YK Poudel

With Nu 101 million allocated in the 13th Plan, the National Biodiversity Centre (NBC) will focus on enhancing ecosystem services through sustainable and resilient biodiversity initiatives.

This funding is part of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock’s (MoAL) total budget of Nu 14.983 billion in the 13th Plan.

Bhutan’s boasts over 11,000 recorded species. And the NBC has been tasked to harness the economic potential of the country’s natural resources.

As one of the nodal agencies, the NBC will focus on sustainable use of biodiversity to generate tangible economic benefits and improve the livelihoods of rural communities.

Some of the key initiatives in the 13th Plan include continuing to build biodiversity repositories and information centres to support informed decision-making and effective conservation strategies.

The plan also aims to strengthen maintenance and breeding of endangered species (ex-situ) conservation efforts to safeguard Bhutan’s unique and rare biodiversity.

The bio-repository, which conserves diverse genetic resources, plays a crucial role in ensuring genetic security and developing resilient crop varieties and animal breeds. These resources are vital in combating climate change, pests, and diseases, contributing to increased agricultural productivity and food security for local communities.

As per the plan, some of the targeted activities include utilisation of native genetic resources to diversify and add value to products derived from native animal and plant genetic resources, including Yuebja poultry, Nublang cattle, Saphag pig, and finger millet. These projects have been allocated Nu 53 million.

Revenue generation through biodiversity initiatives will be carried out. Nature based product development, bio-prospecting, access and benefit-sharing initiatives and sale of economically viable biological resources will be prioritised through a budget allocation of 24 million.

The NBC will strengthen bio-repository and ex-situ conservation. The agency has allocated Nu 24 million in order to prevent species extinction.

These initiatives include developing a biodiversity repository and information center, strengthening living collections and gene banks of native plant diversity, and aligning National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans with the Global Biodiversity Framework.

The Policy and Planning Division of the MoAL recently launched its Plan titled ‘Transforming the Agrifood Sector for Economic Growth and Sustainable Development’.

In the 13th Plan, the ministry will focus on five key areas: promotion of large-scale commercial farming, building resilience of smallholder farmers, promotion of high-value products for export markets, improving business ecosystem, and enhancing the ecosystem services from sustainable and resilient biodiversity.

These projects will be implemented through commercialisation of potential commodities and support to small holder farmers.