Overview

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.

Full Product Details

Author:   Ugyen Tshewang ,  Michael Charles Tobias ,  Jane Gray Morrison
Publisher:   Springer Nature Switzerland AG
Imprint:   Springer Nature Switzerland AG
Edition:   1st ed. 2021
Weight:   0.635kg
ISBN:  

9783030578268

ISBN 10:   3030578267
Pages:   353
Publication Date:   16 January 2022
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Manufactured on demand  
We will order this item for you from a manufactured on demand supplier.

Table of Contents

FOREWORD by Dr Lotay Tshering, Prime Minister, Royal Government of Bhutan PREFACE by H.E. Lyonpo Yeshey Penjore, Honourable Minister for Agriculture and Forest, Royal Government of Bhutan CHAPTER 1:  STATE OF ENVIRONMENT IN BHUTAN            Abstract          1 Overview of Bhutan   1 Ecological Zones & Climatic Features           4 Land Use in Bhutan   5 Source: FRMD/DOFPS 10 Conservation  Efforts & Protected Area Systems     10 Conservation Laws and Policies        13 Assessment of Non-Protected Areas            14 Sustainable Forest Management Plans in Non-protected Area      15 Scientific Forest Management           16 Community Forest Empowerment    16 Non-Wood Forest Product (NWFP) Management    17 Plantation and Reforestation Programs       18 Keystone species and Conservation Areas   18 Foot Notes      18 Annexure 1.1 Classification and Characteristics of Vegetation Zones in Bhutan (Grierson & Long, 1983, see 19) 22 Annexure 1.2 Description of Classification of Land Cover Class and Sub-Class in Bhutan (See 20)           25 CHAPTER 2:  DRIVERS AND PRESSURE ON THE STATE OF ENVIRONMENT IN BHUTAN    Abstract          27 Land Use         31 Hydropower projects 32 Farm Roads    33 Mining and Mineral Development:   36 Land use for Agriculture        38 Waste Management  42 Figure 2.6 Waste Generated (tons/day) Dzongkhag wise    44 Fuel wood consumption        45 Fig. 2.7 Fuel Wood Supply in Bhutan            46 Timber Production     47 Forest Fires     51 Livestock Grazing       52 Air Pollution and Fossil Fuels:           54 Fig.  2.10 Fossil Fuel Consumption in Bhutan Source: Environment Accounting, 2018)    54 Demographic and Poverty factors:    61 Invasive Alien Plant Species  64 Climate change          66 Foot Notes (1- 157)    72 Annexure 2.1 List of Invasive Species in Bhutan      83 CHAPTER 3:  NON-VIOLENT TECHNIQUES FOR HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICT RESOLUTION Abstract          88 Contextual Framework within the ACPB:     88 Methodology: 90 Global context of HWC          90 Conflict Management Strategies:      94 Retaliatory Actions and Violent Approaches           94 Lethal Control – Counterproductive 96 From Conflict to Co-existence           98 Safe and Non-Violent Approach       99 Table 3.1 Important Elements of HWC (WWF-Bhutan, 2016; See Foot Note 78)  99 Human Wildlife Conflict Policy         100 Implementing Agencies for HWC      102 Immune-contraception for population control       109 Translocation of Problem Animals   111 Alternative Livelihoods          113 Land-Use Planning and Landscape Management    113 Mitigation Measures 114 Compensation            115 Performance payments         117 Ecotourism and Revenue Sharing     119 Community Education           120 Understanding the Conflict Profile   121 Reporting        122 Information compilation, management and use:    123 Response - measures taken to alleviate a specific or ongoing HWC incident       123 Monitoring and Evaluation - measuring the performance of HWC management 124 Human Wildlife Conflict Situation in Bhutan          124 Underlying Forces of Human Wild-life Conflicts in Bhutan 124 Human Wildlife Conflict Situation in Bhutan          125 Preventive Measures 128 Mitigation Approach in Bhutan        131 Strategic Outcomes    132 Table 3.5 Strategic Intents contributing to the Safe System (WWF-Bhutan, 2016; See Foot Note 246).       132 Effective Monitoring and Evaluation            133 Conclusion and Recommendation    134 Non-violent and Safe Approach        134 Institutional Arrangement    135 Human Wildlife Conflict Policy & Legislation           136 Coping Techniques and Mechanisms           137 Hotspot Mapping       139 Physiological Sterilization of wildlife.           139 Table 3.6 Immunocontraceptive vaccines used in different animals:        141 Innovative Research Fund for farmers         142 Economic Responses to HWC           142 Alternative livelihoods          143 Regional Transboundary Conservation        143 Foot Notes      144 Annexure 3.1 Indicators of the Strategic Outcomes of People, Wildlife, Assets and Habitat            164 CHAPTER 4:  ANIMAL RIGHTS AND PROTECTION Abstract          167 Buddhist Perspectives & Conservation Biology       174 Bhutanese Buddhism and the Segue To Contemporary Animal Protection Policies            177 National Law & Buddhist Ethics        179 State Monastic Body  181 Non-governmental Organizations (NGO)     182 Tshethar (Life Saving) Practices         183 Animal Health and Rescue Centers  185 Farming Systems and Livestock Population 186 Meat Consumption in Bhutan          188 Discussion and Recommendations on Animal Protection and Animal Rights       199 Animal Protection Policy of Bhutan  199 Population control of Livestock Animals      200 Institutionalization and Implementation Arrangement      200 Monitoring & Implementation         201 Dog Population Control         202 GNH Index for Animal Kingdom        205 References (1-125)     206 Annexure 4.1 God’s Country: The New Zealand Factor, by Michael Charles Tobias and Jane Gray Morrison, Dancing Star Foundation, 2010.         