Bhutan Environment Outlook 2016
Copyright © NEC 2016
National Environment Commission Secretariat
Royal Government of Bhutan
Post Box 466
Thimphu
Report Design and Layout:
Table of Contents
Acronyms and Glossary of Bhutanese Terms 11
Acronyms 11
Glossary of Bhutanese Terms 13
Background to the National Environment Outlook Report 14
Introduction 14
State of the Environment Reporting 16
Context and process 16
Methodology 16
Bhutan Environment Outlook 2016: DPSIR Framework 17
Drivers 17
Pressures 18
State and Trends 18
Impacts 18
Responses 19
PART ONE: People, Environment and Development 20
Geography 20
Climate 21
Demography 21
Poverty 22
Urbanization 23
Migration 24
Economic Development 24
Renewable Natural Resources 25
Energy 26
Health services and infrastructure 26
Transport 27
Industries 27
Tourism 28
Part Two: State and Trends of the Environment and Ecosystems 29
Chapter One: Land 29
State and Trends in Land Cover 29
Land Cover 29
Forests: 31
Agriculture Land: 32
Steep land agriculture: 32
Types of agricultural land: 32
Degraded land: 34
Erosion: 34
Built up land: 35
Non-built up areas 35
Drivers and Pressure on Land Environment 39
Pressures from conversion of agriculture and government reserve forest/state land 41
Timber production 44
Urban population 47
Transmission lines 47
Livestock trends 48
Impact 51
Response 53
References 56
Chapter Two: WATER 57
Water resources 57
Drivers 58
Population growth 58
Social and economic development 58
Climate Change 58
Pressures 59
Increase in Water Demand 59
Increased waste generation 59
Increased Infrastructural Development 60
Change in Hydrological Cycle 61
Weak Management of Water Resources 62
State 62
Water availability versus accessibility 62
Reduced environmental flows in rivers and streams 63
Pollution and its consequences to the water quality 64
Increased run-off and landslides 66
Glacial lake outburst flood 66
Impact 67
Drinking and irrigation shortages 67
Water user conflict 68
Loss of Biodiversity (refer Biodiversity)???? 68
Decreasing Hygiene and Water borne diseases 68
Increasing Cost of Hydropower Production 69
Response 69
Water and Wetlands Regulations 69
Enhancing coordination and management 69
Maintaining water quality 70
Exploring Alternative Sources 70
Disaster risk reduction 71
Recommendations 71
Improve sectoral coordination and planning 71
Stretch of river to be protected 71
Implementation of the vulnerability mapping in developmental planning 72
Chapter Three: AIR 73
Drivers 73
Socio-economic development & Population growth 73
Climate Change 73
PRESSURE 73
Increasing Vehicle population 73
Road Resurfacing and Re-suspended Road Dust 74
Industrial and Mining/Quarrying activities 74
Construction Activities 75
Forest Fires and Fire hazards 75
Fuel Wood and Kerosene for Heating and Cooking 76
Cultural Practices 76
STATE AND TRENDS 76
Trends in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions 77
IMPACTS 78
Human Health ((WHO reports, health impact assessment???)) 78
Wellbeing 78
Atmospheric Brown Clouds & Visibility 78
Crop Productivity 79
RESPONSE 79
Policies and Strategies 79
Emission Standards & Road worthiness certificate (refer RSTA Act 1999) 79
Taxation and Import restriction on vehicles 79
Environmental Monitoring 80
Fiscal measures 80
Promotion of mass transit 80
RECOMMENDATIONS 80
Strengthening the enforcement and implementation of policies, strategies and standards 80
Increase Parameters for air quality Monitoring 80
Promotion of Eco-driving techniques 80
Transport and Urban Planning 81
Promotion of Intelligent Transport System measures & Mass Transit 81
Review of Vehicle Quota system 81
Trans-boundary Air Pollution 81
Chapter Four: BIODIVERSITY 82
Overview of Biodiversity of Bhutan 82
Driver 82
Increasing population 82
Socio-economic development 82
Urbanization 82
Demand for traditional medicines 82
Demand for wildlife products 83
Pressure 83
Extensive use of Non Wood Forest Products 83
Forest Fire 83
Habitat Fragmentation 83
Increased Infrastructure Development 83
Increased Timber Demand 84
Increased leasing of State Land 84
Human Wildlife Conflicts 84
Forest Offenses 85
State 85
Annual Average Change in Forest Area 85
Export of Forestry Products 85
Protected Forest Area 86
Threatened animal species 86
Total Area of Wetlands/marshes 86
Change in Arable Land Area 87
Net Trade in Wildlife and Captive Bred Species 87
Impact 87
Over extraction and exploitation of resources 87
Loss of habitat 87
Deteriorating quality of forest 88
Fragmentation of habitat 88
Reduction in food production 89
Ecological Imbalance 89
Response 89
Implementation of Policies and legal instruments 89
Education and Awareness 90
Exploring Alternatives to Timber Usage in Construction 91
Regeneration/Afforestation 91
Increased Surveillance 91
Human wildlife conflict 91
Recommendations 91
Strict implementation and enforcement of Legislations: 91
Incorporate biodiversity concerns into the EIA and SEA: 91
Sustainable Management of Protected Areas: 92
Record all important biodiversity areas: 92
Maintain minimum e-flows for aquatic life: 92
Create awareness on sustainable management of NWFP: 92
Complete the list of IAS and come up with mitigation measures: 92
Conduct study on the quality of forest deteriorating: 92
Avoid or minimize activities impacting on habitat or leading to habitat fragmentation: 92
