Bio-diversity

The Ranjung Foundation is a non-profit foundation with the aspiration to become a well-endowed religious organization in the spirit to foster the National Development Philosophy of Gross National Happiness through preservation and promotion of Buddha dharma in Bhutan and around the globe. Currently the foundation supports education and dharma practice of following nun and monks at various institutions: 1.Ranjung Dratshang Monastery 400 monks 2.Kunzang Thekcholing Nunnery Institute 150 nuns 3.Dorangthang Nunnery Institute 50 nuns While managing this institute, we have realized that the demand for usage of firewood in daily cooking and performance of mandatory yearly ritual is alarmingly high. They consume about 16 cubic meter of fuel wood daily. National Biodiversity Action Plan of Bhutan 2009 indicates fuel wood consumption is one of the major threats to biodiversity and environment. This current pattern of firewood consumption is not only threatening our fragile environment but it is getting very expensive to manage the monastery due to the cost escalation of firewood and transportation. This trend of firewood consumption surely poses challenges in conserving our environment thus staking one of the four pillars of GNH and the goal of conserving 60% forest coverage in Bhutan. It also imposes burden for the local communities for having to contribute firewood to the monastery, which takes away time from the local communities from farming, and other household chores. To reduce unsustainable fuel wood consumption and contribute to local environment and water shed protection the foundation will carry out following activities from GEF-SGP support. 1.Water source protection (3nos) 2.SLM and plantation of 3000 trees at water sources and degraded areas 3.Installation of solar water heating system (2 nos - Ranjung and Kuenzang Theckcholing Nunnery) 4.Reduction of fuel wood consumption through use of electric cookers (six150 litre cookers ) 5.Promotion of environment education in the monasteries.

Bhutan