Tiger Action Plan for Bhutan (2018-2023)

Nature Conservation Division Department of Forests and Park Services Ministry of Agriculture and Forests Thimphu Bhutan Tel: +975 02 325042/ 324131 Fax: +975 02 335806 Post Box # 130 www.dofps.gov.bt Designed and Printed by Bhutan Printing Solutions ISBN-978-99936-620-7-5 TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) A landscape approach to tiger conservation Tiger Action Plan for Bhutan (2018-2023) A landscape approach to tiger conservation Nature Conservation Division Department of Forests and Park Services Ministry of Agriculture and Forests TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) i A landscape approach to tiger conservation Plan Prepared by: Tandin, Nature Conservation Division Ugyen Penjor, Nature Conservation Division Lhendup Tharchen, Nature Conservation Division Tshering Tempa (PhD), Global Tiger Center Phub Dhendup, Sarpang Forest Division Sangay Dorji, Nature Conservation Division Sonam Wangdi, Nature Conservation Division Vijay Moktan, WWF Bhutan With inputs from: Tiger Sangay, Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environmental Research Tashi Dhendup, Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environmental Research Phuntsho Thinley (PhD), Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environmental Research Eric Wikramanayake (PhD) Suggested citation: NCD 2018. Tiger Action Plan for Bhutan (2018-2023): A landscape approach to tiger conservation. Nature Conservation Division, Department of Forests and Park Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Thimphu, Bhutan. Cover Photo by: Pema Tshering (Tintin) Photo Credits: Department of Forests and Park Services, Sonam Wangdi- NCD, Ugyen Penjor- NCD, Lam Norbu- Tashigang Forest Division, Chogley Namgyel- Thimphu Forest Division, Dorji Rabten- Phibsoo Wildife Sanctuary, Emmanuel Rondeau, WWF Bhutan ISBN-978-99936-620-7-5 TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) ii A landscape approach to tiger conservation TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) i A landscape approach to tiger conservation Plan Prepared by: Tandin, Nature Conservation Division Ugyen Penjor, Nature Conservation Division Lhendup Tharchen, Nature Conservation Division Tshering Tempa (PhD), Global Tiger Center Phub Dhendup, Sarpang Forest Division Sangay Dorji, Nature Conservation Division Sonam Wangdi, Nature Conservation Division Vijay Moktan, WWF Bhutan With inputs from: Tiger Sangay, Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environmental Research Tashi Dhendup, Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environmental Research Phuntsho Thinley (PhD), Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environmental Research Eric Wikramanayake (PhD) Suggested citation: NCD 2018. Tiger Action Plan for Bhutan (2018-2023): A landscape approach to tiger conservation. Nature Conservation Division, Department of Forests and Park Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Thimphu, Bhutan. Cover Photo by: Pema Tshering (Tintin) Photo Credits: Department of Forests and Park Services, Sonam Wangdi- NCD, Ugyen Penjor- NCD, Lam Norbu- Tashigang Forest Division, Chogley Namgyel- Thimphu Forest Division, Dorji Rabten- Phibsoo Wildife Sanctuary, Emmanuel Rondeau, WWF Bhutan ISBN-978-99936-620-7-5 TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) ii A landscape approach to tiger conservation TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) iii A landscape approach to tiger conservation TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) iv A landscape approach to tiger conservation TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) iii A landscape approach to tiger conservation TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) iv A landscape approach to tiger conservation TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) v A landscape approach to tiger conservation TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) vi A landscape approach to tiger conservation Contents Executive Summary --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 List of Acronyms ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 List of Figures --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 List of Tables ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 Chapter I: Introduction ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 1.1. Environment Conservation in Bhutan -------------------------------------------------------- 5 1.2. Global status and distribution of tigers ------------------------------------------------------ 6 1.3. Tiger Conservation in Bhutan ----------------------------------------------------------------- 7 1.4. Rationale for Tiger Action Plan revision ----------------------------------------------------- 9 Chapter II. Importance of tiger conservation ------------------------------------------------------- 11 2.1. Ecological significance ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 2.2. Ecosystem services ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 2.3. Economic benefits ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 11 2.4. Cultural significance --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 Chapter III: Threats and Challenges --------------------------------------------------------------- 13 3.1. Threats ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 3.1.1. Poaching and the illegal trade of tiger parts and derivatives ----------------------- 13 3.1.2. Prey Depletion ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 3.1.3. Human-Tiger Conflict leading to retaliatory killing of tigers ----------------------- 15 3.1.4. Habitat degradation, fragmentation, and loss ------------------------------------------- 16 3.1.5. Diseases -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 3.1.6. Climate Change---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 3.2. Challenges --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17 3.2.1. Inadequate resources and capacity for tiger conservation --------------------------- 17 Conceptual Framework on Tiger Conservation in Bhutan ---------------------------------- 18 Chapter IV: Action Plan ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19 4.1. Vision, Goal and Objectives ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 19 4.1.1. Vision: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 19 4.1.2. Goal: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19 4.1.3. Objectives -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19 4.2. Objective I: Reduce poaching of tiger by 90 percent at the end of plan period. ---- 19 Output 1.1: Current wildlife protection in Bhutan assessed.------------------------------------ 20 TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) v A landscape approach to tiger conservation TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) vi A landscape approach to tiger conservation Contents Executive Summary --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 List of Acronyms ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 List of Figures --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 List of Tables ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 Chapter I: Introduction ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 1.1. Environment Conservation in Bhutan -------------------------------------------------------- 5 1.2. Global status and distribution of tigers ------------------------------------------------------ 6 1.3. Tiger Conservation in Bhutan ----------------------------------------------------------------- 7 1.4. Rationale for Tiger Action Plan revision ----------------------------------------------------- 9 Chapter II. Importance of tiger conservation ------------------------------------------------------- 11 2.1. Ecological significance ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 2.2. Ecosystem services ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 2.3. Economic benefits ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 11 2.4. Cultural significance --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 Chapter III: Threats and Challenges --------------------------------------------------------------- 13 3.1. Threats ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 3.1.1. Poaching and the illegal trade of tiger parts and derivatives ----------------------- 13 3.1.2. Prey Depletion ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 3.1.3. Human-Tiger Conflict leading to retaliatory killing of tigers ----------------------- 15 3.1.4. Habitat degradation, fragmentation, and loss ------------------------------------------- 16 3.1.5. Diseases -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 3.1.6. Climate Change---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 3.2. Challenges --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17 3.2.1. Inadequate resources and capacity for tiger conservation --------------------------- 17 Conceptual Framework on Tiger Conservation in Bhutan ---------------------------------- 18 Chapter IV: Action Plan ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19 4.1. Vision, Goal and Objectives ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 19 4.1.1. Vision: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 19 4.1.2. Goal: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19 4.1.3. Objectives -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19 4.2. Objective I: Reduce poaching of tiger by 90 percent at the end of plan period. ---- 19 Output 1.1: Current wildlife protection in Bhutan assessed.------------------------------------ 20 TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) vii A landscape approach to tiger conservation Output 1.2: SMART patrol program fully implemented by all the field offices. ----------- 20 Output 1.3: Strengthened infrastructure and equipment support for anti-poaching effectiveness. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20 Output 1.4: Improved communication systems for protection. -------------------------------- 20 Output 1.5: Awareness campaigns conducted on significance of tiger conservation. ----- 20 Output 1.6: Strengthened capacities of law enforcement divisions under MoAF. --------- 20 Output 1.7: Enhanced cooperation and coordination among the law enforcement agencies. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21 Output 1.8: Strengthened transboundary cooperation on tiger conservation. --------------- 21 4.3. Objective II: Manage critical tiger habitats within and outside protected areas --- 21 Output 2.1: Critical tiger and their prey habitats zoned and delineated within and outside the protected area network ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 22 Output 2.2: Critical tiger habitats managed as per the habitat management guidelines --- 22 Output 2.3: Principles of smart-green infrastructure adopted and implemented for infrastructure development in the critical tiger habitats. ------------------------------------------ 22 Output 2.4: Tiger and prey habitat change and management interventions studied and monitored. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23 Output 2.5. At least 5 tiger sites (PAs and forest divisions) managed as per CA|TS standards. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23 4.4. Objective III: Reduce human-tiger conflict ----------------------------------------------- 23 Output 3.1: Understood human tiger conflict scenario in Bhutan ----------------------------- 23 Output 3.2: Enhanced prevention of human tiger conflict in Bhutan. ------------------------ 24 4.5. Objective IV: Increase science based information on tiger, prey and their landscape - 24 Output 4.1: Tiger and prey population periodically monitored using robust scientific design and analysis. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25 Output 4.2: Established and strengthened information on tiger ecology and movement through study and identify important environmental and anthropogenic variables in relation to tiger habitat use and selection. ----------------------------------------------------------- 25 Output 4.3: Established genetic database of tigers in Bhutan. --------------------------------- 25 Output 4.4: Assess impacts of potential disturbance regimes and disasters on tiger and prey population. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 26 Chapter V: Plan Implementation and Monitoring ------------------------------------------------- 27 5.1. Institutional Arrangements --------------------------------------------------------------------- 27 5.2. Work Plan and Budget --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27 Table 1: Work plan and budget --------------------------------------------------------------------- 28 5.3. Monitoring and Evaluation --------------------------------------------------------------------- 33 Table 2. Results Framework ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 34 References ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 40 TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 1 A landscape approach to tiger conservation Executive Summary With more than 71 percent of its geographic area under forest cover and over 51 percent of the country under protection, Bhutan enjoys the fruit of wise and visionary leadership of our benevolent monarchs in environmental conservation. The stringent yet dynamic conservation legislations backed by pro-environment development policies and Buddhist ethos has propelled us into the 21st century as an ‘epitome’ and the global leader in environment conservation. Today, Bhutan is a part of global biodiversity hotspot thus explicating our significance in the global conservation. The tiger has been listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species since 1969. Their population in the wild plummeted from over 100,000 just a century ago to fewer than 3,900 today, occupying a mere seven percent of their historic range. In Bhutan, the establishment of Department of Forests in 1952 and enactment of Forest Act of Bhutan in 1969 initiated tiger conservation backed with legal protection. The tiger surveys of 1989, 1998 and 2015 estimated tiger population in the country with improved methods over the years. Today, Bhutan is home to estimated 103 adult tigers roving feely between 100 and 4300 meters amsl. Bhutan prepared and implemented the first Tiger Action Plan from 2006 to 2015 much of which were the part of the national tiger recovery program concomitant to the 2010 St. Petersburg declaration of doubling the tiger population. With the first plan expiring in 2015, a revised action plan was felt necessary to carry forward the activities in fulfilment of the commitments to global tiger recovery program and the recommendations from the national tiger survey (2014-2015). This plan is a product of substantial contribution from the field managers, relentless support from the core working group and valuable inputs from the experts and reviewers. During the inception workshop with the field managers, threats, challenges and their drivers were identified. Major threats to tiger conservation in Bhutan are; 1. Poaching and illegal trade, 2. Prey depletion, 3. Human tiger conflict, 4. Habitat degradation and fragmentation, 5. Diseases and 6. Climate change. The strategies actions and interventions in this plan are designed to directly address the threats and challenges and its drivers. This action plan was prepared (revised) with the vision of achieving and maintaining a viable population of tigers and their prey, coexisting in harmony with humans in an interconnected landscape. The goal of the action plan is to increase tiger population in Bhutan by 20 percent by 2022 from the 2015 baseline of 103. The goal is expected to be achieved by implementing actions under the four major objectives as listed below. TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) vii A landscape approach to tiger conservation Output 1.2: SMART patrol program fully implemented by all the field offices. ----------- 20 Output 1.3: Strengthened infrastructure and equipment support for anti-poaching effectiveness. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20 Output 1.4: Improved communication systems for protection. -------------------------------- 20 Output 1.5: Awareness campaigns conducted on significance of tiger conservation. ----- 20 Output 1.6: Strengthened capacities of law enforcement divisions under MoAF. --------- 20 Output 1.7: Enhanced cooperation and coordination among the law enforcement agencies. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21 Output 1.8: Strengthened transboundary cooperation on tiger conservation. --------------- 21 4.3. Objective II: Manage critical tiger habitats within and outside protected areas --- 21 Output 2.1: Critical tiger and their prey habitats zoned and delineated within and outside the protected area network ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 22 Output 2.2: Critical tiger habitats managed as per the habitat management guidelines --- 22 Output 2.3: Principles of smart-green infrastructure adopted and implemented for infrastructure development in the critical tiger habitats. ------------------------------------------ 22 Output 2.4: Tiger and prey habitat change and management interventions studied and monitored. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23 Output 2.5. At least 5 tiger sites (PAs and forest divisions) managed as per CA|TS standards. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23 4.4. Objective III: Reduce human-tiger conflict ----------------------------------------------- 23 Output 3.1: Understood human tiger conflict scenario in Bhutan ----------------------------- 23 Output 3.2: Enhanced prevention of human tiger conflict in Bhutan. ------------------------ 24 4.5. Objective IV: Increase science based information on tiger, prey and their landscape - 24 Output 4.1: Tiger and prey population periodically monitored using robust scientific design and analysis. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25 Output 4.2: Established and strengthened information on tiger ecology and movement through study and identify important environmental and anthropogenic variables in relation to tiger habitat use and selection. ----------------------------------------------------------- 25 Output 4.3: Established genetic database of tigers in Bhutan. --------------------------------- 25 Output 4.4: Assess impacts of potential disturbance regimes and disasters on tiger and prey population. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 26 Chapter V: Plan Implementation and Monitoring ------------------------------------------------- 27 5.1. Institutional Arrangements --------------------------------------------------------------------- 27 5.2. Work Plan and Budget --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27 Table 1: Work plan and budget --------------------------------------------------------------------- 28 5.3. Monitoring and Evaluation --------------------------------------------------------------------- 33 Table 2. Results Framework ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 34 References ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 40 TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 1 A landscape approach to tiger conservation Executive Summary With more than 71 percent of its geographic area under forest cover and over 51 percent of the country under protection, Bhutan enjoys the fruit of wise and visionary leadership of our benevolent monarchs in environmental conservation. The stringent yet dynamic conservation legislations backed by pro-environment development policies and Buddhist ethos has propelled us into the 21st century as an ‘epitome’ and the global leader in environment conservation. Today, Bhutan is a part of global biodiversity hotspot thus explicating our significance in the global conservation. The tiger has been listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species since 1969. Their population in the wild plummeted from over 100,000 just a century ago to fewer than 3,900 today, occupying a mere seven percent of their historic range. In Bhutan, the establishment of Department of Forests in 1952 and enactment of Forest Act of Bhutan in 1969 initiated tiger conservation backed with legal protection. The tiger surveys of 1989, 1998 and 2015 estimated tiger population in the country with improved methods over the years. Today, Bhutan is home to estimated 103 adult tigers freely roaming between 100 and 4300 meters amsl. Bhutan prepared and implemented the first Tiger Action Plan from 2006 to 2015 much of which were the part of the national tiger recovery program concomitant to the 2010 St. Petersburg declaration of doubling the tiger population. With the first plan expiring in 2015, a revised action plan was felt necessary to carry forward the activities in fulfilment of the commitments to global tiger recovery program and the recommendations from the national tiger survey (2014-2015). This plan is a product of substantial contribution from the field managers, relentless support from the core working group and valuable inputs from the experts and reviewers. During the inception workshop with the field managers, threats, challenges and their drivers were identified. Major threats to tiger conservation in Bhutan are; 1. Poaching and illegal trade, 2. Prey depletion, 3. Human tiger conflict, 4. Habitat degradation and fragmentation, 5. Diseases and 6. Climate change. The strategies actions and interventions in this plan are designed to directly address the threats and challenges and its drivers. This action plan was prepared (revised) with the vision of achieving and maintaining a viable population of tigers and their prey, coexisting in harmony with humans in an interconnected landscape. The goal of the action plan is to increase tiger population in Bhutan by 20 percent by 2022 from the 2015 baseline of 103. The goal is expected to be achieved by implementing actions under the four major objectives as listed below. TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 2 A landscape approach to tiger conservation The first objective is to reduce poaching of tigers by 90 percent. Strengthening anti-poaching using SMART patrolling and zero poaching strategy is the major activity. Additionally, staff capacity, coordination amongst different agencies, infrastructure and equipment development, improving communication, awareness and advocacy and transboundary coordination are deemed important. Habitat improvement and management is the second important objective. Habitat improvement will be achieved through enrichment plantations, salt lick and waterhole creation, management of grassland and abandoned grazing grounds. Zoning and delineating critical tiger habitats both within and outside protected areas is important for long-term survival of tigers. Developmental activities in such critical habitats should be guided by principles of smart green infrastructure. Some of the tiger habitats will be managed as per the CA|TS standards. Human-tiger-conflict is detrimental to both humans and tigers. Conflict prevention strategies through awareness, improved livelihood opportunities, and construction of physical barriers are often helpful when supported by mitigation measures like compensation and insurance schemes. Understanding the nature of conflict and its distribution is necessary in developing future management strategies. Tiger conservation needs to be guided by a sound scientific data and information. For that, periodic assessment of tiger population and distribution is deemed important for the long term conservation planning. Besides, information on ecology, movement and genetics are also essential. In addition, detailed study on the impact of climate change, threats from zoonotic disease and feral/stray dogs on tigers in Bhutan is felt urgent and warrants immediate action. The plan will be implemented from July 2018 to June 2023 for the period of five years. The total estimated cost is Nu. 619.63 Million of which, majority of the fund will be financed from Royal Government of Bhutan and Bhutan for Life project while the balance fund gap will be sourced from other donors. TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 3 A landscape approach to tiger conservation TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 2 A landscape approach to tiger conservation The first objective is to reduce poaching of tigers by 90 percent. Strengthening anti-poaching using SMART patrolling and zero poaching strategy is the major activity. Additionally, staff capacity, coordination amongst different agencies, infrastructure and equipment development, improving communication, awareness and advocacy and transboundary coordination are deemed important. Habitat improvement and management is the second important objective. Habitat improvement will be achieved through enrichment plantations, salt lick and waterhole creation, management of grassland and abandoned grazing grounds. Zoning and delineating critical tiger habitats both within and outside protected areas is important for long-term survival of tigers. Developmental activities in such critical habitats should be guided by principles of smart green infrastructure. Some of the tiger habitats will be managed as per the CA|TS standards. Human-tiger-conflict is detrimental to both humans and tigers. Conflict prevention strategies through awareness, improved livelihood opportunities, and construction of physical barriers are often helpful when supported by mitigation measures like compensation and insurance schemes. Understanding the nature of conflict and its distribution is necessary in developing future management strategies. Tiger conservation needs to be guided by a sound scientific data and information. For that, periodic assessment of tiger population and distribution is deemed important for the long term conservation planning. Besides, information on ecology, movement and genetics are also essential. In addition, detailed study on the impact of climate change, threats from zoonotic disease and feral/stray dogs on tigers in Bhutan is felt urgent and warrants immediate action. The plan will be implemented from July 2018 to June 2023 for the period of five years. The total estimated cost is Nu. 619.63 Million of which, majority of the fund will be financed from Royal Government of Bhutan and Bhutan for Life project while the balance fund gap will be sourced from other donors. TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 3 A landscape approach to tiger conservation TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 4 A landscape approach to tiger conservation List of Acronyms BTFEC Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation BFL Bhutan for Life CDV Canine Distemper Virus CITES Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora DoFPS Department of Forests and Park Services DoL Department of Livestock FNCRR Forest and Nature Conservation Rules and Regulations 2017 FPED Forest Protection and Enforcement Division, DoFPS FYP Five Year Plan GEF Global Environment Facility GTC Global Tiger Center, Gelephu GNHC Gross National Happiness Commission IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature MoAF Ministry of Agriculture and Forests NCD Nature Conservation Division, DoFPS NSB National Statistics Bureau PA Protected Area RGoB Royal Government of Bhutan RMNP Royal Manas National Park SMART Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool TCP Tiger Conservation Program UWICER Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environmental Research, DoFPS WWF World Wildlife Fund List of Figures • Figure 1. Map showing protected areas of Bhutan • Figure 2. Historic and present distribution of tigers in the world • Figure 3. Tiger occupancy map of Bhutan List of Tables • Table 1. Work plan and budget • Table 2. Results framework TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 5 A landscape approach to tiger conservation Chapter I: Introduction 1.1. Environment conservation in Bhutan While rest of the world are whirling under the threat of species extinction, habitat loss and fragmentation, and climate change, we here in Bhutan are fortunate to have wise and visionary monarchs for their leadership in environmental conservation. The stringent yet dynamic conservation legislations backed by environmental-friendly development policies has helped to maintain the pristine biodiversity intact. This has propelled us into the 21st century as the champion and the leader in environmental conservation in the world. Today, Bhutan is a part of biodiversity hotspot (Myers et al., 2000) and hotspot for wild felids (Tempa et al., 2013). With more than 70 percent of its geographical area under forest cover and over 51 percent of the country protected in the form of national parks and biological corridors, Bhutan is the land of pristine forests, clean water, and fresh air. It is perhaps one of the few landscapes on the earth where snow leopard (Panthera uncia) and tiger (Panthera tigris) habitat overlaps in a common landscape. Buddhist belief and ethos that respects all life forms has allowed tiger and their prey species to co-exist alongside humans and livestock (Li et al., 2013). Environmental conservation is one of the four pillars of Bhutan’s development philosophy, the Gross National Happiness. As reflected in the constitution, Bhutan is mandated to maintain at least 60 percent of its land under forest cover for all times to come. The forests interwoven with free-flowing rivers and biological corridors houses endangered royal Bengal tigers, elusive snow leopards, elegant black-necked cranes and Asiatic elephants besides many other species. The paradox of conserving wildlands, while at the same time improving human welfare has exhorted much debate. Most countries are geared towards human welfare and socio-economic development and are experiencing profound economic growth fueled by open markets and globalization. Bhutanese society is undergoing changes in recent times as Bhutan became a constitutional democracy with increasing economic development. In pursuit of economic development, forests are increasingly cleared for roads, hydroelectric dams, power transmission lines, mines and commercial logging. In the last 5 years, 3 mega hydro- power dams were constructed in prime tiger habitat with growing evidence of the biodiversity threats of hydropower throughout the Himalayas (Pandit & Grumbine, 2012) . While the proponents of these economic development projects claim that environmental disturbances are temporary, the scale and intensity of development is unprecedented through Bhutan’s history. Therefore, the need for the conservation of our rich natural heritage is felt urgent more than ever in today's world of globalization and consumerism. TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 4 A landscape approach to tiger conservation List of Acronyms BTFEC Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation BFL Bhutan for Life CDV Canine Distemper Virus CITES Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora DoFPS Department of Forests and Park Services DoL Department of Livestock FNCRR Forest and Nature Conservation Rules and Regulations 2017 FPED Forest Protection and Enforcement Division, DoFPS FYP Five Year Plan GEF Global Environment Facility GTC Global Tiger Center, Gelephu GNHC Gross National Happiness Commission IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature MoAF Ministry of Agriculture and Forests NCD Nature Conservation Division, DoFPS NSB National Statistics Bureau PA Protected Area RGoB Royal Government of Bhutan RMNP Royal Manas National Park SMART Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool TCP Tiger Conservation Program UWICER Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environmental Research, DoFPS WWF World Wildlife Fund List of Figures • Figure 1. Map showing protected areas of Bhutan • Figure 2. Historic and present distribution of tigers in the world • Figure 3. Tiger occupancy map of Bhutan List of Tables • Table 1. Work plan and budget • Table 2. Results framework TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 5 A landscape approach to tiger conservation Chapter I: Introduction 1.1. Environment conservation in Bhutan While rest of the world are whirling under the threat of species extinction, habitat loss and fragmentation, and climate change, we here in Bhutan are fortunate to have wise and visionary monarchs for their leadership in environmental conservation. The stringent yet dynamic conservation legislations backed by environmental-friendly development policies has helped to maintain the pristine biodiversity intact. This has propelled us into the 21st century as the champion and the leader in environmental conservation in the world. Today, Bhutan is a part of biodiversity hotspot (Myers et al., 2000) and hotspot for wild felids (Tempa et al., 2013). With more than 70 percent of its geographical area under forest cover and over 51 percent of the country protected in the form of national parks and biological corridors, Bhutan is the land of pristine forests, clean water, and fresh air. It is perhaps one of the few landscapes on the earth where snow leopard (Panthera uncia) and tiger (Panthera tigris) habitat overlaps in a common landscape. Buddhist belief and ethos that respects all life forms has allowed tiger and their prey species to co-exist alongside humans and livestock (Li et al., 2013). Environmental conservation is one of the four pillars of Bhutan’s development philosophy, the Gross National Happiness. As reflected in the constitution, Bhutan is mandated to maintain at least 60 percent of its land under forest cover for all times to come. The forests interwoven with free-flowing rivers and biological corridors houses endangered royal Bengal tigers, elusive snow leopards, elegant black-necked cranes and Asiatic elephants besides many other species. The paradox of conserving wildlands, while at the same time improving human welfare has exhorted much debate. Most countries are geared towards human welfare and socio-economic development and are experiencing profound economic growth fueled by open markets and globalization. Bhutanese society is undergoing changes in recent times as Bhutan became a constitutional democracy with increasing economic development. In pursuit of economic development, forests are increasingly cleared for roads, hydroelectric dams, power transmission lines, mines and commercial logging. In the last 5 years, 3 mega hydro- power dams were constructed in prime tiger habitat with growing evidence of the biodiversity threats of hydropower throughout the Himalayas (Pandit & Grumbine, 2012) . While the proponents of these economic development projects claim that environmental disturbances are temporary, the scale and intensity of development is unprecedented through Bhutan’s history. Therefore, the need for the conservation of our rich natural heritage is felt urgent more than ever in today's world of globalization and consumerism. TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 6 A landscape approach to tiger conservation Figure 1. Map showing protected areas of Bhutan. 1.2. Global status and distribution of tigers Large carnivores are threatened throughout their range and their populations in the wild continue to decline due to habitat loss and fragmentation, prey depletion and direct poaching for illegal trade and commerce (Ripple et al., 2014). The tiger is one of the biggest and most fearsome predators in the world. Just over a century ago, there were as many as 100,000 wild tigers living in Asia. Today, fewer than 3,900 tigers remain in the wild. Earlier, the tiger was classified into nine subspecies, three of which (Javan, Caspian, and Bali) were considered extinct. A fourth, the south-China subspecies, is most likely extinct in the wild and existing subspecies are Bengal, Indochinese, Sumatran, Siberian, and Malayan (Goodrich et al., 2015). However, the recent taxonomic revision by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Cat Specialist Group has clubbed tigers into two sub species; Panthera tigris tigris distributed in mainland Asia, including India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim, China, Russia, Indochina and the Malay Peninsula and Panthera tigris sondaica found in Sumatra and formerly Java and Bali (Kitchener et al., 2017). Tigers are listed as “Endangered” in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 7 A landscape approach to tiger conservation Figure 2. Tigers once roamed across the Asian and Caucasian continent stretching from the south of Caspian Sea in the west to the Indonesian islands of Java and Bali. Tigers today occupy a mere seven percent of its historic range in south and southeast Asia, northeastern China and the Russian far east (Seidensticker, 2010; Dinerstein et al., 2007) in a diverse landscapes from rainforests to grasslands, savannahs to mangrove forests, and high altitude habitats of the Himalayas to the boreal forests of the Russian far east (WWF, 2016) thus displaying the testimony of ubiquity and adaptability across the range of habitat. 1.3. Tiger conservation in Bhutan The conservation of tigers in Bhutan started with establishment of the Department of Forests in 1952. The first Forest Act of Bhutan in 1969 provided the legal protection to the tiger, the same year tigers were listed as endangered species by IUCN. This act was later replaced by the Forest and Nature Conservation Act of Bhutan 1995 and enlisting tigers under totally protected Schedule I species. The first nationwide tiger survey based on social survey and anecdotes was carried out in 1988 (Dorji & Santiapillai, 1989) and estimated about 150 tigers in Bhutan. The second nationwide tiger survey was carried out using sign survey (pug marks) from 1996 to 1998. The TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 6 A landscape approach to tiger conservation Figure 1. Map showing protected areas of Bhutan. 1.2. Global status and distribution of tigers Large carnivores are threatened throughout their range and their populations in the wild continue to decline due to habitat loss and fragmentation, prey depletion and direct poaching for illegal trade and commerce (Ripple et al., 2014). The tiger is one of the biggest and most fearsome predators in the world. Just over a century ago, there were as many as 100,000 wild tigers living in Asia. Today, fewer than 3,900 tigers remain in the wild. Earlier, the tiger was classified into nine subspecies, three of which (Javan, Caspian, and Bali) were considered extinct. A fourth, the south-China subspecies, is most likely extinct in the wild and existing subspecies are Bengal, Indochinese, Sumatran, Siberian, and Malayan (Goodrich et al., 2015). However, the recent taxonomic revision by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Cat Specialist Group has clubbed tigers into two sub species; Panthera tigris tigris distributed in mainland Asia, including India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim, China, Russia, Indochina and the Malay Peninsula and Panthera tigris sondaica found in Sumatra and formerly Java and Bali (Kitchener et al., 2017). Tigers are listed as “Endangered” in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 7 A landscape approach to tiger conservation Figure 2. Tigers once roamed across the Asian and Caucasian continent stretching from the south of Caspian Sea in the west to the Indonesian islands of Java and Bali. Tigers today occupy a mere seven percent of its historic range in south and southeast Asia, northeastern China and the Russian far east (Seidensticker, 2010; Dinerstein et al., 2007) in a diverse landscapes from rainforests to grasslands, savannahs to mangrove forests, and high altitude habitats of the Himalayas to the boreal forests of the Russian far east (WWF, 2016) thus displaying the testimony of ubiquity and adaptability across the range of habitat. 