ICS_RNR Newsletter March -April 2013

RNR
NEWSLETTER
A bi-monthly publication of the Ministry of Agriculture & Forests
Vol. XXXIII Issue No. 149
www.moaf.gov.bt
In promising Food Safety
Inside
Forest officials investigating
electrocuted elephant
Pg 4
Recent Video Footage
of Royal Bengal Tiger
Footages cought on camera
trap
Pg 7
Tashi InfoComm
adopts a part of
Kuenselphodrang
Nature Park
Inaguration by the Director,
DoFPS and MD, Tashi
InfoComm
Pg 13
Tandin Dorji/ICS
2 March, Yusipang: The
Bhutan Agriculture and
Food Regulatory Authority
(BAFRA) in its fight
towards food safety have
strengthened its defence
with the accreditation of
the National Food Testing
Laboratory (NFTL) and
the inauguration of the
biotechnology laboratory.
The biotechnology laboratory
will be for testing genetically
modified organisms and their
products in food and feed.
The NFTL is the first
laboratory in the country
to achieve accreditation
certificate for ISO/IEC
17025:2005 and is now
at par with international
laboratories for testing of five
categories of food products
i.e. processed fruit and
vegetables, cereal products,
confectionary and bakery
Photo by Choidup Zangpo, ICS
Elephant electrocuted
to death
March - April 2013
HE Sanam Lyonpo awarding the Certificate of
Accreditation
accurate tests and calibration
products, tea and drinking
water in 12 clinical and 3
data.
With the presence of
microbiological parameters.
an accredited laboratory
ISO/IEC 17025 is a
in the country, it is now
general requirement for the
possible to not only monitor
competence of testing and
the quality and safety of
calibration laboratories and
the foods entering the
is the single most important
Bhutanese markets, but
standard for calibration and
also provide assurance of
testing laboratories around
quality of the Bhutanese
the world, and ensures
technical competence and
food products intended
ability to produce precise and
Contd. on page 3
Takin Preserve richer by six
Ugyen Tshering/ICS
March 1, Thimphu: The
February month was a hectic
one for both the Takins and
the Preserve Managers at
Motithang Takin Preserve.
This is because, in that
month alone, six new Takin
calves were born taking
the number of Takins in
the preserve to 22 from the
existing 16.
The first healthy calf was
delivered on February 3.
Two days later on February
5, another female gave birth
to another calf. The birthing
activity at the preserve halted
for couple of weeks until,
on February 20, the third
calf was born. A day after on
February 21, another baby
Takin joined the family in the
preserve.
The last of the birthing
spree was on February 22. It
finally ended with two born
in a single day. In total, six
calves were born in February
2012.
The Preserve’s Manager,
Kunzang Gyeltshen, said that
all were born healthy and
are likely to survive. “They
are feeding well with their
mother’s milk,” said Preserve
Manager.
Asked about the sex of the
newborns, he said that they
were able to confirm only
two females. “We couldn’t
check the others since the
mothers are protective and
aggressive.” Their attempts
risked getting gored. Hence,
he said, except for two, they
are yet to confirm the sex of
the other four from among
the six born.
Contd. on page 3
2
March - April 2013
RNR
NEWSLETTER
Acknowledgement to MoAF for
offerings to
Druk Khamsum Wangdi Choki Phodrang Dzong
I have the honour of conveying His Majesty’s appreciation to you/
your organisation for you generous contribution to His Majesty’s
Kidu Fund.
The solidarity shown by you during times of natural calamities is
greatly valued.
We would like to thank you for your kind support.
Gyalpoi Zimpon
RNR
March - April 2013
In promising Food Safety
Contd. from page 1
for export. Laboratory
accreditation enhances
customer confidence in
tests and calibration reports
issued by accredited
laboratories. Now with the
globalization of economy, it
is imperative of laboratories
to be at international level
of competence in order to
reduce trade barriers and
enhance exports.
Although the National
Food Testing Laboratory was
established in Dec 2005, the
accreditation of NFTL for
ISO/IEC 17025:2005 was
conducted in November 2012
by National Accreditation
Board for Testing and
Calibration Laboratories
(NABL), New Delhi.
NABL is certified by the
Asia Pacific Laboratory
Accreditation Cooperation
(APLAC) which is
recognized by International
Laboratory Accreditation
Cooperation (ILAC).
Modern biotechnology
is an emerging global
research and a development
phenomenon adopted in
many countries and involves
alteration of genes of crops,
livestock, forests, fishery
and microorganisms in order
to increase food production
and combat pest and disease
problems. However these
Genetically Modified
Organisms (GMOs) and
their products have a degree
of uncertainty where their
safety is concerned and
it is necessary to protect
ourselves from what we
don’t know. Bhutan is taking
appropriate measures by
implementing the National
Biosafety Framework to
address the issue through
appropriate legislations
and standards. Having a
Biotechnology Laboratory
to carry out appropriate tests
is an important part in the
implementation of Biosafety
standards and regulation. The
biotechnology laboratory will
be capable of determining
presence of Genetically
Modified Organisms (GMOs)
and their products in food
and feed.
His Excellency the
Minister for Agriculture
and Forests, (Dr.) Pema
Gyamtsho graced the
occasion as the Chief Guest.
In his address, he shared that
food safety has become a
major concern, deaths due
to food poisoning are high
but in Bhutan, BAFRA has
always won its war against
the invisible enemy, bacteria
and virus. He also shared
that tourism being a major
source of revenue; food
3
safety should be given top
priority. He also expressed
concern on preserving
indigenous species of plants
and animals.
His Excellency Lyonpo
Zangley Drukpa, the Minister
of Health launched the
Bhutan Organic Certification
System Guideline and also
awarded the Certificate of
Appreciation to the food
inspectors.
The Election
Commissioner, Members of
the Parliament, officials from
NEC, OAG, RCSC, MoEA,
MoAF and International
Organisations were present
during the event.
The up-gradation of the
National Food Testing
Laboratory of BAFRA in
Yusipang was made possible
with financial support from
UNIDO and UNEP-GEF,
FAO, WHO and WFP.
Takin Preserve richer by six
Photo by Athinut Traiamornvimarn , ICS
Contd. from page 1
NEWSLETTER
Takin calves with the mother
The mother Takin who
gave birth included both the
residents and those moved
to the preserve from Jigme
Dorji National Park in Gasa
as a restocking initiative to
improve breed.
The Department of Forests
and Park Services (DoFPS),
a few years ago had relocated
a few wild Takins from the
park since due to inbreeding,
the resident Takins were
suspected to be degenerating
genetically, becoming
susceptible to diseases and
other risks.
