Inside

Contd. on page 3

Tashi InfoComm adopts a part of Kuenselphodrang

Nature Park

Elephant electrocuted to death

Pg 7

Recent Video Footage of Royal Bengal Tiger

Pg 13

Forest officials investigating electrocuted elephant

Pg 4

Inaguration by the Director, DoFPS and MD, Tashi InfoComm

Footages cought on camera trap

RNRNEWSLETTERA bi-monthly publication of the Ministry of Agriculture & Forests

Vol. XXXIII Issue No. 149 www.moaf.gov.bt March - April 2013

Tandin Dorji/ICS Photo by Choidup Zangpo, IC

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2 March, Yusipang: The Bhutan Agriculture and Food Regulatory Authority (BAFRA) in its fight towards food safety have strengthened its defence with the accreditation of the National Food Testing Laboratory (NFTL) and the inauguration of the biotechnology laboratory. The biotechnology laboratory will be for testing genetically modified organisms and their products in food and feed.

The NFTL is the first laboratory in the country to achieve accreditation certificate for ISO/IEC 17025:2005 and is now at par with international laboratories for testing of five categories of food products i.e. processed fruit and vegetables, cereal products, confectionary and bakery

products, tea and drinking water in 12 clinical and 3 microbiological parameters. ISO/IEC 17025 is a general requirement for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories and is the single most important standard for calibration and testing laboratories around the world, and ensures technical competence and ability to produce precise and

accurate tests and calibration data.

With the presence of an accredited laboratory in the country, it is now possible to not only monitor the quality and safety of the foods entering the Bhutanese markets, but also provide assurance of quality of the Bhutanese food products intended

In promising Food Safety

HE Sanam Lyonpo awarding the Certificate of Accreditation

Takin Preserve richer by sixMarch 1, Thimphu: The February month was a hectic one for both the Takins and the Preserve Managers at Motithang Takin Preserve. This is because, in that month alone, six new Takin calves were born taking the number of Takins in the preserve to 22 from the existing 16.

The first healthy calf was delivered on February 3. Two days later on February 5, another female gave birth to another calf. The birthing

Ugyen Tshering/ICS activity at the preserve halted for couple of weeks until, on February 20, the third calf was born. A day after on February 21, another baby Takin joined the family in the preserve.

The last of the birthing spree was on February 22. It finally ended with two born in a single day. In total, six calves were born in February 2012.

The Preserve’s Manager, Kunzang Gyeltshen, said that all were born healthy and are likely to survive. “They

are feeding well with their mother’s milk,” said Preserve Manager.

Asked about the sex of the newborns, he said that they were able to confirm only two females. “We couldn’t check the others since the mothers are protective and aggressive.” Their attempts risked getting gored. Hence, he said, except for two, they are yet to confirm the sex of the other four from among the six born.

Contd. on page 3

March - April 20132 RNR NEWSLETTER

I have the honour of conveying His Majesty’s appreciation to you/your organisation for you generous contribution to His Majesty’s Kidu Fund.

The solidarity shown by you during times of natural calamities is greatly valued.

We would like to thank you for your kind support.

Gyalpoi Zimpon

Acknowledgement to MoAF for offerings to

Druk Khamsum Wangdi Choki Phodrang Dzong

March - April 2013 3NEWSLETTERRNRIn promising Food Safety

Contd. from page 1

for export. Laboratory accreditation enhances customer confidence in tests and calibration reports issued by accredited laboratories. Now with the globalization of economy, it is imperative of laboratories to be at international level of competence in order to reduce trade barriers and enhance exports.

Although the National Food Testing Laboratory was established in Dec 2005, the accreditation of NFTL for ISO/IEC 17025:2005 was conducted in November 2012 by National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), New Delhi. NABL is certified by the Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC) which is

recognized by International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC).

Modern biotechnology is an emerging global research and a development phenomenon adopted in many countries and involves alteration of genes of crops, livestock, forests, fishery and microorganisms in order to increase food production and combat pest and disease problems. However these Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and their products have a degree of uncertainty where their safety is concerned and it is necessary to protect ourselves from what we don’t know. Bhutan is taking appropriate measures by implementing the National Biosafety Framework to address the issue through appropriate legislations

and standards. Having a Biotechnology Laboratory to carry out appropriate tests is an important part in the implementation of Biosafety standards and regulation. The biotechnology laboratory will be capable of determining presence of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and their products in food and feed.

His Excellency the Minister for Agriculture and Forests, (Dr.) Pema Gyamtsho graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. In his address, he shared that food safety has become a major concern, deaths due to food poisoning are high but in Bhutan, BAFRA has always won its war against the invisible enemy, bacteria and virus. He also shared that tourism being a major source of revenue; food

safety should be given top priority. He also expressed concern on preserving indigenous species of plants and animals.

His Excellency Lyonpo Zangley Drukpa, the Minister of Health launched the Bhutan Organic Certification System Guideline and also awarded the Certificate of Appreciation to the food inspectors.

The Election Commissioner, Members of the Parliament, officials from NEC, OAG, RCSC, MoEA, MoAF and International Organisations were present during the event.

The up-gradation of the National Food Testing Laboratory of BAFRA in Yusipang was made possible with financial support from UNIDO and UNEP-GEF, FAO, WHO and WFP.

The mother Takin who gave birth included both the residents and those moved to the preserve from Jigme Dorji National Park in Gasa as a restocking initiative to improve breed.

The Department of Forests and Park Services (DoFPS), a few years ago had relocated a few wild Takins from the park since due to inbreeding, the resident Takins were suspected to be degenerating genetically, becoming susceptible to diseases and other risks.

The relocation included a healthy male Takin named Samdup who fathered all six calves born last month. The preserve management said that although there are few resident males, Samdup, being the most dominant one, has the mating right.