1.3. Tiger conservation in Bhutan The conservation of tigers in Bhutan started with establishment of the Department of Forests in 1952. The first Forest Act of Bhutan in 1969 provided the legal protection to the tiger, the same year tigers were listed as endangered species by IUCN. This act was later replaced by the Forest and Nature Conservation Act of Bhutan 1995 and enlisting tigers under totally protected Schedule I species. The first nationwide tiger survey based on social survey and anecdotes was carried out in 1988 (Dorji & Santiapillai, 1989) and estimated about 150 tigers in Bhutan. The second nationwide tiger survey was carried out using sign survey (pug marks) from 1996 to 1998. The TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 8 A landscape approach to tiger conservation result from this survey was the basis for the Tiger Conservation Strategy for the Kingdom of Bhutan was developed in 1998 (McDougal & Tshering, 1998). In 2003, the government created the Tiger Conservation Fund to compensate livestock kills by tiger, snow leopard and common leopard. In the same year, Bhutan ratified the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES), thus duly enforcing regulations pertaining to illicit trade of endangered species and their derivatives. The Tiger Action Plan for the Kingdom of Bhutan (2006-2015) was developed in 2005 (NCD, 2005). This plan identified the key threats to tigers and proposed opportunities for tiger conservation, and laid down detailed planning and activities for the conservation of tiger and its habitats, including the broader plans to mitigate tiger-human conflicts through social and educational components. Further, the Bhutan National Human-Wildlife Conflicts Management Strategy of 2008 provides specific plans to mitigate the conflicts through livestock intensification and compensation programs, and research on tiger ecology (NCD, 2008). The penalty under the Forest and Nature Conservation Rules of 2006 for killing of a tiger was revised to Nu.1 million in 2013. The nationwide tiger survey using state of the art method (Spatial Capture-Recapture (SCR) using camera trap was conducted in 2014-2015 (DoFPS, 2015). The recent estimate of tiger population in Bhutan is 103 tigers at a density of 0.46 tigers per 100 km2 for the whole survey area of 28,225 km2 (DoFPS, 2015) . Tigers are distributed through the north-western, central, and south-central part of the country between the altitudinal ranges of 150 to 4,300 meters. However, they are mostly concentrated in north-western, central and south-central region. Tiger photographs and signs were also detected from areas like Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary, Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve, Samtse Forest Division and Tashigang Forest Division from where tigers were not recorded during the nationwide tiger survey. Figure 3. Tiger distribution map for Bhutan (NCD, 2018) TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 9 A landscape approach to tiger conservation 1.4. Rationale and progress for Tiger Action Plan revision The Tiger Action Plan for the Kingdom of Bhutan 2005-2015, expired in 2015. Significant achievements were made by implementing this tiger action plan. To take forward the tiger conservation works to the next level in the light of new issues and challenges, the revision of old tiger action plan is felt necessary. In 2010, the heads of the 13 Tiger Range Countries met in St. Petersburg, Russia and pledged to double the number of wild tigers by 2022. Bhutan being one of the tiger range countries has also agreed to increase its tiger population. As we are already halfway through to the St. Petersburg declaration, it is important to expedite the national tiger recovery program to achieve the global commitment. The revised tiger action plan will guide towards achieving the targets by 2022 and further strengthening the tiger conservation in Bhutan. Also, the findings from the recent tiger survey of 2014-15 emphasizes providing protection outside of the protected areas as tigers are not confined only to the protected areas. The tiger habitat outside the protected areas are mostly engaged in forest related services delivery and do not have specific plans for any conservation activities. The survey findings also recommended zoning of suitable tiger habitats, corridor management, need to strengthen patrolling and tiger recovery and reintroduction programs. More recently, the death of the tiger at the wildlife rescue and rehabilitation unit in Thimphu due to neuro-cysticercosis has raised concerns over the prevalence of zoonotic diseases in the wild in Bhutan. This needs to be examined and preventive and mitigation measures to be put in place. This action plan is the product of a detailed consultative meeting with the chief forestry officers and relevant officials of the protected areas and field divisions and tiger biologists at Gelephu in November 2017 followed by the meeting of the core team at Punakha in March, 2018. With extensive reviews and inputs from the experts, the plan was approved by the Department of Forests and Park Services in July 2018. TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 9 A landscape approach to tiger conservation 1.4. Rationale and progress for Tiger Action Plan revision The Tiger Action Plan for the Kingdom of Bhutan 2005-2015, expired in 2015. Significant achievements were made by implementing this tiger action plan. To take forward the tiger conservation works to the next level in the light of new issues and challenges, the revision of old tiger action plan is felt necessary. In 2010, the heads of the 13 Tiger Range Countries met in St. Petersburg, Russia and pledged to double the number of wild tigers by 2022. Bhutan being one of the tiger range countries has also agreed to increase its tiger population. As we are already halfway through to the St. Petersburg declaration, it is important to expedite the national tiger recovery program to achieve the global commitment. The revised tiger action plan will guide towards achieving the targets by 2022 and further strengthening the tiger conservation in Bhutan. Also, the findings from the recent tiger survey of 2014-15 emphasizes providing protection outside of the protected areas as tigers are not confined only to the protected areas. The tiger habitat outside the protected areas are mostly engaged in forest related services delivery and do not have specific plans for any conservation activities. The survey findings also recommended zoning of suitable tiger habitats, corridor management, need to strengthen patrolling and tiger recovery and reintroduction programs. More recently, the death of the tiger at the wildlife rescue and rehabilitation unit in Thimphu due to neuro-cysticercosis has raised concerns over the prevalence of zoonotic diseases in the wild in Bhutan. This needs to be examined and preventive and mitigation measures to be put in place. This action plan is the product of a detailed consultative meeting with the chief forestry officers and relevant officials of the protected areas and field divisions and tiger biologists at Gelephu in November 2017 followed by the meeting of the core team at Punakha in March, 2018. With extensive reviews and inputs from the experts, the plan was approved by the Department of Forests and Park Services in July 2018. TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 10 A landscape approach to tiger conservation TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 11 A landscape approach to tiger conservation Chapter II. Importance of tiger conservation 2.1. Ecological significance As apex predators, large carnivores play an important role in ecosystems and provide important ecosystem services (Karanth et al., 2003; Ripple et al., 2014). Being on the top of ecosystem, tigers are considered as the umbrella species. Their presence in the food web is an indicator of the health of the ecosystem. The tiger range covers around 70 million hectares, the large majority of which is also in four biodiversity hotspots, the world’s richest places in terms of plant and animal diversity: Eastern Himalayas, Indo-Burma, Western Ghats and Sundaland (Millenium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005). In conserving tigers we also conserve some of the richest ecosystems, including habitats of some of the globally threatened species like Asian elephant, greater one-horned rhino, clouded leopards, red pandas, etc. Conservation policies and investment spurred on by interest in tigers will also benefit thousands of other species, many of which are threatened. (WWF, 2017). In Bhutan’s Jigme Dorji National Park, areas occupied by tigers were found to experience significantly fewer incidences of crop and livestock losses to ungulates and guild species compared to those without tigers (Thinley et al., 2018). 2.2. Ecosystem services Tiger landscapes provide many ecosystem services that spill out beyond the range of the tiger. It is estimated that, on average, forests in tiger landscapes have nearly 3.5 times the amount of carbon than forest areas outside tiger landscapes (WWF, 2017). Much of South Asia suffer from water stress which is projected to become critical in many areas by 2040, leading to local and international conflict, including political tensions. In addition, land use change, combined with agricultural intensification, has reduced water quality throughout many tiger-range countries (WWF, 2017). Tiger conservation landscapes overlap with nine globally important watersheds, covering 5.8 million km2, which serve as water sources for agriculture, energy generation, industry and domestic use for up to 830 million people (Pienkowski et al., 2017). In Bhutan hydropower is the leading sector in generating revenue for the government and the tiger habitats overlap with the headwaters that maintain and regulate flows to the dams. Water regulation and purification values for every hectare of forest protected in Bhutan have been estimated at over US$6,000 per year (Kubiszewski et al., 2012). Tiger habitats, mostly forests, off-sets the effects of natural hazards such as floods, landslides, tsunamis, storm surge, erosion, droughts, fires, and hurricanes. They also conserve crop wild relatives and wild food sources (WWF, 2017). 2.3. Economic benefits Tiger landscapes are a vital safety net for local communities by providing access to sustainable natural resources for subsistence and sale. Poor people are highly dependent on forest ecosystem TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 11 A landscape approach to tiger conservation Chapter II. Importance of tiger conservation 2.1. Ecological significance As apex predators, large carnivores play an important role in ecosystems and provide important ecosystem services (Karanth et al., 2003; Ripple et al., 2014). Being on the top of ecosystem, tigers are considered as the umbrella species. Their presence in the food web is an indicator of the health of the ecosystem. The tiger range covers around 70 million hectares, the large majority of which is also in four biodiversity hotspots, the world’s richest places in terms of plant and animal diversity: Eastern Himalayas, Indo-Burma, Western Ghats and Sundaland (Millenium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005). In conserving tigers we also conserve some of the richest ecosystems, including habitats of some of the globally threatened species like Asian elephant, greater one-horned rhino, clouded leopards, red pandas, etc. Conservation policies and investment spurred on by interest in tigers will also benefit thousands of other species, many of which are threatened. (WWF, 2017). In Bhutan’s Jigme Dorji National Park, areas occupied by tigers were found to experience significantly fewer incidences of crop and livestock losses to ungulates and guild species compared to those without tigers (Thinley et al., 2018). 2.2. Ecosystem services Tiger landscapes provide many ecosystem services that spill out beyond the range of the tiger. It is estimated that, on average, forests in tiger landscapes have nearly 3.5 times the amount of carbon than forest areas outside tiger landscapes (WWF, 2017). Much of South Asia suffer from water stress which is projected to become critical in many areas by 2040, leading to local and international conflict, including political tensions. In addition, land use change, combined with agricultural intensification, has reduced water quality throughout many tiger-range countries (WWF, 2017). Tiger conservation landscapes overlap with nine globally important watersheds, covering 5.8 million km2, which serve as water sources for agriculture, energy generation, industry and domestic use for up to 830 million people (Pienkowski et al., 2017). In Bhutan hydropower is the leading sector in generating revenue for the government and the tiger habitats overlap with the headwaters that maintain and regulate flows to the dams. Water regulation and purification values for every hectare of forest protected in Bhutan have been estimated at over US$6,000 per year (Kubiszewski et al., 2012). Tiger habitats, mostly forests, off-sets the effects of natural hazards such as floods, landslides, tsunamis, storm surge, erosion, droughts, fires, and hurricanes. They also conserve crop wild relatives and wild food sources (WWF, 2017). 2.3. Economic benefits Tiger landscapes are a vital safety net for local communities by providing access to sustainable natural resources for subsistence and sale. Poor people are highly dependent on forest ecosystem TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 12 A landscape approach to tiger conservation services for water, food, medicine, fuel, and fiber. It is estimated that 80 percent of the income of the rural poor in southeast Asia is derived from the local biodiversity. Tiger landscapes are repositories of herbal plant richness (WWF, 2017). Tiger landscapes support agriculture by supplying fresh surface and ground water, protecting soil from erosion, and regulating local weather; they also enhance food security by providing a source of wild genetic material for plant breeders (WWF, 2017). The other charismatic megafaunas living in tiger landscapes are highly attractive to tourists, creating economic opportunities for local people in the ecotourism industry. It has been estimated that global protected areas generate over US$600 billion per annum in revenue from visitors (Balmford et al., 2015). The role of tigers in tourism is important across the tiger range, although benefits are unevenly distributed (Carter & Allendorf, 2016). Ecotourism is the fast growing and most profitable segment of the tourism industry. 2.4. Cultural significance Tigers occupy a special space in the spiritual beliefs and cultural history in Asia. Many indigenous people live in tiger habitat and preserving tigers can also preserve traditional cultures. Tiger landscapes protect sacred natural sites important to a range of faiths, and more generally, protection of the tiger plays a very important cultural role around the world. In Bhutan, tigers are deeply rooted in the religious and cultural heritage. As early as the eighth century, Guru Padmasambhava, was believed to have flown from Singye Dzong to Taktshang (tiger's nest) monastery, riding on a tigress. Tigers are regarded as one of the four powerful animals, called the “four dignities” - Tak (Tiger), Seng (Snow lion), Chung (Garuda), and Druk (Dragon). The tiger is the third animal in sequence among the twelve Buddhist zodiac signs. Culturally, tigers are revered as the symbol of strength and ferocity. Believing that tiger pictures can ward off evil spirits, murals with tiger paintings are often seen. Tigers are believed to be the manifestation of the local deities, and many places in Bhutan are named after the tigers. TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 13 A landscape approach to tiger conservation Chapter III: Threats and Challenges 3.1. Threats 3.1.1. Poaching and the illegal trade of tiger parts and derivatives Poaching of tigers for illegal trade is the greatest threat for the tigers’ survival today across all the tiger range countries. In Bhutan, wildlife poaching in general has never been considered as a significant threat for conservation, however, not undermining the current trend of wildlife poaching. The belief that most Bhutanese are Buddhist and they will not harm other sentient being is still strongly held by many Bhutanese. Thus, we are unwilling to accept that poaching is a major threat for tigers in Bhutan. However, the data available with the Department of Forests and Park Services (DoFPS) on tiger poaching is an ominous indication that tiger poaching is rampant in Bhutan. From 2013-2017, 17 cases involving poaching and illegal trade of tigers were recorded and prosecuted. This is almost 20% of the total tiger population in Bhutan. Many such cases would have gone undetected by the authorities. Tiger poaching incidences involving organized groups and various techniques were detected by the frontline staff. Bhutan, due to porous border with neighboring countries, also witness poaching from across the border in some of the prime tiger habitats. Bhutan is also increasingly being used for the transportation of tiger parts and its derivatives. This is a threat not only for tigers in Bhutan, but also for the tigers in the region. As tigers are highly territorial animal, infanticide from unrelated male/female is a common occurrence. Poaching of one dominant tiger means wiping out the whole family of that tiger. Thus, tiger poaching in Bhutan like in any other tiger range country is the main threat for the future survival. TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 12 A landscape approach to tiger conservation services for water, food, medicine, fuel, and fiber. It is estimated that 80 percent of the income of the rural poor in southeast Asia is derived from the local biodiversity. Tiger landscapes are repositories of herbal plant richness (WWF, 2017). Tiger landscapes support agriculture by supplying fresh surface and ground water, protecting soil from erosion, and regulating local weather; they also enhance food security by providing a source of wild genetic material for plant breeders (WWF, 2017). The other charismatic megafaunas living in tiger landscapes are highly attractive to tourists, creating economic opportunities for local people in the ecotourism industry. It has been estimated that global protected areas generate over US$600 billion per annum in revenue from visitors (Balmford et al., 2015). The role of tigers in tourism is important across the tiger range, although benefits are unevenly distributed (Carter & Allendorf, 2016). Ecotourism is the fast growing and most profitable segment of the tourism industry. 