The relocation included a
healthy male Takin named
Samdup who fathered all
six calves born last month.
The preserve management
said that although there are
few resident males, Samdup,
being the most dominant one,
has the mating right.
4
March - April 2013
RNR
NEWSLETTER
Elephant electrocuted to death
Ugyen Tshering/ICS
An eight feet and six
inches tall male Elephant
approximately 40-50 years
old has been spotted dead
in Allanchi bagan under
Norbugang gewog in
Nganglam on February 14.
The forest official suspect
that the elephant might have
died due to electrocution
from the low-hanging power
lines.
Nganglam Ranger
Tashila said that upon their
investigation, they found
the elephant had sustained
certain degree of burn. “We
believe that his trunk might
have touched the sagging live
wire,” said ranger Tashila.
The electric line carrying
huge voltage experienced
sagging in that area last
summer due to fallen trees.
Tashila said that authorities
were aware of it and
removed the trees while
sagging was yet to be fixed.
The officials first came
to know about the incident
when the Range office in
Nganglam was reported by
the resident on February
14 about the awful stench
emanating from the area.
Some people happened to
Forest officials investigating electrocuted elephant
passed by the incident site
and the stench made them
pay closer look.
“By the time we received
the report and went for
investigation, the elephant
was dead for about eight
days,” said Tashila adding
that when they reached
the site for inspection,
the carcass smelled. “We
could also see few maggots
indicating it was dead few
days ago.”
He said that the official
including the local
government officials
instantly removed the Tusk
which was about 1.5 foot
long and surrendered to the
government.
The carcass, however, was
buried to help decay and is
being closely observed by
village Tshogpa. After such
a time that the carcass is
decayed to easily remove
the bones, the officials will
get the bones and other
valuable parts of the tusker
to be surrendered to the
government.
“We also make frequent
visit to the site in order to
assure that the parts of the
tusker are safe,” said Tashila.
Madhuwa Community Forest handed over
Dzongkhag Forest Sector,
Trashigang
28 March 2013,
Trashigang: The Dzonkhag
Administration of Trashigang
handed over Madhuwa
Community Forest to the
local people. In a simple
ceremony held to mark the
handing over at Pedung
village, the Community
Forest Executives received
the management plan, CF
certificate, marking and
passing hammers and other
documents associated
with Community Forest
Management from Dasho
Drungpa, Drungkhag
Administration, Thrimshing
under Trashigang
Dzongkhag.
Local government officials
led by Madhuwa Tshogpa,
staff from Dzongkhag
Forest Sector, Wamrong
Forest Range and all the
members of the community
forest attended the handing
over ceremony. Hereafter,
the 359.48 acres of forest
composed of both broadleaf
and chirpine species will be
managed by 41 households
of the community.
Dasho Dungpa,
Thrimshing Dungkhag,
graced the handing over
ceremony as the Chief Guest.
Trashigang Dzongkhag
now has forty three
community forest
management groups covering
an area of 7316.71 hectares
with 2301 households being
members of the community
forests.
RNR
NEWSLETTER
March - April 2013
The elusive Marbled Cat caught on camera
5
Ugyen Tshering/ICS
March 29, Thimphu: One of
the most elusive and rarely
spotted creatures in the wild,
a Marbled Cat (Pardofelis
marmorata/Felis marmorata)
was caught on a camera
trap set by the Jigme Singye
Wangchuck National Park
(JSWNP) and the Wildlife
Conservation Division,
(WCD) of the Department of
Forests and Park Services on
December 30, 2012.
One of the most
fascinating feline species in
the world, from the point of
view of mystery, beauty and
rarity, is certainly the almost
unknown creature commonly
called the Marbled Cat, now
also seen in Bhutan...
According to the WCD’s
section head of biological
corridor, Sangay Dorji, the
little-known marbled cat,
whose tail is nearly the
length of its body, has been
captured by camera traps
set as part of an ongoing
biodiversity survey in
the northern biological
corridors for developing
the management plan.
The current biodiversity
assessment activity, he said,
is in the third phase and will
complete by end of March
this year.
A “biological corridor,
ecological corridor or
corridor of conservation”
is used to designate a large
area through which existing
protected areas (national
parks, biological reserves), or
the remnants of the original
ecosystems, maintain
their connectivity through
productive activities in the
landscape that facilitate the
flow of species.
As per the statistics,
there are nine biological
corridors connecting
Marbled Cat, now also seen in Bhutan
different protected areas
which constitute 8.61 percent
corresponding to 2472 square
kilometres of the country’s
land area.
“This particular cat was
spotted in biological corridor
number 8, which connects
Jigme Singye Wangchuck
National Park (JSWNP) and
Wangchuck Centennial Park,
(WCP), said Sangay Dorji.
Biological Corridor No. 8
has an area of 601 square
kilometres and is known
to provide safe passage of
wildlife species such as
Tigers, Takins, Blue Sheep,
Red Pandas and Musk Deer.
As per the Field Guide to
the Mammals of Bhutan, the
Marbled Cat is rarely seen
in the wild because of its
elusive habit, avoiding direct
confrontation with humans.
Therefore, much remains to
be studied about the cat, its
behaviour, habits, habitats
and conservation threats.
The book describes the cat
as a smaller version of the
clouded leopard since its
coat is similar to that of the
clouded leopard. However,
the marbled cat has less
distinct black-edged blotches
on the sides of its body but
more numerous black spots
on the limbs. Further, the
guide says the cat carries
stripes on the crown, neck
and back which merge into
irregular dorsal stripes. Little
smaller when compared to
the domestic cat, its head
is short and broad with one
black stripe running up from
the upper margin of each eye.
The cat is said to have a
couple of black stripes on the
cheek and small spots on the
forehead. But its underside of
the limbs and tail comes with
numerous spots. Its long and
bushy tail is spotted on the
tip and coloured dull black
on its upper side. Like the
fishing cat and the leopard
cat, it has white spots on the
back of its black ears.
The cat, according to the
guide, has a gestation period
of 77-81 days and can bear
litter varying numbers from
one to four. The cat is known
to live to 12 years.
When it comes to its
behaviour, the guide book
mentions that very little is
known. However, the cat is
said to be a forest dweller
and believed to be purely
arboreal (living in trees) and
primarily nocturnal. Reputed
as one of the ‘fiercest of all
cats,’ it strikes its prey with
the element of surprise and
pins down the prey with
claws before seizing them in
its jaws. Its diet comprises
mainly of small animals such
as squirrels and birds.
