The Bhutanese Leading the way.
The Royal Government of Bhutan has officially partnered with Conservation International, the Bhutan Ecological Society, and the Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation in a significant move to strengthen forest restoration and protection efforts nationwide. This collaboration, launched under the regional Mountains to Mangroves initiative, aims to restore 50,000 hectares of degraded land in Bhutan over the next decade, supporting the country’s priorities for climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development.
Director of the Department of Forest & Park Services, Karma Tenzin, emphasized the critical role of this partnership, and said, “Bhutan’s future depends on the health of its natural ecosystems. This partnership honors our legacy of environmental leadership and strengthens our capacity to restore and protect the lands that sustain us.”
Chief Field Officer for Asia at Conservation International, Dr Richard Jeo, said, “Mountains to Mangroves is an urgent response to the shared challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss in the Eastern Himalayas, a region of global ecological and cultural significance. This agreement positions Bhutan at the forefront of an ambitious regional partnership, demonstrating how a nation with a bold vision can scale restoration from its mountains to its rivers, setting a powerful example for the world.”
Though Bhutan maintains an impressive forest cover of over 60% and protects more than half of its land, growing pressures from climate change and land degradation make restoration efforts vital. This partnership seeks to address these challenges by bringing together science, policy, and community action.
Managing Director of the Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation, Karma Tshering, expressed optimism, stating, “This agreement reflects the power of urgent collective action. It will help align national ambition with global support for nature-based solutions.”
The Bhutan Ecological Society will empower Bhutanese organizations and local communities to lead the restoration work on the ground. Executive Director of the Bhutan Ecological Society, Nawang Norbu, said, “This partnership sets in motion a shared vision for landscape restoration across Bhutan. We look forward to working hand in hand with communities to bring degraded forests back to life.”
A comprehensive financing package and a national restoration roadmap will be announced later this year, building on this partnership’s foundation and charting Bhutan’s course toward long-term conservation goals. This initiative marks a major step forward in securing Bhutan’s natural heritage for future generations.
Mountains to Mangroves is a regional initiative led by the people of the Eastern Himalayas and catalyzed by Conservation International. It focuses on protecting and restoring ecosystems across Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, and Nepal, addressing climate change and biodiversity loss. The initiative aims to plant one billion trees and restore one million hectares of land, supporting 12% of the planet’s biodiversity and sustaining the livelihoods of over a billion people.
Conservation International is a global organization dedicated to protecting nature for humanity’s benefit. With projects in over 100 countries, it works with governments, businesses, Indigenous peoples, and local communities through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance to help nature and people thrive together.
The Bhutan Ecological Society is a nonprofit that connects science, business, and policy to build resilient communities and functional landscapes that meet human needs while preserving ecosystems. Meanwhile, the Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation, established in 1991 under the guidance of His Majesty The Fourth Druk Gyalpo, was the world’s first environmental trust fund. Starting from a USD 1 million (mn) seed grant, it has grown to a portfolio of USD 84 mn by 2025 and has supported more than 277 conservation projects. It is also the only Bhutanese entity accredited by both the Adaptation Fund and the Green Climate Fund.