2.4. Cultural significance Tigers occupy a special space in the spiritual beliefs and cultural history in Asia. Many indigenous people live in tiger habitat and preserving tigers can also preserve traditional cultures. Tiger landscapes protect sacred natural sites important to a range of faiths, and more generally, protection of the tiger plays a very important cultural role around the world. In Bhutan, tigers are deeply rooted in the religious and cultural heritage. As early as the eighth century, Guru Padmasambhava, was believed to have flown from Singye Dzong to Taktshang (tiger's nest) monastery, riding on a tigress. Tigers are regarded as one of the four powerful animals, called the “four dignities” - Tak (Tiger), Seng (Snow lion), Chung (Garuda), and Druk (Dragon). The tiger is the third animal in sequence among the twelve Buddhist zodiac signs. Culturally, tigers are revered as the symbol of strength and ferocity. Believing that tiger pictures can ward off evil spirits, murals with tiger paintings are often seen. Tigers are believed to be the manifestation of the local deities, and many places in Bhutan are named after the tigers. TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 13 A landscape approach to tiger conservation Chapter III: Threats and Challenges 3.1. Threats 3.1.1. Poaching and the illegal trade of tiger parts and derivatives Poaching of tigers for illegal trade is the greatest threat for the tigers’ survival today across all the tiger range countries. In Bhutan, wildlife poaching in general has never been considered as a significant threat for conservation, however, not undermining the current trend of wildlife poaching. The belief that most Bhutanese are Buddhist and they will not harm other sentient being is still strongly held by many Bhutanese. Thus, we are unwilling to accept that poaching is a major threat for tigers in Bhutan. However, the data available with the Department of Forests and Park Services (DoFPS) on tiger poaching is an ominous indication that tiger poaching is rampant in Bhutan. From 2013-2017, 17 cases involving poaching and illegal trade of tigers were recorded and prosecuted. This is almost 20% of the total tiger population in Bhutan. Many such cases would have gone undetected by the authorities. Tiger poaching incidences involving organized groups and various techniques were detected by the frontline staff. Bhutan, due to porous border with neighboring countries, also witness poaching from across the border in some of the prime tiger habitats. Bhutan is also increasingly being used for the transportation of tiger parts and its derivatives. This is a threat not only for tigers in Bhutan, but also for the tigers in the region. As tigers are highly territorial animal, infanticide from unrelated male/female is a common occurrence. Poaching of one dominant tiger means wiping out the whole family of that tiger. Thus, tiger poaching in Bhutan like in any other tiger range country is the main threat for the future survival. TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 14 A landscape approach to tiger conservation 3.1.2. Prey depletion Tiger as an obligate carnivore will invariably depend on the availability of prey species. In Bhutan, sambar deer and wild pig are the most important prey species of tiger. Livestock also contribute to large proportion of tiger diet (Wang & Macdonald, 2006) in the mid-temperate regions of Bhutan. These assemblages of tiger prey (wild and domestic) further supplemented by smaller prey such as serow, muntjac and goral enable tigers to breed and reproduce even at high elevations. However, as the number of trans-humans decreases in tiger habitats and the prey availability for tigers also decreases. Further, the loss of grazing grounds to shrubs and trees also reduce the prime habitat for wild herbivores. Wild pigs, sambar deer and barking deer are considered as pests to the farmers and are often prosecuted and killed. Although not widespread, this is a serious threat that should be addressed immediately. Poaching from across the border for the prey species like sambar, gaur and wild pigs is also a major cause for the reduction of prey population. TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 15 A landscape approach to tiger conservation 3.1.3. Human-Tiger Conflict leading to retaliatory killing of tigers Large carnivores have undergone striking declines in both population size and geographic range with 61 % of the world’s large carnivore species being threatened with extinction (Ripple et al., 2014). A major driver of these declines has been persecution by humans driven by real or perceived threats to human lives and/or their livestock (Ripple et al., 2014; Dalerum et al., 2009). Such threats can prompt retaliatory and preventative killings of carnivores, causing their translocations, incur high costs for rural people, and result in negative attitudes by local people, thereby reducing support for conservation (Mc Manus et al., 2014). A small proportion of Bhutanese households also dwell within Protected Areas and Biological Corridors. An estimated 5325 households reside inside the park, and additional 1662 households reside within the buffer of 500 meters from the parks. About 3425 households falls inside the biological corridors and additional 2748 households within the buffer of 500 meters from biological corridors. These households depend on forests for timber, fodder, fuel and non-wood forest products. For instance, in the Royal Manas National Park (RMNP), a core habitat for tigers, 62 % of households depend on forests for fuel and fodder. Farming communities are also severely impacted by human-wildlife conflict. More than 50% of the households in RMNP succumb to loss of either crops or livestock to wild animals. Poisoning of the livestock kills and setting up snares are often deployed in retaliation to the tigers. TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 14 A landscape approach to tiger conservation 3.1.2. Prey depletion Tiger as an obligate carnivore will invariably depend on the availability of prey species. In Bhutan, sambar deer and wild pig are the most important prey species of tiger. Livestock also contribute to large proportion of tiger diet (Wang & Macdonald, 2006) in the mid-temperate regions of Bhutan. These assemblages of tiger prey (wild and domestic) further supplemented by smaller prey such as serow, muntjac and goral enable tigers to breed and reproduce even at high elevations. However, as the number of trans-humans decreases in tiger habitats and the prey availability for tigers also decreases. Further, the loss of grazing grounds to shrubs and trees also reduce the prime habitat for wild herbivores. Wild pigs, sambar deer and barking deer are considered as pests to the farmers and are often prosecuted and killed. Although not widespread, this is a serious threat that should be addressed immediately. Poaching from across the border for the prey species like sambar, gaur and wild pigs is also a major cause for the reduction of prey population. TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 15 A landscape approach to tiger conservation 3.1.3. Human-Tiger Conflict leading to retaliatory killing of tigers Large carnivores have undergone striking declines in both population size and geographic range with 61 % of the world’s large carnivore species being threatened with extinction (Ripple et al., 2014). A major driver of these declines has been persecution by humans driven by real or perceived threats to human lives and/or their livestock (Ripple et al., 2014; Dalerum et al., 2009). Such threats can prompt retaliatory and preventative killings of carnivores, causing their translocations, incur high costs for rural people, and result in negative attitudes by local people, thereby reducing support for conservation (Mc Manus et al., 2014). A small proportion of Bhutanese households also dwell within Protected Areas and Biological Corridors. An estimated 5325 households reside inside the park, and additional 1662 households reside within the buffer of 500 meters from the parks. About 3425 households falls inside the biological corridors and additional 2748 households within the buffer of 500 meters from biological corridors. These households depend on forests for timber, fodder, fuel and non-wood forest products. For instance, in the Royal Manas National Park (RMNP), a core habitat for tigers, 62 % of households depend on forests for fuel and fodder. Farming communities are also severely impacted by human-wildlife conflict. More than 50% of the households in RMNP succumb to loss of either crops or livestock to wild animals. Poisoning of the livestock kills and setting up snares are often deployed in retaliation to the tigers. TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 17 A landscape approach to tiger conservation in agriculture crops thereby increasing the poverty of the farming communities in rural areas and increase the incidences of tiger poaching. Poverty, poaching, and wildlife trades are intricately linked to each other (Challender & MacMillan, 2014; Duffy & St John, 2013). 3.2. Challenges 3.2.1. Inadequate resources and capacity for tiger conservation Studies show that fewer than 10 percent of the protected areas in tiger landscapes have highly effective management, and 20 percent have an absolute lack of management. A global study on the management effectiveness in protected areas found that 65 percent of the assessed protected areas had significant management deficiencies (GTIS, 2010). The assessment report on the protected areas of Bhutan shows that the protected areas are managed well. However, the assessment found that effectiveness is limited by a low level of resources (both financial and technical) and due to gaps in monitoring and research data, which limits the ability to understand the impact of conservation intervention, reaction to changing conditions and undertake adaptive management to improve efficiency and effectiveness (MoAF, 2016). TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 16 A landscape approach to tiger conservation 3.1.4. Habitat degradation, fragmentation, and loss Bhutan being a growing economy, developmental activities are taking a heavy toll on natural resources and is expected to accelerate in the coming years. As per the Annual RNR Statistics of 2016, within the last five years, Bhutan has lost 38,581 acres of State Reserve Forest to infrastructure development like power transmission lines, roads, institutions, land substitution, etc., (MoAF, 2016). Tiger is a wide-ranging species and requires a large tract of connected landscapes with minimal human interference. Habitat fragmentation due to infrastructure development can limit the dispersal of new individuals, thereby causing bottleneck in gene flow (Mills, 2012). Thus, securing the critical habitats for tigers and its prey will be instrumental in saving the wild tigers from local extinction. 3.1.5. Diseases In addition to the pressure of habitat loss, poaching and retaliatory killing, a new threat to tiger populations in the wild has surfaced in the form of communicable zoonotic diseases. There is a need for long-term wildlife monitoring and health surveillance in identifying emerging threats in endangered species. Canine distemper virus (CDV) is the second most common cause of infectious disease death in domestic dogs and is a significant viral disease of global importance in common and endangered wild carnivores. CDV has recently been identified in populations of wild tigers in Russia and India and is a significant threat to small, isolated tiger populations. The recent incident of tiger which came close to human habitation and later captured and died at the wildlife rescue and rehabilitation unit at Taba was discovered with tapeworm cysts in the brain which is suspected to be contacted from domestic animals. 3.1.6. Climate change Climate change is an emerging and important threat to biodiversity (Beamount et al., 2011) and is likely to affect the persistence of large, space-requiring species through habitat shift, loss, and fragmentation. Anthropogenic land and resource use changes related to climate change can also impact the survival of wildlife. Thus, climate change has to be integrated into biodiversity conservation plans (Forrest et al., 2012). The tiger habitats in Bhutan are mostly montane habitats and these are some of the most vulnerable ecosystem to climate changes. Climate change impacts may manifest directly, such as through the physiological stress experienced when ambient summer temperatures exceed organisms’ tolerance level. This would lead to shift in their ranges from productive prime lowland tiger habitats to less productive uplands. Other impacts occur indirectly through effects on interactions with other species including prey, co-predators (guild), competitors, parasites or hosts, or on a species’ habitat, as well as through interactions with other putative threatening processes such as habitat loss. Erratic monsoon and extreme weather patterns may lead to failure TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 17 A landscape approach to tiger conservation in agriculture crops thereby increasing the poverty of the farming communities in rural areas and increase the incidences of tiger poaching. Poverty, poaching, and wildlife trades are intricately linked to each other (Challender & MacMillan, 2014; Duffy & St John, 2013). 3.2. Challenges 3.2.1. Inadequate resources and capacity for tiger conservation Studies show that fewer than 10 percent of the protected areas in tiger landscapes have highly effective management, and 20 percent have an absolute lack of management. A global study on the management effectiveness in protected areas found that 65 percent of the assessed protected areas had significant management deficiencies (GTIS, 2010). The assessment report on the protected areas of Bhutan shows that the protected areas are managed well. However, the assessment found that effectiveness is limited by a low level of resources (both financial and technical) and due to gaps in monitoring and research data, which limits the ability to understand the impact of conservation intervention, reaction to changing conditions and undertake adaptive management to improve efficiency and effectiveness (MoAF, 2016). TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 16 A landscape approach to tiger conservation 3.1.4. Habitat degradation, fragmentation, and loss Bhutan being a growing economy, developmental activities are taking a heavy toll on natural resources and is expected to accelerate in the coming years. As per the Annual RNR Statistics of 2016, within the last five years, Bhutan has lost 38,581 acres of State Reserve Forest to infrastructure development like power transmission lines, roads, institutions, land substitution, etc., (MoAF, 2016). Tiger is a wide-ranging species and requires a large tract of connected landscapes with minimal human interference. Habitat fragmentation due to infrastructure development can limit the dispersal of new individuals, thereby causing bottleneck in gene flow (Mills, 2012). Thus, securing the critical habitats for tigers and its prey will be instrumental in saving the wild tigers from local extinction. 3.1.5. Diseases In addition to the pressure of habitat loss, poaching and retaliatory killing, a new threat to tiger populations in the wild has surfaced in the form of communicable zoonotic diseases. There is a need for long-term wildlife monitoring and health surveillance in identifying emerging threats in endangered species. Canine distemper virus (CDV) is the second most common cause of infectious disease death in domestic dogs and is a significant viral disease of global importance in common and endangered wild carnivores. CDV has recently been identified in populations of wild tigers in Russia and India and is a significant threat to small, isolated tiger populations. The recent incident of tiger which came close to human habitation and later captured and died at the wildlife rescue and rehabilitation unit at Taba was discovered with tapeworm cysts in the brain which is suspected to be contacted from domestic animals. 3.1.6. Climate change Climate change is an emerging and important threat to biodiversity (Beamount et al., 2011) and is likely to affect the persistence of large, space-requiring species through habitat shift, loss, and fragmentation. Anthropogenic land and resource use changes related to climate change can also impact the survival of wildlife. Thus, climate change has to be integrated into biodiversity conservation plans (Forrest et al., 2012). The tiger habitats in Bhutan are mostly montane habitats and these are some of the most vulnerable ecosystem to climate changes. Climate change impacts may manifest directly, such as through the physiological stress experienced when ambient summer temperatures exceed organisms’ tolerance level. This would lead to shift in their ranges from productive prime lowland tiger habitats to less productive uplands. Other impacts occur indirectly through effects on interactions with other species including prey, co-predators (guild), competitors, parasites or hosts, or on a species’ habitat, as well as through interactions with other putative threatening processes such as habitat loss. Erratic monsoon and extreme weather patterns may lead to failure TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 19 A landscape approach to tiger conservation Chapter IV: Action Plan 4.1. Vision, Goal and Objectives 4.1.1. Vision: “A viable population of tigers and their prey, coexisting with humans in an interconnected landscape” 4.1.2. Goal: By 2023 tiger population in Bhutan increased by 20 percent from the 2015 baseline through enhanced protection and improved habitat. 4.1.3. Objectives Objective I: Reduce poaching of tigers by 90 percent at the end of plan period. Objective II: Manage critical tiger habitats within and outside protected areas. Objective III: Reduce human-tiger conflict. Objective IV: Increase science based information on tiger, prey and their landscape. 4.2. Objective I: Reduce poaching of tiger by 90 percent at the end of plan period. Rationale Illegal killing, trade and use has been, and remains today, one of the main causes of the drastic and apparently continuing decline in the numbers of many world’s most charismatic endangered species (Corlett, 2007). The DoFPS during the year 2013 and 2014 recorded 159 cases of wildlife crime and collected more than Nu.10.5 million as fines and penalties. In the last five years from 2013-2007, 17 cases involving poaching and illegal trade of tiger were recorded and prosecuted. Species such as the musk deer and the Himalayan black bear are poached for the musk and bile respectively, while tiger and common leopard are indiscriminately caught in the snares intended to trap other species or are deliberately poisoned in retaliation. In order to tackle poaching and illegal trade of wildlife including charismatic species such as tiger and elephants, Bhutan now adopts a Zero Poaching Strategy containing six major pillars: 1) Assessment; 2) Technology; 3) Capacity; 4) Community; 5) Prosecution; and 6) Cooperation. The National Zero Poaching Strategy (2018-2023) containing a more unified anti-poaching actions is now in place for rollout at national level. The activities of this action plan will be supported by Zero Poaching Strategy for effective implementation and measurably move towards zero poaching in all the important habitats of tigers in Bhutan. T IG E R A C T IO N P L A N F O R B H U T A N (2 01 8- 20 23 ) 18 A la nd sc ap e ap pr oa ch to ti ge r c on se rv at io n C on ce pt ua l F ra m ew or k on T ig er C on se rv at io n in B hu ta n T ig e r T ig e r P o p u la tio n a n d L a n d sc a p e in B h u ta n P o a c h in g a n d il le g a l w il d li fe tr a d e H a b it a t lo s s (d e g ra d a ti o n ) In fr a st ru ct u re d e ve lo p m e n t (e .g . h yd ro p o w e r, ro a d , u rb a n iz a tio n , e tc . E xt ra ct iv e s (e .g . q u a rr y & m in in g F o re st fir e (n a tu ra l& a n th ro p o g e n ic ) O ve r g ra zi n g L a ck o f a w a re n e ss o n tig e r/ F N C R R In co n si st e n t m iti g a tio n in ce n tiv e (e .g . co m p e n sa tio n ) & lim ite d re so u rc e s to im p le m e n t H W C S a fe st ra te g y In a d e q u a te la n d u se p la n n in g In cr e a si n g d e m a n d fo r th e re so u rc e s (l a n d & w a te r) N o n -e xi st e n ce o f d e si g n a te d C ri tic a lly Im p o rt a n t A re a s (C IA e .g . b io d iv e rs ity , w a te rs h e d ) o u ts id e P A s L iv e st o ck & C ro p d e p re d a tio n L u cr a tiv e ill e g a lm a rk e t (h ig h va lu e / m e d ic in a lv a lu e ) R e ta li a to ry k il li n g In a d e q u a te la w e n fo rc e m e n t In a d e q u a te h u m a n & fin a n ci a lr e so u rc e s to im p le m e n t co n se rv a tio n p o lic ie s & st ra te g ie s (Z e ro p o a ch in g ) o u ts id e P A s H u m a n w ild lif e co n fli ct s (e .g . sn a ri n g , p o is o n in g ) U n -s u st a in a b le re so u rc e e xt ra ct io n (t im b e r, N T F P , fir e w o o d , e tc .) P o ro u s in te rn a tio n a lb o rd e r a n d lim ite d in te rn a tio n a l co o p e ra tio n In a d e q u a te a w a re n e ss o n e .g . F N C R R , e d u ca tio n W el l o rg an iz ed w ild lif e cr im e n et w o rk In va si o n b y in va si ve p la n ts E c o n o m ic F a c to rs In su ff ic ie n t in te rn a l fu n d in g & re d u ci n g e xt e rn a ls u p p o rt S o c ia l F a c to rs R u ra la n d u rb a n m ig ra tio n & p o ve rt y P o li ti c a l F a c to rs L im ite d tr a n s- b o u n d a ry co lla b o ra tio n m e ch a n is m L im ite d in vo lv e d o f lo ca l co m m u n iti e s in m a n a g e m e n t in n a tu ra l re so u rc e m a n a g e m e n t P re ss u re fo r g o ve rn m e n t to a d d re ss b o th b io d iv e rs ity co n se rv a tio n & e co n o m ic d e ve lo p m e n t S u st a in a b le fin a n ci n g m e ch a n is m (B F L ) a va ila b le o n ly fo r P A s N o fo rm a li n te r- a g e n cy e n fo rc e m e n t le d in iti a tiv e (e .g . in te lli g e n ce sh a ri n g & jo in t o p e ra tio n ) B h u ta n ’s a n d r e g io n ’s p o p u la tio n g ro w th a n d & ch a n g in g lif e st yl e (e .g . co n su m p tio n p a tt e rn , in co m e , u se o f so ci a lm e d ia ) T ra d iti o n a lm yt h s o n w ild lif e p a rt a n d p ro d u ct u se s S h ri n ka g e o f g ra ss la n d s U rb a n p o ve rt y & u n e m p lo ym e n t D e cr e a se d su p p o rt fo r co n se rv a tio n a m o n g fa rm e rs a n d h e rd e rs R e s e a rc h & S c ie n c e (I n fo rm a ti o n g a p ) H a b ita t m a n a g e m e n t T ig e r e co lo g y a n d b e h a vi o u r (h o m e ra n g e , h a b ita t se le ct io n , p re d a to r- p re y d yn a m ic s, g e n e tic p ro fil e , d ie ta ry a n a ly si s, e tc .) C lim a te ch a n g e im p a ct s (v u ln e ra b ili tie s o f p re d a to r & p re y ra n g e sh ift ) L o w -M e d iu m co rr u p tio n ? ? L iv e st o ck p o p u la tio n & tr a d iti o n a lh e rd in g p ra ct ic e s N a tio n w id e tig e r a n d p re y p o p u la tio n m o n ito ri n g T ig e r L a n d sc a p e ’s e co sy st e m fu n ct io n s a n d h u m a n w e lfa re R e d u ce d is a st e r ri sk s (f lo o d , la n d sl id e s, e ro si o n , h u rr ic a n e s) M iti g a te C lim a te C h a n g e S a fe g u a rd w a te rs h e d a n d w a te r se cu ri ty P ro vi d e fo o d , m e d ic in e a n d ra w m a te ri a ls P ro vi d e re cr e a tio n H u m a n w e lf a re b e n e fi ts H e a lth S e cu ri ty (F o o d , w a te r & e n e rg y) B a si c n e e d s TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 19 A landscape approach to tiger conservation Chapter IV: Action Plan 4.1. Vision, Goal and Objectives 4.1.1. Vision: “A viable population of tigers and their prey, coexisting with humans in an interconnected landscape” 4.1.2. Goal: By 2023 tiger population in Bhutan increased by 20 percent from the 2015 baseline through enhanced protection and improved habitat. 