WWF Bhutan

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is Bhutan's oldest conservation partner. Beginning in 1977 by supporting capacity development of local conservation staff, the support gradually evolved into a full country program with several collaborative conservation projects. WWF Bhutan has been supporting the royal government and people of Bhutan in a number of conservation efforts to protect and conserve Bhutan's natural capital and the immense biological diversity. WWF Bhutan works on various environmental conservation programs including research and study, education and awareness, promotion of sustainable livelihoods, protection of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems, and addressing human-wildlife conflict, illegal wildlife trade and climate change. Hence, the program in Bhutan focuses on both immediate as well as longer-term conservation issues. The immediate aspects of this approach include developing detailed protected area management plans, integrating conservation and development in biological corridors and species monitoring. The longer-term strategy focuses on education, climate change monitoring and adaptation, creation of conservation areas (park and RAMSAR, sites), developing human resource capacity and sustainable financing for protected areas. By working closely with the communities in and around protected areas and with the Royal Government on various educational, participatory and innovative initiatives, WWF Bhutan strives to ensure a progressive convergence of nature, culture and economic vibrancy to build a future in which we live in harmony with nature.