Takin Preserve richer by sixContd. from page 1

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Takin calves with the mother

March - April 20134 RNR NEWSLETTER

Elephant electrocuted to deathUgyen Tshering/ICS

An eight feet and six inches tall male Elephant approximately 40-50 years old has been spotted dead in Allanchi bagan under Norbugang gewog in Nganglam on February 14. The forest official suspect that the elephant might have died due to electrocution from the low-hanging power lines.

Nganglam Ranger Tashila said that upon their investigation, they found the elephant had sustained certain degree of burn. “We believe that his trunk might have touched the sagging live wire,” said ranger Tashila.

The electric line carrying huge voltage experienced sagging in that area last summer due to fallen trees. Tashila said that authorities were aware of it and removed the trees while sagging was yet to be fixed.

The officials first came to know about the incident when the Range office in Nganglam was reported by the resident on February 14 about the awful stench emanating from the area. Some people happened to

passed by the incident site and the stench made them pay closer look.

“By the time we received the report and went for investigation, the elephant was dead for about eight days,” said Tashila adding that when they reached the site for inspection, the carcass smelled. “We could also see few maggots

indicating it was dead few days ago.”

He said that the official including the local government officials instantly removed the Tusk which was about 1.5 foot long and surrendered to the government.

The carcass, however, was buried to help decay and is being closely observed by

village Tshogpa. After such a time that the carcass is decayed to easily remove the bones, the officials will get the bones and other valuable parts of the tusker to be surrendered to the government.

“We also make frequent visit to the site in order to assure that the parts of the tusker are safe,” said Tashila.

Forest officials investigating electrocuted elephant

Madhuwa Community Forest handed over

28 March 2013, Trashigang: The Dzonkhag Administration of Trashigang handed over Madhuwa Community Forest to the local people. In a simple ceremony held to mark the handing over at Pedung village, the Community Forest Executives received

the management plan, CF certificate, marking and passing hammers and other documents associated with Community Forest Management from Dasho Drungpa, Drungkhag Administration, Thrimshing under Trashigang Dzongkhag.

Local government officials led by Madhuwa Tshogpa, staff from Dzongkhag

Forest Sector, Wamrong Forest Range and all the members of the community forest attended the handing over ceremony. Hereafter, the 359.48 acres of forest composed of both broadleaf and chirpine species will be managed by 41 households of the community.

Dasho Dungpa, Thrimshing Dungkhag, graced the handing over

ceremony as the Chief Guest.Trashigang Dzongkhag

now has forty three community forest management groups covering an area of 7316.71 hectares with 2301 households being members of the community forests.

Dzongkhag Forest Sector, Trashigang

March - April 2013 5NEWSLETTERRNRThe elusive Marbled Cat caught on camera

March 29, Thimphu: One of the most elusive and rarely spotted creatures in the wild, a Marbled Cat (Pardofelis marmorata/Felis marmorata) was caught on a camera trap set by the Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park (JSWNP) and the Wildlife Conservation Division, (WCD) of the Department of Forests and Park Services on December 30, 2012.

One of the most fascinating feline species in the world, from the point of view of mystery, beauty and rarity, is certainly the almost unknown creature commonly called the Marbled Cat, now also seen in Bhutan...

According to the WCD’s section head of biological corridor, Sangay Dorji, the little-known marbled cat, whose tail is nearly the length of its body, has been captured by camera traps set as part of an ongoing biodiversity survey in the northern biological corridors for developing the management plan. The current biodiversity assessment activity, he said, is in the third phase and will complete by end of March this year.

A “biological corridor, ecological corridor or corridor of conservation” is used to designate a large area through which existing protected areas (national parks, biological reserves), or the remnants of the original ecosystems, maintain their connectivity through productive activities in the landscape that facilitate the flow of species.

As per the statistics, there are nine biological corridors connecting

different protected areas which constitute 8.61 percent corresponding to 2472 square kilometres of the country’s land area.

“This particular cat was spotted in biological corridor number 8, which connects Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park (JSWNP) and Wangchuck Centennial Park, (WCP), said Sangay Dorji. Biological Corridor No. 8 has an area of 601 square kilometres and is known to provide safe passage of wildlife species such as Tigers, Takins, Blue Sheep, Red Pandas and Musk Deer.

As per the Field Guide to the Mammals of Bhutan, the Marbled Cat is rarely seen in the wild because of its elusive habit, avoiding direct confrontation with humans. Therefore, much remains to be studied about the cat, its behaviour, habits, habitats and conservation threats. The book describes the cat as a smaller version of the clouded leopard since its coat is similar to that of the clouded leopard. However, the marbled cat has less distinct black-edged blotches

on the sides of its body but more numerous black spots on the limbs. Further, the guide says the cat carries stripes on the crown, neck and back which merge into irregular dorsal stripes. Little smaller when compared to the domestic cat, its head is short and broad with one black stripe running up from the upper margin of each eye.

The cat is said to have a couple of black stripes on the cheek and small spots on the forehead. But its underside of the limbs and tail comes with numerous spots. Its long and bushy tail is spotted on the tip and coloured dull black on its upper side. Like the fishing cat and the leopard cat, it has white spots on the back of its black ears.

The cat, according to the guide, has a gestation period of 77-81 days and can bear litter varying numbers from one to four. The cat is known to live to 12 years.

When it comes to its behaviour, the guide book mentions that very little is known. However, the cat is said to be a forest dweller and believed to be purely

arboreal (living in trees) and primarily nocturnal. Reputed as one of the ‘fiercest of all cats,’ it strikes its prey with the element of surprise and pins down the prey with claws before seizing them in its jaws. Its diet comprises mainly of small animals such as squirrels and birds.

Normally the cat measures 40-61 cms and comes with a tail 35-55 cms long. The cat on average weighs 5-6 kgs.