Normally the cat measures
40-61 cms and comes with a
tail 35-55 cms long. The cat
on average weighs 5-6 kgs.
The cat as per the guide
book is best seen in the
Royal Manas National Park.
Pertaining to its
conservation threats, it
faces habitat loss and
poaching globally. However,
in Bhutan, the species is
not facing any significant
threat largely since it does
not interfere with human
settlements. The IUCN
status of the cat is rated
as Vulnerable. As per the
IUCN Red list, a species
is considered “Vulnerable”
when it is not critically
Endangered or Endangered
but is facing a high risk of
extinction in the wild in the
medium-term future.
6
March - April 2013
NEWSLETTER
Bringing ‘Glulam’ to Bhutan
Ugyen Tshering/ICS
March 5, Thimphu: The
Forest Resource Management
Division (FRMD) of the
Department of Forests and
Park Services (DoFPS),
in collaboration with
Haring corporation ltd. of
Switzerland is in the process
of formulating ‘Glulam’ in
the country. This comes at the
backdrop of timber shortages
the country is facing.
Glulam are engineered beams
of laminated wooden boards
to homogenise particular
deficiencies like knots or
cracks of natural wood. It
is a technology whereby
the small pieces of the
timbers usually considered
not very much usable are
glued together to make a
useful timber of any sizes.
It is called glued laminated
timber.
The demonstration of the
product produced in a mock
production was held recently.
Photo by Athinut Traiamornvimarn , ICS
RNR
A giant timber from the small
pieces glued firmly together
measuring as big as 50
metres was on display with
another smaller one.
Talking to Information
and Communication
Services (ICS), FRMD’s
Cheif Forestry Officer,
Kinley Tshering said such
a product comes with lots
of advantages as compared
to conventional products in
terms of fire and earthquake
resistance. The biggest
advantage he said is that the
pieces can be glued to form
timber of desired dimension.
The officials present at the
demonstration acknowledged
that such a technology
can be useful not only in
conventional constructions
but especially for the dzongs.
They said that for the giant
pillars in dzongs, it is
difficult to get the desired
tree of such a dimension
in natural form. “With the
technology, we can easily
make pillars of any size with
small pieces of woods, ” said
one forestry official.
Chris Haring, President of
Board Haring Corp Ltd.
Switzerland told ICS that
Bhutan has an enormous
volume of forest resources.
However, he said, the fir and
spruce trees which usually
comes hollow in the core can
be made more useful with the
technology. “The technology
is simple,” said Chris Haring.
But, according to him, the
timbers produced from such
a technology can last more
than 100 years.
He also added that given
the initiation from the
government and the interest
from the entrepreneurs, he
will be more than willing to
provide all technical support
in adopting the technology in
the country.
In the press release issued by
the president, he said, “wood
is amazing and there is no
other construction material
in the world that is of greater
benefit to mankind.”
Chris Haring said some
of the many advantages
of the Glulam are that it is
competitive with steel- it
has equivalent weight and
strength ratio to steel. The
product he said is also
non- corrosive in chemical
environment and has
excellent elastic behaviour in
earthquake zones
The product can also be
formed for efficient arch
structures and can be used as
a structural element longer
and bigger than the natural
tree.
But of all, he said that in this
millennium, glulam fulfills
the criteria for sustainable
development.
The demonstration was
attended by representatives
from various government
ministries and other wood
based industries in the
country.
RNR
NEWSLETTER
March - April 2013
7
Recent Video Footage of Royal Bengal Tiger at
Lamperi Royal Botanical Park
Ugyen Tshering/ICS
March 29, Thimphu: The
Royal Botanical Park (RBP)
under Nature Recreation
and Ecotoursim Division
(NRED) of Department of
Forests and Park Services
has captured yet another
video evidence of yet
another Royal Bengal Tiger
(Panthera tigris tigris) in
the park. The second video
evidence was captured at
Sonala mountain ridge.
Sonala, at an altitude of
approximately 3700 metre
above sea level is some five
hours walk from the park
office at Lamperi.
As seen in the 15 seconds
duration video file, the
tiger is prowling along
the forest trail in broad
daylight following the
trail of scents left behind
by its array of prey. The
camera trap captured a tiger
walking downhill way past
the camera but not before
properly examining camera
for few seconds. The tiger is
sniffing right at the camera.
According to the sources,
the setting up of the camera
trap was prompted when a
herder in the area lost a bull.
It is said that the bull have
strayed deep into the forests
when an attack by Royal
Bengal Tiger was suspected
to have happened. The bull is
also said to have escaped the
Footages captured of the Royal Bengal Tiger at the Park
attack scathed and managed
to flee home. The bull later
succumbed to the severe
injuries sustained during the
attack.
Park official said when
they investigated the kill,
they suspected it was the
tiger. “The injuries the bull
sustained were clearly those
only a tiger could inflict on
its prey,” said the official. He
added, the bull was attacked
from behind pouncing on
his rump. “The marks on the
rump indicated that the tiger
sank deep its claws piercing
through the thick hide of the
bull.” However, they could
not conclude until they got
the video evidence of the
tiger prowling in the area.
Earlier this year, the Park
for the first time confirmed
the presence of the tiger
when they got hold of video
evidence at Thadana at an
altitude of 3000 masl. The
video evidence was further
augmented with numerous
other evidences such as
pug mark, scat, hair and the
leftover carcasses.
Although the report was
filed in only earlier this year,
the image however was
captured couple of years ago.
The image confirmation,
however, could be done only
later because the monitoring
team could not read the
memory in the video mode.
“It happened because during
our camera monitoring,
the team didn’t have a
compatible card reader like
laptop except for digital
camera,” the Park’s official
had said.
Park’s Sr. Forester, Phub
Dorji had earlier said, “The
digital camera didn’t show
files recorded in video
mode.”
However, the park official
later received the image
file from Royal Society of
Protection of Nature (RSPN)
who chanced upon it while
checking their SD card. They
immediately informed and
handed over the file to the
park official.
RNR Journal: Guidelines for Authors and Reviewers online
please visit www.moaf.gov.bt
8
RNR
March - April 2013
NEWSLETTER
Mazang Phurba, the Native of Bumthang
Ugyen Tshering/ICS
It is in one fine particular
day of the seventh month
of Bhutanese calendar. It
is the day to be celebrated
in dedication to Mazang
Phurba, the native of
Bumthang. In Bhutan,
Mazang Phurba is a unique
incense plant found only
in Bumthang. The first
thing women in Bumthang
do for the day is venture
in droves into the forest
with traditional bamboo
baskets on their backs. Their
mission is to get Mazang
Phurba from the forest for
the incense festival they
celebrate every year.
