Bhutan: Conservation and Environmental Protection in the Himalayas

Located in the heart of the Eastern Himalayas, Bhutan practices the philosophy of Gross National Happiness ("GNH") that embraces environmental conservation as one of the main building blocks for its sustainable development goals. Bhutan's conservation strategies and success are largely driven by the strong political will and visionary leadership of His Majesty the King of Bhutan The nation's Buddhist perspectives regarding a deep and abiding respect for nature; and the strategic enforcement of a wide-ranging stringent set of internal regulations and controls have helped ensure ecological gold standards in Bhutan. Moreover, the country is an active member of the international conservation community by fulfilling its implementation of various Multilateral Environment Agreements. While it emerged into the 21st century as one of the 36 global terrestrial "hotspots" in biological diversity conservation ranks, Bhutan's sheer commitment with more than 51% of its territory being managed under the explicit status of a protected area network, and more than 70% of the land under forest cover, represents Bhutan's exemplary dedication to protect the planet despite its smallness in size and economy, and the biological fragility exemplified by its hotspot situation.  In the face of imminent severe threats of global warming, Bhutan nonetheless exemplifies the truth that "a small country with a big conservation commitment" can make an enormous contribution to the global community.
At the regional level, Bhutan is intent upon protecting the Water Towers of Asia (that glacial expanse of the Himalayas) which is a critical resource bulwark for about one-fifth of the global population downstream in South Asia. Such protections invariably help mitigate climate change by acting as a nation-wide carbon sink through its carbon neutral policies.  In short, Bhutan has long represented one of the world's foremost national guardians of biodiversity conservation, ecological good governance, and societal sustainability at a period when the world has entered the Anthropocene - an epoch of mass extinctions.
We envision this publication to be ecologically and ethically provocative and revealing for the concerned scientific communities, and governments. Through an extensive review of the scientific and anthropological literature, as well as the research team's own data, the Author's have set forth timely recommendations for conservation policies, strategies and actions. This book provides technical and deeply considered assessments of the state of Bhutan's environment, its multiple, human-induced stressors and pressures; as well as extremely sound, practical techniques that would address conservation strategies in the Himalayas and, by implication, worldwide.

Sommario

CHAPTER 1. STATE OF ENVIRONMENT IN BHUTAN.- Abstract.- Overview of Bhutan.-Ecological Zones & Climatic Features.- Land Use in Bhutan.- Source: FRMD/DOFPS. Conservation Efforts & Protected Area Systems.- Conservation Laws and Policies. Assessment of Non-Protected Areas.- Sustainable Forest Management Plans in Non-protected Area. Scientific Forest Management.- Community Forest Empowerment. Non-Wood Forest Product (NWFP) Management. Plantation and Reforestation Programs. Keystone species and Conservation Areas. Foot Notes.- Annexure 1..1 Classification and Characteristics of Vegetation Zones in Bhutan (Grierson & Long, 1983, see 19).- Annexure 1.2 Description of Classification of Land Cover Class and Sub-Class in Bhutan (See 20).- CHAPTER 2.- DRIVERS AND PRESSURE ON THE STATE OF ENVIRONMENT IN BHUTAN. Abstract.- Land Use.-Hydropower projects.- Farm Roads.- Mining and Mineral Development.- Land use for Agriculture.- Waste Management.- CHAPTER 3.- NON-VIOLENT TECHNIQUESFOR HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICT RESOLUTION.- Abstract.- Contextual Framework within the ACPB.- Methodology.- Global context of HWC.- Conflict Management Strategies.-Retaliatory Actions and Violent Approaches.- Lethal Control - Counterproductive 96.- From Conflict to Co-existence.- Safe and Non-Violent Approach.- Table 3.1 Important Elements of HWC (WWF-Bhutan, 2016; See Foot Note 78).- Human Wildlife Conflict Policy.- Implementing Agencies for HWC. Immune-contraception for population control.- Translocation of Problem Animals.- Alternative Livelihoods.- Land-Use Planning and Landscape Management.- Mitigation Measures.- Compensation.- Performance payments.- Ecotourism and Revenue Sharing.- Community Education.- Understanding the Conflict Profile.- Reporting.-Information compilation, management and use.- Response - measures taken to alleviate a specific or ongoing HWC incident.- Monitoring and Evaluation - measuring the performance of HWC management.- Human Wildlife Conflict Situation inBhutan.- Underlying Forces of Human Wild-life Conflicts in Bhutan.- Human Wildlife Conflict Situation in Bhutan.- Preventive Measures.- Mitigation Approach in Bhutan.- Strategic Outcomes.- Table 3.5 Strategic Intents contributing to the Safe System (WWF-Bhutan, 2016; See Foot Note 246).- Effective Monitoring and Evaluation.- Conclusion and Recommendation.- Non-violent and Safe Approach.- Institutional Arrangement.- Human Wildlife Conflict Policy & Legislation.- Coping Techniques and Mechanisms.- Hotspot Mapping.- Physiological Sterilization of wildlife.- Table 3.6 Immunocontraceptive vaccines used in different animals.- Innovative Research Fund for farmers.- Economic Responses to HWC.- Alternative livelihoods.- Regional Transboundary Conservation.- Foot Notes.- Annexure 3.1 Indicators of the Strategic Outcomes of People, Wildlife, Assets and Habitat.- CHAPTER 4.- ANIMAL RIGHTS AND PROTECTION.-Abstract.- Buddhist Perspectives & Conservation Biology.- Bhutanese Buddhism and the Segue To Contemporary Animal Protection Policies.- National Law & Buddhist Ethics.- State Monastic Body.- Non-governmental Organizations (NGO).- Tshethar (Life Saving) Practices.- Animal Health and Rescue Centers.- Farming Systems and Livestock Population.- Meat Consumption in Bhutan.- Discussion and Recommendations on Animal Protection and Animal Rights.- Animal Protection Policy of Bhutan.- Population control of Livestock Animals.- Institutionalization and Implementation Arrangement.- Monitoring & Implementation.- Dog Population Control.- GNH Index for Animal Kingdom.- References (1-125).- Annexure 4.1 God's Country: The New Zealand Factor, by Michael Charles Tobias and Jane Gray Morrison, Dancing Star Foundation, 2010.- CHAPTER 5. GAP ANALYSIS OF THREATENED, RARE AND UNDER-REPRESENTED SPECIES IN BHUTAN.- Abstract.- Introduction.- Impacts of Extinction of Species.- Taxonomic Classification - Seven Kingdoms Model.- Objectives.- Methodology.- Assessment of Under-Represented

