𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐛𝐮𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝟏𝟎-𝐇𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐨𝐨 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

…𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒚 𝒐𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍𝒔 𝒋𝒐𝒊𝒏 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒆 𝒃𝒂𝒎𝒃𝒐𝒐 𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒄 𝒃𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒇𝒊𝒕𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑩𝒂𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒈𝒆𝒘𝒐𝒈

By Tashi Tshewang

The Norbuchoeling Community Forest in Barshong Gewog took a significant step towards sustainable land and forest management with the inauguration of a 10-hectare bamboo plantation on July 11. The plantation features Bambusabalcooa, a fast-growing and commercially valuable bamboo species expected to deliver long-term ecological and economic benefits for the local community.

The inauguration ceremony was led jointly by the Gup of Barshong Gewog and the Planning and Forestry Officer from the Divisional Forest Office in Tsirang. Community forest members, forestry officials, and local residents also attended. Funded through the UNEP/SAFE Project, the initiative reflects collaboration among international partners, local government, and the community to advance nature-based solutions and sustainable resource use.

The project aims to strengthen environmental conservation by improving soil stability, reducing erosion, enhancing carbon sequestration, and restoring degraded land. In addition to ecological benefits, the bamboo plantation is expected to support local enterprises such as crafts, construction, fencing, and fodder, thereby generating livelihoods and economic resilience in Barshong Gewog.

This bamboo plantation is part of a wider effort to empower communities in managing their forests sustainably and addressing the effects of climate change and land degradation. Forestry officials provide technical support, while funding from global environmental programs helps implement the project, which is intended as a model for other community forests in Bhutan.

Tshelthrim Dorji, UNEP Project Focal and Senior Forestry Officer at the Forest Resource Planning and Monitoring Division, Department of Forests and Park Services, said, “This bamboo species is one of the most ecologically and economically valuable resources available to us today. Each plant can sequester up to 450 kilograms of carbon dioxide per year, making it an important asset in Bhutan’s mission to remain carbon negative. More importantly, it restores degraded land, prevents soil erosion, and improves groundwater retention.”

Forestry experts note that Bambusabalcooa is particularly suited for degraded and marginal lands, where traditional tree species often face challenges. By improving soil fertility through organic litter and nutrient cycling, the bamboo rehabilitates the environment while laying the foundation for sustainable bamboo-based enterprises in rural areas. The Department of Forests offers comprehensive technical support covering site selection, spacing, pest control, and biomass monitoring. Community members receive training in pruning, thinning, and sustainable harvesting, and plantations are geotagged and regularly monitored to track ecological performance.

Dorji added, “The real engine of this project is the community. Local participation ensures stewardship and sustainability. People not only benefit from the land but are also trained in sustainable practices and empowered through bamboo-based enterprises. When communities take ownership and understand both the ecological and economic value, they become the strongest guardians of these forests.”

Santa Lal Powdel, Gup of Barshong Gewog, said, “The bamboo plantation in Norbuchoeling Community Forest will benefit the local community in the years to come. Given the high value of Bambusabalcooa, it will help boost the local economy by supplying raw materials for future infrastructure development. Until now, we did not have many quality tree species in the area, but this plantation will change that, offering better resources and income opportunities for the villagers and the chiwog.”

The project, designed and supported by the Divisional Forest Office in Tsirang, has been well received by the community. Awareness programs have helped villagers understand the long-term value of bamboo. With favorable climate conditions and a sustainable plantation model, local leaders remain optimistic.

The Gup added, “We monitor the site regularly and continue to encourage the members of the community forest group. If everything goes according to plan, this plantation will contribute significantly to the gewog’s economy over the next five to ten years. We have already replaced less valuable trees with bamboo through afforestation efforts, effectively doubling the land’s value. We are also planning to expand the initiative. On behalf of the gewog administration, I thank the Department of Forests- both headquarters and Tsirang Division- as well as donor agencies and Dzongkhag Administration for their generous support.”

Karna Bdr Tamang, Chairman of UNEP, said, “The core objective of this bamboo plantation project is twofold: to protect our natural environment and uplift the income levels of local communities. By encouraging improved bamboo varieties instead of traditional timber for housing and construction, we are conserving forests and introducing a renewable, eco-friendly alternative that communities can manage and benefit from directly.”

Implemented under the UNEP/SAFE Project, the initiative integrates environmental conservation with livelihood generation. Community members have pledged to maintain the plantation through activities like weeding and cleaning to ensure its long-term success. Covering 10 hectares, the plantation is expected to become a model for other community forests in Bhutan and the region.

Beyond environmental benefits such as soil stabilization and carbon sequestration, the project also demonstrates the economic potential of bamboo-based enterprises. Training and technical support will help communities develop value-added products, enhancing skills and market access.

Tamang added, “Our aim is to show what is possible when communities have the right resources and knowledge. We expect this plantation to become one of the largest of its kind in the area, restoring degraded land and creating a sustainable income source. Bamboo grown here can be used for charcoal, furniture, fencing materials, and structural components for housing. This will reduce dependence on timber, support green livelihoods, and contribute to Bhutan’s vision of balanced development and environmental harmony.”

Mandhoj Tamang, Tshogpa of Barshong Toed, said, “The inauguration of the 10-hectare bamboo plantation is encouraging. This initiative will not only create income opportunities but also improve soil stability and support the local environment.”
The project has inspired neighboring communities. Villages nearby are interested in adopting similar sustainable initiatives.

A local villager, Purna Bdr Monger of Toedsang, said, “I believe this bamboo plantation will improve income generation for households and create livelihood opportunities soon.” Monger, an active community forest group member for 12 years, noted that seasonal plantation work has been carried out annually with technical guidance. Such efforts have taught locals the importance of sustainable forest practices and their long-term benefits.

He added, “We expect this project to do more than generate income. It will also reduce air pollution and protect soil from erosion, which will help both the people and the environment in the long run.”