Chapter Five: CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES (Waste Management and Climate Change) 93
Waste Management 93
Driver 93
Pressure 93
State 93
Municipal Solid Waste 93
Medical waste 94
E-waste 95
Industrial Waste 95
Impacts 96
Response 97
Climate Change 98
Pressure 98
State 98
Impacts 99
Impacts on Biodiversity 99
Impacts on Water 100
Impacts on Air quality 100
Impacts on Land 101
Response 101
Implementation of Recommendation of Bhutan Environment Outlook 2008 1
Land 1
Water 7
Biodiversity 16
General Recommendations 18
Annexures 1
Annexure I. Projected population statistics 1
Annexure II: Water related conflicts 2
Annexure III: Recommendation of Waste Management Conference 2
Annexure IV: Waste Management in Thimphu City 3
References 5
Information retrieved from Web pages 7
List of Maps
List of Boxes
List of Tables
List of Figures
Acronyms and Glossary of Bhutanese Terms
Acronyms
AAC Annual Allowable Cut
BEO Bhutan Environment Outlook
BWP Bhutan Water Partnership
CBD Convention on Biological Diversity
CCC Climate Change Division
CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora
CO2 Carbon dioxide
CTEM Clean Technology and Environmental Management
Danida Danish International Development Agency
DHMS Department of Hydromet Services
DoE Department of Energy
DoFPS Department of Forest and Park Services
DoR Department of Roads
DPSIR Driver-Pressure-State-Imapct-Response
EFRC Environment Friendly Road Construction
EIMS Environmental Information Management System
EUSPS Environment and Urban Sector Programme Support
FFF Forest, Facts and Figures
FMU Forest Management Unit
GDP Gross Domestic Product
GHG Greenhouse Gas
GIS Geographic Information System
GLOF Glacial Lake Outburst Flood
GNHC Gross National Happiness Commission
ICIMOD International Center for Integrated Mountain Development
IUCN World Conservation Union
MDG Millennium Development Goal
MoAF Ministry of Agriculture and Forests
MoEA Ministry of Economic Affairs
MoIC Ministry of Information and Communication
MT Metric ton
MW Megawatt
NAPA National Adaptation Program of Action
NBC National Biodiversity Center
NBSAP National Biodiversity Action Plan
NCD Nature Conservation Division
NEC National Environment Commission
NECS National Environment Commission Secretariat
NEPA National Environmental Protection Act, 2007
NSB National Statistical Bureau
NSSD National Strategy for Sustainable Development
Nu. Ngultrum (Bhutanese currency),
OECD Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development
PHCB Population and Housing Census of Bhutan
PM10 Particulate matter of 10 μm or less
PSR Pressure-State-Response
RGoB Royal Government of Bhutan
RNR Renewable Natural Resources
RSPN Royal Society for the Protection of Nature
RSTA Road Safety and Transport Authority
SEA Strategic Environment Assessment
SLMP Sustainable Land Management Project
SoE State of the Environment
SNC Second National Communication
SYB Statistical Year Book
THP Tala Hydroelectric Project
UNCCD United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
UNDP United Nations Development Program
UNEP United Nations Environment Programme
UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
US-EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency
WHO World Health Organization
WMD Watershed Management Division
WRCD Water Resource Coordination Division
Glossary of Bhutanese Terms
Chhuzhing Wetland cultivation
Dungkhag Sub-district
Dzongkhag District
Geog Administrative block made up of few to several villages
Kamzhing Dryland cultivation
Sokshing Woodlot for production of leaf litter
Tsamdo Registered grazing land
Tseri Slash-and-burn cultivation
Background to the National Environment Outlook Report
Introduction
Guided by the development philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH), the conservation of its environment is integral consideration of socioeconomic development of Bhutan. Thus there is a commitment to follow the Middle Path to socioeconomic development. Environmental conservation constitutes an important part of the national planning framework and has been given a high priority in the country’s development agenda. Conservation of the environment is pursued for the long-term interests of not only the Bhutanese people alone but the region and the global community at large. Bhutan’s unwavering commitment to environmental conservation has been recognized globally and today the country is recognized widely as a bastion for conservation.
The Eleventh Five Year Plan of Bhutan is termed a ‘Green’ plan as it creates a ‘Green’ mindset and attitude in order to prioritize environment management and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and pollution. This is to pursue development based on pro-poor, low carbon, eco-friendly, energy and cost efficient modalities and strategies.
Bhutan is one of the few countries in the world to feature environmental conservation explicitly in its Constitution (Box 1). Article 5 of the Constitution reflects Bhutan’s commitment to sustainable development and recognition of environmental conservation as one of the four pillars for enhancing GNH. There is also a mandatory requirement to maintain a minimum forest cover of 60% of the country for all times in the Constitution.
