Environmental research

Phumithag Ngojang Denjor Tshogpa is an organization formed by the village monks and the respected village elders. The main mission of the foundation is the save lives and enhance rural livelihoods through sustainable management of natural resources to combat Climate Change. The foundation aspires to become most efficient community based organization to show case the effective and efficient methods of natural environment conservation. The community owns a monastery which has 95 monks at present. These monks are either orphan or children of poorest people in the area. Currently, the monastery uses lots firewood for cooking, heating. Thus, if proper education and awareness on environment is not created amongst the community, people will cut down unlimited trees for firewood. Existing government regulations on forest woods extraction cannot deter people from it, unless viable incentives are put in place. Thus, use of electrical appliances for cooking and heating for monks is good option to reduce firewood consumption. Further, plantation done could be good source for supply of timbers in future for maintenance and reconstruction of community facilities like temple, schools and BHUs. If harvesting of forest is unchecked for such activities, the stream (life line of the community) is bound to dry up with increase in land use and depletion of vegetation in catchment areas. The objectives are: a) To ensure sustainability of irrigation as well as the drinking water of community by conserving water catchment areas and protecting water sources; b) To enhance environmental conservation by providing environmental awareness through community education and participation; c) To promote sustainable agriculture and livelihood of the community by ensuring perennial supply of water in the stream; d) To enhance forest coverage by planting more tress and promoting sustainable use of forest resources through community education and participation; e) To promote health and hygiene within community by ensuring protection of clean drinking water source throughout year;

Bhutan