4.1.3. Objectives Objective I: Reduce poaching of tigers by 90 percent at the end of plan period. Objective II: Manage critical tiger habitats within and outside protected areas. Objective III: Reduce human-tiger conflict. Objective IV: Increase science based information on tiger, prey and their landscape. 4.2. Objective I: Reduce poaching of tiger by 90 percent at the end of plan period. Rationale Illegal killing, trade and use has been, and remains today, one of the main causes of the drastic and apparently continuing decline in the numbers of many world’s most charismatic endangered species (Corlett, 2007). The DoFPS during the year 2013 and 2014 recorded 159 cases of wildlife crime and collected more than Nu.10.5 million as fines and penalties. In the last five years from 2013-2007, 17 cases involving poaching and illegal trade of tiger were recorded and prosecuted. Species such as the musk deer and the Himalayan black bear are poached for the musk and bile respectively, while tiger and common leopard are indiscriminately caught in the snares intended to trap other species or are deliberately poisoned in retaliation. In order to tackle poaching and illegal trade of wildlife including charismatic species such as tiger and elephants, Bhutan now adopts a Zero Poaching Strategy containing six major pillars: 1) Assessment; 2) Technology; 3) Capacity; 4) Community; 5) Prosecution; and 6) Cooperation. The National Zero Poaching Strategy (2018-2023) containing a more unified anti-poaching actions is now in place for rollout at national level. The activities of this action plan will be supported by Zero Poaching Strategy for effective implementation and measurably move towards zero poaching in all the important habitats of tigers in Bhutan. T IG E R A C T IO N P L A N F O R B H U T A N (2 01 8- 20 23 ) 18 A la nd sc ap e ap pr oa ch to ti ge r c on se rv at io n C on ce pt ua l F ra m ew or k on T ig er C on se rv at io n in B hu ta n T ig e r T ig e r P o p u la tio n a n d L a n d sc a p e in B h u ta n P o a c h in g a n d il le g a l w il d li fe tr a d e H a b it a t lo s s (d e g ra d a ti o n ) In fr a st ru ct u re d e ve lo p m e n t (e .g . h yd ro p o w e r, ro a d , u rb a n iz a tio n , e tc . E xt ra ct iv e s (e .g . q u a rr y & m in in g F o re st fir e (n a tu ra l& a n th ro p o g e n ic ) O ve r g ra zi n g L a ck o f a w a re n e ss o n tig e r/ F N C R R In co n si st e n t m iti g a tio n in ce n tiv e (e .g . co m p e n sa tio n ) & lim ite d re so u rc e s to im p le m e n t H W C S a fe st ra te g y In a d e q u a te la n d u se p la n n in g In cr e a si n g d e m a n d fo r th e re so u rc e s (l a n d & w a te r) N o n -e xi st e n ce o f d e si g n a te d C ri tic a lly Im p o rt a n t A re a s (C IA e .g . b io d iv e rs ity , w a te rs h e d ) o u ts id e P A s L iv e st o ck & C ro p d e p re d a tio n L u cr a tiv e ill e g a lm a rk e t (h ig h va lu e / m e d ic in a lv a lu e ) R e ta li a to ry k il li n g In a d e q u a te la w e n fo rc e m e n t In a d e q u a te h u m a n & fin a n ci a lr e so u rc e s to im p le m e n t co n se rv a tio n p o lic ie s & st ra te g ie s (Z e ro p o a ch in g ) o u ts id e P A s H u m a n w ild lif e co n fli ct s (e .g . sn a ri n g , p o is o n in g ) U n -s u st a in a b le re so u rc e e xt ra ct io n (t im b e r, N T F P , fir e w o o d , e tc .) P o ro u s in te rn a tio n a lb o rd e r a n d lim ite d in te rn a tio n a l co o p e ra tio n In a d e q u a te a w a re n e ss o n e .g . F N C R R , e d u ca tio n W el l o rg an iz ed w ild lif e cr im e n et w o rk In va si o n b y in va si ve p la n ts E c o n o m ic F a c to rs In su ff ic ie n t in te rn a l fu n d in g & re d u ci n g e xt e rn a ls u p p o rt S o c ia l F a c to rs R u ra la n d u rb a n m ig ra tio n & p o ve rt y P o li ti c a l F a c to rs L im ite d tr a n s- b o u n d a ry co lla b o ra tio n m e ch a n is m L im ite d in vo lv e d o f lo ca l co m m u n iti e s in m a n a g e m e n t in n a tu ra l re so u rc e m a n a g e m e n t P re ss u re fo r g o ve rn m e n t to a d d re ss b o th b io d iv e rs ity co n se rv a tio n & e co n o m ic d e ve lo p m e n t S u st a in a b le fin a n ci n g m e ch a n is m (B F L ) a va ila b le o n ly fo r P A s N o fo rm a li n te r- a g e n cy e n fo rc e m e n t le d in iti a tiv e (e .g . in te lli g e n ce sh a ri n g & jo in t o p e ra tio n ) B h u ta n ’s a n d r e g io n ’s p o p u la tio n g ro w th a n d & ch a n g in g lif e st yl e (e .g . co n su m p tio n p a tt e rn , in co m e , u se o f so ci a lm e d ia ) T ra d iti o n a lm yt h s o n w ild lif e p a rt a n d p ro d u ct u se s S h ri n ka g e o f g ra ss la n d s U rb a n p o ve rt y & u n e m p lo ym e n t D e cr e a se d su p p o rt fo r co n se rv a tio n a m o n g fa rm e rs a n d h e rd e rs R e s e a rc h & S c ie n c e (I n fo rm a ti o n g a p ) H a b ita t m a n a g e m e n t T ig e r e co lo g y a n d b e h a vi o u r (h o m e ra n g e , h a b ita t se le ct io n , p re d a to r- p re y d yn a m ic s, g e n e tic p ro fil e , d ie ta ry a n a ly si s, e tc .) C lim a te ch a n g e im p a ct s (v u ln e ra b ili tie s o f p re d a to r & p re y ra n g e sh ift ) L o w -M e d iu m co rr u p tio n ? ? L iv e st o ck p o p u la tio n & tr a d iti o n a lh e rd in g p ra ct ic e s N a tio n w id e tig e r a n d p re y p o p u la tio n m o n ito ri n g T ig e r L a n d sc a p e ’s e co sy st e m fu n ct io n s a n d h u m a n w e lfa re R e d u ce d is a st e r ri sk s (f lo o d , la n d sl id e s, e ro si o n , h u rr ic a n e s) M iti g a te C lim a te C h a n g e S a fe g u a rd w a te rs h e d a n d w a te r se cu ri ty P ro vi d e fo o d , m e d ic in e a n d ra w m a te ri a ls P ro vi d e re cr e a tio n H u m a n w e lf a re b e n e fi ts H e a lth S e cu ri ty (F o o d , w a te r & e n e rg y) B a si c n e e d s TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 20 A landscape approach to tiger conservation Output 1.1: Current wildlife protection in Bhutan assessed. Action 1.1.1: Conduct protection assessment and develop poaching hotspot map, identify priority areas for enforcement and enhance SMART rollout. Output 1.2: SMART patrol program fully implemented by all the field offices. Action 1.2.1: Finalize setting up SMART data model & reporting requirements for Bhutan. Action 1.2.2: Train data officers on SMART software for tactical patrolling. Action 1.2.3: Carry out regular SMART patrolling in all field divisions. Action 1.2.4: Develop mechanisms to share intelligence reports among the field offices. Action 1.2.5: Develop and maintain database of patrolling and surveillance reports at the field offices and headquarter. Action 1.2.6: Carry out refresher course and capacity building on SMART patrolling. Output 1.3: Strengthened infrastructure and equipment support for anti-poaching effectiveness. Action 1.3.1: Set up Forest Protection and Enforcement Unit (FPEU) in each forest division and protected areas. Action 1.3.2: Strengthen Forest Protection and Enforcement Section under Forest Protection and Enforcement Division. Action 1.3.3: Set up and equip guard posts in strategic locations. Action 1.3.4: Support frontline staff with field gears to patrol remote areas. Output 1.4: Improved communication systems for protection. Action 1.4.1: Set up repeater for wireless communication in appropriate locations. Action 1.4.2: Maintain and improve existing communication system. Output 1.5: Awareness campaigns conducted on significance of tiger conservation. Action 1.5.1: Conduct education and awareness campaigns among communities on ills of wildlife poaching. Action 1.5.2: Organize religious discourses on the spiritual linkage of conservation and human wellbeing. Action 1.5.3: Identify & support nature clubs in schools as ambassador of conservation. Action 1.5.4: Observe Global Tiger Day at appropriate locations. Output 1.6: Strengthened capacities of law enforcement divisions under MoAF. Action 1.6.1: Strengthen and support legal services under MoAF. TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 21 A landscape approach to tiger conservation Actionn1.6.2: Conduct awareness workshop on FNCRR and other relevant legislations for all the field divisions. Action 1.6.3: Train field staff in basic enforcement skills including wildlife crime detection and prosecution. Output 1.7: Enhanced cooperation and coordination among the law enforcement agencies. Action 1.7.1: Conduct workshop on detection of illegal wildlife trade with law enforcement agencies. Action 1.7.2: Develop protocols for recording and reporting of illegal wildlife trade. Action 1.7.3: Formalize inter-agency intelligence led enforcement initiatives at national level. Action 1.7.4: Strengthen on ground intelligence led enforcement initiatives. Output 1.8: Strengthened transboundary cooperation on tiger conservation. Action 1.8.1: Organize regular meetings and workshops at transboundary level to discuss issues, challenges and best practices. Action 1.8.2: Arrange exchange visits for the forestry officials. Action 1.8.3: Coordinate and collaborate with park official and other stakeholders from India on synchronized anti-poaching patrol, tiger monitoring and other activities. 4.3. Objective II: Manage critical tiger habitats within and outside protected areas Rationale: Habitat degradation and fragmentation is another primary threats to maintaining viable population of tigers and their prey in the country. Empty forest syndrome (Datta, Anand, & Naniwadekar, 2008) is the common phenomena in the mountainous landscape. A good forest cover do not necessarily translate into a good tiger habitat. Our leaders and predecessors has done extremely well in protecting the forest and securing the habitats of tigers in Bhutan. As Bhutanese farmers abandoned the old practice of tseri agriculture (slash and burn agriculture practices) and trans-migratory livestock herding practice, tseri and grasslands are overtaken by woody shrubs and trees (Siebert & Belsky, 2014). Intermediate disturbance regimes like fires and logging trend to increase herbaceous biomass for ungulate which in turn may benefit carnivores (Hebblewhite, Munro, & Merrill , 2009). Heterogeneous habitat (mixed of grasslands and grazing ground, forests) instead of pure forests covers tend to support more of the tiger’s primary prey species (Bhattarai & Kindlmann, 2012; Simcharoen et al., 2014). Except in small pocket of RMNP, active habitat management is not being carried out in most tiger habitats in Bhutan. The existing alluvial grasslands are invaded by trees and other woody shrubs in the south. The traditional grazing ground are also increasingly being lost to trees and TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 20 A landscape approach to tiger conservation Output 1.1: Current wildlife protection in Bhutan assessed. Action 1.1.1: Conduct protection assessment and develop poaching hotspot map, identify priority areas for enforcement and enhance SMART rollout. Output 1.2: SMART patrol program fully implemented by all the field offices. Action 1.2.1: Finalize setting up SMART data model & reporting requirements for Bhutan. Action 1.2.2: Train data officers on SMART software for tactical patrolling. Action 1.2.3: Carry out regular SMART patrolling in all field divisions. Action 1.2.4: Develop mechanisms to share intelligence reports among the field offices. Action 1.2.5: Develop and maintain database of patrolling and surveillance reports at the field offices and headquarter. Action 1.2.6: Carry out refresher course and capacity building on SMART patrolling. Output 1.3: Strengthened infrastructure and equipment support for anti-poaching effectiveness. Action 1.3.1: Set up Forest Protection and Enforcement Unit (FPEU) in each forest division and protected areas. Action 1.3.2: Strengthen Forest Protection and Enforcement Section under Forest Protection and Enforcement Division. Action 1.3.3: Set up and equip guard posts in strategic locations. Action 1.3.4: Support frontline staff with field gears to patrol remote areas. Output 1.4: Improved communication systems for protection. Action 1.4.1: Set up repeater for wireless communication in appropriate locations. Action 1.4.2: Maintain and improve existing communication system. Output 1.5: Awareness campaigns conducted on significance of tiger conservation. Action 1.5.1: Conduct education and awareness campaigns among communities on ills of wildlife poaching. Action 1.5.2: Organize religious discourses on the spiritual linkage of conservation and human wellbeing. Action 1.5.3: Identify & support nature clubs in schools as ambassador of conservation. Action 1.5.4: Observe Global Tiger Day at appropriate locations. Output 1.6: Strengthened capacities of law enforcement divisions under MoAF. Action 1.6.1: Strengthen and support legal services under MoAF. TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 21 A landscape approach to tiger conservation Actionn1.6.2: Conduct awareness workshop on FNCRR and other relevant legislations for all the field divisions. Action 1.6.3: Train field staff in basic enforcement skills including wildlife crime detection and prosecution. Output 1.7: Enhanced cooperation and coordination among the law enforcement agencies. Action 1.7.1: Conduct workshop on detection of illegal wildlife trade with law enforcement agencies. Action 1.7.2: Develop protocols for recording and reporting of illegal wildlife trade. Action 1.7.3: Formalize inter-agency intelligence led enforcement initiatives at national level. Action 1.7.4: Strengthen on ground intelligence led enforcement initiatives. Output 1.8: Strengthened transboundary cooperation on tiger conservation. Action 1.8.1: Organize regular meetings and workshops at transboundary level to discuss issues, challenges and best practices. Action 1.8.2: Arrange exchange visits for the forestry officials. Action 1.8.3: Coordinate and collaborate with park official and other stakeholders from India on synchronized anti-poaching patrol, tiger monitoring and other activities. 4.3. Objective II: Manage critical tiger habitats within and outside protected areas Rationale: Habitat degradation and fragmentation is another primary threats to maintaining viable population of tigers and their prey in the country. Empty forest syndrome (Datta, Anand, & Naniwadekar, 2008) is the common phenomena in the mountainous landscape. A good forest cover do not necessarily translate into a good tiger habitat. Our leaders and predecessors has done extremely well in protecting the forest and securing the habitats of tigers in Bhutan. As Bhutanese farmers abandoned the old practice of tseri agriculture (slash and burn agriculture practices) and trans-migratory livestock herding practice, tseri and grasslands are overtaken by woody shrubs and trees (Siebert & Belsky, 2014). Intermediate disturbance regimes like fires and logging trend to increase herbaceous biomass for ungulate which in turn may benefit carnivores (Hebblewhite, Munro, & Merrill , 2009). Heterogeneous habitat (mixed of grasslands and grazing ground, forests) instead of pure forests covers tend to support more of the tiger’s primary prey species (Bhattarai & Kindlmann, 2012; Simcharoen et al., 2014). Except in small pocket of RMNP, active habitat management is not being carried out in most tiger habitats in Bhutan. The existing alluvial grasslands are invaded by trees and other woody shrubs in the south. The traditional grazing ground are also increasingly being lost to trees and TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 22 A landscape approach to tiger conservation woody species in the mid-temperate forests as our farmers are increasingly abandoning their old lifestyle of migratory cattle herding. Therefore, traditional grazing grounds in the temperate mid- altitudes and existing alluvial grasslands in the south should be actively managed so that it will benefit ungulate species and other large tiger prey. Thus, to fulfil our objective of increasing tiger number in Bhutan by 20% by 2023, an active habitat improvement is critical. Also in order to maintain ecological integrity and connectivity of Bhutan's tiger landscape, it is imperative to identify and map areas of high ecological significance like breeding/source sites; good tiger habitat under high anthropogenic threats; tiger habitat with high religious and cultural significance; and connectivity breaks and bottleneck habitat areas. A systematic review of all the legislation, policies and plans has to be carried out in order to harmonize tiger habitat management with conflicting human land-use. Output 2.1: Critical tiger and their prey habitats zoned and delineated within and outside the protected area network Action 2.1.1: Identify and map critical tiger habitat for protection and management interventions. Action 2.1.2: Conduct stakeholder consultation meeting to harmonize critical tiger habitat maps with developmental master plans. Output 2.2: Critical tiger habitats managed as per the habitat management guidelines Action 2.2.1: Carryout grassland management including controlled burning and weed eradication. Action 2.2.2: Initiate habitat improvement through enrichment plantation of native palatable species and removal of invasive species. Action2.2.3: Maintain and improve the existing cattle grazing lands (tshamdos) for wild herbivores. Action 2.2.4: Maintain natural water holes and saltlicks and create new ones on need basis. Output 2.3: Principles of smart-green infrastructure adopted and implemented for infrastructure development in the critical tiger habitats. Action 2.3.1: Organize sensitization workshops on smart-green infrastructure with relevant stakeholders. Action 2.3.2: Organize exposure trips for relevant stakeholders to understand and appreciate the features of smart-green infrastructure. Action 2.3.3: Incorporate smart-green features in the national and local infrastructure development plans. TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 23 A landscape approach to tiger conservation Action 2.3.4: Enforce and monitor smart-green features in infrastructure development in