BRIEF BACKGROUND

Until 1974, Pemagatshel Dzongkhag was under Dungsam Dosum area of Zhongar Dzong and hence the Dzongkhag today is popularly known as Dungsam Pemagatshel. After declaration of separate Dzongkhag from Mongar Dzongkhag in 1974, the Dzongkhag steadily moved in to developing stages despite being remotest Dzongkhag in the Kingdom.

The Dzongkhag is administratively supported by a Drungkhag and eleven geogs. Most of the geogs are separated by days walk from the Dzongkhag headquarter.

As per the census 2005, the total population of the Dzongkhag is approx. 23,342 out of which 18982 of the total population live in the rural area. It has a total area of 1025.98 sq. Km with an elevation ranging from 1000 to 3500 m.a.s.l. The climate out here is hot and humid during the wet season and cold and dry during the dry season. The annual rainfall recorded so far is 1500-3000mm.

The Dzongkhag had maintained a good stock of forest coverage (about 53%) which is mainly comprised of broadleaved forest and few scattered conifer forest and forest scrub. The land area under cultivation is 45% with land holding dominated by Tseri cultivation. However, due to change in time and policy, Tseri cultivation practice had been drastically reduced.

Agriculture farming is the main farming activity being practiced followed by livestock and forestry activity. The wet land farming is seen negligible. The maize is the main cereal crop for supporting family livelihood while other source of income generated for the family are from the sales of oranges, potatoes, and other subtropical fruits. In few advantage areas the sales of livestock products and few NWFP from the nearby forest also contribute little amount to the household.

DZONGKHAG FORESTRY SECTOR, PEMAGATSHEL

Centrally located, the sector is supported by 8 field staff and 2 staff working in the Dzongkhag normally the Dzongkhag Forest Officer and Assistant. Previously, the sector had been facing acute shortage of staff. There was only four field staff to cover eleven geogs. This had hampered the sector to access quick service delivery and other extension packages to the farmers. However, with the recent staffing pattern, we have recruited four new CNR graduates although it is lees by three staff in three geogs. However, the technical burden will be greatly reduced and the service for the farmers will ensured on time.

PRESERVING AND PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT AND FOREST

Due to rapid developmental activities coming up, forests and their resources are coming under immense pressure resulting into decreasing forest cover, increasing soil erosion and loss of land to urban settlements. The forestry sector had taken immense effort to curb these problems and maintain green forest coverage in perpetuity. The primary effort in the environment conservation is on promoting private and community forestry, plantations in the degraded and slide prone areas, education and advocacy campaigns on environmental conservation, catchment protection, and stringently implementing general forestry related rules and regulation.

As a part of central program and bringing up its achievement through peoples’ participation, the sector had created awareness on establishment of Community Forest. Consequently, we had initiated nine community forests and issued certificate for five CF and other four CF had been submitted to department for final approval. This is a continuous program and identified many potential areas from the government reserved forest for CF establishment.

1. Community Forest and Plantation

Under the Community Forest initiation, we have designated 800.13ha of forest area to the community and the group being formed by 566 households under Pemagatshel Dzongkhag. Focusing at plantations in the degraded and slide prone areas, the sector had initiated 77.5ha plantation in different areas. The Dzongkhag Forestry Sector had taken up the plantation activities since 2002. Before, the plantation was being carried out by the territorial office. Primarily aimed at conservation and protection of soil, we have also set additional objectives to meet demand for timber, fuel wood and also a part of avenue plantation.

2. Watershed Protection

Water is one of the important components in every life on the living earth. Without water, life is lifeless. Pemagatshel Dzongkhag is facing acute shortage of drinking and irrigation water. Realizing important purpose of water, the need for the protection and improving the existing water source is imperative. Since it relates to the environment protection service, the forestry sector where ever possible had carried out the protection and improving the present critical water sources by giving live fencing and replanting with forestry tree seedlings. At present approx. 25ha water source protection plantation had been carried out by the sector in an identified areas where community face shortage and prone to source depletion.

3. Awareness training/campaign

As a part of capacity development, the sector also conduct training and awareness campaign on forest and nature conservation rules, awareness on forest fire in those areas prone to forest fire, awareness on PF and CF, NWFP water source protection etc..

3. Income generation

Huge income for the family is normally generated from the sales agriculture and livestock products. However, in some cases for the advantage farmers group, they have started earning income from non wood forest products such as mushroom, wild fruits, ferns, bamboo shoots, damroo spps and other edible fruits and fauna from the nearby forest. Although, the products are being disposed in market of little quantity but depends on this products mainly for family consumption. One such example group is Nganglam Pipla Management Group formed by 73 households of three geogs under Nganglam Dungkhag. The management plan was approved by the Department and begun with the implementation activity. The group have also marketed the product and generated certain amount of income form the sales and deposited in the group’s bank account.

4. Nursery Development

Two government nurseries under Shumar and Yurung geog and other two private nurseries under Zobel and Dungmin geog was established under the guidance and technical support of the Dzongkhag Forestry Sector. The private nursery is being operated by the private owner and similarly they have also earned income from the distribution of nursery tree seedlings. The government nursery is timely monitored by the sector and maintained stock of seedlings to meet the demand of farmers during their requisition. Yearly maintenance of nursery is being carried out to fulfil the demand of our farmers in all times to come.

5. Private Forestry

Beside community forest, the sector also encourage our farmers to initiate private forest in their registered land so that their basic need such as timber, firewood and fodder can be met from their forest. Moreover, this will also reduce pressure to the nearby government reserve forest. As stated, the tree seedling for the purpose is being supplied from the government nursery. We have also observed that the farmers have developed keen interest in this opportunity.

CONCLUSION

The Dzongkhag Forestry Sector had been working closely with the farmers of eleven geogs under this Dzongkhag Administration. We move with our RNR Sector’s mission to ensure sustainable social and economic well-being of the Bhutanese people through adequate access to food and natural resources. Although, most activities of the forestry sector are seen long term objective oriented, we will ensure our farmers to take active participation in bringing up the changes in their life through awareness creation and maintain our natural resources intact for the future generation.

The sector will also play a vital role in fulfilling RNR Sector Polices and Strategies, the vision and mission of Ministry which will ultimately enhance/strengthen the livelihood of our rural farmers.