They will be gone for
hours since the thing they
are out looking for is not
something which is found in
the nearby forest. But they
must get it for the festival
because Mazang Phurba
is an integral part of the
festival. The festival that
they say is never complete
without Mazang Phurba.
After having gone for
hours, they finally emerge
from the thickets carrying
Mazang Phurba in the
baskets on their back.
One after another, they
congregate by the village
temple and perform a dance,
unique to the locality and
practiced nowhere else in the
country.
As unique as the festival,
Mazang Phurba is a unique
incense plant found nowhere
else in the country but
endemic only to Bumthang.
Botanists call it by the
name Lobelia nubigena of
Campanulaceae family but
locally the plant is known by
the name Mazang Phurba.
The herbarium specimen
of the plant was first
collected for the Edinburgh
Royal Botanic Garden on 2
July 1915 by plant collector/
plant hunter Roland Edgar
Cooper from Yotongla
ridge in Bumthang. Cooper
in 1907 became the incharge of the herbarium
of garden and travelled to
Sikkim, Nepal, Tibet and
Bhutan collecting botanical
specimens. It is said that in
1913, Cooper returned to the
Himalayas to collect plants
through Sikkim, Bhutan
and the Punjab region in
India. Cooper is said to have
discovered many new species
on his travels. This includes
Lobelia nubigena.
The plant is described as
a robust and tall biennial
herb with long pendulous
bract. The flora of Bhutan
states that it has an erect
stem up to one metre, and
flowers young. The plant has
a lifespan of two years which
is why it is called a biennial
herb. The plant is an alpine
turf.
Today, the plant is found
in abundance in Bumthang
especially within the areas
of Thrumshingla National
Park. The park officials have
recorded the plants in places
Mazang Phurba
such as Titdeyla, Yotongla,
Singmala and Resangla, all
in Bumthang only.
According to the officials,
the plant may be abundant
but its information is very
limited. “For instance, not
much of its ecological status
is known,’ said Ngawang
Gyeltshen of Wildlife
Conservation Division of
Department of Forests and
Park Services, MoAF. Hence
it warrants and merits a
proper and in-depth study by
botanists and could even be
a thesis subject for anyone
pursuing a Masters degree.
However, online sources
say the plant is also known
to grow in other parts of the
world such as Burma, China,
and Punjab and Sikkim of
India.
Training Needs Assessment, UWICE-2013
The Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment, would like to conduct a training needs
assessment in order to make plans for the next fiscal year as well as assess the efficacy of the trainings provided
so far.
Therefore, we would like to request all our stakeholders and beneficiaries to kindly undertake this survey.
We will keep the survey open till the end of May 31.
Please find the survey here http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/QXYK7HD
RNR
NEWSLETTER
March - April 2013
9
NICC meeting to discuss the status reports for Bird
Flu outbreaks
Karma Tenzin/ICS
5 March 2013: The
National Incident Command
Committee (NICC) for
National Influenza Pandemic
Preparedness Plan (NIPPP)
met at the Ministry of
Agriculture & Forests
(MoAF) Conference Hall
on 5 March 2013 to brief
the session in relation
to status reports for the
outbreaks of bird flu at
Lhamoizingkha (Dagana
Dzongkhag) and Gelephu
(Sarpang Dzongkhag). All
the members of NICC from
various stakeholders were
present during the meeting.
The Hon’ble Secretary,
Dasho Sherub Gyeltshen
of the MoAF, chaired the
session.
The Commanders of
the Incident Operations
Centres (IOC) at Gelephu
and Lhamoizingkha briefed
the NICC members on the
sequence of events, probable
sources of outbreaks,
containment activities,
and status of HPAI (highly
pathogenic avian influenza)
outbreaks respectively. The
Officiating Programme
Director of the National
Centre for Animal Health
(NCAH), Serbethang briefed
the NICC members on
the findings of the multisectoral team’s visit to
Lhamoizingkha and Gelephu
outbreak areas. The NICC
members were also updated
on the investigation reports
of pigeon mortality in
Thimphu by the Head of the
Laboratory Services Unit of
NCAH.
Detailed discussions
and deliberations were
made and endorsed by
the NICC committee for
immediate deactivation of
the IOCs at Gelephu and
Lhamoizingkha based on
the absence of disease/
infection in the outbreaks
areas. Concerns were raised
on the increasing incidence
of outbreaks of HPAI and
other transboundary diseases
along the border areas due to
illegal trading and movement
of livestock and poultry
across the border. It was felt
necessary to strengthen the
sharing of information on a
real time basis between the
veterinary officials across
the borders in order to take
preemptive measures in the
event of outbreak of diseases.
There was also a concern
over inadequate budget to
pay Transfer Allowances/
Daily Allowances (TA/
DA) to the staff involved
in the response activities
for the Bird Flu control
with the existing budget.
The other concern was the
development of standard
operating procedures
(SOP) on the roles and
responsibilities of the local
and central government at
different levels (Gewog,
Dzongkhag and National)
for appropriate response
in the event of an outbreak
of HPAI. The committee
also raised concerns on the
need to frame specific rules
and regulations within the
Livestock Act to address
the issue of import of local
breeds of poultry into the
country. The committee
also directed the concerned
agencies to provide a public
advisory on the recent
episode of pigeon deaths in
Thimphu to the public on the
procedures for safe collection
and submission of dead
pigeons to NCAH for further
testing/confirmation until the
end of the episode.
Updating of Livestock Rules and Regulations 2008
Tshering Doma/ICS
2-4 April, Thimphu:
Experts from the Department
of Livestock, Bhutan
Agriculture and Food
Regulatory Authority
(BAFRA), Policy and
Planning Division (PPD),
Office of the Attorney
General (OAG) and the
Public Health Division
met in a workshop to
identify gaps and propose
amendments on the
implementation of the
Livestock Rules and
Regulations 2008.
Addressing the workshop,
the Chief Livestock Officer,
Dr. Tashi Dorji, said that the
legal basis is a key for any
fundamental intervention.
He advised the floor to adopt
rules and regulations which
are practical and acts as
safeguards for animal health
and food in general.
Over the years, experts
have felt the need to review
the existing livestock rules
and regulations which aimed
to protect the environment,
health and life of animals
and humans particularly
to facilitate the practical
implementation.
