A nature park for each dzongkhag

A few years from now, almost all the twenty dzongkhags in the country might have a nature recreational park each.

The success of the pilot Royal Botanical Park (RBP) at Lamperi has given the Department of Forests and Park Services (DoFPS) enough confidence and reasons to start replicating it in all dzongkhags. In fact, Thimphu Dzongkhag already has one at Kuensel Phodrang with two more in the making.

“Inception of such parks at Samtse and Bumthang are already in the pipeline.  In addition, as of now, more than seventy proposals have been received from dzongkhags, territorial divisions and parks for inception of nature recreational park,” remarked an official from Nature Recreation and Ecotourism Division (NRED).

“However, translating such ambitious plans into actions will depend upon the availability of funds and human resources, since establishment of such recreational facilities entail lot of investment – both financial and technical,” clarified Sonam Choden, Offtg. Chief Forestry Officer, NRED.

Even if the structures take time, the lands will be acquired and registered to be developed as nature recreational parks. This, according to NRED officials will prevent lands being used for constructions of buildings. The land will remain within the custody of the government and will be available for development into parks when required.

The basic amenities in the recreation park according to Sonam Choden will consist of nature trails, picnic spots, signage, toilet facilities, resting canopies, children’s play ground and other facilities.

The Lamperi Park in its last six years of existence has fulfilled most of its inception mandates of identifying and securing appropriate areas for the benefits of the public  namely nature recreation and ecotourism programs. Besides, the conservation of flora and fauna, the park also imparts environmental education programs to create awareness about conservation issues and garner support towards conservation of Bhutan’s natural heritage. The park receives educational visits by many teachers and students from Thimpu, Paro, Wangdue and Punakha Dzongkhags besides local and international visitors. “The families from these urban towns also come during the weekends to avail the facilities,” mentioned one park official.

“With ever increasing developmental activities and urbanization, the access to  natural recreational facilities is being   increasingly  felt,” noted Tshering Phuntsho from Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN). According to Sonam Lhamo, Nature Club Coordinator of Yangchenphug Higher Secondary School, the concept of taking such recreational facilities into other urban cities is an exceptionally good idea.

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2 comments

  1. Let us see if the south does not become an issue. For decades now tourism in south is restricted in the pretext of security, which i know should not have been the issue. Seeing through the Eleventh Five Year Plan i am dead sure south will remain improverished for next decades, the question is are Southheners that bad? Or should development and tourism be localized around those area where ploiticians (the influential ones) have their land? Look at Leela Pradhan or Mr. Nandalal Rai i see them as rag dolls in the Central government, neither their language nor their intelligence makes them praise worthy. Sarpang, Tsirang, Dagana, Samtse Chhukha and SamdrupJongkhar shall be tha last Dzongkhags to have Nature parks and silly reasons like human resources and budget shall come to the forefront. Let it be for Sarpang, With my mediocre marks in degree i can name many plants, animals, insects and Birds in international names, i understand environment related terms and have an idea of how herbarium, arboreta and Botanical parks are maintained. But for sure here jobs are given nepotistically and people like us have the bones after flesh is rotten. Lets see if someone has a guts to start with different polity, south was economic hub in 80s and better it can be still. Sarpang is site of alcohol production and planned quarry, same is the case with samte and S/J.

  2. I applaud the concerned agencies for coming up with these ideas. Nature recreational parks are a must especially in areas where the population is dense. People want recreational areas and our concept of eco recreational parks are mind blowing. I dont want those swings and imported stuffs occupying the park. I suggest facilities that uses our own raw materials should be promoted in these area. I understand it takes a lot of planning, financial resources and man power. Taking it around all twenty dzongkhags step by step with availability of funds is understandable. All the best. Cheers

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