the tiger habitats. Output 2.4: Tiger and prey habitat change and management interventions studied and monitored. Action 2.4.1: Identify and establish permanent plots in tiger habitats at different ecological zones. Action 2.4.2: Assess the effects of road and infrastructural developments on the habitat connectivity for tiger and prey. Output 2.5. At least 5 tiger sites (PAs and forest divisions) managed as per CA|TS standards. Action 2.5.1: CA|TS registration of the tiger sites. Action 2.5.2: Field assessment of the tiger sites and propose for accreditation to CA|TS. 4.4. Objective III: Reduce human-tiger conflict Rationale Human–wildlife conflict is one of the most critical threats faced by many wildlife species today (Dickman, 2010). Conflict between people and felids is one of the most urgent wild cat conservation issues worldwide, yet efforts to synthesize knowledge about these conflicts have been few. The severity of conflict increases with felid species’ body mass and is therefore of greatest significance for the conservation of the larger species (Inskip & Zimmermann, 2009). In Bhutan, restrictions on the use of common grazing lands by farmers and a culture of lax livestock husbandry practices, have exacerbated the conflict (Wang & Macdonald, 2009) and eroded the Buddhist ethic of tolerance towards predator. In addition, the land-sharing ethic that characterizes the regulation of Bhutanese protected areas allows natural resource use (e.g., grazing, agriculture, and collection of non-wood forest products) within park boundaries (Wang, 2010), which increases the chances of conflicts. Accordingly, farmers in central Bhutan ranked livestock predation, together with crop damage, as the most serious threats to their livelihood, and several farmers expressed a desire to exterminate problem wildlife (Wang & Macdonald, 2006). Output 3.1: Understood human tiger conflict scenario in Bhutan Action 3.1.1: Carry out hotspot mapping highlighting spatio-temporal characteristics of the conflict. Action 3.1.2: Assess social characteristics (social dynamics and tolerance level), severity and impacts of the conflict. TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 22 A landscape approach to tiger conservation woody species in the mid-temperate forests as our farmers are increasingly abandoning their old lifestyle of migratory cattle herding. Therefore, traditional grazing grounds in the temperate mid- altitudes and existing alluvial grasslands in the south should be actively managed so that it will benefit ungulate species and other large tiger prey. Thus, to fulfil our objective of increasing tiger number in Bhutan by 20% by 2023, an active habitat improvement is critical. Also in order to maintain ecological integrity and connectivity of Bhutan's tiger landscape, it is imperative to identify and map areas of high ecological significance like breeding/source sites; good tiger habitat under high anthropogenic threats; tiger habitat with high religious and cultural significance; and connectivity breaks and bottleneck habitat areas. A systematic review of all the legislation, policies and plans has to be carried out in order to harmonize tiger habitat management with conflicting human land-use. Output 2.1: Critical tiger and their prey habitats zoned and delineated within and outside the protected area network Action 2.1.1: Identify and map critical tiger habitat for protection and management interventions. Action 2.1.2: Conduct stakeholder consultation meeting to harmonize critical tiger habitat maps with developmental master plans. Output 2.2: Critical tiger habitats managed as per the habitat management guidelines Action 2.2.1: Carryout grassland management including controlled burning and weed eradication. Action 2.2.2: Initiate habitat improvement through enrichment plantation of native palatable species and removal of invasive species. Action2.2.3: Maintain and improve the existing cattle grazing lands (tshamdos) for wild herbivores. Action 2.2.4: Maintain natural water holes and saltlicks and create new ones on need basis. Output 2.3: Principles of smart-green infrastructure adopted and implemented for infrastructure development in the critical tiger habitats. Action 2.3.1: Organize sensitization workshops on smart-green infrastructure with relevant stakeholders. Action 2.3.2: Organize exposure trips for relevant stakeholders to understand and appreciate the features of smart-green infrastructure. Action 2.3.3: Incorporate smart-green features in the national and local infrastructure development plans. TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 23 A landscape approach to tiger conservation Action 2.3.4: Enforce and monitor smart-green features in infrastructure development in the tiger habitats. Output 2.4: Tiger and prey habitat change and management interventions studied and monitored. Action 2.4.1: Identify and establish permanent plots in tiger habitats at different ecological zones. Action 2.4.2: Assess the effects of road and infrastructural developments on the habitat connectivity for tiger and prey. Output 2.5. At least 5 tiger sites (PAs and forest divisions) managed as per CA|TS standards. Action 2.5.1: CA|TS registration of the tiger sites. Action 2.5.2: Field assessment of the tiger sites and propose for accreditation to CA|TS. 4.4. Objective III: Reduce human-tiger conflict Rationale Human–wildlife conflict is one of the most critical threats faced by many wildlife species today (Dickman, 2010). Conflict between people and felids is one of the most urgent wild cat conservation issues worldwide, yet efforts to synthesize knowledge about these conflicts have been few. The severity of conflict increases with felid species’ body mass and is therefore of greatest significance for the conservation of the larger species (Inskip & Zimmermann, 2009). In Bhutan, restrictions on the use of common grazing lands by farmers and a culture of lax livestock husbandry practices, have exacerbated the conflict (Wang & Macdonald, 2009) and eroded the Buddhist ethic of tolerance towards predator. In addition, the land-sharing ethic that characterizes the regulation of Bhutanese protected areas allows natural resource use (e.g., grazing, agriculture, and collection of non-wood forest products) within park boundaries (Wang, 2010), which increases the chances of conflicts. Accordingly, farmers in central Bhutan ranked livestock predation, together with crop damage, as the most serious threats to their livelihood, and several farmers expressed a desire to exterminate problem wildlife (Wang & Macdonald, 2006). Output 3.1: Understood human tiger conflict scenario in Bhutan Action 3.1.1: Carry out hotspot mapping highlighting spatio-temporal characteristics of the conflict. Action 3.1.2: Assess social characteristics (social dynamics and tolerance level), severity and impacts of the conflict. TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 24 A landscape approach to tiger conservation Action 3.1.3: Develop and maintain human- tiger conflict data base both at central and field level. Output 3.2: Enhanced prevention of human tiger conflict in Bhutan. Action 3.2.1: Conduct mass education and awareness on the conflict scenario and preventive measures, policy, strategy and science of human-tiger conflict in Bhutan. Action 3.2.2: Improve livestock management through improved breeds and enhanced guarding practices. Action 3.2.3: Install low-voltage electric fences to minimize loss of crop and cattle to wildlife. Action 3.2.4: Establish and strengthen visitor information centers at field offices. Output 3.3: Mitigation measures put in place in case of conflict occurrence Action 3.3.1: Establish and strengthen HWC committee at national and community level. Action 3.3.2: Develop a standard conflict reporting system for Bhutan. Action 3.3.3: Develop national policy for ex-gratia payment in the event of loss of human life or injury. Action 3.3.4: Strengthen and support the livestock insurance and compensation schemes. Action 3.3.5: Initiate community based ecotourism in the tiger landscapes. Action 3.3.6: Link and establish PES schemes in the tiger landscapes. 4.5. Objective IV: Increase science based information on tiger, prey and their landscape Rationale It is often said “you can’t manage what you don’t measure”. A fundamental approach to effective conservation and management must be guided by rigorous science. And information generated through science-based gauge must be put into use in various formats. Monitoring of wildlife population is one of the most important management programs that helps managers and decision makers to detect the extent and direction of wildlife population changes (Karanth et al., 2003; Mills, 2012; Oli & Mills, 2013). Targeted, or hypotheses based monitoring (Nichols & Williams , 2006) should be incorporated as part of our programs for tigers and other wildlife in Bhutan. This will not only detect the changes in the wildlife population trends, but also help identify the cause of such changes. For example, if poaching is a primary threat for tiger conservation in Bhutan, then designing monitoring protocols to detect poaching activities will provide information on the severity of poaching and its impact to tigers. This will enable managers to take appropriate management actions, rather than waiting to see the trend of TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 25 A landscape approach to tiger conservation population decline and then beginning to ask if poaching or disease or other factors are the main cause of the decline. Camera trapping has become one of the most important tools for monitoring the tiger populations. This should be carried out on regular basis in the protected areas. Such monitoring should be expended to other tiger habitat at national level every 5 years. To monitor tiger movements and fine scale resources selection and to address and prevent human wildlife conflicts, radio- telemetry studies must be conducted. Social demographics and public perception monitoring should be carried out every 5 years in the protected areas. Output 4.1: Tiger and prey population periodically monitored using robust scientific design and analysis. Action 4.1.1: Establish long term monitoring protocol for tigers and prey species. Action 4.1.2: Conduct nationwide tiger population revalidation survey every five years. Action 4.1.3: Evaluate tiger and prey distribution and produce demographic reports. Action 4.1.4: Conduct survey on prey using standard methodology (sign surveys, distance sampling, point counts, double observation, and dung surveys). Action 4.1.5: Strengthen national database of tigers and other wild animals. Action 4.1.6: Train and equip tiger research and monitoring teams. Action 4.1.7: Conduct economic valuation of tiger habitats in Bhutan. Output 4.2: Established and strengthened information on tiger ecology and movement through study and identify important environmental and anthropogenic variables in relation to tiger habitat use and selection. Action 4.2.1: Compile all available data and information on tigers and prey species within DoFPS. Action 4.2.2: Conduct study to assess habitat condition for tiger and prey. Action 4.2.3: Conduct radio collaring of tigers at different habitats to study the behavior and spatial movement ecology. Action 4.2.4: Enhance capacity of field staff on animal handling and management. Action 4.2.5: Perform population viability assessment of tiger and prey population using statistical and mathematical models (population projection and carrying capacity). Action 4.2.6: Conduct dietary selection by tiger and prey species Output 4.3: Established genetic database of tigers in Bhutan. Action 4.3.1: Establish genetic lab to perform genetic analysis of tigers and its co-predators Action 4.3.2: Train relevant staff on genetic analysis and profiling. TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 24 A landscape approach to tiger conservation Action 3.1.3: Develop and maintain human- tiger conflict data base both at central and field level. Output 3.2: Enhanced prevention of human tiger conflict in Bhutan. Action 3.2.1: Conduct mass education and awareness on the conflict scenario and preventive measures, policy, strategy and science of human-tiger conflict in Bhutan. Action 3.2.2: Improve livestock management through improved breeds and enhanced guarding practices. Action 3.2.3: Install low-voltage electric fences to minimize loss of crop and cattle to wildlife. Action 3.2.4: Establish and strengthen visitor information centers at field offices. Output 3.3: Mitigation measures put in place in case of conflict occurrence Action 3.3.1: Establish and strengthen HWC committee at national and community level. Action 3.3.2: Develop a standard conflict reporting system for Bhutan. Action 3.3.3: Develop national policy for ex-gratia payment in the event of loss of human life or injury. Action 3.3.4: Strengthen and support the livestock insurance and compensation schemes. Action 3.3.5: Initiate community based ecotourism in the tiger landscapes. Action 3.3.6: Link and establish PES schemes in the tiger landscapes. 4.5. Objective IV: Increase science based information on tiger, prey and their landscape Rationale It is often said “you can’t manage what you don’t measure”. A fundamental approach to effective conservation and management must be guided by rigorous science. And information generated through science-based gauge must be put into use in various formats. Monitoring of wildlife population is one of the most important management programs that helps managers and decision makers to detect the extent and direction of wildlife population changes (Karanth et al., 2003; Mills, 2012; Oli & Mills, 2013). Targeted, or hypotheses based monitoring (Nichols & Williams , 2006) should be incorporated as part of our programs for tigers and other wildlife in Bhutan. This will not only detect the changes in the wildlife population trends, but also help identify the cause of such changes. For example, if poaching is a primary threat for tiger conservation in Bhutan, then designing monitoring protocols to detect poaching activities will provide information on the severity of poaching and its impact to tigers. This will enable managers to take appropriate management actions, rather than waiting to see the trend of TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 25 A landscape approach to tiger conservation population decline and then beginning to ask if poaching or disease or other factors are the main cause of the decline. Camera trapping has become one of the most important tools for monitoring the tiger populations. This should be carried out on regular basis in the protected areas. Such monitoring should be expended to other tiger habitat at national level every 5 years. To monitor tiger movements and fine scale resources selection and to address and prevent human wildlife conflicts, radio- telemetry studies must be conducted. Social demographics and public perception monitoring should be carried out every 5 years in the protected areas. Output 4.1: Tiger and prey population periodically monitored using robust scientific design and analysis. Action 4.1.1: Establish long term monitoring protocol for tigers and prey species. Action 4.1.2: Conduct nationwide tiger population revalidation survey every five years. Action 4.1.3: Evaluate tiger and prey distribution and produce demographic reports. Action 4.1.4: Conduct survey on prey using standard methodology (sign surveys, distance sampling, point counts, double observation, and dung surveys). Action 4.1.5: Strengthen national database of tigers and other wild animals. Action 4.1.6: Train and equip tiger research and monitoring teams. Action 4.1.7: Conduct economic valuation of tiger habitats in Bhutan. Output 4.2: Established and strengthened information on tiger ecology and movement through study and identify important environmental and anthropogenic variables in relation to tiger habitat use and selection. Action 4.2.1: Compile all available data and information on tigers and prey species within DoFPS. Action 4.2.2: Conduct study to assess habitat condition for tiger and prey. Action 4.2.3: Conduct radio collaring of tigers at different habitats to study the behavior and spatial movement ecology. Action 4.2.4: Enhance capacity of field staff on animal handling and management. Action 4.2.5: Perform population viability assessment of tiger and prey population using statistical and mathematical models (population projection and carrying capacity). Action 4.2.6: Conduct dietary selection by tiger and prey species Output 4.3: Established genetic database of tigers in Bhutan. Action 4.3.1: Establish genetic lab to perform genetic analysis of tigers and its co-predators Action 4.3.2: Train relevant staff on genetic analysis and profiling. TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 26 A landscape approach to tiger conservation Action 4.3.3: Establish and strengthen genetic database of tigers and prey. Action 4.3.4: Produce report on genetic profiles of tigers in Bhutan. Output 4.4: Assess impacts of potential disturbance regimes and disasters on tiger and prey population. Activity 4.4.1: Assess impact of climate change on tiger and prey habitats and develop adaptation plan. Activity 4.4.2: Assess disease threat to tigers or their prey from livestock and feral animals and monitor where necessary. Activity 4.4.3: Strengthen wildlife clinic and laboratory. Activity 4.4.4: Assess the impact of feral dogs on wildlife population and manage dog population. TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 27 A landscape approach to tiger conservation Chapter V: Plan Implementation and Monitoring 5.1. Institutional Arrangements The plan implementation will be coordinated by NCD in collaboration with the functional divisions, UWICER, Global Tiger Center, field offices and other relevant agencies. However, the activities will be implemented by the field offices through larger landscape based projects with RGoB funding, Bhutan for Life Project (BFL) and other donor funded projects or through smaller site bases projects. 5.2. Work Plan and Budget The major portion of funding for this five year tiger action plan is secured from the 12th FYP of the RGoB and the BFL as most of the activities are aligned. However, funding from other donors like WWF, Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation, United Nations Development Program, Bhutan Foundation and other international donors will be sourced to cover tiger conservation works outside the protected areas where funding is not secured. The total budget required for the implementation of the tiger action plan for the next five years is Nu. 619.63 Million. The majority of the budget will be met from RGoB and BFL contribution while the funding gap will be sourced from other donors. TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 26 A landscape approach to tiger conservation Action 4.3.3: Establish and strengthen genetic database of tigers and prey. Action 4.3.4: Produce report on genetic profiles of tigers in Bhutan. Output 4.4: Assess impacts of potential disturbance regimes and disasters on tiger and prey population. Activity 4.4.1: Assess impact of climate change on tiger and prey habitats and develop adaptation plan. Activity 4.4.2: Assess disease threat to tigers or their prey from livestock and feral animals and monitor where necessary. Activity 4.4.3: Strengthen wildlife clinic and laboratory. Activity 4.4.4: Assess the impact of feral dogs on wildlife population and manage dog population. TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 27 A landscape approach to tiger conservation Chapter V: Plan Implementation and Monitoring 5.1. Institutional Arrangements The plan implementation will be coordinated by NCD in collaboration with the functional divisions, UWICER, Global Tiger Center, field offices and other relevant agencies. However, the activities will be implemented by the field offices through larger landscape based projects with RGoB funding, Bhutan for Life Project (BFL) and other donor funded projects or through smaller site bases projects. 