Various presentations were
made under categorised
topics such as animal health,
breeding, production,
food safety (animal and
non-animal products),
animal welfare etc. In a
brainstorming discussion,
the floor identified gaps and
amendments in line with
the livestock legislation and
food act. They pointed out
the lack of sections dealing
with quarantine measures
for animal import, milk
production and processing
and general requirements
for feed. They also enlisted
broad areas of Standard
Operating Procedures (SOPs)
or guidelines in livestock and
poultry farms which have
been found to be important
to be included in the revised
rules and regulations among
many others.
The floor also felt the need
to stress the importance
of animal welfare issues
including Tshethar in the
rules and regulations. At
present, there are no clear cut
guidelines for streamlining
the Tshethar activity.
Besides, the floor revised
the amendments related
to import of pet animals,
veterinary drugs, zoonotic
management, laboratory
procedures, inspection and
certification, notifiable
diseases lists, livestock
transportation, meat hygiene
and provision to import/
export food etc. The revised
rules will highlight the
National Centre for Animal
Health as a national referral
laboratory in terms of
livestock.
The Department of
Livestock will soon
organise a meeting with the
stakeholders.
10
March - April 2013
RNR
NEWSLETTER
Getting better prepared for Bird Flu Outbreaks
Tshering Doma/ICS
8-15 March, Phuentsholing:
Considering the increasing
bird flu outbreaks in the
country, officials from the
Department of Livestock
(Ministry of Agriculture and
Forests), Ministry of Health
and Ministry of Home and
Cultural Affairs undertook
a training workshop on
‘Commodity programme
for the preparation of
containment and response
during bird flu outbreak,’
particularly to understand
the real scenario of such
outbreaks.
The training also aimed
at reviewing the National
Influenza Pandemic
Preparedness Plan (NIPPP)
and Standard Operating
Procedures (SOP) while
familiarising the participants
with the clinical signs of
affected birds, disaster
bills and roles of other
stakeholders among many
others.
Various presentations
were made to provide better
information on how to
carry out various activities
that needs to be taken care
of during such outbreaks.
These included information
on vehicle disinfection,
disease investigation and
surveillance procedures,
health control activities,
disease reporting system,
laboratory diagnosis,
activation of the National
Incident Command
Centre and Operating
Incident Centre, 3D
operation (depopulation,
decontamination and
disposal), etc.
Participants gearing up
with the Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) for the
practical session
During the training, the
retrospective study on the
epidemiological features
of bird flu outbreaks in
Bhutan along with various
salient features of the
Disaster Management Bill
was also shared. While
discussing, the floor felt the
need to revise the NIPPP
and SOP especially on
standard terminologies and
compensation policies.
Other issues discussed was
compensation mechanisms,
fund mobilisation, and the
importance of bio-security
and its failure
to maintain
these measures
in many of
our poultry
farms that
increases the
risk of disease
occurrence.
Besides, some
of the senior
officials shared
their past
experience of
tackling bird
flu at Chukha,
Disinfection being carried out
Thimphu and
Samtse.
protective equipment,
Further, various scenarios
phases of 3D operation,
were created as simulation
disinfection, sampling,
exercises to test the plan and
packaging, investigation and
to adequately prepare for
surveillance through practical
real bird flu outbreaks in the
sessions. According to a
future. This provided them
spokesperson, one should
with the necessary skills to
know these things for safety
respond to such outbreaks
while working in an outbreak
as well as strengthen the
area where one is required to
linkages and coordination
amongst various stakeholders get in contact with infected
to enable timely and effective birds. With the successful
training, the participants feel
control during the actual
confident enough to tackle
situation.
any real bird flu outbreak
In order to understand
effectively.
the real situation, the
participants learned about
the proper usage of personal
Safe timber harvesting in Community Forests
SFED
April 6-10, Punakha: A
refresher training course
on safe and sound timber
harvesting in Community
Forests was conducted at
Pelri Community Forest (CF)
in Kabji Gewog, Punakha.
The training which was
kicked off by the Chief
of the Social Forestry and
Extension Division (SFED),
Gyeltsen Dukpa. had 17
participants from different
western Dzongkhags for the
5 days of the training.
The training was on
silvicultural options and
sound timber harvest.
Silviculture is the practice of
controlling the establishment,
growth, composition, health,
and quality of forests to meet
diverse needs and values
The resource person for
the rest of the training was
Peter Rutz, Junior Consultant
for PFMP/Helvetas Swiss
Intercooperation Bhutan.
Practical skills and personal
experience in directional
felling, crosscutting and
converting by chainsaw were
the main topics. From the 17
participants 7 have attended
a similar training about
one year ago and it was a
major goal to refresh and
improve upon these loggers’
capacities. The training was
also a training of trainers.
There are thus now a
small number of local
logging experts who are
very motivated and ready to
conduct further trainings to
fellow CF members on safe
and sound timber harvest.
This can be promoted for the
best benefit of Community
Forestry in Bhutan. This
would also be beneficial for
sustainable management
of community forests with
deduction of felled trees
wastage, reduction of
damages to surrounding
trees and enhancement and
maximum usage from the
harvested trees.
A second refresher training
will be held in Trashigang
from 26 to 30 of April, .
These trainings are funded
by PFMP/SFED Helvetas,
Swiss Intercooperation.
RNR
NEWSLETTER
March - April 2013
Tshethar Guidelines to be in place soon
Tshering Doma/ICS
4 April, Thimphu: Tshethar
is the Buddhist religious
practice in Bhutan where
animals are protected from
being slaughtered and
set free. Considering the
damaging impact on the
public and animal health as
well as on the environment
and farming communities
due to the growing practice
of Tshethar, the Department
of Livestock and the
Bhutan Agriculture and
Food Regulatory Authority
(BAFRA) has come up with
Tshethar guidelines in order
to streamline such activities.
According to the livestock
officials, movement of
Tshethar animals has been a
big concern of issue which
has many a time proved
to be a source of disease
outbreaks. In the past, there
have been two outbreaks
of Bird Flu from Tshethar
poultry and also the first
Peste des petits ruminants
(PPR) outbreak from
Tshethar goats from India.
The existing livestock
rules and regulations lacks
the proper definition of
Tshethar and its required
procedures, it only states the
ban on import of Tshethar
animals. Such animals being
released without proper
health regulations and their
death without post-release
management had also been
the reason to come up with
the Tshethar guidelines.
The guidelines covers eleven
areas of concern directly or
indirectly related to Tshethar
practice. These include the
animal species, number
of animals to be allowed,
pre-requisite for Tshethar
activity, permit, requirements
for shelter area, source
of origin, health care and
management, registration of
Tshethar tshogpa (group or
agency), fines and penalties
etc.