215 CHAPTER 5:  GAP ANALYSIS OF THREATENED, RARE AND UNDER-REPRESENTED SPECIES IN BHUTAN Abstract          222 Introduction   222 Impacts of Extinction of Species       226 Taxonomic Classification – Seven Kingdoms Model            227 Objectives       227 Methodology  227 Assessment of Under-Represented Species in Kingdoms    228 Under-Represented Species in Classification of Groups     231 Records of Species Groups under Animalia Kingdom          233 Vertebrates    233 Invertebrates  235 Species Groups under Plantae Kingdom      236 Tracheophytes           237 Chromista Kingdom   238 Fungi Kingdom           239 Protista Kingdom       241 Eubacteria Kingdom   242 Archaebacteria Kingdom       243 Assessment of Threatened Species  243 Conservation Status of Fish in Bhutan         246 Threatened Endemic Plants in Bhutan         247 Under-Representation of Medicinal Plants  276 Documentation of Agro-Biodiversity            277 Community Participation and Citizen Science         277 Discussion and Recommendations   278 Foot Notes      280 Annexure 5.1 List of Threatened Species of Plants (IUCN Status-2019)     284 Annexure 5.2 List of Threatened Species of Mammals in Bhutan (IUCN Status-2019)            285 Annexure 5.3 List of Threatened Species of Birds in Bhutan (IUCN) – 2019 NBC  287 Annexure 5.4 List of Threatened Fish Species          289 Annexure 5.5: List of Threatened Amphibian and Reptile Species 290 Annexure 5.6 Monotypic Species of Seed Plants under each Class, Order, Family, Genus and Species (Source Flora of Bhutan, Volume 1, 2 & 3)      290 CHAPTER 6:  CONSERVATION STRATEGY OF THREATENED AND UNDER-REPRESENTED MAMMALIAN SPECIES Introduction.  293 Landscape Conservation Approach  293 Mammalian species   294 Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) Conservation        294 Recommendations for Conservation Strategies      295 Pygmy Hog (Sus salvanius) Conservation     296 Recommendation for Conservation Strategy of Pygmy Hog (Sus salvanius)          297 Alpine Musk Deer (Moschus Chrysogaster) and Himalayan Musk Deer (Moschus leucogaster) Conservation    297 Recommendations for Conservation Strategy of Musk Deer          299 Dhole (Cuon alpinus) Conservation Strategy           299 Recommendations for Dhole Conservation Strategy          300 Golden Langur (Trachypithecus geei) Conservation Strategy         301 Recommendation for Conservation Strategy of Golden Langur     301 Conservation of Arunachal Macaque (Macaca munzala)    302 Conservation of Hispid Hare (Caprolagus hispidus)            303 Conservation of Hog Deer (Axis Porcinus)    303 Wild Water Buffalo (Bubalus arnee) Conservation 305 Discussion on Conservation of Bats 306 Foot Notes (1-131)     309 CHAPTER 7:  CONSERVATION OF THREATENED AND UNDER-REPRESENTED SPECIES OF PLANTS Introduction   322 Endemic Plant Species           323 Monotypic Plant Species       323 Discussion on Threatened Orchids   323 Critically Endangered flowering plants         325 Endangered Flowering Plants:           325 Recommendations for Conservation Strategy of Plant Species      326 Conservation of Bryophytes  328 Ecological significance of Bryophytes           329 Economic Uses of Bryophytes           329 Medicinal Use of Bryophytes            329 Bryophytes as Pollution indicators   329 Bryophytes in Science and Education           330 Threats to Bryophytes           330 Lesser Known Timber Species in Bhutan      331 Foot Notes      332 Annexure 7.1   Most commonly used timber species (Source: FRMD/DoFPS)       337 Annexure 7.2  High value timber with less utilization (Source: FRMD/DoFPS)      338 CHAPTER 8:  CONSERVATION OF THREATENED BIRDS, REPTILES, FISHES AND PARASITES Birds Conservation    339 Conservation of White Bellied Heron (Ardea insignis)        340 Conservation of Vultures      341 Discussion on Conservation of White Winged Duck            342 Conservation Strategy of Baer’s Pochard     342 Conservation Strategy of Eagles       343 Recommendations for Conservation Strategy of Threatened Birds           343 Conservation of Turtles         344 Importance of Turtle Conservation  345 Conservation Strategies        346 Conservation of Threatened Fish Species    346 CHAPTER 9:  CONSERVATION FOR FOOD SECURITY AND UNDER-REPRESENTED MICROBES Abstract          362 Conservation of Crop Genetic Resources     362 Agro-Biodiversity Gene Banks           363 Preservation under Permafrost Conditions 363 Microbial Conservation Strategies    364 FOOT NOTES