Info autore

The three authors have tremendous Bhutanese experience: Dr. Tshewang is Bhutanese and lives in Thimphu. He grew up in the eastern province of Pemagatshel and was the first PhD from Bhutan's Ministry of Agriculture, dealing specifically in the ecodynamics affecting livestock and populations. He went on to become the highest ecological official in the Bhutanese government, founding the National Biodiversity Centre, the country's National Gene Bank and the National Herbarium. Dr. Tshewang was Governor of the nation's eastern-most province, Trashiyangtse, as well as being the Secretary of the National Environment Commission. He led the task force representing multiple stakeholders to develop the Biodiversity Act of Bhutan while leading the National Biodiversity Center of Bhutan. Dr. Tobias led one of the very first outside expeditions to Bhutan in the mid-1970s and has been returning ever since. In 2007 he led a 140-kilometer ecological survey of the most recently consecrated scientific reserve in the country's far-east, Sakten(g). Highly respected global ecologists, Dr. Tobias, and his partner, Jane Gray Morrison have for nearly 20 years run the Dancing Star Foundation -DSF (www.dancingstarfoundation.org; www.dancingstarnews.com) which is devoted to international conservation biology, animal protection and environmental education. DSF was a major donor for the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in 2008 in Washington D.C., - following upon Dr. Tshewang's proposal to the Royal Government of Bhutan that Bhutan be part of that festival. The event succeeded in bringing nearly 150 Bhutanese for ten days to the National Mall in Washington where, among other things, in conjunction with NASA, a Bhutanese monk (and Director of Bhutan's National Museum) had a discussion with an astronaut on inner and outer space. Tobias and Morrison have authored, co-authored and edited over 50 books between them.

Dettagli sul prodotto

• Autori: Morrison, Jane Gray Morrison, Michael Charles Tobias, Ugyen Tshewang
• Editore: Springer, Berlin
• Lingue: Inglese
• Formato: Tascabile
• Pubblicazione: 30.01.2022
• EAN: 9783030578268
• ISBN: 978-3-0-3057826-8
• Pagine: 353
• Dimensioni: 155 mm x 22 mm x 235 mm
• Illustrazioni: LX, 353 p. 181 illus., 155 illus. in color.
• Categoria: Scienze naturali, medicina, informatica, tecnica > Biologia > Ecologia