The National Biodiversity Centre (NBC), Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, in collaboration with ICIMOD, successfully organized a Validation Workshop on Bioprospecting under the project, “Scaling Bioprospecting as a Nature-based Solution (NbS).” The initiative aims to leverage Bhutan’s rich biodiversity to promote sustainable livelihoods, biodiversity conservation, and inclusive economic growth.
The workshop convened stakeholders from Bhutan and Nepal, including government officials, private sector representatives, entrepreneurs, and international experts. It focused on validating a Strategic Pathways and Actionable Roadmap to advance bioprospecting-based enterprises within Bhutan’s Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) framework. The roadmap, developed with the guidance of lead consultant Professor Saroj K. Barik and other experts, prioritizes short-term (2025-2027), mid-term (2028-2029), and long-term (2030+) goals. Key areas of focus include product innovation, capacity building, and policy engagement to strengthen biodiversity-based enterprises.
The event served as a platform for Bhutanese and Nepalese participants to share success stories and case studies, fostering cross-border collaboration and mutual learning. It also highlighted opportunities to position Bhutan’s biodiversity products in regional and global markets. A key milestone was the signing of a contract agreement between NBC and S.C Design Studio for the development and launch of 11 nature-based products by March 2025. This partnership involves reformulation, packaging, branding, laboratory testing, incubation, trademarking, and marketing strategies, ensuring sustainability and community benefits through the ABS mechanism.
The workshop, attended by 30 participants, included representatives from Bhutan’s Department of Forests and Park Services, Department of Agricultural Marketing and Cooperatives, Cottage and Small Industry Association, Menjong Sorig Pharmaceuticals, and several local enterprises like Bio Bhutan Private Ltd. and Bhutan Blossoms. Nepalese participants represented the Industrial Enterprise Development Institute, Herveda Botanica, and other key organizations.