As per the guidelines,
Tshethar animals must be
from within the country
and can be of any species
such as cattle, yak, mithun,
buffalo, horse, goat, sheep,
pig, poultry, fish etc. The
number of animals to be
allowed will be based on
the shelter capacity, the
area that is registered with
the local government.
For the movement, the
Bhutan Agriculture and
Food Regulatory Authority
will issue the permit after
verifying all the welfare
aspect requirements.
The Tshethar tshogpa
with the assistance from
the livestock sector are
required to follow regular
monitoring and vaccination
of the animals. In case of
mortality, the tshogpa will be
responsible for reporting the
case to the livestock officials
for proper disposal and such
meat will not be allowed for
human consumption.
The guidelines also states
that the Tshethar tshogpa
should be registered
as a non-governmental
organisation to enable
actions based on the rules
and regulations. Individuals
interested in practicing
Tshethar activity will also be
given permission provided
all the requirements are met.
Penalties for any damage
to property, human life and
expenditure for the Tshethar
management shall be paid by
the tshogpa concerned.
As a recommendation
from the 21st RNR-GNHC
11
meeting, the proposed
guidelines were presented
to the stakeholders in a
meeting chaired by the
Hon’ble Secretary, Dasho
Sherub Gyaltshen. The
representatives from the
Jangsa Animal Saving Trust
Fund, Semchen Tshethar
Tshogpa and individual
groups involved in Tshethar
of yaks were also present.
The floor discussed Tshethar
issues relating to animal
import, damage, penalties
and other animal welfare
aspects. They agreed on
the proposed guidelines
introduced for the clarity
and better understanding to
enable smooth enforcement
of Tshethar activity.
A board of committee
will be soon established
to address welfare issues
consisting of members from
the stakeholders such as
livestock, BAFRA, disaster,
forestry, police, Dratshang,
animal welfare organisation,
Thromdue etc.
The guidelines once
approved will be included
in the Livestock Rules
and Regulations 2008 as
Annexure XVII.
World's first organic country
Flint Duxfield/ABC
The small, landlocked
country of Bhutan is aiming
to increase its national
happiness by becoming the
first country in the world to
completely shift to organic
farming.
About 80 per cent of
Bhutan's 800,000 residents
depend on agriculture for
their livelihoods.
The country plans to use
the organic status, which it
hopes to achieve by 2020, as
an export marketing strategy.
But co-ordinator of the
national organic program,
Kesang Tshomo, says the
main impetus was to further
promote the government's
goal of gross national
happiness, or GNH.
"For the country which
adopts and lives GNH,
organic farming is the only
way to farm," she said.
"Organic farming
also considers, health
conservation, justice and
biodiversity and all of this is
a part of GNH has well.
"GNH looks at not only
the economic value, but
diversity, the environment,
governance and health.
"All of these are so similar
it's almost identical."
Ms Tshomo said because
pesticide use is already very
low in Bhutan, she doesn't
think the transition will be
too difficult to achieve.
But she said the shift to
organic systems will be
slower in certain cash crops
like potatoes, citrus and
apples.
"In our strategy we have
identified that there may be
some core food crops which
will be the last on the list to
be converted," she said.
"The government wants
to focus more on research
and development to find
alternatives [to pesticides]."
While Ms Tshomo says
that in more developed
countries the shift to organic
production may result in
lower yields, that hasn't been
Bhutan's experience.
"In the last ten years of
observation we haven't seen
a decline in yield," she said.
"In fact, in the second and
third year, the yields have
increased and the soil quality
has improved."
12
March - April 2013
RNR
NEWSLETTER
Handing/Taking Over of the 23rd Japanese KR-II
Grant 2010
Penjor/ICS
18 March, Paro: Food
self-sufficiency, farm
mechanisation and
production of summer-winter
vegetables in Bhutan are
accorded high priority by
the Ministry of Agriculture
and Forests (MoAF) and
the Royal Government
of Bhutan. Towards this,
the Government and the
people of Japan have been
providing assistance of
farm machines through the
KR-II Grant since 1984.
The farm machineries
received under this grant
are used for agricultural and
farming purposes and have
immensely benefited the
farming communities.
With the handing/taking
over ceremony of the
KR-II Grant 2010 at the
Agriculture Machinery
Centre (AMC) in Paro, the
Hon’ble Chief Guest, Ms.
Yumiko Asakuma, Chief
Representative, Japan
International Cooperation
Agency (JICA) Bhutan
Office handed over 165 units
of two wheeled tractors with
rotary tillers and 172 units
of single reversible plough
for two wheeled tractors to
His Excellency, Lyonpo (Dr.)
Pema Gyamtsho, Minister of
Agriculture and Forests.
Ms. Yumiko Asakuma, Chief Representative, JICA-Bhutan and Hon’ble MoAF Lyonpo
at the handing/taking over ceremony
Lyonpo informed the
gathering that Bhutan
and Japan have a lot of
similarities in custom and
culture. The relationship
between the two countries
has continued to grow ever
since the late Dasho Keiji
Nishioka came to Bhutan in
1964. Lyonpo also shared
that Bhutan has received the
KR-II grant 22 times in the
past amounting to more than
Nu. 1.5 billion comprising
of more than 2000 power
tillers, 400 tractors,
threshers, harvesters, rice
transplanting machines,
sprayers, water pumps etc.
which has made the farming
The new power tillers at AMC, Paro
practice easier, profitable and
attractive. Several hundred
developmental activities
have also been funded by
the counterpart funds such
as construction of farm road,
construction and renovation
of RNR Centres, renovation
of irrigation channels
and many environmental
conservation and livestock
development related
activities. These activities
spread throughout the
country, mostly benefiting
the rural areas. It is truly
build on the principles of
promoting food security,
sustainable development,
equity, regional balance and
happiness. Lyonpo further
added that the grants have
given the Bhutanese farmers
very valuable opportunities
to enjoy farming by using
the best and the most suitable
farm machines available
in the world. Finally, His
Excellency acknowledged
the efforts of AMC and its
staff in implementing the
KR-II projects effectively.
Speaking at the function,
the Hon’ble Chief Guest
Chief Representative said
that agriculture is the
main economic activity
of the majority of the
Bhutanese people for a
long time. Therefore, the
Government of Japan fully
appreciates and supports
the development policies
and strategies of the Royal
Government especially those
targeted towards the farming
community. She also said
that in the country assistance
strategy of JICA for Bhutan,
agriculture and rural
development have always
been one of the key areas
of cooperation since JICA
strongly believes that the
farmers of Bhutan deserve
and require technological
advancement in their farming
business. Further she added
that JICA has found a very
reliable and professional
counterpart agency in the
form of the Agriculture
Machinery Centre (AMC).
