𝐘𝐚𝐤𝐩𝐨𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐄𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬

…𝒑𝒂𝒚𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒆𝒏𝒗𝒊𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒔𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒇𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 2,000 𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒔

By Tashi Tshewang

The Yakpogang Community Forest Management Group in Mongar Dzongkhag has emerged as a notable example of how communities can safeguard the environment while improving their quality of life. Since its formation in 2010, the group has successfully combined ecological conservation with social and economic benefits. Its work continues to protect vital watershed areas, provide clean water to thousands, and strengthen local livelihoods.

At the heart of the initiative is a Payment for Environmental Services (PES) scheme, introduced with support from the Watershed Management Division, then under the Department of Forests and Park Services, through the Global Environment Facility – Least Developed Countries Fund project, and facilitated by the Dzongkhag Administration and Divisional Forest Office, Mongar. The scheme, now in its third-term agreement valid until 2029, has enabled downstream beneficiaries such as Mongar Town, the Eastern Regional Referral Hospital, and the Agriculture Research and Development Centre (ARDC) Wengkhar to contribute more than Nu. 2.018 million between 2011 and 2024. These funds have been reinvested directly into conservation and community welfare activities.

Covering a 638-acre recharge zone, the community forest safeguards three lifeline streams – Lingsingwoung, Shingthangzampa, and Changchungwoung – which provide drinking water to over 2,000 households. Members of the group carry out tree planting, stream cleaning, watershed protection, grazing restrictions, and biodiversity conservation. These measures strengthen local ecosystems and ensure long-term water security for both rural and urban residents.

The initiative also supports social wellbeing. Funds generated through the PES scheme have been used for community welfare programs, including condolence payments during times of loss and the distribution of electric rice cookers to reduce dependence on firewood. These efforts link ecological stewardship with everyday needs, fostering stronger community resilience.

With 102 households from Yakpogang and Kilikhar villages actively involved, the community forest demonstrates ownership and collective responsibility. By blending conservation with socio-economic benefits, it offers a model of sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Ngawang Dorji, Forest Ranger II, Mongar Forest Range, said, “Since 2010, the Payment for Environmental Services plan in Yakpogang Community Forest has helped protect water and forests. The third-term contract runs until 2029, with contributions from Mongar Town, the Eastern Regional Referral Hospital, and ARDC Wengkhar. The funds support forest protection, tree planting, stopping illegal logging, cleaning streams, and keeping cattle away from water sources. These efforts safeguard the Lingsingwoung, Shingthangzampa, and Changchungwoung streams, which supply drinking water to over 2,000 homes.”

Monitoring is done by the Dzongkhag Administration and Divisional Forest Office to ensure funds are spent as intended. The 102 households of the Community Forest Management Group manage the money, directing it toward forest conservation, biodiversity, and local livelihoods.

He added, “The PES program has reduced illegal logging and grazing, lowered soil erosion, restored wildlife habitats, and encouraged greener habits among villagers. It also provides social benefits like Nu. 5,000 for bereaved families and livelihood support, such as electric rice cookers to reduce firewood use.”

Despite successes, challenges remain. Funding may fall short as protection costs rise, household numbers grow, and rules on logging and grazing may become hard to maintain.
He concluded, “To address these challenges, we plan to strengthen cooperation among partners, seek additional funding, continue livelihood projects like electric rice cookers, and maintain active monitoring. Open dialogue with stakeholders and beneficiaries is essential to ensure the long-term success of the PES scheme.”

Karma Yeshi, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, said, “The PES scheme initiated by the Yakpogang Community Forest is a commendable effort. By protecting the water source through measures such as preventing tree felling, fencing the area to restrict animal intrusion, and managing the site to avoid contamination from animal waste, the community is ensuring that the source remains reliable. As you are well aware, the hospital requires a continuous 24-hour water supply to provide uninterrupted services to the public. If the Yakpogang water source is not properly managed today, it will certainly cause serious challenges in the future, not only for the community but also for the hospital.”

He added that the hospital, as one of the PES stakeholders, contributes Nu. 50,000 annually to support the scheme. He noted that the community has been diligent in maintaining the forest, and regular stakeholder meetings, along with cleaning and fence maintenance activities, have further strengthened the initiative. This collaboration has preserved the forest and protected downstream water from contamination.

He added, “We are willing to continue funding the PES scheme in the long term. However, it should not fall on the hospital alone. For this initiative to succeed, all stakeholders and community members must remain actively involved. Water is essential for life, and no one can survive without it. Sustaining the PES scheme will require strong financial support, whether from the government or through collective contributions from communities. Only with shared responsibility can we ensure the lasting protection of both the forest and the water source.”

Pema Yangdon, Senior Horticulture Officer of ARDC Wengkhar, said, “Water is the most important component for crop growth and production, especially here at our agriculture research center. In Mongar, we faced a significant water shortage. Our nursery, based in Kilikhar, used to share water with the Kilikhar community, but it was never enough for our field. We approached Yakpogang CF to source water from them, and after signing an agreement with Yakpogang PES, we were able to secure a reliable water supply.”

She added, “Now, we no longer face any water shortage. Thanks to Yakpogang CF, we have a continuous and reliable water supply. We pay for the water service yearly, which benefits both of us. We get the water we need, and the CF can use the funds to conserve the forest sustainably. This community-led conservation initiative has had a great impact, and I believe it should be replicated nationwide for sustainable natural resource management.”