Environmental policy and administrative management

Land degradation is one of the serious environmental concerns in the Bhutan Himalayas. This results not only in biodiversity losses but negatively affects the livelihoods of many Bhutanese every year. Among many sensitive areas in Bhutan, Samtse district has one of the highest poverty rates in the country and is characterized by frequent land degradation particularly in summer monsoon months. Budhuney area is frequently eroded with landslides every summer months that sometimes the rising river-water levels threatens some of the households in the area including agricultural lands. In the recent past, nearby paddy fields have been washed away by the river and the river-water levels in summer continue to pose further risks to adjacent areas. With poor land and water management system in place, the area is further prone to continuous degradation. Although Government has conducted few awareness programs in the district on sustainable land management practices, the communities have not been able to carry out any land management practices due to lack of financial and technical resources. The ever increasing problem in the area that threatens the livelihoods has instilled strong sense of commitment to combat further degradation to secure a sustainable future for the communities of Budhuney. The communities with the support of local environmental agencies will take up activities to reclaim the area and prevent further land degradation. The District forestry offices have also identified the need to carry out plantation in the area. Although communities will take the lead role, all technical expertise and some additional funds will be sought from the district office or other relevant agencies in the area. While, industrial development and mining activities continue to threaten forests and biodiversity in Samtse, the plantation carried out by the community is also expected to contribute to increase in forest cover as well as biodiversity in the area. The overall objective of the project is to promote community-led integrated approach to land reclamation and river protection to ensure livelihood security of Budhuney village. The specific objectives are; 1. Create awareness and empower local communities particularly the vulnerable in environmental management and livelihood approaches 2. Restore existing degraded land through reclamation plantation and enhance biodiversity in the area 3. Prevent further land degradation of remaining areas through river protection systems 4. Share community lessons with other areas of similar context in the district as well as across the country.

Bhutan