Dzongkhag forestry sector charts way for 11th FYP

Dzongkhag forestry officials (DFO) from the 20 dzongkhags reviewed achievements and discussed issues encountered during the implementation of the 10th Five Year Plan (FYP) with officials of the Social Forestry and Extension Division (SFED) of Department of Forests and Park services (DoFPS) in Thimphu yesterday while also charting a path for the next FYP. The issues discussed pertained to the decentralized forestry program mandated for the dzongkhag forestry sector to implement in the fields. With the 10th plan nearing an end, the officials felt the need to not only consider the achievements they have made in the span of the past five years but also look forward to the nextvplan. The two-day long workshop is also aimed towards sharing lessons learnt during the implementation of the current plan which will be documented. Director General of DoFPS, Karma Dukpa, besides appreciating the sector for the tremendous progress made, advised the officials to also discuss and delve into options of exploring alternatives which will help ease timber shortage. “Use of bamboos in construction is found very effective, economical and lasting for over 30 years,” he said informing that bamboo model house tried at Tingtibi in Zhemgang has proven it. The DG also urged the participants to look into how management of non-wood forest products (NWFPs) will contribute towards the national food basket. Almost every dzongkhag has come up with five or more bottlenecks for implementation of plans. For instance, Punakha DFO, Tashi Wangchuk said that involvement in non-planned activities claim a lion’s share of their time while limiting execution of planned activities. However, Karma Jigme Temphel of SFED said that the current workshop will be responsive to such issues by taking stock of them during the 11th FYP planning Also present at the inaugural session of the workshop were Chief Forestry Officers from the functional divisions of the department.