A significant conservation partnership was strengthened today with the signing of a USD 49,500 funding agreement between the Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation (BTF) and the Department of Forests and Park Services (DoFPS), Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Royal Government of Bhutan (MoENR), to support red panda conservation in Tergola, Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve (JKSNR), Haa.
The initiative supported by the donor facilitated through the BTF, will strengthen red panda protection through pilot a community-led camera trap monitoring and Panda Guardian, capacity building for communities and field staff on red panda tourism, knowledge exchange, and livelihood opportunities including eco-tourism, bamboo crafts and conservation-linked enterprises.
Speaking at the signing, the Director of DoFPS, Mr. Karma Tenzin, stressed the importance of implementing such initiatives to address critical conservation needs on the ground, while recognizing BTF as an important and long-standing implementing partner of DoFPS in advancing conservation efforts across Bhutan.
The Managing Director of BTF, Dr. Karma Tshering, highlighted that BTF continues to open new doorways and secure funding for priority conservation areas, while fostering strategic partnerships to support Bhutan’s conservation priorities.
By bringing together scientific conservation, institutional capacity and community stewardship, the initiative aims to strengthen habitat protection, promote coexistence between communities and red pandas, and contribute to Bhutan’s broader biodiversity conservation goals.