The cat as per the guide book is best seen in the Royal Manas National Park.

Pertaining to its conservation threats, it faces habitat loss and poaching globally. However, in Bhutan, the species is not facing any significant threat largely since it does not interfere with human settlements. The IUCN status of the cat is rated as Vulnerable. As per the IUCN Red list, a species is considered “Vulnerable” when it is not critically Endangered or Endangered but is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium-term future.

Ugyen Tshering/ICS

Marbled Cat, now also seen in Bhutan

March - April 20136 RNR NEWSLETTER

Ugyen Tshering/ICS

March 5, Thimphu: The Forest Resource Management Division (FRMD) of the Department of Forests and Park Services (DoFPS), in collaboration with Haring corporation ltd. of Switzerland is in the process of formulating ‘Glulam’ in the country. This comes at the backdrop of timber shortages the country is facing.Glulam are engineered beams of laminated wooden boards to homogenise particular deficiencies like knots or cracks of natural wood. It is a technology whereby the small pieces of the timbers usually considered not very much usable are glued together to make a useful timber of any sizes. It is called glued laminated timber.The demonstration of the product produced in a mock production was held recently.

Bringing ‘Glulam’ to BhutanA giant timber from the small pieces glued firmly together measuring as big as 50 metres was on display with another smaller one.Talking to Information and Communication Services (ICS), FRMD’s Cheif Forestry Officer, Kinley Tshering said such a product comes with lots of advantages as compared to conventional products in terms of fire and earthquake resistance. The biggest advantage he said is that the pieces can be glued to form timber of desired dimension.The officials present at the demonstration acknowledged that such a technology can be useful not only in conventional constructions but especially for the dzongs. They said that for the giant pillars in dzongs, it is difficult to get the desired tree of such a dimension in natural form. “With the technology, we can easily

make pillars of any size with small pieces of woods, ” said one forestry official.Chris Haring, President of Board Haring Corp Ltd. Switzerland told ICS that Bhutan has an enormous volume of forest resources. However, he said, the fir and spruce trees which usually comes hollow in the core can be made more useful with the technology. “The technology is simple,” said Chris Haring. But, according to him, the timbers produced from such a technology can last more than 100 years.He also added that given the initiation from the government and the interest from the entrepreneurs, he will be more than willing to provide all technical support in adopting the technology in the country.In the press release issued by the president, he said, “wood is amazing and there is no other construction material

in the world that is of greater benefit to mankind.”Chris Haring said some of the many advantages of the Glulam are that it is competitive with steel- it has equivalent weight and strength ratio to steel. The product he said is also non- corrosive in chemical environment and has excellent elastic behaviour in earthquake zonesThe product can also be formed for efficient arch structures and can be used as a structural element longer and bigger than the natural tree.But of all, he said that in this millennium, glulam fulfills the criteria for sustainable development.The demonstration was attended by representatives from various government ministries and other wood based industries in the country.

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March - April 2013 7NEWSLETTERRNRRecent Video Footage of Royal Bengal Tiger at

Lamperi Royal Botanical Park

March 29, Thimphu: The Royal Botanical Park (RBP) under Nature Recreation and Ecotoursim Division (NRED) of Department of Forests and Park Services has captured yet another video evidence of yet another Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) in the park. The second video evidence was captured at Sonala mountain ridge. Sonala, at an altitude of approximately 3700 metre above sea level is some five hours walk from the park office at Lamperi.

As seen in the 15 seconds duration video file, the tiger is prowling along the forest trail in broad daylight following the trail of scents left behind by its array of prey. The camera trap captured a tiger walking downhill way past the camera but not before properly examining camera for few seconds. The tiger is sniffing right at the camera.

According to the sources, the setting up of the camera trap was prompted when a herder in the area lost a bull. It is said that the bull have strayed deep into the forests when an attack by Royal Bengal Tiger was suspected to have happened. The bull is also said to have escaped the

attack scathed and managed to flee home. The bull later succumbed to the severe injuries sustained during the attack.

Park official said when they investigated the kill, they suspected it was the tiger. “The injuries the bull sustained were clearly those only a tiger could inflict on its prey,” said the official. He added, the bull was attacked from behind pouncing on his rump. “The marks on the rump indicated that the tiger sank deep its claws piercing through the thick hide of the bull.” However, they could not conclude until they got the video evidence of the

tiger prowling in the area.Earlier this year, the Park

for the first time confirmed the presence of the tiger when they got hold of video evidence at Thadana at an altitude of 3000 masl. The video evidence was further augmented with numerous other evidences such as pug mark, scat, hair and the leftover carcasses.

Although the report was filed in only earlier this year, the image however was captured couple of years ago. The image confirmation, however, could be done only later because the monitoring team could not read the memory in the video mode.

Ugyen Tshering/ICS

“It happened because during our camera monitoring, the team didn’t have a compatible card reader like laptop except for digital camera,” the Park’s official had said.

Park’s Sr. Forester, Phub Dorji had earlier said, “The digital camera didn’t show files recorded in video mode.”

However, the park official later received the image file from Royal Society of Protection of Nature (RSPN) who chanced upon it while checking their SD card. They immediately informed and handed over the file to the park official.

RNR Journal: Guidelines for Authors and Reviewers online

please visit www.moaf.gov.bt

Footages captured of the Royal Bengal Tiger at the Park

March - April 20138 RNR NEWSLETTER

Mazang Phurba, the Native of Bumthang

It is in one fine particular day of the seventh month of Bhutanese calendar. It is the day to be celebrated in dedication to Mazang Phurba, the native of Bumthang. In Bhutan, Mazang Phurba is a unique incense plant found only in Bumthang. The first thing women in Bumthang do for the day is venture in droves into the forest with traditional bamboo baskets on their backs. Their mission is to get Mazang Phurba from the forest for the incense festival they celebrate every year.

