Successful completion of the Biological Corridor2 Survey Program

As per the provision of Biological Corridor Rule 2007 (addendum of Forest & Nature Conservation Rules, 2006), the management of biological corridors (BC) solely rests on the Territorial Divisions under the Department of Forests and Park Services. However, after sixteen years of their declaration, most of the BCs still remain un-operational and their functionality are unknown. These mainly stem from lack of the adequate socio-ecological data and management plan for effective management.  

Moreover, the corridors are experiencing imminent pressure from the developmental activities such as road network expansion, building of hydro-power construction, power transmission line, stone quarry, urbanization and rural development; potentially affecting their efficacy through the habitat destruction and fragmentation.

Photo courtesy: Kado Rinchen, JSWNP

The Wangdue Forest Division then conducted a socio-ecological survey to prepare the management plan for the biological corridor connecting JDNP-JSWNP in collaboration with the Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park with the technical backstopping from the Wildlife Conservation Division under the financial support from the RGoB and WWF Program.

Prior to this, the training workshop on survey methodologies was convened at the Drubchhu Resort from 26^th Nov – 28^th Nov 2015. The main objective of the training workshop was to provide the hands on training on survey methodologies. The field survey commenced soon after the training workshop and successfully completed the data collection of entire corridor on 28^th January 2016. 

Photo courtesy: Kado Rinchen, JSWNP

During the time, the long stretched corridor was divided into 5 blocks mainly to represent the entire corridor. The signs and evidences of the wildlife, resource collection by human, poaching, disturbances along with the forest condition, history of the area, potentiality of the area and the prominent choke points within and nearby were thoroughly recorded by the surveyor. Similarly, the team conducted the Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) to find out the views of community towards the status & management of the corridor. The team also recorded the presence of various wild animals through the camera traps and revealed that the corridor plays important pathways for dispersal of faunas from one to another protected areas. 

Lastly, we the management of Wangdue Division would like to thank all the foresters from the JSWNP and Wangdue Forest Division who actively participated in this survey program. Nonetheless, we feel feel sorry for making you all to compromise your own family obligations. But remember that, you all had put great hard work with great determination and sincerity in the service of Tsa-wa-sum. We also want you all to know that how much we enjoyed working with you all and it warms our heart to know that what we have achieved finally. Thank you.  

Compiled and reported by; Tashi Dendup, Overall BC Project Coordinator, Wangdue Forest Division