ACTION PLAN FOR REVISION OF THE MANAGEMENT PLAN OF RMNP IN BHUTAN THINLEY DORJI

INTRODUCTION Royal Manas National Park, Gelephu is the most southern central part in Bhutan and ecologically diverse protected natural area covering the total area of 1023 km2 comprising of three provinces/Dzongkhags with total population more than 7500 plus in the core and buffer zones areas specifying the indigenous people living generation to generations. The management Plan of this national park has been expired by 2000, and it is high time to revise for updating biodiversity and socio-economic data's with the stakeholder of within the political jurisdiction of three Dzongkhags namely Sarpang, Zhemgang and Samdrup Jhongkhar.

Contd. Goal To conserve, protect and maintain the viability of specific ecosystem for animals and plants communities in a way that will allow natural processes of succession. Protect cultural, historical and religious sites. Contribute to the socio-economic development of park residents and local in habitats through sustainable use of park natural resources.

To develop access of visitor use-zones. To strengthen the institutional structure of the park. To identify and mitigate immediate threats to endangered species. Build up a scientific database on both social aspect as well as biodiversity. To increase participation of communities resident within the park and its buffer zones.

Contd. Barriers/constraint Lack of respect and sympathy for conservation goals. Low Technical capacity building on protected area management to perform their duties. Inadequate basic equipment for carry out research activities.

Contd. Lack of institutional support from neighboring country in Trans-boundary issues. PA boundary are not clearly demarcated in the field. Lack of communities facilities within PA such as road. Impact of wildlife on the livelihoods of the park residents.

Benefit Increase biodiversity of important habitats and protected plants and animal species. Increase the number of visitors to the park. Increase the employment local people. Communities benefits from eco-tourism.

Activities Table/Matrix ActivitiesIndicators of success Resources Needed 1. Repeat RBS for updating Management Plan Revise the Mgt. PlanTechnical support by SCREAM NCD,RN-RRC and fund support WWF 2.Study of background of cultural, historical site to develop tourist access Generate the Govt. revenue from park entry fee DoT, ABTO & NCD 3. Research on ecological distribution of selected species Protect endangered speciesTech. support SCREAM NCD, RN-RRC and fund WWF

ActivitiesIndicators of success Resources Needed 4.Capacity building of park staff Enhance knowledge for PA Mgt. Training in NRTI & BFI 5.Institutional support of trans-boundary Collaboration with counter part MoU 6. Inadequate of basic equipment Facility the research workFund WWF 7. Improve socio-economic status sanityFund WWF

Key Stakeholders WWF,BTFEC,GEF & UNDP Potential Partners RSPN

Positively Impacted Positively impactedHow impacted Staff of PAPark staff will get more time to do their job and build capacity Visitors/TouristsVisitors will enjoy the beauty of PA ecosystems Conservation partnersDonors will make fund allocate fund for further development, if it is transparency exist. Communities Communities will get job and training opportunities.

Negatively Impacted PoachersDeter poachers from carrying out illegal activities FarmersChances of occupying Govt. land reduced

Monitoring Continual monitoring is necessary to check whether the applied forms of management having desired effects by NCD, DoF, MoA and Dzongkhags. Evaluation The progress of management will evaluate by the NCD, DoF, MoA, Dzongkhags, Donors, NGOs and local leaders.