5.2. Work Plan and Budget The major portion of funding for this five year tiger action plan is secured from the 12th FYP of the RGoB and the BFL as most of the activities are aligned. However, funding from other donors like WWF, Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation, United Nations Development Program, Bhutan Foundation and other international donors will be sourced to cover tiger conservation works outside the protected areas where funding is not secured. The total budget required for the implementation of the tiger action plan for the next five years is Nu. 619.63 Million. The majority of the budget will be met from RGoB and BFL contribution while the funding gap will be sourced from other donors. T IG E R A C T IO N P L A N F O R B H U T A N (2 01 8- 20 23 ) 28 A la nd sc ap e ap pr oa ch to ti ge r c on se rv at io n T ab le 1 : W or k pl an a nd b ud ge t V is io n: " A v ia bl e po pu la tio n of ti ge rs a nd th ei r pr ey , c oe xi st in g w ith h um an s i n an in te rc on ne ct ed la nd sc ap e" G oa l: B y 20 23 ti ge r po pu la tio n in B hu ta n in cr ea se d by 2 0 pe rc en t f ro m th e 20 15 b as el in e th ro ug h en ha nc ed p ro te ct io n an d im pr ov ed h ab ita t. (B ud ge t i n M ill io n N gu ltr um s) A ct iv iti es Y ea r I Y ea r I I Y ea r I II Y ea r I V Y ea r V Su b- T ot al 20 18 -1 9 20 19 -2 0 20 20 -2 1 20 21 -2 2 20 22 -2 3 O bj ec tiv e I: R ed uc e po ac hi ng o f t ig er b y 90 p er ce nt a t t he e nd o f p la n pe ri od . O ut pu t 1 .1 : C ur re nt w ild lif e pr ot ec tio n in B hu ta n as se ss ed . Ac tio n 1. 1. 1: C on du ct p ro te ct io n as se ss m en t a nd d ev el op p oa ch in g ho tsp ot m ap , i de nt ify p ri or ity ar ea s f or e nf or ce m en t a nd e nh an ce S M AR T ro llo ut . 3. 60 3. 60 O ut pu t 1 .2 : S M A R T pa tro l p ro gr am fu lly im pl em en te d by a ll th e fie ld o ffi ce s. Ac tio n 1. 2. 1: F in al iz e se tti ng u p SM AR T da ta m od el & re po rt in g re qu ir em en ts fo r B hu ta n. 0. 50 0. 50 Ac tio n 1. 2. 2: T ra in d at a of fic er s o n SM AR T so ftw ar e fo r t ac tic al p at ro lli ng . 0. 90 0. 90 Ac tio n 1. 2. 3: C ar ry o ut re gu la r S M AR T pa tr ol lin g in a ll fie ld d iv is io n. 30 .0 0 30 .0 0 30 .0 0 30 .0 0 30 .0 0 15 0. 00 Ac tio n 1. 2. 4: D ev el op m ec ha ni sm s t o sh ar e in te lli ge nc e re po rt s a m on g th e fie ld o ffi ce s. 0. 50 0. 50 Ac tio n 1. 2. 5: D ev el op a nd m ai nt ai n da ta ba se o f p at ro lli ng a nd su rv ei lla nc e re po rt s a t t he fi el d of fic es a nd h ea dq ua rt er . 1. 00 1. 00 2. 00 Ac tio n 1. 2. 6: C ar ry o ut re fr es he r c ou rs e an d ca pa ci ty b ui ld in g on S M AR T pa tr ol lin g. 1. 50 1. 50 O ut pu t 1 .3 : S tre ng th en ed in fra st ru ct ur e an d eq ui pm en t s up po rt fo r a nt i-p oa ch in g ef fe ct iv en es s. Ac tio n 1. 3. 1: S et u p Fo re st P ro te ct io n an d En fo rc em en t U ni t ( FP EU ) i n ea ch fo re st d iv is io n an d pr ot ec te d ar ea s. 0. 20 0. 20 Ac tio n 1. 3. 2: S tr en gt he n Fo re st P ro te ct io n an d En fo rc em en t S ec tio n un de r F or es t P ro te ct io n an d En fo rc em en t D iv is io n. 0. 50 0. 50 1. 00 Ac tio n 1. 3. 3: S et u p an d eq ui p gu ar d po st s i n st ra te gi c lo ca tio ns . 5. 00 5. 00 10 .0 0 10 .0 0 5. 00 35 .0 0 Ac tio n 1. 3. 4: S up po rt fr on tli ne st af f w ith fi el d ge ar s t o pa tr ol re m ot e ar ea s. 6. 00 6. 00 6. 00 6. 00 6. 00 30 .0 0 O ut pu t 1 .4 : I m pr ov ed c om m un ic at io n sy st em s f or p ro te ct io n. Ac tio n 1. 4. 1: S et u p re pe at er fo r w ir el es s c om m un ic at io n in a pp ro pr ia te lo ca tio ns . 1. 00 1. 50 1. 50 1. 50 1. 00 6. 50 T IG E R A C T IO N P L A N F O R B H U T A N (2 01 8- 20 23 ) 29 A la nd sc ap e ap pr oa ch to ti ge r c on se rv at io n Ac tio n 1. 4. 2: M ai nt ai n an d im pr ov e ex is tin g co m m un ic at io n sy st em . 1. 00 1. 00 1. 00 1. 00 1. 00 5. 00 O ut pu t 1 .5 : A w ar en es s c am pa ig ns c on du ct ed o n si gn ifi ca nc e of ti ge r c on se rv at io n. Ac tio n 1. 5. 1: C on du ct e du ca tio n an d aw ar en es s c am pa ig ns a m on g co m m un iti es o n ill s o f w ild lif e po ac hi ng . 0. 50 0. 50 0. 50 0. 50 0. 50 2. 50 Ac tio n 1. 5. 2: O rg an iz e re lig io us d is co ur se s o n th e sp ir itu al li nk ag e of c on se rv at io n an d hu m an w el lb ei ng . 0. 10 0. 10 0. 10 0. 10 0. 10 0. 50 Ac tio n 1. 5. 3: Id en tif y & su pp or t n at ur e cl ub in sc ho ol s a s a m ba ss ad or o f c on se rv at io n. 1. 50 1. 50 1. 50 1. 50 1. 50 7. 50 Ac tio n 1. 5. 4: O bs er ve G lo ba l T ig er D ay a t a pp ro pr ia te lo ca tio ns . 0. 50 0. 50 0. 50 0. 50 0. 50 2. 50 O ut pu t 1 .6 : S tre ng th en ed c ap ac iti es o f l aw e nf or ce m en t d iv is io ns u nd er M oA F. Ac tio n 1. 6. 1: S tr en gt he n an d su pp or t l eg al se rv ic es u nd er M oA F 0. 50 0. 50 1. 00 Ac tio n 1. 6. 2: C on du ct a wa re ne ss w or ks ho p on F N C RR a nd o th er re le va nt le gi sla tio ns fo r a ll th e fie ld d iv is io ns . 1. 50 1. 50 1. 50 4. 50 Ac tio n 1. 6. 3: T ra in fi el d sta ff in b as ic e nf or ce m en t s ki lls in cl ud in g w ild lif e cr im e de te ct io n an d pr os ec ut io n. 2. 00 2. 00 4. 00 O ut pu t 1 .7 : E nh an ce d co op er at io n an d co or di na tio n am on g th e la w e nf or ce m en t a ge nc ie s. Ac tio n 1. 7. 1: C on du ct w or ks ho p on d et ec tio n of il le ga l w ild lif e tra de w ith la w e nf or ce m en t ag en ci es . 0. 80 0. 80 0. 80 2. 40 Ac tio n 1. 7. 2: D ev el op p ro to co ls fo r r ec or di ng a nd re po rt in g of il le ga l w ild lif e tr ad e. 0. 10 0. 10 Ac tio n 1. 7. 3: F or m al iz e in te r- ag en cy in te lli ge nc e le d en fo rc em en t i ni tia tiv es a t n at io na l l ev el . 0. 20 0. 20 Ac tio n 1. 7. 4: S tr en gt he n on g ro un d in te lli ge nc e le d en fo rc em en t i ni tia tiv es . 1. 00 1. 00 1. 00 1. 00 1. 00 5. 00 O ut pu t 1 .8 : S tre ng th en ed tr an sb ou nd ar y co op er at io n on ti ge r c on se rv at io n. Ac tio n 1. 8. 1: O rg an iz e re gu la r m ee tin gs a nd w or ks ho ps a t t ra ns bo un da ry le ve l t o di sc us s i ss ue s, ch al le ng es a nd b es t p ra ct ic es . 0. 40 0. 40 0. 40 0. 40 0. 40 2. 00 Ac tio n 1. 8. 2: A rr an ge e xc ha ng e vi si ts fo r t he fo re st ry o ffi ci al s. 0. 90 0. 90 1. 80 Ac tio n 1. 8. 3: C oo rd in at e an d co lla bo ra te w ith p ar k of fic ia l a nd o th er st ak eh ol de rs fr om In di a on sy nc hr on iz ed a nt i-p oa ch in g pa tr ol , t ig er m on ito ri ng a nd o th er a ct iv iti es . 0. 50 0. 50 0. 50 0. 50 0. 50 2. 50 T IG E R A C T IO N P L A N F O R B H U T A N (2 01 8- 20 23 ) 28 A la nd sc ap e ap pr oa ch to ti ge r c on se rv at io n T ab le 1 : W or k pl an a nd b ud ge t V is io n: " A v ia bl e po pu la tio n of ti ge rs a nd th ei r pr ey , c oe xi st in g w ith h um an s i n an in te rc on ne ct ed la nd sc ap e" G oa l: B y 20 23 ti ge r po pu la tio n in B hu ta n in cr ea se d by 2 0 pe rc en t f ro m th e 20 15 b as el in e th ro ug h en ha nc ed p ro te ct io n an d im pr ov ed h ab ita t. (B ud ge t i n M ill io n N gu ltr um s) A ct iv iti es Y ea r I Y ea r I I Y ea r I II Y ea r I V Y ea r V Su b- T ot al 20 18 -1 9 20 19 -2 0 20 20 -2 1 20 21 -2 2 20 22 -2 3 O bj ec tiv e I: R ed uc e po ac hi ng o f t ig er b y 90 p er ce nt a t t he e nd o f p la n pe ri od . O ut pu t 1 .1 : C ur re nt w ild lif e pr ot ec tio n in B hu ta n as se ss ed . Ac tio n 1. 1. 1: C on du ct p ro te ct io n as se ss m en t a nd d ev el op p oa ch in g ho tsp ot m ap , i de nt ify p ri or ity ar ea s f or e nf or ce m en t a nd e nh an ce S M AR T ro llo ut . 3. 60 3. 60 O ut pu t 1 .2 : S M A R T pa tro l p ro gr am fu lly im pl em en te d by a ll th e fie ld o ffi ce s. Ac tio n 1. 2. 1: F in al iz e se tti ng u p SM AR T da ta m od el & re po rt in g re qu ir em en ts fo r B hu ta n. 0. 50 0. 50 Ac tio n 1. 2. 2: T ra in d at a of fic er s o n SM AR T so ftw ar e fo r t ac tic al p at ro lli ng . 0. 90 0. 90 Ac tio n 1. 2. 3: C ar ry o ut re gu la r S M AR T pa tr ol lin g in a ll fie ld d iv is io n. 30 .0 0 30 .0 0 30 .0 0 30 .0 0 30 .0 0 15 0. 00 Ac tio n 1. 2. 4: D ev el op m ec ha ni sm s t o sh ar e in te lli ge nc e re po rt s a m on g th e fie ld o ffi ce s. 0. 50 0. 50 Ac tio n 1. 2. 5: D ev el op a nd m ai nt ai n da ta ba se o f p at ro lli ng a nd su rv ei lla nc e re po rt s a t t he fi el d of fic es a nd h ea dq ua rt er . 1. 00 1. 00 2. 00 Ac tio n 1. 2. 6: C ar ry o ut re fr es he r c ou rs e an d ca pa ci ty b ui ld in g on S M AR T pa tr ol lin g. 1. 50 1. 50 O ut pu t 1 .3 : S tre ng th en ed in fra st ru ct ur e an d eq ui pm en t s up po rt fo r a nt i-p oa ch in g ef fe ct iv en es s. Ac tio n 1. 3. 1: S et u p Fo re st P ro te ct io n an d En fo rc em en t U ni t ( FP EU ) i n ea ch fo re st d iv is io n an d pr ot ec te d ar ea s. 0. 20 0. 20 Ac tio n 1. 3. 2: S tr en gt he n Fo re st P ro te ct io n an d En fo rc em en t S ec tio n un de r F or es t P ro te ct io n an d En fo rc em en t D iv is io n. 0. 50 0. 50 1. 00 Ac tio n 1. 3. 3: S et u p an d eq ui p gu ar d po st s i n st ra te gi c lo ca tio ns . 5. 00 5. 00 10 .0 0 10 .0 0 5. 00 35 .0 0 Ac tio n 1. 3. 4: S up po rt fr on tli ne st af f w ith fi el d ge ar s t o pa tr ol re m ot e ar ea s. 6. 00 6. 00 6. 00 6. 00 6. 00 30 .0 0 O ut pu t 1 .4 : I m pr ov ed c om m un ic at io n sy st em s f or p ro te ct io n. Ac tio n 1. 4. 1: S et u p re pe at er fo r w ir el es s c om m un ic at io n in a pp ro pr ia te lo ca tio ns . 1. 00 1. 50 1. 50 1. 50 1. 00 6. 50 T IG E R A C T IO N P L A N F O R B H U T A N (2 01 8- 20 23 ) 29 A la nd sc ap e ap pr oa ch to ti ge r c on se rv at io n Ac tio n 1. 4. 2: M ai nt ai n an d im pr ov e ex is tin g co m m un ic at io n sy st em . 1. 00 1. 00 1. 00 1. 00 1. 00 5. 00 O ut pu t 1 .5 : A w ar en es s c am pa ig ns c on du ct ed o n si gn ifi ca nc e of ti ge r c on se rv at io n. Ac tio n 1. 5. 1: C on du ct e du ca tio n an d aw ar en es s c am pa ig ns a m on g co m m un iti es o n ill s o f w ild lif e po ac hi ng . 0. 50 0. 50 0. 50 0. 50 0. 50 2. 50 Ac tio n 1. 5. 2: O rg an iz e re lig io us d is co ur se s o n th e sp ir itu al li nk ag e of c on se rv at io n an d hu m an w el lb ei ng . 0. 10 0. 10 0. 10 0. 10 0. 10 0. 50 Ac tio n 1. 5. 3: Id en tif y & su pp or t n at ur e cl ub in sc ho ol s a s a m ba ss ad or o f c on se rv at io n. 1. 50 1. 50 1. 50 1. 50 1. 50 7. 50 Ac tio n 1. 5. 4: O bs er ve G lo ba l T ig er D ay a t a pp ro pr ia te lo ca tio ns . 0. 50 0. 50 0. 50 0. 50 0. 50 2. 50 O ut pu t 1 .6 : S tre ng th en ed c ap ac iti es o f l aw e nf or ce m en t d iv is io ns u nd er M oA F. Ac tio n 1. 6. 1: S tr en gt he n an d su pp or t l eg al se rv ic es u nd er M oA F 0. 50 0. 50 1. 00 Ac tio n 1. 6. 2: C on du ct a wa re ne ss w or ks ho p on F N C RR a nd o th er re le va nt le gi sla tio ns fo r a ll th e fie ld d iv is io ns . 1. 50 1. 50 1. 50 4. 50 Ac tio n 1. 6. 3: T ra in fi el d sta ff in b as ic e nf or ce m en t s ki lls in cl ud in g w ild lif e cr im e de te ct io n an d pr os ec ut io n. 2. 00 2. 00 4. 00 O ut pu t 1 .7 : E nh an ce d co op er at io n an d co or di na tio n am on g th e la w e nf or ce m en t a ge nc ie s. Ac tio n 1. 7. 1: C on du ct w or ks ho p on d et ec tio n of il le ga l w ild lif e tra de w ith la w e nf or ce m en t ag en ci es . 0. 80 0. 80 0. 80 2. 40 Ac tio n 1. 7. 2: D ev el op p ro to co ls fo r r ec or di ng a nd re po rt in g of il le ga l w ild lif e tr ad e. 0. 10 0. 10 Ac tio n 1. 7. 3: F or m al iz e in te r- ag en cy in te lli ge nc e le d en fo rc em en t i ni tia tiv es a t n at io na l l ev el . 0. 20 0. 20 Ac tio n 1. 7. 4: S tr en gt he n on g ro un d in te lli ge nc e le d en fo rc em en t i ni tia tiv es . 1. 00 1. 00 1. 00 1. 00 1. 00 5. 00 O ut pu t 1 .8 : S tre ng th en ed tr an sb ou nd ar y co op er at io n on ti ge r c on se rv at io n. Ac tio n 1. 8. 1: O rg an iz e re gu la r m ee tin gs a nd w or ks ho ps a t t ra ns bo un da ry le ve l t o di sc us s i ss ue s, ch al le ng es a nd b es t p ra ct ic es . 0. 40 0. 40 0. 40 0. 40 0. 40 2. 00 Ac tio n 1. 8. 2: A rr an ge e xc ha ng e vi si ts fo r t he fo re st ry o ffi ci al s. 0. 90 0. 90 1. 80 Ac tio n 1. 8. 3: C oo rd in at e an d co lla bo ra te w ith p ar k of fic ia l a nd o th er st ak eh ol de rs fr om In di a on sy nc hr on iz ed a nt i-p oa ch in g pa tr ol , t ig er m on ito ri ng a nd o th er a ct iv iti es . 0. 50 0. 50 0. 50 0. 50 0. 50 2. 50 T IG E R A C T IO N P L A N F O R B H U T A N (2 01 8- 20 23 ) 30 A la nd sc ap e ap pr oa ch to ti ge r c on se rv at io n O bj ec tiv e II - M an ag e cr iti ca l t ig er h ab ita ts w ith in a nd o ut si de p ro te ct ed a re as . O ut pu t 2 .1 : C rit ic al ti ge r a nd th ei r p re y ha bi ta ts z on ed a nd d el in ea te d w ith in a nd o ut sid e th e pr ot ec te d ar ea n et w or k. Ac tio n 2. 1. 1: Id en tif y an d m ap c ri tic al ti ge r h ab ita t f or p ro te ct io n an d m an ag em en t i nt er ve nt io ns . 0. 80 0. 80 Ac tio n 2. 1. 2: C on du ct st ak eh ol de r c on su lta tio n m ee tin g to h ar m on iz e cr iti ca l t ig er h ab ita ts w ith de ve lo pm en ta l m as te r p la ns . 0. 25 0. 25 0. 50 O ut pu t 2 .2 : C rit ic al ti ge r h ab ita ts m an ag ed a s p er th e ha bi ta t m an ag em en t g ui de lin es . Ac tio n 2. 2. 1: C ar ry ou t g ra ss la nd m an ag em en t i nc lu di ng c on tr ol le d bu rn in g an d w ee d er ad ic at io n. 3. 50 3. 50 3. 50 3. 50 3. 50 17 .5 0 Ac tio n 2. 2. 2: In iti at e ha bi ta t i m pr ov em en t t hr ou gh e nr ic hm en t p la nt at io n of n at iv e pa la ta bl e sp ec ie s a nd re m ov al o f i nv as iv e sp ec ie s. 7. 00 7. 00 7. 00 7. 00 7. 00 35 .0 0 Ac tio n2 .2 .3 : M ai nt ai n an d im pr ov e th e ex is tin g ca ttl e gr az in g la nd s ( ts ha m do s) fo r w ild he rb iv or es . 4. 00 4. 00 4. 00 4. 00 4. 00 20 .0 0 Ac tio n 2. 2. 4: M ai nt ai n na tu ra l w at er h ol es a nd sa ltl ic ks a nd c re at e ne w o ne s o n ne ed b as is . 3. 00 3. 00 3. 00 3. 00 3. 00 15 .0 0 O ut pu t 2 .3 : P rin ci pl es o f s m ar t-g re en in fra st ru ct ur e ad op te d an d im pl em en te d fo r i nf ra st ru ct ur e de ve lo pm en t i n th e cr iti ca l t ig er h ab ita ts . Ac tio n 2. 3. 1: O rg an iz e se ns iti za tio n wo rk sh op s o n sm ar t-g re en in fra st ru ct ur e w ith re le va nt st ak eh ol de rs . 0. 50 0. 50 1. 00 Ac tio n 2. 3. 2: O rg an iz e ex po su re tr ip s f or re le va nt st ak eh ol de rs to u nd er sta nd a nd a pp re ci at e th e fe at ur es o f s m ar t-g re en in fr as tru ct ur e. 1. 00 1. 00 2. 00 Ac tio n 2. 3. 3: In co rp or at e sm ar t-g re en fe at ur es in th e na tio na l a nd lo ca l i nf ra st ru ct ur e de ve lo pm en t p la ns . 0. 50 0. 50 Ac tio n 2. 3. 4: E nf or ce a nd m on ito r s m ar t-g re en fe at ur es in in fr as tru ct ur e de ve lo pm en t i n th e tig er ha bi ta ts. 0. 25 0. 25 O ut pu t 2 .4 : T ig er a nd p re y ha bi ta t c ha ng e an d m an ag em en t i nt er ve nt io ns st ud ie d an d m on ito re d. Ac tio n 2. 4. 1: Id en tif y an d es ta bl is h pe rm an en t p lo ts in ti ge r h ab ita ts at d iff er en t e co lo gi ca l z on es . 1. 00 1. 00 2. 00 Ac tio n 2. 4. 2: A ss es s t he e ffe ct s o f r oa d an d in fr as tru ct ur al d ev el op m en ts o n th e ha bi ta t co nn ec tiv ity fo r t ig er a nd p re y. 0. 20 0. 20 0. 40 T IG E R A C T IO N P L A N F O R B H U T A N (2 01 8- 20 23 ) 30 A la nd sc ap e ap pr oa ch to ti ge r c on se rv at io n O bj ec tiv e II - M an ag e cr iti ca l t ig er h ab ita ts w ith in a nd o ut si de p ro te ct ed a re as . O ut pu t 2 .1 : C rit ic al ti ge r a nd th ei r p re y ha bi ta ts z on ed a nd d el in ea te d w ith in a nd o ut sid e th e pr ot ec te d ar ea n et w or k. Ac tio n 2. 1. 1: Id en tif y an d m ap c ri tic al ti ge r h ab ita t f or p ro te ct io n an d m an ag em en t i nt er ve nt io ns . 0. 80 0. 80 Ac tio n 2. 1. 2: C on du ct st ak eh ol de r c on su lta tio n m ee tin g to h ar m on iz e cr iti ca l t ig er h ab ita ts w ith de ve lo pm en ta l m as te r p la ns . 0. 25 0. 25 0. 50 O ut pu t 2 .2 : C rit ic al ti ge r h ab ita ts m an ag ed a s p er th e ha bi ta t m an ag em en t g ui de lin es . Ac tio n 2. 2. 1: C ar ry ou t g ra ss la nd m an ag em en t i nc lu di ng c on tr ol le d bu rn in g an d w ee d er ad ic at io n. 3. 50 3. 50 3. 50 3. 50 3. 50 17 .5 0 Ac tio n 2. 2. 2: In iti at e ha bi ta t i m pr ov em en t t hr ou gh e nr ic hm en t p la nt at io n of n at iv e pa la ta bl e sp ec ie s a nd re m ov al o f i nv as iv e sp ec ie s. 7. 00 7. 00 7. 00 7. 00 7. 00 35 .0 0 Ac tio n2 .2 .3 : M ai nt ai n an d im pr ov e th e ex is tin g ca ttl e gr az in g la nd s ( ts ha m do s) fo r w ild he rb iv or es . 4. 00 4. 00 4. 00 4. 00 4. 00 20 .0 0 Ac tio n 2. 2. 4: M ai nt ai n na tu ra l w at er h ol es a nd sa ltl ic ks a nd c re at e ne w o ne s o n ne ed b as is . 3. 00 3. 00 3. 00 3. 00 3. 00 15 .0 0 O ut pu t 2 .3 : P rin ci pl es o f s m ar t-g re en in fra st ru ct ur e ad op te d an d im pl em en te d fo r i nf ra st ru ct ur e de ve lo pm en t i n th e cr iti ca l t ig er h ab ita ts . Ac tio n 2. 3. 1: O rg an iz e se ns iti za tio n wo rk sh op s o n sm ar t-g re en in fra st ru ct ur e w ith re le va nt st ak eh ol de rs . 0. 50 0. 50 1. 00 Ac tio n 2. 3. 2: O rg an iz e ex po su re tr ip s f or re le va nt st ak eh ol de rs to u nd er sta nd a nd a pp re ci at e th e fe at ur es o f s m ar t-g re en in fr as tru ct ur e. 1. 00 1. 00 2. 00 Ac tio n 2. 3. 3: In co rp or at e sm ar t-g re en fe at ur es in th e na tio na l a nd lo ca l i nf ra st ru ct ur e de ve lo pm en t p la ns . 0. 50 0. 50 Ac tio n 2. 3. 4: E nf or ce a nd m on ito r s m ar t-g re en fe at ur es in in fr as tru ct ur e de ve lo pm en t i n th e tig er ha bi ta ts. 0. 25 0. 25 O ut pu t 2 .4 : T ig er a nd p re y ha bi ta t c ha ng e an d m an ag em en t i nt er ve nt io ns st ud ie d an d m on ito re d. Ac tio n 2. 4. 1: Id en tif y an d es ta bl is h pe rm an en t p lo ts in ti ge r h ab ita ts at d iff er en t e co lo gi ca l z on es . 1. 00 1. 00 2. 00 Ac tio n 2. 4. 2: A ss es s t he e ffe ct s o f r oa d an d in fr as tru ct ur al d ev el op m en ts o n th e ha bi ta t co nn ec tiv ity fo r t ig er a nd p re y. 0. 20 0. 20 0. 40 T IG E R A C T IO N P L A N F O R B H U T A N (2 01 8- 20 23 ) 31 A la nd sc ap e ap pr oa ch to ti ge r c on se rv at io n O ut pu t 2 .5 . A t l ea st 5 ti ge r s ite s ( PA s a nd fo re st d iv is io ns ) m an ag ed a s p er C A |T S st an da rd s. Ac tio n 2. 5. 1: C A| TS re gi st ra tio n of th e tig er si te s. 0. 20 0. 20 0. 20 0. 20 0. 20 1. 00 Ac tio n 2. 5. 2: F ie ld a ss es sm en t o f t he ti ge r s ite s a nd p ro po se fo r a cc re di ta tio n to C A| TS . 1. 00 1. 00 1. 00 1. 00 1. 00 5. 00 O bj ec tiv e II I. R ed uc e hu m an -t ig er c on fli ct . O ut pu t 3 .1 : U nd er st oo d hu m an ti ge r c on fli ct sc en ar io in B hu ta n. Ac tio n 3. 1. 1: C ar ry o ut h ot sp ot m ap pi ng h ig hl ig ht in g sp at io -te m po ra l c ha ra ct er is tic s o f t he co nf lic t. 0. 78 0. 78 Ac tio n 3. 1. 2: A ss es s s oc ia l c ha ra ct er is tic s ( so ci al d yn am ic s a nd to le ra nc e le ve l), se ve ri ty a nd im pa ct s o f t he c on fli ct . 0. 50 0. 50 Ac tio n 3. 1. 4: D ev el op a nd m ai nt ai n hu m an - t ig er c on fli ct d at a ba se b ot h at c en tr al a nd fi el d le ve l. 1. 00 1. 00 O ut pu t 3 .2 : E nh an ce d pr ev en tio n of h um an -ti ge r c on fli ct in B hu ta n Ac tio n 3. 2. 1: C on du ct m as s e du ca tio n an d aw ar en es s o n th e co nf lic t s ce na ri o an d pr ev en tiv e m ea su re s, po lic y, st ra te gy a nd sc ie nc e of h um an -ti ge r c on fli ct in B hu ta n. 1. 00 1. 00 1. 00 1. 00 1. 00 5. 00 Ac tio n 3. 2. 2: Im pr ov e liv es to ck m an ag em en t t hr ou gh im pr ov ed b re ed s a nd e nh an ce d gu ar di ng pr ac tic es . 3. 00 3. 00 3. 00 3. 00 3. 00 15 .0 0 Ac tio n 3. 2. 3: In sta ll an d m ai nt ai n lo w -v ol ta ge e le ct ri c fe nc es to m in im iz e lo ss o f c ro p an d ca ttl e to w ild lif e. 2. 50 2. 50 2. 50 2. 50 2. 50 12 .5 0 Ac tio n 3. 2. 4: E st ab lis h an d st re ng th en v is ito r i nf or m at io n ce nt er s a t f ie ld o ffi ce s. 5. 00 5. 00 5. 00 5. 00 5. 00 25 .0 0 O ut pu t 3 .3 : M iti ga tio n m ea su re s p ut in p la ce in c as e of c on fli ct o cc ur re nc e. Ac tio n 3. 