They will be gone for hours since the thing they are out looking for is not something which is found in the nearby forest. But they must get it for the festival because Mazang Phurba is an integral part of the festival. The festival that they say is never complete without Mazang Phurba.

After having gone for hours, they finally emerge from the thickets carrying Mazang Phurba in the baskets on their back. One after another, they congregate by the village temple and perform a dance, unique to the locality and practiced nowhere else in the country.

As unique as the festival, Mazang Phurba is a unique incense plant found nowhere

else in the country but endemic only to Bumthang. Botanists call it by the name Lobelia nubigena of Campanulaceae family but locally the plant is known by the name Mazang Phurba.

The herbarium specimen of the plant was first collected for the Edinburgh Royal Botanic Garden on 2 July 1915 by plant collector/plant hunter Roland Edgar Cooper from Yotongla ridge in Bumthang. Cooper in 1907 became the in-charge of the herbarium of garden and travelled to Sikkim, Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan collecting botanical specimens. It is said that in 1913, Cooper returned to the Himalayas to collect plants through Sikkim, Bhutan and the Punjab region in India. Cooper is said to have discovered many new species on his travels. This includes Lobelia nubigena.

The plant is described as a robust and tall biennial herb with long pendulous bract. The flora of Bhutan states that it has an erect stem up to one metre, and flowers young. The plant has a lifespan of two years which is why it is called a biennial herb. The plant is an alpine turf.

Today, the plant is found in abundance in Bumthang especially within the areas of Thrumshingla National Park. The park officials have recorded the plants in places

Ugyen Tshering/ICS

such as Titdeyla, Yotongla, Singmala and Resangla, all in Bumthang only.

According to the officials, the plant may be abundant but its information is very limited. “For instance, not much of its ecological status is known,’ said Ngawang Gyeltshen of Wildlife Conservation Division of Department of Forests and

Park Services, MoAF. Hence it warrants and merits a proper and in-depth study by botanists and could even be a thesis subject for anyone pursuing a Masters degree.

However, online sources say the plant is also known to grow in other parts of the world such as Burma, China, and Punjab and Sikkim of India.

Mazang Phurba

Training Needs Assessment, UWICE-2013

The Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment, would like to conduct a training needs assessment in order to make plans for the next fiscal year as well as assess the efficacy of the trainings provided so far.Therefore, we would like to request all our stakeholders and beneficiaries to kindly undertake this survey.

We will keep the survey open till the end of May 31.Please find the survey here http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/QXYK7HD

March - April 2013 9NEWSLETTERRNRNICC meeting to discuss the status reports for Bird

Flu outbreaks

Updating of Livestock Rules and Regulations 2008

Karma Tenzin/ICS

5 March 2013: The National Incident Command Committee (NICC) for National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan (NIPPP) met at the Ministry of Agriculture & Forests (MoAF) Conference Hall on 5 March 2013 to brief the session in relation to status reports for the outbreaks of bird flu at Lhamoizingkha (Dagana Dzongkhag) and Gelephu (Sarpang Dzongkhag). All the members of NICC from various stakeholders were present during the meeting. The Hon’ble Secretary, Dasho Sherub Gyeltshen of the MoAF, chaired the session.

The Commanders of the Incident Operations Centres (IOC) at Gelephu

and Lhamoizingkha briefed the NICC members on the sequence of events, probable sources of outbreaks, containment activities, and status of HPAI (highly pathogenic avian influenza) outbreaks respectively. The Officiating Programme Director of the National Centre for Animal Health (NCAH), Serbethang briefed the NICC members on the findings of the multi-sectoral team’s visit to Lhamoizingkha and Gelephu outbreak areas. The NICC members were also updated on the investigation reports of pigeon mortality in Thimphu by the Head of the Laboratory Services Unit of NCAH.

Detailed discussions and deliberations were made and endorsed by the NICC committee for immediate deactivation of

the IOCs at Gelephu and Lhamoizingkha based on the absence of disease/infection in the outbreaks areas. Concerns were raised on the increasing incidence of outbreaks of HPAI and other transboundary diseases along the border areas due to illegal trading and movement of livestock and poultry across the border. It was felt necessary to strengthen the sharing of information on a real time basis between the veterinary officials across the borders in order to take preemptive measures in the event of outbreak of diseases.

There was also a concern over inadequate budget to pay Transfer Allowances/ Daily Allowances (TA/DA) to the staff involved in the response activities for the Bird Flu control with the existing budget. The other concern was the

development of standard operating procedures (SOP) on the roles and responsibilities of the local and central government at different levels (Gewog, Dzongkhag and National) for appropriate response in the event of an outbreak of HPAI. The committee also raised concerns on the need to frame specific rules and regulations within the Livestock Act to address the issue of import of local breeds of poultry into the country. The committee also directed the concerned agencies to provide a public advisory on the recent episode of pigeon deaths in Thimphu to the public on the procedures for safe collection and submission of dead pigeons to NCAH for further testing/confirmation until the end of the episode.

2-4 April, Thimphu: Experts from the Department of Livestock, Bhutan Agriculture and Food Regulatory Authority (BAFRA), Policy and Planning Division (PPD), Office of the Attorney General (OAG) and the Public Health Division met in a workshop to identify gaps and propose amendments on the implementation of the Livestock Rules and Regulations 2008.

Addressing the workshop, the Chief Livestock Officer, Dr. Tashi Dorji, said that the legal basis is a key for any fundamental intervention.

He advised the floor to adopt rules and regulations which are practical and acts as safeguards for animal health and food in general.

Over the years, experts have felt the need to review the existing livestock rules and regulations which aimed to protect the environment, health and life of animals and humans particularly to facilitate the practical implementation.

