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Page 1: Bhutan’s Progress on National Snow Leopard & …globalsnowleopard.dreamhosters.com/wp-content/uploads/...snow leopard conservation landscapes and 5 year regional plan; • Sporadic

© WCNP

Bhutan’s Progress on National Snow Leopard & Ecosystem Program

Ms. Dechen LhamNational Focal for Snow Leopard Conservation Program

Wildlife Conservation Division, Department of Forests and Parks ServicesMinistry of Agriculture and Forests

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Outline:

•Background – Snow leopard distribution

•Action Plan for 2014-2019 (as per NSLEP)

•Status Update

•Way Ahead

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www.tigersummit.ru )

Geographical Location

http://www.snowleopardconservancy.org/text/how/range.htm

© DOFPS

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Geographical Distribution in Bhutan

- In Bhutan, SL confines itself in the upper reaches of mountains, mostly between 3500 to 6,000 masl;

- Makes northern Bhutan its home, stretching from JKSNR (Western Haa) to Bomdelling Wildlife Sanctuary, Eastern Bhutan;

- Preliminary assessment show highest density in JDNP (Wangchuk 2009) followed by WCP, Central Bhutan;

- Current estimate numbers around 100-200 animals distributed over 10,000 km2

(Jackson et.al.,1997, 2000)

© DOFPS

© DOFPS

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Importance of Global snow leopard program for Bhutan

• A platform for the common goal towards snow leopard conservation

• Ensuring descent livelihood through addressing human -snow leopard conflict

• Opportunity for fund raising and seeking support

• Learning and knowledge sharing• Achieving the common goal in

partnership

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Tested Good Practices:

• Strong political will and Buddhist Ethics (Good old tradition); • Constitutional mandate to maintain 60% forest cover at all times

• Community engagement in biodiversity conservation (9% country population residing in Pas

• Community based livestock insurance schemes in high conflict zones

• CBCPs (ICDPs) – reduction of livestock numbers through livestock intensification - good herding practices

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Action Plan for the next five years as per NSLEP (2014-2019):

1. Survey and research on snow leopard and prey species (continue to support ongoing survey w/ camera traps to update current population status,support long term research program on SL and prey Species, etc.)

2. Habitat conservation and management (support the redifinition of northwestern boundaries to include critical SL habitat presently outside PAs, support development of conservation management plans for SL based on threats and ecological studies);

3. Human wildlife conflict management(understanding main causes of livestock depredation by SL, study of herding practices to determine the main reasons for livestock depredation and mitigation measures).

4. Transboundary conservation initiatives along the northern border (with China)

© DOFPS (images)

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Status updates• May 1997 - First SLIMS (Snow leopard

Information Management System) in Bhutan was held with an objective to obtain hands-on training in detecting snow leopard sign & counting blue sheep

• 2000 - Second SLIM was followed with assistance from WWF and International Snow Leopard Trust

• March 2005 - South Asia regional consultative workshop on Snow Leopard Conservation was held in Paro from 15-17 March with the main objective to identify and prioritize important snow leopard conservation landscapes and 5 year regional plan;

• Sporadic work on snow leopard continued across the range parks in Bhutan (much focus in Wangchuck Centennial Park and JigmeDorji National Park)

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• October 2013 – GSLEP held at Bishkek culminating in Bishkek Declaration, and Bhutan was represented by Lyonpo Yeshey Dorji, Sonam Wangchuk- WCD, and Lhendup Tharchen, JDNP.

• May 2014 - Consultation Workshop to stock take snow leopard works amongst the range protected areas and territorial division

• June 2014 – Capacity building of national focals at Kyrgyz Republic (Dechen Lham -WCD and Namgay Wangchuk- JKSNR)

• August 2014 – National Consultation for Snow Leopard Conservation in Bhutan and endorsement of nationwide Snow Leopard Survey

• September 2014 -Formation of Core team members for Nationwide Survey• October 2014 – Finalize the survey protocols (methodologies)

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November 2014 - Celebrating the International Snow Leopards Day (postponed from October). Chief guest: Honorable Speaker, National Assembly November and December 2014 -Planning and training workshop in SL range protected areas and territorial division. Commencement of sign survey, prey base survey and questionnaire survey in Snow leopard range protected areas and one territorial division.

November 2014-May 2015 –Continuation of sign survey and prey base survey and completion

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Work plan ahead• Completion of Phase 1 sign survey- June

2015• SL distribution map and prey base density

& abundance• Camera trap exercise start October 2015• March 2016 – Produce population figures of

“Snow Leopards in Bhutan”• April-June 2016 – Management Plan of

Snow Leopard Landscape in Bhutan• Set up a basic genetic lab under WCD by

strengthening the existing wildlife clinic to cater services to all Protected Areas

• Bhutan strongly feels that there is a need of regional snow leopard consortium. This will create a platform for sharing knowledge and also conservation initiatives at the transboundary level

© WWF (Photo by Phub Tshering, Bhutan)


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