CONSIDERING ECONOMIC NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY OF PHOBJIKHA, BHUTAN: CONSTRAINTS AND CHALLENGES

Abstract

A study conducted in the conservation area of Phobjikha (Wangdiphodrang, Bhutan) reveals that the local perceptions of the benefits emanating from conservation of Black-Necked Cranes is greater than their perceptions of associated costs. This is solely attributed to the moral and aesthetic value of cranes for their inherent magnificence and significance in local culture and traditions. No significant economic benefit was reported, while negative trends in viewing BNC conservation as an obstacle to development became evident. Community identified issues show the needs of the local people in terms of economic development. This led Bhutan's only national conservation NGO, the Royal Society for the Protection of Nature (RSPN), to initiate the Black-Necked Crane conservation programme in the area, based on the concept of the Integrated Conservation and Development Programme (ICDP). Plans and programmes to enhance conservation as a basis for local economic development were developed and are currently being implemented. Challenges and constraints to developing the area into a model conservation and development area have been identified. The challenges and constraints in implementing the so called ICDP are multi faceted, involving multiple actors such as government sector agencies, NGOs, local people consisting of farmers, business entrepreneurs, and religious bodies together with their own development, economic, conservation and religious objectives. Heterogeneous community expectations for instant benefits at individual level, national policies, lack of local initiatives, low human resource capacity and ad-hoc programmes of different agencies are constraints that potentially slow programme implementation. The overarching causes are lack of awareness and the low economic standard of the local population that do not allow individuals to think beyond their own benefits. The challenge is for the human population in the area to gain a fairly good level of awareness about coordinated efforts that can enhance their participation in ongoing and future conservation and development programmes.