Various presentations were made under categorised topics such as animal health, breeding, production, food safety (animal and non-animal products), animal welfare etc. In a brainstorming discussion, the floor identified gaps and

amendments in line with the livestock legislation and food act. They pointed out the lack of sections dealing with quarantine measures for animal import, milk production and processing and general requirements for feed. They also enlisted broad areas of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) or guidelines in livestock and poultry farms which have been found to be important to be included in the revised rules and regulations among many others.

The floor also felt the need to stress the importance of animal welfare issues including Tshethar in the rules and regulations. At present, there are no clear cut

guidelines for streamlining the Tshethar activity. Besides, the floor revised the amendments related to import of pet animals, veterinary drugs, zoonotic management, laboratory procedures, inspection and certification, notifiable diseases lists, livestock transportation, meat hygiene and provision to import/export food etc. The revised rules will highlight the National Centre for Animal Health as a national referral laboratory in terms of livestock.

The Department of Livestock will soon organise a meeting with the stakeholders.

Tshering Doma/ICS

March - April 201310 RNR NEWSLETTER

Tshering Doma/ICS

April 6-10, Punakha: A refresher training course on safe and sound timber harvesting in Community Forests was conducted at Pelri Community Forest (CF) in Kabji Gewog, Punakha. The training which was kicked off by the Chief of the Social Forestry and Extension Division (SFED), Gyeltsen Dukpa. had 17 participants from different western Dzongkhags for the 5 days of the training.

Safe timber harvesting in Community Forests The training was on

silvicultural options and sound timber harvest. Silviculture is the practice of controlling the establishment, growth, composition, health, and quality of forests to meet diverse needs and values

The resource person for the rest of the training was Peter Rutz, Junior Consultant for PFMP/Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation Bhutan. Practical skills and personal experience in directional felling, crosscutting and converting by chainsaw were

the main topics. From the 17 participants 7 have attended a similar training about one year ago and it was a major goal to refresh and improve upon these loggers’ capacities. The training was also a training of trainers.

There are thus now a small number of local logging experts who are very motivated and ready to conduct further trainings to fellow CF members on safe and sound timber harvest. This can be promoted for the best benefit of Community

Forestry in Bhutan. This would also be beneficial for sustainable management of community forests with deduction of felled trees wastage, reduction of damages to surrounding trees and enhancement and maximum usage from the harvested trees.

A second refresher training will be held in Trashigang from 26 to 30 of April, . These trainings are funded by PFMP/SFED Helvetas, Swiss Intercooperation.

SFED

Getting better prepared for Bird Flu Outbreaks

8-15 March, Phuentsholing: Considering the increasing bird flu outbreaks in the country, officials from the Department of Livestock (Ministry of Agriculture and Forests), Ministry of Health and Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs undertook a training workshop on ‘Commodity programme for the preparation of containment and response during bird flu outbreak,’ particularly to understand the real scenario of such outbreaks.

The training also aimed at reviewing the National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan (NIPPP) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) while familiarising the participants with the clinical signs of affected birds, disaster bills and roles of other stakeholders among many others.

Various presentations were made to provide better information on how to carry out various activities that needs to be taken care

of during such outbreaks. These included information on vehicle disinfection, disease investigation and surveillance procedures, health control activities, disease reporting system, laboratory diagnosis, activation of the National Incident Command Centre and Operating Incident Centre, 3D operation (depopulation, decontamination and disposal), etc.

Participants gearing up with the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the practical session

During the training, the retrospective study on the epidemiological features of bird flu outbreaks in Bhutan along with various salient features of the Disaster Management Bill was also shared. While discussing, the floor felt the need to revise the NIPPP and SOP especially on standard terminologies and compensation policies.

Other issues discussed was compensation mechanisms, fund mobilisation, and the importance of bio-security

and its failure to maintain these measures in many of our poultry farms that increases the risk of disease occurrence. Besides, some of the senior officials shared their past experience of tackling bird flu at Chukha, Thimphu and Samtse.

Further, various scenarios were created as simulation exercises to test the plan and to adequately prepare for real bird flu outbreaks in the future. This provided them with the necessary skills to respond to such outbreaks as well as strengthen the linkages and coordination amongst various stakeholders to enable timely and effective control during the actual situation.

In order to understand the real situation, the participants learned about the proper usage of personal

protective equipment, phases of 3D operation, disinfection, sampling, packaging, investigation and surveillance through practical sessions. According to a spokesperson, one should know these things for safety while working in an outbreak area where one is required to get in contact with infected birds. With the successful training, the participants feel confident enough to tackle any real bird flu outbreak effectively.

Disinfection being carried out

March - April 2013 11NEWSLETTERRNRTshethar Guidelines to be in place soon

4 April, Thimphu: Tshethar is the Buddhist religious practice in Bhutan where animals are protected from being slaughtered and set free. Considering the damaging impact on the public and animal health as well as on the environment and farming communities due to the growing practice of Tshethar, the Department of Livestock and the Bhutan Agriculture and Food Regulatory Authority (BAFRA) has come up with Tshethar guidelines in order to streamline such activities.According to the livestock officials, movement of Tshethar animals has been a big concern of issue which has many a time proved to be a source of disease outbreaks. In the past, there have been two outbreaks of Bird Flu from Tshethar poultry and also the first Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) outbreak from Tshethar goats from India.The existing livestock rules and regulations lacks the proper definition of

Tshethar and its required procedures, it only states the ban on import of Tshethar animals. Such animals being released without proper health regulations and their death without post-release management had also been the reason to come up with the Tshethar guidelines.The guidelines covers eleven areas of concern directly or indirectly related to Tshethar practice. These include the animal species, number of animals to be allowed, pre-requisite for Tshethar activity, permit, requirements for shelter area, source of origin, health care and management, registration of Tshethar tshogpa (group or agency), fines and penalties etc.As per the guidelines, Tshethar animals must be from within the country and can be of any species such as cattle, yak, mithun, buffalo, horse, goat, sheep, pig, poultry, fish etc. The number of animals to be allowed will be based on the shelter capacity, the area that is registered with the local government.

