Environmental policy and administrative management

Khamdang Geog consists of 18 villages with 617 households, covering an area of 44.5 square km. The geog is very dry mainly due to less forest cover. Since it is in a dry zone, the most dominant land use categories in the geog are dry land and Pangshing followed by the wetland and some Tseri cultivation. The major crops grown are maize, wheat, buckwheat and potato. Kencholing village of Khamdang Geog is amount three 25 kilometres from the dzongkhags head quarters. The area is dry and plagued by forest fires in winter and landslides and soil erosion in monsoon. The surrounding environment is further affected by large consumption of fuel wood and lately the village has faced acute shortage of water both for drinking and agriculture due to drying up of community water sources. Concerned by the growing environment problems and landslides affecting agriculture production the village elders formed Pema Kitshel Kunzang Shedupling Committee to promote environment conservation initiatives in the locality. The committee will also manage and uplift Pema Kitshel Shedrupling to bring benefit to about 261 households the area. Through the project the committee and the members from the village will carry out the following for the benefit of the local environment and securing livelihoods: 1.Protection of 15 community water sources 2.SLM and plantation of 10,000 saplings at water sources and degraded areas 3.Water supply for the community monastery - Pema Kitshel Shedrupling 4.Establishment of community forest nursery 5.Waste management and disposal 6.Supply of three numbers 150 litres electric cookers to reduce fuel wood consumption 7.Development of community by-laws

Bhutan