Environmental policy and administrative management

The Langchenphu geog consists of 242 households with the population of 1741, has an area of 224.62 km with an altitude ranging from 310 masl to 1800 masl. Agriculture is the main source of livelihood in Langchenphu. Poultry and livestock rearing is also common among the farmers. However, due to steep terrain and unstable soil condition, soil erosion and land slides is a major problem. The place also receives very high level of rainfall during monsoon, exacerbating the problem further. To make the condition worse, there are two rivers flowing from both ends and the geog suffers from river bank erosion and loss of agriculture land during the monsoon season. One of the source of drinking water for the school and local population is located above the school. In order to protect the water catchment area, about 1.5 acres have been fenced by the school. A drain has been constructed (750 m long) starting from the catchment area and ending into the river, to drain out excess water during the monsoons, as the drain is not concrete. Soil erosion continues and the drain is being blocked by soil leading to water clogging, and making it congenial for breeding mosquitoes. Langchenphu is highly infested by malaria and the water clogging in the drains is posing a greater threat to the local population. Therefore, the community have decided to carryout re-forestation and proper protection of the water catchment area and at the same time maintain the drainage system through proper construction and maintaining it at all seasons. The protection of the catchment area and the periodic maintenance of drainage will be carried out by the Jomotshangkha Throm Yargay Tshogpa. The project activities includes the following: 1. Reforestation around the water catchment area; 2. Raise Nursery of Tree species; 3. Construction of concrete drainage; 4. Maintenance of Drainage; 5. Environmental Education Workshop for awareness raising; 6. Monitoring and Reporting. Progress Report: 1. Protection of Water Catchment area - fencing and plantation is completed; 2. Construction of Drain to out let the excess water; 3. Conducted Farmers Trainings. Results/Assessment: Presently the project work is doing well. More than half of the total length of drain has been constructed and the farmers are continuing to complete the work. More than 80 farmers have been trained on the protection of environment. The water clogging issue has been solved. Farmers Training on Natural Environment: The resource persons have explained in a simple term what is the meaning of environment, the importance of forest to the environment, animals, plants and microorganisms. The advantages of having a good biodiversity having many benefits as the following: 1. Acts as a Carbon sink, gives oxygen, protects wildlife, less soil erosion, good scenario; 2. Availability of fodder, fuelwood, income generation, food; 3. Good Water Source for irrigation, safe drinking water, income generation through hydropower, abundant of aquatic animals, good rainfall, pristene environment, good health, etc. The Disadvantages of Bad Environment: 1. Global Warming, climate change effects, loss of biodiversity, desertification, ozone layer depletion and accumulation of carbon-dioxide etc. The farmers were also trained on the relationship between environment, development and population, how it affects the environment and how humans can play a role for preserving a better environment.

Bhutan