Posted on November, 25 2011
Jigme Dorji National Park (JDNP) is the second largest national park in Bhutan with an area of 4316 sq. km. Located in the north western park of the country, the park also shares international border with the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China. JDNP is rich in biodiversity with a present record of 36 mammals, 328 birds, 5 reptiles, 300 medicinal plants, and 39 butterflies. It was in JDNP where tigers were first sighted above 4000 meters sharing habitat with snow leopards. Besides the rich floral and faunal diversity, the sources of four major rivers, Pachhu, Wangchhu, Phochhu and Mochhu lie in the park as well.
The park spans across 5 districts, namely Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Wangduephodrang and Gasa. Park headquarters based in Damji, Gasa and its 4 range offices addresses common challenges faced by protected areas elsewhere, like human-wildlife conflicts, unsustainable collection/or use of forest resources, and illegal wildlife trade.
Cultural significance placed on the park is also immense as several inaccessible monasteries and revered fortresses are found in the park. Located at a walking distances from Lingshi range office (about 20 kms from capital Thimphu) are two noted monasteries: Tango and Chari. Both monasteries are proclaimed institutions in the country delving on imparting higher education on Buddhist philosophies. Currently there are about 300 monks and teachers learning and/or meditating in its holy locales.
On 23rd and 24th November, 2011, park staff and WWF-Bhutan conducted a two day workshop on environmental awareness for a total of 60 monks, 30 each from Tango and Chari monasteries. The main objective behind the initiative was to help the monks better understand global and local environmental issues and get their support in environmental conservation initiatives. Only by involving all sections of the society can the consciousness on environment conservation be developed in true sense. On a longer term basis, through such initiatives, it is hoped that the religious community will become partners with park staff and assist them in carrying out conservation endeavors.
In the two day session, park staff and conservation experts explained to the monks on the important role that they play in conservation scenario and how the bridge between religion and environment conservation can be built. Some of the monks attending the 2 day workshop had never attended such workshops before.
Besides learning from talks delivered, the session also gave the monks opportunities to openly discuss among themselves environment issues from their perspective. One of the biggest challenges observed by them leading to degradation of forest and its resources were improper waste disposal. At the end of each day, actions plans were developed to be implemented together with park staff and other stakeholders.
“Besides educating the monks on issues of environment concern, the aim of the workshop is also to earn support of the religious community for conservation work in future” Phuntsho Thinley, Park manager said.
A monk, Phuntsho Namgay said “Very few of us had attended similar workshops before, so therefore it is indeed a great opportunity for us to learn about the issues that our mother earth is facing. We now know that it is every member of the society’s responsible to preserve environment”.
“I will share what I have learnt today with my friends, family and incorporate them in my teachings. Environment is very important yet we tend to ignore it. Today we have come to know that we need to act together immediately to save wildlife, rivers, and forests” said a participant, Nima Tshering.
