Yangyel Lhaden

After a brief closure for renovations, the Black-necked Crane Education Centre (BNCEC) in Phobjikha has reopened its doors to the public, featuring upgraded infrastructure and improved amenities.

Phobjikha, renowned as the winter home of the Black-necked Crane (BNC), is a prime tourist destination, with the BNCEC serving as a key attraction. The centre offers an immersive educational experience, positioning itself as a hub for learning about these magnificent birds.

Before its closure in September, the BNCEC welcomed 10,572 visitors this year. Last year, over  18,000 visitors visited the centre, a significant increase from the previous year’s total 2,000. The centre saw around 2,500 visitors in 2021 and 1,300 in 2022 during the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Established by the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) in 2001, the BNCEC has been dedicated to conserving the Black-necked Crane since 1987. Currently classified as ‘near threatened’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the BNC is at risk of becoming endangered.

Black-necked Crane Education Centre in Phobjikha

The national coordinator for Crane Conservation with RSPN, Jigme Tshering, highlighted the centre’s commitment to environmental education and research. “We aim to foster a connection between the local community and the global conservation movement”

The BNCEC features interactive exhibits showcasing crane migration patterns and the valley’s ecosystem, making it a vital resource for birdwatchers and researchers alike.

The centre is also a hub for birdwatching, offering a platform for visitors and researchers to observe the cranes in their natural winter habitat, he added. “The expanded and upgraded facilities in BNCEC are to further its mission of conservation and education on environmental education, research.”

With its recent upgrades, the centre now has modern interactive displays that utilise multimedia technology to engage visitors with the life cycle of the BNC and the ecological significance of their habitat.

The centre has now established a cafeteria and a library with a wide range of books related to the environment for the visitors to reflect, learn, and relax.

“The centre has also expanded its outreach programmes, offering educational workshops for local schools, communities, and international visitors to promote environmental stewardship,” Jigme Tshering said.

In addition, the BNCEC acts as a safe haven and sanctuary for treating injured cranes.

The main attractions at the BNCEC are two cranes named Karma and Pema, housed in the aviary. Karma, who injured her left wing, was brought to the center in 2016 after being found injured in the valley. Pema, a young crane, was rescued from a group of stray dogs in Langthel, Trongsa, and brought to the center in 2021.

From the second storey of BNCEC, there is a panoramic room furnished with a high-power telescope, allowing visitors to observe the black-necked cranes in the wetlands during the winter

Phobjikha hosts the largest population of black-necked cranes during the winter. Last year, 612, including 106 juveniles, were recorded in the valley. Bomdeling in Trashiyangtse recorded 51, including five juveniles, Bumthang recorded four, and Khotokha recorded seven, including one juvenile.