Reviews

Author Information

"Ugyen Tshewang is the first Bhutanese scientist who received his PhD in natural science and ecodynamics affecting livestock and populations at the University of Queensland, Australia. During his long illustrious career in the Royal Government of Bhutan, he was the Secretary of National Environment Commission – the country’s apex institution of environment sector, founding Director of the National Biodiversity Centre establishing the National Gene Bank, the National Herbarium and Botanic Gardens; and served as the Governor of the country’s eastern-most province, Trashiyangtse.  Besides his numerous research publications, he led the task force representing multiple stakeholders to develop the Biodiversity Act and various environmental laws and policies of the country. Dr Tshewang was also the national focal point for Multilateral Environment Agreements dealing with the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Basel Convention and the Montreal Protocol. Michael Charles Tobias is a global ecologist, anthropologist, historian, explorer, author and filmmaker. He obtained his Ph.D. in the Department of History of Consciousness from the University of California-Santa Cruz and has conducted field-research in nearly 100 countries.. Tobias is the author of more than 45 books (both fiction and non-fiction, as well as several edited anthologies). In addition to his numerous books and published research papers, he has written, directed, produced, executive produced or co-executive produced well over 100 films – TV series, documentaries and dramas, most pertaining to environmental, cultural, social or scientific issues. A former Professor at Dartmouth, the University of California-Santa Barbara, the University of New Mexico-Albuquerque and elsewhere. In 1996, Dr Tobias received the ""Courage of Conscience Award"" for his commitment to nature and non-violence. In 2004 he was the recipient of the Parabola Focus Award for his long-standing body of work aimed at creating a better world. Dr. Tobias is the long-time President of the Dancing Star Foundation (www.dancingstarfoundation.org). Jane Gray Morrison is an ecologist whose work has taken her to over 30 countries. As a filmmaker, Ms. Morrison has produced numerous films for such networks as Discovery, PBS (where she also Co-Directed ""A Day in the Life of Ireland"" for Irish Television and WNET/New York), “Hotspots” (www.hotspots-thefilm.com) and Turner Broadcasting for which she served as Senior Producer for ""Voice of the Planet,"" a 10-hour dramatic series based upon the history of life on Earth. Her books include ""Sanctuary: Global Oases of Innocence"" (www.sanctuary-thebook.com; “Donkey: The Mystique of Equus Asinus;” “God’s Country: The New Zealand Factor;” and “No Vacancy.” She has co-written five books published by Springer. Since 1999, Jane Morrison has served as the Executive Vice President of Dancing Star Foundation a non-profit organization that focuses on the interdisciplinary humanities and social justice movements as they concern humankind's relationship to the natural world."

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