For the movement, the Bhutan Agriculture and Food Regulatory Authority will issue the permit after verifying all the welfare aspect requirements.The Tshethar tshogpa with the assistance from the livestock sector are required to follow regular monitoring and vaccination of the animals. In case of mortality, the tshogpa will be responsible for reporting the case to the livestock officials for proper disposal and such meat will not be allowed for human consumption.The guidelines also states that the Tshethar tshogpa should be registered as a non-governmental organisation to enable actions based on the rules and regulations. Individuals interested in practicing Tshethar activity will also be given permission provided all the requirements are met. Penalties for any damage to property, human life and expenditure for the Tshethar management shall be paid by the tshogpa concerned.As a recommendation from the 21st RNR-GNHC

meeting, the proposed guidelines were presented to the stakeholders in a meeting chaired by the Hon’ble Secretary, Dasho Sherub Gyaltshen. The representatives from the Jangsa Animal Saving Trust Fund, Semchen Tshethar Tshogpa and individual groups involved in Tshethar of yaks were also present.The floor discussed Tshethar issues relating to animal import, damage, penalties and other animal welfare aspects. They agreed on the proposed guidelines introduced for the clarity and better understanding to enable smooth enforcement of Tshethar activity.A board of committee will be soon established to address welfare issues consisting of members from the stakeholders such as livestock, BAFRA, disaster, forestry, police, Dratshang, animal welfare organisation, Thromdue etc.The guidelines once approved will be included in the Livestock Rules and Regulations 2008 as Annexure XVII.

Tshering Doma/ICS

World's first organic country

The small, landlocked country of Bhutan is aiming to increase its national happiness by becoming the first country in the world to completely shift to organic farming.

About 80 per cent of Bhutan's 800,000 residents depend on agriculture for their livelihoods.

The country plans to use the organic status, which it hopes to achieve by 2020, as an export marketing strategy.

But co-ordinator of the

Flint Duxfield/ABC national organic program, Kesang Tshomo, says the main impetus was to further promote the government's goal of gross national happiness, or GNH.

"For the country which adopts and lives GNH, organic farming is the only way to farm," she said.

"Organic farming also considers, health conservation, justice and biodiversity and all of this is a part of GNH has well.

"GNH looks at not only the economic value, but diversity, the environment,

governance and health."All of these are so similar

it's almost identical."Ms Tshomo said because

pesticide use is already very low in Bhutan, she doesn't think the transition will be too difficult to achieve.

But she said the shift to organic systems will be slower in certain cash crops like potatoes, citrus and apples.

"In our strategy we have identified that there may be some core food crops which will be the last on the list to be converted," she said.

"The government wants to focus more on research and development to find alternatives [to pesticides]."

While Ms Tshomo says that in more developed countries the shift to organic production may result in lower yields, that hasn't been Bhutan's experience.

"In the last ten years of observation we haven't seen a decline in yield," she said.

"In fact, in the second and third year, the yields have increased and the soil quality has improved."

March - April 201312 RNR NEWSLETTER

Ms. Yumiko Asakuma, Chief Representative, JICA-Bhutan and Hon’ble MoAF Lyonpo at the handing/taking over ceremony

The new power tillers at AMC, Paro

Handing/Taking Over of the 23rd Japanese KR-II Grant 2010

Penjor/ICS

18 March, Paro: Food self-sufficiency, farm mechanisation and production of summer-winter vegetables in Bhutan are accorded high priority by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests (MoAF) and the Royal Government of Bhutan. Towards this, the Government and the people of Japan have been providing assistance of farm machines through the KR-II Grant since 1984. The farm machineries received under this grant are used for agricultural and farming purposes and have immensely benefited the farming communities.

With the handing/taking over ceremony of the KR-II Grant 2010 at the Agriculture Machinery Centre (AMC) in Paro, the Hon’ble Chief Guest, Ms. Yumiko Asakuma, Chief Representative, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Bhutan Office handed over 165 units of two wheeled tractors with rotary tillers and 172 units of single reversible plough for two wheeled tractors to His Excellency, Lyonpo (Dr.) Pema Gyamtsho, Minister of Agriculture and Forests.

Lyonpo informed the gathering that Bhutan and Japan have a lot of similarities in custom and culture. The relationship between the two countries has continued to grow ever since the late Dasho Keiji Nishioka came to Bhutan in 1964. Lyonpo also shared that Bhutan has received the KR-II grant 22 times in the past amounting to more than Nu. 1.5 billion comprising of more than 2000 power tillers, 400 tractors, threshers, harvesters, rice transplanting machines, sprayers, water pumps etc. which has made the farming

practice easier, profitable and attractive. Several hundred developmental activities have also been funded by the counterpart funds such as construction of farm road, construction and renovation of RNR Centres, renovation of irrigation channels and many environmental conservation and livestock development related activities. These activities spread throughout the country, mostly benefiting the rural areas. It is truly build on the principles of promoting food security, sustainable development, equity, regional balance and happiness. Lyonpo further added that the grants have given the Bhutanese farmers very valuable opportunities to enjoy farming by using the best and the most suitable farm machines available in the world. Finally, His Excellency acknowledged the efforts of AMC and its staff in implementing the KR-II projects effectively.

