Development of the Sakten Wildlife Sanctuary and Biological Corridors

Geographical location:

Asia/Pacific > Southern Asia > Bhutan

Summary

The project aims to build a basic infrastructure for the Sakten Wildlife Sanctuary (SWS) which will prepare the way for the development of a comprehensive management plan.

Actions will focus on the setting up of park offices and living quarters for staff. The project will also gather data on wildlife, ecology and the socio-economic conditions of the nomadic Brokpas people who inhabit the park.

Background

Sakten Wildlife Sanctuary (SWS) is one of 9 protected areas in Bhutan. It is located in the eastern most part of the country, bordering the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. It covers an area of 650km2 and forms part of the Bhutan Biological Conservation Complex (B2C2) through a corridor connection to Khaling Wildlife Sanctuary in the south.

SWS is typical of the diversity of Himalayan terrestrial ecosystems, combining alpine meadow, temperate forest, and warm broadleaf forest. During the recent rapid assessment surveys conducted in the sanctuary some 203 species of plants, 119 species of birds and 18 species of mammals were confirmed.

In addition, SWS and the corridors linking the sanctuary to the Khaling Wildlife Sanctuary are home to the head waters of 3 major rivers - Manas Chu, Bada Chu and Dhansiri Chu. The altitude ranges from 2,300m to more than 4,300m.

SWS is inhabited by 616 Brokpas families, with a total population of 4,220. This nomadic community has maintained its own unique dialect, dress and culture. The people are largely dependent on rearing of cattle, yaks and sheep for their livelihoods.

Since the sanctuary is newly established and only became operational in 2003, basic information and infrastructure is not available to allow necessary conservation management interventions. Moreover, heavy dependence on livestock has led to problems with overgrazing, together with unmanaged timber and fuel-wood collection. Due to the area’s remoteness and isolation, there is a lack of awareness about the benefits of conservation.

Objectives

- Establish necessary infrastructure and communication facilities in the project area to facilitate effective implementation of other project activities.

- Build capacity of the project staff for effective implementation of the project.

- Develop and implement the Sakten Wildlife Sanctuary and Biological Corridor management plan.

Solution

- The government will identify a park manager and recruit other park staff to manage SWS.
- The park management will establish a park office and coordinate the implementation of project activities such as infrastructure development, field surveys, mule track development, and education and awareness of the importance of biodiversity conservation, and the human dimension in environmental conservation.
- In addition to the normal government monitoring system, WWF Bhutan staff will regularly visit and travel to SWS, ensuring quality and timely implementation of project activities.

Achievement

1. Hired a building to temporarily house the SWS management office in Radhi. Basic office equipment such as computers, telephone, fax and office furniture were procured and the office became operational. Construction of park complex, consisting of office building and staff residence, has been completed.
2. Both technical and administrative staff from the department of Forestry were transferred to SWS to look after the day-to-day management of the sanctuary.
3. Communication equipment, one four wheel drive and 4 motorbikes have been obtained, enhancing staff mobility and reducing poaching activities.
4. Completed surveys on plants, wildlife, and socio-economic conditions for SWS.
5. The development of a SWS management plan has been initiated using the survey results. One of the recommendations from these surveys was the extension of the boundary of SWS.
6. Staff have been trained on conducting biodiversity surveys. Over 13 park staff members have been on study tours to other protected areas in the region for exposure to better management practices.
7. Awareness campaigns conducted throughout the entire SWS to improve awareness of the importance of conservation.
8. Supplied corrugated galvanized iron (CGI) sheets to 240 households (66%) living inside the SWS.
9. Uniform and an additional 7 sets of field gear, consisting of sleeping bags, rain gear, rucksacks, sleeping mats and field boots were procured and distributed to park staff to facilitate their daily field work within the park’s inhospitable conditions.
10. Since this reporting period is the final year of the first phase and the first year of the second phase, a review and evaluation of the project was carried out by the external consultant in March 2006. An evaluation report is now in place to guide the implementation of the Phase II of the project.
11. Rehabilitation work undertaken with local communities in one acre of 2004 flood affected area. About 3,000 Salix spp., 11,000 Erythrina spp., and more than 600 bamboo rhizomes were planted. Under the park manager’s guidance, local communities planted an additional 1,000 bamboo rhizomes in a severely degraded area of Tshongdiri watersheds, which provides drinking water to Radhi village.
12. The park’s management also coordinated Radhi, Joenkhar, Sakteng and Merak schools to plant about 1,050 tree saplings in June to mark the Social Forestry Day celebration. The teachers and students were briefed on tree planting techniques and the benefits trees can offer.
13. A one-day awareness meeting to educate villagers and other stakeholders on the forestry rules and regulations was conducted. Some 155 villagers from Sakteng, Pusa, Tengma and other nearby villages and local government officials attended the meeting.
14. A park patrol is in place and regular patrolling is on-going.