With regard to Goal 7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability, Bhutan stands out in terms of its environmental conservation commitments and efforts at securing the MDG targets of environment sustainability (GNHC, 2011).
The 2010 MDG status also indicates that Bhutan has achieved its MDGs targets related to water and sanitation. Other strong initiatives in the area of sustainable development have been initiated but not measured with respect to Target 9: Integrating the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programmes and reverse the loss of environmental resources. The National Environment Commission and the Gross National Happiness Commission have spearheaded the mainstreaming concept of integrating environment, poverty and climate change into the country’s policies and plans through use of policy screening tools and actual mainstreaming carried out in the sectoral plans and programs of the 11th FYP.
The recent update report on MDG “Bhutan MDG Sub National Report 2013” by UNDP Bhutan concluded that Bhutan has either achieved or is very close to achieving almost all of the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. Some challenges remain with respect to the achievement of these target sat the regional level and should be prioritized in development planning.” (UNDP Bhutan 2013).
Bhutan has 70.46% of its total land area under forest cover. The country’s protected area system is made up of five national parks, four wildlife sanctuaries and a strict nature reserve, altogether making up an area of 19,751 km2 of the country’s total area (MoAF, 2009; NSB, 2015).
Bhutan submitted a declaration to remain carbon neutral where the level of greenhouse gas emissions would not exceed the sequestration capacity at the Fifteenth Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2009 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
In spite of Bhutan’s strong political commitment and sound environmental policies, the country is confronted continually by major challenges pertaining to land degradation, biodiversity habitat loss, high fuel wood consumption, environmental impact of road construction, wildlife and human conflict, maintenance and rehabilitation of existing rural water and sanitation schemes and waste management. In addition, Bhutan also has to deal with the impacts of climate change on its biodiversity, agriculture, hydropower, industries, urban and health sectors.
The NEC with financial support from United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) developed and released the first Bhutan Environment Outlook Report (BEO) in 2008. The BEO is an assessment of the state of the Bhutanese environment including the impacts of development activities and responses needed to mitigate the negative impacts of development activities. The BEO 2008 served as a “State of the Environment Report” that the NEC Secretariat is mandated to produce under the National Environment Protection Act 2007 (NEPA). Besides, providing information on Bhutan’s environment to the citizens and policy makers of Bhutan, the BEO also feeds into the United Nation’s process of preparing the Global Environment Outlook.
The purpose of the Bhutan Environment Outlook is to produce an up-to-date, politically relevant and valid report to support decision-making at all levels. The Bhutan Environment Outlook analyzes the state of the environment, principal environmental impacts, and the motivating forces and pressures for environmental change.
The BEO provides recommendations for timely action to address the priority national environmental issues identified and to mainstream the findings into national development planning to enhance proper decision-making for sustainable development.
The new Bhutan Environment Outlook will be termed Bhutan State of Environment, which will also capture not just state of environment but will also capture outlook of Bhutan environment
State of the Environment Reporting
Context and process
The Bhutan State of Environment 2016 is a periodic assessment of the environmental conditions and trends of the country and the report aims to:
· Analyze current environmental issues;
· Identify a core set of environmental indicators for the country and harmonize with indicators used in other State of the Environment assessments at different hierarchical levels (i.e., sub-regional, regional, and global).
· Build awareness and assist in the effective management of the environment;
· Provide objective, accurate scientific information about the current conditions and prospects of the country’s environment;
· Provide vital environmental information for authorities to make informed decisions relating to environmental management in order to support sustainable development;
· Build an understanding of environmental trends and to identify priority areas where action in respect of environmental management must be taken (including an early warning of potential environmental problems);
· Report on the progress made towards the implementation of recommendations made in Bhutan Environment Outlook, published in 2008;
· Provide policy options and other responses to environmental deterioration; and
· Make recommendations for strengthening environmental policies, plans and programmes.
In preparation of the Bhutan State of Environment report for Bhutan, an inception workshop was held from 17-19 May 2010. At the workshop, key indicators for the report, relevant stakeholders, data sources and task force memberships were agreed upon (refer Annex 1). The entire SOE process, from the identification and proposal of themes through validation of the final report was a participatory process. It was a joint effort of the National Environment Commission, lead agencies, major governmental and non-governmental stakeholders, the private sector and national experts in the different thematic areas. As much as possible, the report has compiled with analyzed data and indicators to demonstrate positive or negative change. Attempts have also been made to establish a baseline to inform any future assessments. Once finalized by the NEC, the Bhutan State of Environment will be submitted to the Gross National Happiness Commission, so that the data and recommendations can be mainstreamed into the National Plan.
Methodology
State of the Environment reporting follows international best practices and global trends which attempts to define key interactions between the natural environment and society. The methodology for preparing the BEO follows a global process as described in the Integrated Environment Assessment (IEA) Training Manual (The GEO Approach to IEA) published by UNEP and International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD). According to the IEA Training manual, the IEA is much broader than a traditional method as it critically evaluates and analyzes data and information to meet users need and to support policy decision making.