Established in 1987, RSPN is that largest conservation NGO in Bhutan. Boasting strong credibility and enjoying popularity and recognition, both locally and across borders, RSPN was awarded the prestigious MacArthur Foundation Award in 2010, National Oder of Merit (Gold) by His Majesty the King of Bhutan in 2016, and SDG Achievers and Leaders Award in 2018 for its conservation work and impacts in the country. It was approved as a full BirdLife Partner at the BirdLife Global Council meeting in November, 2016.
Bhutan ranks in the top ten percent of countries with the highest species density on earth, and it has the highest fraction of land in protected areas as well as the highest proportion of forest cover of any Asian nation. Bhutan contains 23 Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs), eight eco-regions, and a number of Important Plant Areas and wetlands, including three Ramsar Sites with a surface area of 1,226 hectares. The diverse ecosystems and eco-floristic zones have made Bhutan home to a wide array of flora and fauna, including the snow leopard Panthera uncia and Pallas’ Fish-Eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus.
The Bhutan constitution demands that a minimum of 60% of the land must remain forested for all future generations; this currently stands at over 70%. Thanks to its forest cover, it is the world’s only carbon negative country – meaning its forests absorb more carbon dioxide per year than its pollutants emit. Nonetheless, despite this Bhutan is still home to some globally-threatened species, and RSPN performs vital work to protect them.
RSPN has established field offices across the country to cover programme implementation and support its conservation, education, livelihoods and research. With over 600 members in a country of less than a million people, RSPN easily stands its ground as a prominent conservation organization.
While overall biodiversity conservation is ensured through the protected area network, species-specific conservation plans are focused on two threatened – the White-bellied Heron (WBH) Ardea insignis, and Black-necked Crane (BNC) Grus nigricollis. RSPN is actively involved in the conservation of these species due to their significance both nationally and globally.
RSPN was instrumental in the setting up of an endowment fund to support the sustainability of WBH conservation. A WBH captive breeding center has also been initiated. It has also supported the development of a strategic plan for WBH conservation in Bhutan has conducted research into threats it faces has been developed. In relation to the Black-necked Crane, RSPN has established a coordination mechanism that facilitates collaboration across all Black-necked Crane sites. It has also conducted community perception studies in relation to the crane close to 3 major habitats in Bhutan which forms the basis of conservation interventions, and led to the restoration of foraging sites in Eastern Bhutan.
More generally, it has initiated a management plan for watershed conservation, promoted local agro-biodiversity for food security and conducted land management campaigns. It has also supported communities and other stakeholders in relation to REDD+ readiness, REDD+ safeguards and sustainable resource management. It further provides training in the areas of water resources management, climate change, soil and land management, species and habitats, environmental education, advocacy, sustainable livelihoods and research. RSPN also focuses on environmental education and works through a network with schools and Nature Clubs.