Biodiversity...
New Record of Flowering Plants Documented for the Flora of Bhutan The National Biodiversity Centre (NBC),...
The National Biodiversity Centre is pleased to share our ANNUAL REPORT detailing keyachievements for...
Biodiversity-Rules-and-Regulations-booklet-design_compressed-1-2Download
The National Biodiversity Centre (NBC), MoAF is pleased to share the Centre’s Status Report 2022. This...
The Centre is pleased to share the Status Report for the fiscal year 2020 – 2021. The report comprises...
1
2
The National Biodiversity Centre, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests would like to hire national consultant...
Re-invitation for airfare Quotation The National Biodiversity Centre is pleased to invite airfares from...
Re-invitation for airfare Quotation The National Biodiversity Centre is pleased to invite airfares from...
The National Biodiversity Centre is pleased to invite airfares from eligible ticketing firm for the following...
The National Biodiversity Centre is pleased to invite airfares from eligible ticketing firm for the following...
The National Biodiversity Centre, Serbithang, Ministry of Agriculture & Forests would like to invite...
Useful Tips on Material Transfer Agreement (MTA)
1.What is a Material Transfer Agreement?
A Material Transfer Agreement is a written contract that defines the rights, obligations, and restrictions for both the provider and the recipient with respect to the materials or any derivatives, and any confidential information exchanged with the material. It addresses issues such as ownership of materials and rights over the inventions resulting from the use of the materials, transfer, and use of the material, and any resulting publications or intellectual property rights.
2.Why do we need a Material Transfer Agreement?
We need to execute Material Transfer Agreements to regulate and streamline access to Bhutanese Genetic resources in order to:
- Ensure that access results in the fair and equitable sharing of benefits.
- Avoid unregulated access taking place.
- Facilitate research collaborations with national capacity-building.
- Fix accountability on the part of the Provider as well as Recipient of the material.
- Enable generation of information and knowledge sharing.
3.When do we need to execute a Material Transfer Agreement?
A Material Transfer Agreement is executed when Bhutanese biological/genetic resources are transferred to other countries for research and commercialization. It excludes biological resources which are traded as commodities for direct consumption. However, if the materials traded as commodities are later intended to be used for research and commercialization, a Material Transfer Agreement has to be executed.
4.Who are the Provider and the Recipient?
Anyone sending the material is a Provider and anyone receiving the material is a Recipient.
5.How should we process a Material Transfer Agreement?
A written application shall be submitted to the Program Director, National Biodiversity Centre, Serbithang covering the following details:
- Intended purpose of material transfer.
- Types and numbers of material to be transferred.
- Final destination of the material.
- Details of the provider and recipient including proper mailing address.
- National Identity number for a Bhutanese and Passport Number for foreigners.
