Chencho Dema

Gangtey, Wangdue—A comprehensive 10-year action plan for the Gangtey-Phobji Ramsar wetlands was launched on November 11 to protect this unique ecosystem.

The Gangtey-Phobji Ramsar site is part of the Ramsar List under the Ramsar Convention, which was first adopted in February 1971 in Ramsar, Iran. The Ramsar List aims to develop and maintain an international network of wetlands, which are important for the conservation of global biological diversity and for sustaining human life through the maintenance of their ecosystem components, processes and services.

Bhutan acceded to the Ramsar Convention on January 10, 2012. The Gangtey-Phobji wetlands were officially added to the list in 2014, making it the third Ramsar site in the country and the second in Wangdue.

However, following the listing, there were no guiding documents for the conservation of the area.

The newly launched action plan, set to run from 2025 to 2034, is a collaborative effort that brings together key stakeholders, including Bhutan for Life, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), and the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN). These organisations are committed to securing the necessary funding and resources to implement the plan.

The plan includes 42 activities under five broad objectives, with an estimated 10-year implementation budget of Nu 77.45 million.

The plan emphasises collaborative conservation strategies, promoting economic opportunities for residents and tackling emerging challenges like climate change and establishes a foundation for ongoing monitoring and research to guide future management decisions.

The primary purpose is to ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable use of the wetland, promote collaboration and participation among relevant stakeholders, and secure funding support for the initiative.

It also outlines a clear roadmap for the sustainable management of this vital ecosystem, ensuring the continued protection of its biodiversity and the well-being of the surrounding communities.

The Gangtey-Phobji Ramsar site, covering over 961 hectares, is one of the largest and most ecologically significant wetland areas in the country. It is home to the Black-Necked Crane, a vulnerable species listed on the IUCN Red List. This site serves as the largest winter habitat for the cranes in the country.

Spanning over 961.56 hectares, the Gangtey-Phobji Ramsar site is registered under two separate Land Use Certificates. It includes 467.83 hectares in Gangtey and 493.73 hectares in Phobjikha, both registered in the name of the Department of Forests and Park Services (DoFPS).

The other two sites are Bumdeling in Trashiyangtse and Khotakha in Wangdue. Together, the three sites measure 1,226 hectares and are home to the vulnerable Black-Necked Cranes.

However, the area faces numerous threats, many of which have been exacerbated by climate change and unsustainable development.

Issues such as wetland degradation, poor waste management, depletion of water sources, widespread use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture, and encroachment of invasive species on the grasslands have resulted in the degradation of wildlife habitats and the roosting sites of Black-necked Cranes.

The wetlands provide vital ecosystem services for local communities, including water regulation and livestock grazing grounds. Over 5,000 domestic animals rely on the wetland’s resources, but farming practices—especially the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides—are contributing to the degradation of the environment.

ICIMOD provided support to the DoFPS for organizing stakeholder consultations and the 5-day writing workshop where technical experts drafted the plan. ICIMOD experts also provided technical inputs for the plan. ICIMOD has also committed resources for implementation of certain components of the plan.

The DoFPS and the Department of Water under the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources will oversee the implementation of the plan.

The Parliament approved the proposal of the three sites as Ramsar sites in 2012. Bhutan became the 161st contracting party to the Ramsar Convention in the same year.

The Ramsar List includes over 2,400 wetlands from 172 countries.