The Hon’ble Chief Guest
also acknowledged the
dedication and hard work
Contd. on page 13
RNR
NEWSLETTER
March - April 2013
23rd Japanese KR-II Grant 2010
Contd. from page 12
of AMC for successfully
implementing the KR-II
projects and playing an
exemplary role amongst KRII receiving countries.
There was also a visit by
the MoAF Minister and the
Chief Guest accompanied
by officials from various
Ministries to the local
agro-steel fabrication in
Khangkhu Segona in Paro.
The fabrication workshop
was established in 2003 with
an initial investment of Nu.
2.5 lakhs. Mr. Wangchuk,
the owner of the workshop
said that he was interested
in agricultural machinery
and therefore, pursued
mechanical engineering
from the Royal Technical
Institute in Kharbandi (near
Phuentsholing) with the
aim of establishing his own
business of manufacturing
agro-machines. Over the
years Mr. Wangchuk with
his observation and work
experiences, brought about
some modification in some
parts of the agricultural
machineries such as
enforcing the plough finger
and sole piece to adapt
to the land terrain of our
country which is found
more durable. Currently,
the workshop deals in
fabricating and supplying
silo (Green Storage Bin),
bull drawn plough, apple
harvesting ladder, winnower,
mini tractor trailer, kharang
grader machine and rope way
trolley. He also expressed
his appreciation to the AMC
for continued guidance and
support in manufacturing
the required machineries
and accessories to help the
farming community of the
country. Mr. Wangchuk
wishes to become a
manufacturer, supplier and
13
dealer of agro-machineries
and accessories with
recognition of the MoAF.
The handing/taking over
ceremony was attended by
officials from JICA Bhutan
Office, Dasho Dzongdag and
officials of Paro Dzongkhag
and department heads and
division heads of various
agencies under MoAF.
Power tiller trailers being built at the agro-steel
fabrication
Tashi InfoComm adopts a part of
Kuenselphodrang Nature Park
Ugyen Tshering/ICS
April 10, Thimphu:
Coinciding with the day
of their firm turning five
years after establishment,
Tashi Infocomm (Tashi
Cell) last weekend, adopted
2.45 ha/6.06 acres of
Kuenselphodrang Nature
Park (KNP) in Thimphu. The
Park comprises a total area
of 493.4 acres.
The Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) was
signed between the Tashi
InfoComm and Department
of Forests and Park services
(DoFPS) of the Ministry
of Agriculture and Forests.
Some 45 tree saplings were
also planted on the day.
As per the MoU, Tashi
InfoComm will carry out a
collaborative plantation and
maintenance in the area in a
phase-wise manner for next
five years. With technical
assistance to be rendered by
DoFPS, along with required
saplings for the plantation,
the maintenance and refilling
will also be taken up by
Tashi InfoComm till the
plantation is established.
The Director General (DG)
of Department of Forests
and Park Services, Chencho
Norbu graced the ceremonial
plantation event as the chief
guest. To the gathering of
company’s employees led by
the Chief Executive Officer
(CEO), Tashi Tshering, the
DG while appreciating and
thanking them for coming
forward with such a proposal
said, “from the Ministry’s
side, we are encouraging
individuals, groups,
institutions and corporations
to come forward” in
participating in managing our
natural resources.
Sharing many forestry
facts and figures in addition
to the constitution’s
requirement of 60 percent
forest cover at all times to
come, the DG added that
the department could not
do it without the people and
institutions. He said, “We
need to rise to the changing
need of the people and
environment.”
He informed them that just
carrying out the plantation
is not adequate and that
maintenance is equally
important. “We need to care
and nurture them.” He also
hoped that this is just the
beginning and down the line,
he expects to work with more
such initiatives.
The CEO of the firm said
that this is a part of corporate
social responsibility. He
informed that Tashi Cell has
190 base station sites and in
doing so, many trees had to
be cut down. “We also use
diesel engines in deploying
our network across the
country.” Hence, he said,
this is a small compensatory
activity.
The employees of the
Tashi Cell will work every
Saturday at the site and plant
more saplings. With DoFPS
approving the species to
be planted, Tashi Cell will
be taking up plantation,
refilling, cleaning, fencing,
watering and maintenance in
the next five years. However,
Tashi InfoComm will have
“no claims or exclusive
users right over the land or
trees and the purpose will be
solely for plantation,” states
the MoU.
The plantation area will
be under observation for
a period of five years. The
evaluation will be done
towards the end of five years
and extension or withdrawal
of MoU will be done as per
the evaluation report.
14
RNR
March - April 2013
NEWSLETTER
School Linking Programme- RAMCO, Mongar
RAMCO, Mongar
In the early part of 2012,
sparked by the rupee crunch,
the Royal Government of
Bhutan (RGoB) set a goal
of becoming self-sufficient
in vegetables by 2014. The
Vegetable Production and
Marketing Plan (VPMP)
was developed and is being
pursued by the Department
of Agriculture (DoA) and the
Department of Agricultural
Marketing and Cooperatives
(DAMC). Coupled with
the above developments,
Regional Agricultural
Marketing Cooperative
Office (RAMCO) and SNV
Bhutan have also been
promoting the Vegetable
Value Chain Programme for
the six Eastern Dzongkhags
with the aim of supplying
vegetables to the domestic
markets as well as exporting
it to Assam from MaySeptember.
A Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) was
signed on 19 April 2012,
between the Ministry of
Education (MoE) and the
Ministry of Agriculture
and Forests (MoAF) to
pilot Gyalposhing HSS
under Mongar Dzongkhag
and Jakar HSS under
Sl. No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Bumthang Dzongkhag in
buying vegetables locally
from farmers close to the
respective schools and
to scale up this model
nationally in all the schools,
if found feasible.
On finding the linkage
of farmers to the schools
successful and the interest
shown by both parties,
RAMCO in consultation
with Dzongkhag, Geog
Agriculture Extension
Officer and Geog
Administration of respective
geogs and with technical
support from SNV linked
and facilitated agreements
between 14 boarding schools
and two institutions with
vegetables farmer groups/
clusters in the east to supply
vegetables for the 2013
academic session.