Speaking at the function, the Hon’ble Chief Guest

Chief Representative said that agriculture is the main economic activity of the majority of the Bhutanese people for a long time. Therefore, the Government of Japan fully appreciates and supports the development policies and strategies of the Royal Government especially those targeted towards the farming community. She also said that in the country assistance strategy of JICA for Bhutan, agriculture and rural development have always been one of the key areas of cooperation since JICA strongly believes that the farmers of Bhutan deserve and require technological advancement in their farming business. Further she added that JICA has found a very reliable and professional counterpart agency in the form of the Agriculture Machinery Centre (AMC). The Hon’ble Chief Guest also acknowledged the dedication and hard work

Contd. on page 13

March - April 2013 13NEWSLETTERRNR

Tashi InfoComm adopts a part of Kuenselphodrang Nature Park

April 10, Thimphu: Coinciding with the day of their firm turning five years after establishment, Tashi Infocomm (Tashi Cell) last weekend, adopted 2.45 ha/6.06 acres of Kuenselphodrang Nature Park (KNP) in Thimphu. The Park comprises a total area of 493.4 acres.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Tashi InfoComm and Department of Forests and Park services (DoFPS) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests. Some 45 tree saplings were also planted on the day.

As per the MoU, Tashi InfoComm will carry out a collaborative plantation and maintenance in the area in a phase-wise manner for next five years. With technical

assistance to be rendered by DoFPS, along with required saplings for the plantation, the maintenance and refilling will also be taken up by Tashi InfoComm till the plantation is established.

The Director General (DG) of Department of Forests and Park Services, Chencho Norbu graced the ceremonial plantation event as the chief guest. To the gathering of company’s employees led by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Tashi Tshering, the DG while appreciating and thanking them for coming forward with such a proposal said, “from the Ministry’s side, we are encouraging individuals, groups, institutions and corporations to come forward” in participating in managing our natural resources.

Sharing many forestry facts and figures in addition

to the constitution’s requirement of 60 percent forest cover at all times to come, the DG added that the department could not do it without the people and institutions. He said, “We need to rise to the changing need of the people and environment.”

He informed them that just carrying out the plantation is not adequate and that maintenance is equally important. “We need to care and nurture them.” He also hoped that this is just the beginning and down the line, he expects to work with more such initiatives.

The CEO of the firm said that this is a part of corporate social responsibility. He informed that Tashi Cell has 190 base station sites and in doing so, many trees had to be cut down. “We also use diesel engines in deploying

our network across the country.” Hence, he said, this is a small compensatory activity.

The employees of the Tashi Cell will work every Saturday at the site and plant more saplings. With DoFPS approving the species to be planted, Tashi Cell will be taking up plantation, refilling, cleaning, fencing, watering and maintenance in the next five years. However, Tashi InfoComm will have “no claims or exclusive users right over the land or trees and the purpose will be solely for plantation,” states the MoU.

The plantation area will be under observation for a period of five years. The evaluation will be done towards the end of five years and extension or withdrawal of MoU will be done as per the evaluation report.

Ugyen Tshering/ICS

Power tiller trailers being built at the agro-steel fabrication

23rd Japanese KR-II Grant 2010

of AMC for successfully implementing the KR-II projects and playing an exemplary role amongst KR-II receiving countries.

There was also a visit by the MoAF Minister and the Chief Guest accompanied by officials from various Ministries to the local agro-steel fabrication in Khangkhu Segona in Paro. The fabrication workshop was established in 2003 with an initial investment of Nu. 2.5 lakhs. Mr. Wangchuk, the owner of the workshop said that he was interested in agricultural machinery and therefore, pursued mechanical engineering

from the Royal Technical Institute in Kharbandi (near Phuentsholing) with the aim of establishing his own business of manufacturing agro-machines. Over the years Mr. Wangchuk with his observation and work experiences, brought about some modification in some parts of the agricultural machineries such as enforcing the plough finger and sole piece to adapt to the land terrain of our country which is found more durable. Currently, the workshop deals in fabricating and supplying silo (Green Storage Bin), bull drawn plough, apple harvesting ladder, winnower, mini tractor trailer, kharang

grader machine and rope way trolley. He also expressed his appreciation to the AMC for continued guidance and support in manufacturing the required machineries and accessories to help the farming community of the country. Mr. Wangchuk wishes to become a manufacturer, supplier and

dealer of agro-machineries and accessories with recognition of the MoAF.

The handing/taking over ceremony was attended by officials from JICA Bhutan Office, Dasho Dzongdag and officials of Paro Dzongkhag and department heads and division heads of various agencies under MoAF.

Contd. from page 12

March - April 201314 RNR NEWSLETTER

School Linking Programme- RAMCO, Mongar

In the early part of 2012, sparked by the rupee crunch, the Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) set a goal of becoming self-sufficient in vegetables by 2014. The Vegetable Production and Marketing Plan (VPMP) was developed and is being pursued by the Department of Agriculture (DoA) and the Department of Agricultural Marketing and Cooperatives (DAMC). Coupled with the above developments, Regional Agricultural Marketing Cooperative Office (RAMCO) and SNV Bhutan have also been promoting the Vegetable Value Chain Programme for the six Eastern Dzongkhags with the aim of supplying vegetables to the domestic markets as well as exporting it to Assam from May-September.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on 19 April 2012, between the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests (MoAF) to pilot Gyalposhing HSS under Mongar Dzongkhag and Jakar HSS under

Bumthang Dzongkhag in buying vegetables locally from farmers close to the respective schools and to scale up this model nationally in all the schools, if found feasible.

On finding the linkage of farmers to the schools successful and the interest shown by both parties, RAMCO in consultation with Dzongkhag, Geog Agriculture Extension Officer and Geog Administration of respective geogs and with technical support from SNV linked and facilitated agreements between 14 boarding schools and two institutions with vegetables farmer groups/clusters in the east to supply vegetables for the 2013 academic session.

Likewise, the most recent agreement was signed on 29 March 2013: RAMCO in collaboration with Dzongkhag Agriculture Sector initiated the linking of Tsamang Ghathuen Tshesay Tshogpa (registered group which consists of 14 members: 2 male & 12 female) to Tsamang Community Primary School for the supply of vegetables and other RNR produce.