Likewise, the most recent
agreement was signed on
29 March 2013: RAMCO
in collaboration with
Dzongkhag Agriculture
Sector initiated the linking
of Tsamang Ghathuen
Tshesay Tshogpa (registered
group which consists of
14 members: 2 male &
12 female) to Tsamang
Community Primary School
for the supply of vegetables
and other RNR produce.
This is the fifth contractual
signing between farmers
group and the schools under
Mongar Dzongkhag. The
contract will run for a period
of nine months (1 Academic
Year) which will be reviewed
and renewed in the interest of
both the parties. The fourteen
member farmers’ group was
initially as Farm to School
(F2S) support program under
CoRRB in August 2012 by
the Dzongkhag Agriculture
sector and funded by FAO.
RAMCO, Mongar
facilitated the contractual
signing after clarifying the
conditions and procedures to
both the parties. The farmers
have agreed to supply
assorted vegetables at the
prices agreed by both the
parties during the meeting.
This program will basically
address the vegetable
requirements by the school
without having to call tender.
The school mess in-charge
expressed that the school
now does not need to rely
on imported vegetables and
looks forward to meeting
the dietary requirement
of the students from local
vegetables.
Looking at the present
market price some members
of the group were not happy
Particulars
Beans
Brinjal
Brocolli
Bhutanese Green Chili
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Crow beak/ Olachoto
Fern Top
Radish
Potato
Sag
Cucumber
The agreed price of vegetables for the year 2013 academic session
Unit
Kg
Kg
Kg
Kg
Kg
Kg
Kg
Bundle
Kg
Kg
Bundle
Kg
with the agreed price.
However, it was clearly
explained to the members
that the agreed price is also
a guaranteed price whereby
that the prices would not
fall during the peak harvest
season. It was explained
to farmers that they would
not be subjected to Tax
Deduction at Source (TDS).
Unfortunately the entire
produce of the group cannot
be absorbed by the school
with its low enrollment of
89 students and a monthly
demand of 335 kg. As the
assured market is small,
the group members have
been encouraged to look
into other markets such
as Lingmethang and
Gyeplozhing.
The Dzongkhag
Agriculture sector also
informed the gathering
that production planning
as per the market demand
would be necessary and that
producing a wider variety of
vegetables would have better
marketing opportunities.
During the contract signing,
the members were made
aware of MoAF’s policies on
self-sufficiency in vegetables
by 2014 and increasing rural
income.
Agreed Price (Nu) 2013
20
13
15
40
13
15
7
5
5
15
5
3
RNR
NEWSLETTER
March - April 2013
Experts review on lead contamination in
Bhutanese rice
DoA
Following reports in US
media regarding lead
contamination in Bhutanese
rice, an expert team
comprising representatives
from various agencies under
Ministry of Agriculture
and Forests (MoAF) met to
discuss about the growing
concern of such report.
The MoAF requests the
general public that there
is no cause for concern on
the recent media reports
on lead contamination in
exported red rice to US.
The US media reported high
levels of lead in rice from
several countries ranging
from 6 milligrams/kg to
12 milligrams/kg. These
levels are reported to be 30
to 60 times higher than the
tolerable limits.
The tolerable limit as per
FAO is 0.2mg/kg or 0.2ppm.
Compared to other countries,
the lead content in Bhutan
samples lay at the lower end
of the range. The MoAF
does not believe that the
rice exported from Bhutan
should have high levels of
lead contamination given the
clean growing conditions.
The reports in the US were
based on an analysis by a
single US university rather
than on an examination by
the US government agency.
We do not have any details
of the test report. Before,
we can establish the actual
fact how the test results were
arrived at, it is difficult to
authenticate. If at all true, it
could be an isolated case but
the chances are quite remote.
The growing conditions
in Bhutan do not support
possibility of lead
contamination. The use of
chemicals and fertilizers
is limited, perhaps
comparatively the lowest
in the world. In Bhutan,
chances of industrial
contamination of heavy
metals in rice fields can be
ruled out as the growing
areas are in the temperate
valleys irrigated with rivers
with practically unpolluted
water and the potential
polluting industries lie along
the southern belt. Possibility
on use of fertilizers
contaminated with lead also
limited and highly unlikely.
Farmers commonly use
herbicide Butachlor in rice
fields to control weeds but
the use of Butachlor should
not cause lead contamination
since lead is not a chemical
constituent.
Bhutan exports small
quantities of red rice about
150 MT annually to the US
and Europe. The exported red
rice is from Paro, Thimphu,
Punakha, and Wangdue. It
15
is not exported as organic.
In the past the exporter also
conducted tests in US and the
lead levels were found to be
within the permissible limit.
The MoAF will
immediately conduct further
tests to rule out possibility of
lead contamination. Local
rice samples will be collected
and tests shall be conducted
for lead and other heavy
metals contamination. The
reported results will also
be re-validated through
additional tests. Tests will
also be conducted on soil and
water from the rice growing
areas. In order to rule out
possible contamination
from use of contaminated
Fertilizer, samples will also
be tested from the imported
chemical fertilizers. Based
on the results more detailed
report will be made available
and appropriate actions shall
be initiated.
MoU signed between UWICE and RNR-RDC, Jakar
A Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU)
was signed between the
Ugyen Wangchuck Institute
for Conservation and
Environment (UWICE)
and the Renewable Natural
Resources, Research and
Development Centre (RNRRDC) on 5 April 2013.
The MoU was signed by
the Director of UWICE,
Ngawang Norbu, and the
Program Director of RNRRDC, Jigme Wangchuk, at
the common Hall of RNRRDC, Jakar.
The main objective of
signing the MoU is to benefit
both the parties in terms
of research and academic
relations, and also to share
and make meaningful use of
facilities available at both
RNR-RDC and UWICE.
Both the parties have
agreed to encourage the
following activities:
• Collaborative research
activities and academic
meetings
• Help and support
foster linkages with
international or national
institutions of relevance
and develop critical
mass of researchers for
both parties especially
for RNRRDC
• Share hostel and
conference facilities
with nominal fees
PD, RDC Jakar (left) and Director, UWICE, signed the
MoU yesterday
16
RNR
March - April 2013
NEWSLETTER
Visit by H.E Dr. Yukol Limlamthong, Dy. Prime Minister and his team from the Ministry of Agriculture and
Cooperatives (MoAC), Thailand. The delegation was in the country from 12-16 April 2013.
If undelivered please return to:
Information and Communication Services (ICS)
Ministry of Agriculture and Forests
Post Box: 1095, Thimphu-Bhutan
Tel(PABX): 02-323765/321142/322855
Fax: 02-324520
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.moaf.gov.bt
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