This is the fifth contractual signing between farmers group and the schools under Mongar Dzongkhag. The contract will run for a period of nine months (1 Academic Year) which will be reviewed and renewed in the interest of both the parties. The fourteen member farmers’ group was initially as Farm to School (F2S) support program under CoRRB in August 2012 by the Dzongkhag Agriculture sector and funded by FAO.

RAMCO, Mongar facilitated the contractual signing after clarifying the conditions and procedures to both the parties. The farmers have agreed to supply assorted vegetables at the prices agreed by both the parties during the meeting.

This program will basically address the vegetable requirements by the school without having to call tender. The school mess in-charge expressed that the school now does not need to rely on imported vegetables and looks forward to meeting the dietary requirement of the students from local vegetables.

Looking at the present market price some members of the group were not happy

with the agreed price. However, it was clearly explained to the members that the agreed price is also a guaranteed price whereby that the prices would not fall during the peak harvest season. It was explained to farmers that they would not be subjected to Tax Deduction at Source (TDS). Unfortunately the entire produce of the group cannot be absorbed by the school with its low enrollment of 89 students and a monthly demand of 335 kg. As the assured market is small, the group members have been encouraged to look into other markets such as Lingmethang and Gyeplozhing.

The Dzongkhag Agriculture sector also informed the gathering that production planning as per the market demand would be necessary and that producing a wider variety of vegetables would have better marketing opportunities. During the contract signing, the members were made aware of MoAF’s policies on self-sufficiency in vegetables by 2014 and increasing rural income.

RAMCO, Mongar

Sl. No Particulars Unit Agreed Price (Nu) 20131 Beans Kg 202 Brinjal Kg 133 Brocolli Kg 154 Bhutanese Green Chili Kg 405 Cabbage Kg 136 Cauliflower Kg 157 Crow beak/ Olachoto Kg 78 Fern Top Bundle 59 Radish Kg 510 Potato Kg 1511 Sag Bundle 512 Cucumber Kg 3

The agreed price of vegetables for the year 2013 academic session

March - April 2013 15NEWSLETTERRNRExperts review on lead contamination in

Bhutanese riceDoA

Following reports in US media regarding lead contamination in Bhutanese rice, an expert team comprising representatives from various agencies under Ministry of Agriculture and Forests (MoAF) met to discuss about the growing concern of such report.

The MoAF requests the general public that there is no cause for concern on the recent media reports on lead contamination in exported red rice to US. The US media reported high levels of lead in rice from several countries ranging from 6 milligrams/kg to 12 milligrams/kg. These levels are reported to be 30 to 60 times higher than the tolerable limits.

The tolerable limit as per FAO is 0.2mg/kg or 0.2ppm. Compared to other countries,

the lead content in Bhutan samples lay at the lower end of the range. The MoAF does not believe that the rice exported from Bhutan should have high levels of lead contamination given the clean growing conditions.

The reports in the US were based on an analysis by a single US university rather than on an examination by the US government agency. We do not have any details of the test report. Before, we can establish the actual fact how the test results were arrived at, it is difficult to authenticate. If at all true, it could be an isolated case but the chances are quite remote.

The growing conditions in Bhutan do not support possibility of lead contamination. The use of chemicals and fertilizers is limited, perhaps

comparatively the lowest in the world. In Bhutan, chances of industrial contamination of heavy metals in rice fields can be ruled out as the growing areas are in the temperate valleys irrigated with rivers with practically unpolluted water and the potential polluting industries lie along the southern belt. Possibility on use of fertilizers contaminated with lead also limited and highly unlikely. Farmers commonly use herbicide Butachlor in rice fields to control weeds but the use of Butachlor should not cause lead contamination since lead is not a chemical constituent.

Bhutan exports small quantities of red rice about 150 MT annually to the US and Europe. The exported red rice is from Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, and Wangdue. It

is not exported as organic. In the past the exporter also conducted tests in US and the lead levels were found to be within the permissible limit.

The MoAF will immediately conduct further tests to rule out possibility of lead contamination. Local rice samples will be collected and tests shall be conducted for lead and other heavy metals contamination. The reported results will also be re-validated through additional tests. Tests will also be conducted on soil and water from the rice growing areas. In order to rule out possible contamination from use of contaminated Fertilizer, samples will also be tested from the imported chemical fertilizers. Based on the results more detailed report will be made available and appropriate actions shall be initiated.

MoU signed between UWICE and RNR-RDC, JakarA Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment (UWICE) and the Renewable Natural Resources, Research and Development Centre (RNR-RDC) on 5 April 2013. The MoU was signed by the Director of UWICE, Ngawang Norbu, and the Program Director of RNR-RDC, Jigme Wangchuk, at the common Hall of RNR-RDC, Jakar.

The main objective of signing the MoU is to benefit both the parties in terms of research and academic

relations, and also to share and make meaningful use of facilities available at both RNR-RDC and UWICE.

Both the parties have agreed to encourage the following activities: • Collaborative research

activities and academic meetings

• Help and support foster linkages with international or national institutions of relevance and develop critical mass of researchers for both parties especially for RNRRDC

• Share hostel and conference facilities with nominal fees

PD, RDC Jakar (left) and Director, UWICE, signed the MoU yesterday

March - April 201316 RNR NEWSLETTER

ToIf undelivered please return to:

Information and Communication Services (ICS)Ministry of Agriculture and Forests Post Box: 1095, Thimphu-BhutanTel(PABX): 02-323765/321142/322855Fax: 02-324520Email: ics@moaf.gov.btWebsite: www.moaf.gov.bt

Visit by H.E Dr. Yukol Limlamthong, Dy. Prime Minister and his team from the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MoAC), Thailand. The delegation was in the country from 12-16 April 2013.