3. 1: E st ab lis h an d st re ng th en H W C c om m itt ee a t n at io na l a nd c om m un ity le ve l. 1. 00 1. 00 2. 00 Ac tio n 3. 3. 2: D ev el op a st an da rd c on fli ct re po rt in g sy st em fo r B hu ta n. 0. 20 0. 20 Ac tio n 3. 3. 3: D ev el op n at io na l p ol ic y fo r e x- gr at ia p ay m en t i n th e ev en t o f l os s o f h um an li fe o r in ju ry . 3. 00 3. 00 6. 00 Ac tio n 3. 3. 4: S tr en gt he n an d su pp or t t he li ve st oc k in su ra nc e an d co m pe ns at io n sc he m es . 5. 00 5. 00 5. 00 5. 00 5. 00 25 .0 0 Ac tio n 3. 3. 5: In iti at e co m m un ity b as ed e co to ur is m in th e tig er la nd sc ap es . 4. 00 4. 00 4. 00 4. 00 16 .0 0 Ac tio n 3. 3. 6: L in k an d es ta bl ish P ES sc he m es in th e tig er la nd sc ap es . 0. 50 0. 50 0. 50 1. 50 T IG E R A C T IO N P L A N F O R B H U T A N (2 01 8- 20 23 ) 32 A la nd sc ap e ap pr oa ch to ti ge r c on se rv at io n O bj ec tiv e IV : I nc re as e sc ie nc e ba se d in fo rm at io n on ti ge r, p re y an d th ei r la nd sc ap e. O ut pu t 4 .1 : T ig er a nd p re y po pu la tio n pe rio di ca lly m on ito re d us in g ro bu st sc ie nt ifi c de si gn a nd an al ys is . Ac tio n 4. 1. 1: E st ab lis h lo ng te rm m on ito ri ng p ro to co l f or ti ge rs a nd p re y sp ec ie s. 0. 20 0. 20 Ac tio n 4. 1. 2: C on du ct n at io nw id e tig er p op ul at io n re va lid at io n su rv ey e ve ry fi ve y ea rs . 30 .0 0 30 .0 0 60 .0 0 Ac tio n 4. 1. 3: E va lu at e tig er a nd p re y di st ri bu tio n an d pr od uc e de m og ra ph ic re po rt s. 1. 00 1. 00 Ac tio n 4. 1. 4: C on du ct su rv ey o n pr ey u si ng st an da rd m et ho do lo gy (s ig n su rv ey s, di st an ce sa m pl in g, p oi nt c ou nt s, do ub le o bs er va tio n, a nd d un g su rv ey s) . 5. 00 5. 00 10 .0 0 Ac tio n 4. 1. 5: S tr en gt he n na tio na l d at ab as e of ti ge rs a nd o th er w ild a ni m al s. 1. 00 1. 00 2. 00 Ac tio n 4. 1. 6: T ra in a nd e qu ip ti ge r r es ea rc h an d m on ito rin g te am s. 4. 00 4. 00 8. 00 Ac tio n 4. 1. 7: C on du ct e co no m ic v al ua tio n of ti ge r h ab ita ts in B hu ta n. 0. 50 0. 50 1. 00 O ut pu t 4 .2 : E st ab lis he d an d st re ng th en ed in fo rm at io n on ti ge r e co lo gy an d m ov em en t t hr ou gh st ud y an d id en tif y im po rta nt e nv iro nm en ta l a nd an th ro po ge ni c va ria bl es in re la tio n to ti ge r h ab ita t u se a nd se le ct io n. Ac tio n 4. 2. 1: C om pi le a ll av ai la bl e da ta a nd in fo rm at io n on ti ge rs a nd p re y sp ec ie s w ith D oF PS . 0. 20 0. 20 Ac tio n 4. 2. 2: C on du ct st ud y to a ss es s h ab ita t c on di tio n fo r t ig er a nd p re y. 0. 70 0. 70 1. 40 Ac tio n 4. 2. 3: C on du ct ra di o co lla ri ng o f t ig er s a t d iff er en t h ab ita ts to st ud y th e be ha vi or a nd sp at ia l m ov em en t e co lo gy . 1. 50 1. 50 1. 50 4. 50 Ac tio n 4. 2. 4: E nh an ce c ap ac ity o f f ie ld st af f o n an im al h an dl in g an d m an ag em en t. 1. 50 1. 50 1. 50 4. 50 Ac tio n 4. 2. 5: P er fo rm p op ul at io n vi ab ili ty a ss es sm en t o f t ig er a nd p re y po pu la tio n us in g sta tis tic al an d m at he m at ic al m od el s ( po pu la tio n pr oj ec tio n an d ca rr yi ng c ap ac ity ). 0. 20 0. 20 0. 40 Ac tio n 4. 2. 6: C on du ct d ie ta ry se le ct io n by ti ge r a nd p re y sp ec ie s 0. 50 0. 50 O ut pu t 4 .3 : E st ab lis he d ge ne tic d at ab as e of ti ge rs in B hu ta n. Ac tio n 4. 3. 1: E st ab lis h ge ne tic la b to p er fo rm g en et ic a na ly si s o f t ig er s a nd it s c o- pr ed at or s 5. 00 5. 00 5. 00 15 .0 0 Ac tio n 4. 3. 2: T ra in re le va nt st af f o n ge ne tic a na ly si s a nd p ro fil in g. 2. 00 2. 00 2. 00 6. 00 Ac tio n 4. 3. 3: E st ab lis h an d st re ng th en g en et ic d at ab as e of ti ge rs a nd p re y. 1. 00 1. 00 2. 00 Ac tio n 4. 3. 4: P ro du ce re po rt on g en et ic p ro fil es o f t ig er s i n Bh ut an . 0. 50 0. 50 T IG E R A C T IO N P L A N F O R B H U T A N (2 01 8- 20 23 ) 33 A la nd sc ap e ap pr oa ch to ti ge r c on se rv at io n O ut pu t 4 .4 : A ss es s i m pa ct s o f p ot en tia l d is tu rb an ce re gi m es a nd d isa st er s o n tig er a nd p re y po pu la tio n. Ac tiv ity 4 .4 .1 : A ss es s i m pa ct o f c lim at e ch an ge o n tig er a nd p re y ha bi ta ts a nd d ev el op a da pt at io n pl an . 0. 50 0. 50 0. 50 1. 50 Ac tiv ity 4 .4 .2 : A ss es s d is ea se th re at to ti ge rs o r t he ir p re y fr om li ve st oc k an d fe ra l a ni m al s a nd m on ito r w he re n ec es sa ry . 1. 00 1. 00 1. 00 1. 00 4. 00 Ac tiv ity 4 .4 .3 : S tr en gt he n w ild lif e cl in ic a nd la bo ra to ry . 2. 00 2. 00 2. 00 2. 00 8. 00 Ac tiv ity 4 .4 .4 : A ss es s t he im pa ct o f f er al d og s o n w ild lif e po pu la tio n an d m an ag e do g po pu la tio n. 1. 50 1. 50 1. 50 1. 50 6. 00 G ra nd T ot al N u. 61 9. 63 M ill io n 5. 3. M on ito ri ng a nd E va lu at io n A n an nu al p ro gr es s re po rt of th e pl an im pl em en ta tio n w ill b e su bm itt ed b y th e re sp ec tiv e pr ot ec te d ar ea a nd f or es t d iv is io n to D oF PS . N C D w ith su pp or t f ro m fi el d of fic es a nd o th er im pl em en tin g pa rtn er s w ill m on ito r t he a nn ua l w or k pr og re ss a nd re po rt to D oF PS o n th e ov er al l p la n im pl em en ta tio n on a nn ua l b as is . P la n ev al ua tio n w ill b e do ne a t m id -te rm a nd a t t he e nd o f t he p la n pe rio d by D oF PS . Pl an m on ito rin g an d ev al ua tio n w ill b e ca rri ed o ut a s p er th e re su lts fr am ew or k ta bl e. T IG E R A C T IO N P L A N F O R B H U T A N (2 01 8- 20 23 ) 32 A la nd sc ap e ap pr oa ch to ti ge r c on se rv at io n O bj ec tiv e IV : I nc re as e sc ie nc e ba se d in fo rm at io n on ti ge r, p re y an d th ei r la nd sc ap e. O ut pu t 4 .1 : T ig er a nd p re y po pu la tio n pe rio di ca lly m on ito re d us in g ro bu st sc ie nt ifi c de si gn a nd an al ys is . Ac tio n 4. 1. 1: E st ab lis h lo ng te rm m on ito ri ng p ro to co l f or ti ge rs a nd p re y sp ec ie s. 0. 20 0. 20 Ac tio n 4. 1. 2: C on du ct n at io nw id e tig er p op ul at io n re va lid at io n su rv ey e ve ry fi ve y ea rs . 30 .0 0 30 .0 0 60 .0 0 Ac tio n 4. 1. 3: E va lu at e tig er a nd p re y di st ri bu tio n an d pr od uc e de m og ra ph ic re po rt s. 1. 00 1. 00 Ac tio n 4. 1. 4: C on du ct su rv ey o n pr ey u si ng st an da rd m et ho do lo gy (s ig n su rv ey s, di st an ce sa m pl in g, p oi nt c ou nt s, do ub le o bs er va tio n, a nd d un g su rv ey s) . 5. 00 5. 00 10 .0 0 Ac tio n 4. 1. 5: S tr en gt he n na tio na l d at ab as e of ti ge rs a nd o th er w ild a ni m al s. 1. 00 1. 00 2. 00 Ac tio n 4. 1. 6: T ra in a nd e qu ip ti ge r r es ea rc h an d m on ito rin g te am s. 4. 00 4. 00 8. 00 Ac tio n 4. 1. 7: C on du ct e co no m ic v al ua tio n of ti ge r h ab ita ts in B hu ta n. 0. 50 0. 50 1. 00 O ut pu t 4 .2 : E st ab lis he d an d st re ng th en ed in fo rm at io n on ti ge r e co lo gy an d m ov em en t t hr ou gh st ud y an d id en tif y im po rta nt e nv iro nm en ta l a nd an th ro po ge ni c va ria bl es in re la tio n to ti ge r h ab ita t u se a nd se le ct io n. Ac tio n 4. 2. 1: C om pi le a ll av ai la bl e da ta a nd in fo rm at io n on ti ge rs a nd p re y sp ec ie s w ith D oF PS . 0. 20 0. 20 Ac tio n 4. 2. 2: C on du ct st ud y to a ss es s h ab ita t c on di tio n fo r t ig er a nd p re y. 0. 70 0. 70 1. 40 Ac tio n 4. 2. 3: C on du ct ra di o co lla ri ng o f t ig er s a t d iff er en t h ab ita ts to st ud y th e be ha vi or a nd sp at ia l m ov em en t e co lo gy . 1. 50 1. 50 1. 50 4. 50 Ac tio n 4. 2. 4: E nh an ce c ap ac ity o f f ie ld st af f o n an im al h an dl in g an d m an ag em en t. 1. 50 1. 50 1. 50 4. 50 Ac tio n 4. 2. 5: P er fo rm p op ul at io n vi ab ili ty a ss es sm en t o f t ig er a nd p re y po pu la tio n us in g sta tis tic al an d m at he m at ic al m od el s ( po pu la tio n pr oj ec tio n an d ca rr yi ng c ap ac ity ). 0. 20 0. 20 0. 40 Ac tio n 4. 2. 6: C on du ct d ie ta ry se le ct io n by ti ge r a nd p re y sp ec ie s 0. 50 0. 50 O ut pu t 4 .3 : E st ab lis he d ge ne tic d at ab as e of ti ge rs in B hu ta n. Ac tio n 4. 3. 1: E st ab lis h ge ne tic la b to p er fo rm g en et ic a na ly si s o f t ig er s a nd it s c o- pr ed at or s 5. 00 5. 00 5. 00 15 .0 0 Ac tio n 4. 3. 2: T ra in re le va nt st af f o n ge ne tic a na ly si s a nd p ro fil in g. 2. 00 2. 00 2. 00 6. 00 Ac tio n 4. 3. 3: E st ab lis h an d st re ng th en g en et ic d at ab as e of ti ge rs a nd p re y. 1. 00 1. 00 2. 00 Ac tio n 4. 3. 4: P ro du ce re po rt on g en et ic p ro fil es o f t ig er s i n Bh ut an . 0. 50 0. 50 T IG E R A C T IO N P L A N F O R B H U T A N (2 01 8- 20 23 ) 33 A la nd sc ap e ap pr oa ch to ti ge r c on se rv at io n O ut pu t 4 .4 : A ss es s i m pa ct s o f p ot en tia l d is tu rb an ce re gi m es a nd d isa st er s o n tig er a nd p re y po pu la tio n. Ac tiv ity 4 .4 .1 : A ss es s i m pa ct o f c lim at e ch an ge o n tig er a nd p re y ha bi ta ts a nd d ev el op a da pt at io n pl an . 0. 50 0. 50 0. 50 1. 50 Ac tiv ity 4 .4 .2 : A ss es s d is ea se th re at to ti ge rs o r t he ir p re y fr om li ve st oc k an d fe ra l a ni m al s a nd m on ito r w he re n ec es sa ry . 1. 00 1. 00 1. 00 1. 00 4. 00 Ac tiv ity 4 .4 .3 : S tr en gt he n w ild lif e cl in ic a nd la bo ra to ry . 2. 00 2. 00 2. 00 2. 00 8. 00 Ac tiv ity 4 .4 .4 : A ss es s t he im pa ct o f f er al d og s o n w ild lif e po pu la tio n an d m an ag e do g po pu la tio n. 1. 50 1. 50 1. 50 1. 50 6. 00 G ra nd T ot al N u. 61 9. 63 M ill io n 5. 3. M on ito ri ng a nd E va lu at io n A n an nu al p ro gr es s re po rt of th e pl an im pl em en ta tio n w ill b e su bm itt ed b y th e re sp ec tiv e pr ot ec te d ar ea a nd f or es t d iv is io n to D oF PS . N C D w ith su pp or t f ro m fi el d of fic es a nd o th er im pl em en tin g pa rtn er s w ill m on ito r t he a nn ua l w or k pr og re ss a nd re po rt to D oF PS o n th e ov er al l p la n im pl em en ta tio n on a nn ua l b as is . P la n ev al ua tio n w ill b e do ne a t m id -te rm a nd a t t he e nd o f t he p la n pe rio d by D oF PS . Pl an m on ito rin g an d ev al ua tio n w ill b e ca rri ed o ut a s p er th e re su lts fr am ew or k ta bl e. T IG E R A C T IO N P L A N F O R B H U T A N (2 01 8- 20 23 ) 34 A la nd sc ap e ap pr oa ch to ti ge r c on se rv at io n T ab le 2 . R es ul ts F ra m ew or k V isi on : “ A v ia bl e po pu la tio n of ti ge rs a nd th ei r pr ey , c oe xi st in g w ith h um an s i n an in te rc on ne ct ed la nd sc ap e“ G oa l: B y 20 23 ti ge r po pu la tio n in B hu ta n in cr ea se d by 2 0 pe rc en t f ro m th e 20 15 b as el in e th ro ug h en ha nc ed p ro te ct io n an d im pr ov ed h ab ita t. N ar ra tiv e Su m m ar y O bj ec tiv el y V er ifi ab le o ut pu t In di ca to rs M ea ns o f V er ifi ca tio n L ea d im pl em en tin g A ge nc y O bj ec tiv e I: R ed uc e po ac hi ng o f t ig er b y 90 p er ce nt a t t he e nd o f p la n pe ri od . O ut pu t 1 .1 : C ur re nt w ild lif e pr ot ec tio n in B hu ta n as se ss ed . St at e of w ild lif e pr ot ec tio n kn ow n A ss es sm en t R ep or t FP ED & N C D Ac tio n 1. 1. 1: C on du ct p ro te ct io n as se ss m en t a nd d ev el op p oa ch in g ho ts po t m ap , i de nt ify p ri or ity a re as fo r e nf or ce m en t a nd e nh an ce S M AR T ro llo ut . O ut pu t 1 .2 : S M A R T pa tro l p ro gr am fu lly im pl em en te d by a ll th e fie ld o ffi ce s. Pr ot ec tio n en ha nc ed th ro ug h SM A R T pa tro lli ng Pa tro l r ep or ts FP ED , N C D , F ie ld O ffi ce s Ac tio n 1. 2. 1: F in al ize se tti ng u p SM AR T da ta m od el & re po rt in g re qu ir em en ts fo r B hu ta n. Ac tio n 1. 2. 2: T ra in d at a of fic er s o n SM AR T so ftw ar e fo r t ac tic al p at ro lli ng . Ac tio n 1. 2. 3: C ar ry o ut re gu la r S M AR T pa tr ol lin g in a ll fie ld d iv is io ns . Ac tio n 1. 2. 4: D ev el op m ec ha ni sm s t o sh ar e in te lli ge nc e re po rt s a m on g th e fie ld o ffi ce s. Ac tio n 1. 2. 5: D ev el op a nd m ai nt ai n da ta ba se o f p at ro lli ng a nd su rv ei lla nc e re po rt s a t t he fi el d of fic es a nd h ea dq ua rt er . Ac tio n 1. 2. 6: C ar ry o ut re fr es he r c ou rs e an d ca pa ci ty b ui ld in g on S M AR T pa tr ol lin g. O ut pu t 1 .3 : S tre ng th en ed in fr as tru ct ur e an d eq ui pm en t s up po rt fo r a nt i-p oa ch in g ef fe ct iv en es s. Fi el d of fic es e qu ip pe d w ith a dd iti on al in fra st ru ct ur e, e qu ip m en t a nd tr ai ne d st af f. Ph ys ic al v er ifi ca tio n N C D & F ie ld O ffi ce s Ac tio n 1. 3. 1: S et u p Fo re st P ro te ct io n an d En fo rc em en t U ni t ( FP EU ) i n ea ch fo re st d iv is io n an d pr ot ec te d ar ea s. Ac tio n 1. 3. 2: S tr en gt he n Fo re st P ro te ct io n an d En fo rc em en t S ec tio n un de r F or es t P ro te ct io n an d En fo rc em en t D iv is io n. Ac tio n 1. 3. 3: S et u p an d eq ui p gu ar d po st s i n st ra te gi c lo ca tio ns . T IG E R A C T IO N P L A N F O R B H U T A N (2 01 8- 20 23 ) 35 A la nd sc ap e ap pr oa ch to ti ge r c on se rv at io n Ac tio n 1. 3. 4: S up po rt fr on tli ne st af f w ith fi el d ge ar s t o pa tr ol re m ot e ar ea s. O ut pu t 1 .4 : I m pr ov ed c om m un ic at io n sy st em s f or pr ot ec tio n. C om m un ic at io n sy st em im pr ov ed Ph ys ic al v er ifi ca tio n FP ED & N C D Ac tio n 1. 4. 1: S et u p re pe at er fo r w ir el es s c om m un ic at io n in a pp ro pr ia te lo ca tio ns . Ac tio n 1. 4. 2: M ai nt ai n an d im pr ov e ex is tin g co m m un ic at io n sy st em . O ut pu t 1 .5 : A w ar en es s c am pa ig ns c on du ct ed o n si gn ifi ca nc e of ti ge r c on se rv at io n. Pu bl ic a w ar e of th e im po rta nc e of ti ge r co ns er va tio n A w ar en es s m at er ia ls (a ud io - vi su al , p os te rs , e tc ), R ep or ts N C D , G TC & F ie ld O ffi ce s Ac tio n 1. 5. 1: C on du ct e du ca tio n an d aw ar en es s c am pa ig ns a m on g co m m un iti es o n ill s o f w ild lif e po ac hi ng . Ac tio n 1. 5. 2: O rg an iz e re lig io us d is co ur se s o n th e sp ir itu al li nk ag e of c on se rv at io n an d hu m an w el lb ei ng . Ac tio n 1. 5. 3: Id en tif y & su pp or t n at ur e cl ub in sc ho ol s a s a m ba ss ad or o f c on se rv at io n. Ac tio n 1. 5. 4: O bs er ve G lo ba l T ig er D ay a t a pp ro pr ia te lo ca tio ns . O ut pu t 1 .6 : S tre ng th en ed c ap ac iti es o f l aw en fo rc em en t d iv is io ns u nd er M oA F. Fr on tli ne st af f c ap ab le o f h an dl in g w ild lif e ca se s Tr ai ni ng a nd w or ks ho p re po rts N C D , F PE D & L eg al Se rv ic es , M oA F Ac tio n 1. 6. 1: S tr en gt he n an d su pp or t l eg al se rv ic es u nd er M oA F Ac tio n 1. 6. 2: C on du ct a w ar en es s w or ks ho p on F N C RR a nd o th er re le va nt le gi sl at io ns fo r a ll th e fie ld d iv is io ns . Ac tio n 1. 6. 3: T ra in fi el d st af f i n ba si c en fo rc em en t s ki lls in cl ud in g w ild lif e cr im e de te ct io n an d pr os ec ut io n. O ut pu t 1 .7 : E nh an ce d co op er at io n an d co or di na tio n am on g th e la w e nf or ce m en t a ge nc ie s. C oo pe ra tio n an d co or di na tio n w ith la w en fo rc em en t a ge nc ie s s tre ng th en ed W or ks ho p pr oc ee di ng s, Pr ot oc ol D oc um en ts N C D , F PE D , R B P, R B A , B A FR A , D R C , Ju di ci ar y Ac tio n 1. 7. 1: C on du ct w or ks ho p on d et ec tio n of il le ga l w ild lif e tr ad e w ith la w e nf or ce m en t a ge nc ie s. Ac tio n 1. 7. 2: D ev el op p ro to co ls fo r r ec or di ng a nd re po rt in g of il le ga l w ild lif e tr ad e. Ac tio n 1. 7. 3: F or m al ize in te r- ag en cy in te lli ge nc e le d en fo rc em en t i ni tia tiv es a t n at io na l l ev el . Ac tio n 1. 7. 4: S tr en gt he n on g ro un d in te lli ge nc e le d en fo rc em en t i ni tia tiv es . O ut pu t 1 .8 : S tre ng th en ed tr an sb ou nd ar y co op er at io n on ti ge r c on se rv at io n. St re ng th en ed tr an sb ou nd ar y tig er co ns er va tio n M ee tin g re so lu tio ns , J oi nt tig er m on ito rin g re po rts N C D , F PE D , G TC & Fi el d D iv is io ns Ac tio n 1. 8. 1: O rg an iz e re gu la r m ee tin gs a nd w or ks ho ps a t t ra ns bo un da ry le ve l t o di sc us s i ss ue s, ch al le ng es a nd b es t p ra ct ic es . Ac tio n 1. 8. 2: A rr an ge e xc ha ng e vi si ts fo r t he fo re st ry o ffi ci al s. T IG E R A C T IO N P L A N F O R B H U T A N (2 01 8- 20 23 ) 34 A la nd sc ap e ap pr oa ch to ti ge r c on se rv at io n T ab le 2 . R es ul ts F ra m ew or k V isi on : “ A v ia bl e po pu la tio n of ti ge rs a nd th ei r pr ey , c oe xi st in g w ith h um an s i n an in te rc on ne ct ed la nd sc ap e“ G oa l: B y 20 23 ti ge r po pu la tio n in B hu ta n in cr ea se d by 2 0 pe rc en t f ro m th e 20 15 b as el in e th ro ug h en ha nc ed p ro te ct io n an d im pr ov ed h ab ita t. N ar ra tiv e Su m m ar y O bj ec tiv el y V er ifi ab le o ut pu t In di ca to rs M ea ns o f V er ifi ca tio n L ea d im pl em en tin g A ge nc y O bj ec tiv e I: R ed uc e po ac hi ng o f t ig er b y 90 p er ce nt a t t he e nd o f p la n pe ri od . O ut pu t 1 .1 : C ur re nt w ild lif e pr ot ec tio n in B hu ta n as se ss ed . St at e of w ild lif e pr ot ec tio n kn ow n A ss es sm en t R ep or t FP ED & N C D Ac tio n 1. 1. 1: C on du ct p ro te ct io n as se ss m en t a nd d ev el op p oa ch in g ho ts po t m ap , i de nt ify p ri or ity a re as fo r e nf or ce m en t a nd e nh an ce S M AR T ro llo ut . O ut pu t 1 .2 : S M A R T pa tro l p ro gr am fu lly im pl em en te d by a ll th e fie ld o ffi ce s. Pr ot ec tio n en ha nc ed th ro ug h SM A R T pa tro lli ng Pa tro l r ep or ts FP ED , N C D , F ie ld O ffi ce s Ac tio n 1. 2. 1: F in al ize se tti ng u p SM AR T da ta m od el & re po rt in g re qu ir em en ts fo r B hu ta n. Ac tio n 1. 2. 2: T ra in d at a of fic er s o n SM AR T so ftw ar e fo r t ac tic al p at ro lli ng . Ac tio n 1. 2. 3: C ar ry o ut re gu la r S M AR T pa tr ol lin g in a ll fie ld d iv is io ns . Ac tio n 1. 2. 4: D ev el op m ec ha ni sm s t o sh ar e in te lli ge nc e re po rt s a m on g th e fie ld o ffi ce s. Ac tio n 1. 2. 5: D ev el op a nd m ai nt ai n da ta ba se o f p at ro lli ng a nd su rv ei lla nc e re po rt s a t t he fi el d of fic es a nd h ea dq ua rt er . Ac tio n 1. 2. 6: C ar ry o ut re fr es he r c ou rs e an d ca pa ci ty b ui ld in g on S M AR T pa tr ol lin g. O ut pu t 1 .3 : S tre ng th en ed in fr as tru ct ur e an d eq ui pm en t s up po rt fo r a nt i-p oa ch in g ef fe ct iv en es s. Fi el d of fic es e qu ip pe d w ith a dd iti on al in fra st ru ct ur e, e qu ip m en t a nd tr ai ne d st af f. Ph ys ic al v er ifi ca tio n N C D & F ie ld O ffi ce s Ac tio n 1. 3. 1: S et u p Fo re st P ro te ct io n an d En fo rc em en t U ni t ( FP EU ) i n ea ch fo re st d iv is io n an d pr ot ec te d ar ea s. Ac tio n 1. 3. 2: S tr en gt he n Fo re st P ro te ct io n an d En fo rc em en t S ec tio n un de r F or es t P ro te ct io n an d En fo rc em en t D iv is io n. Ac tio n 1. 3. 3: S et u p an d eq ui p gu ar d po st s i n st ra te gi c lo ca tio ns . T IG E R A C T IO N P L A N F O R B H U T A N (2 01 8- 20 23 ) 35 A la nd sc ap e ap pr oa ch to ti ge r c on se rv at io n Ac tio n 1. 3. 4: S up po rt fr on tli ne st af f w ith fi el d ge ar s t o pa tr ol re m ot e ar ea s. O ut pu t 1 .4 : I m pr ov ed c om m un ic at io n sy st em s f or pr ot ec tio n. C om m un ic at io n sy st em im pr ov ed Ph ys ic al v er ifi ca tio n FP ED & N C D Ac tio n 1. 4. 1: S et u p re pe at er fo r w ir el es s c om m un ic at io n in a pp ro pr ia te lo ca tio ns . Ac tio n 1. 4. 2: M ai nt ai n an d im pr ov e ex is tin g co m m un ic at io n sy st em . O ut pu t 1 .5 : A w ar en es s c am pa ig ns c on du ct ed o n si gn ifi ca nc e of ti ge r c on se rv at io n. Pu bl ic a w ar e of th e im po rta nc e of ti ge r co ns er va tio n A w ar en es s m at er ia ls (a ud io - vi su al , p os te rs , e tc ), R ep or ts N C D , G TC & F ie ld O ffi ce s Ac tio n 1. 5. 1: C on du ct e du ca tio n an d aw ar en es s c am pa ig ns a m on g co m m un iti es o n ill s o f w ild lif e po ac hi ng . Ac tio n 1. 5. 2: O rg an iz e re lig io us d is co ur se s o n th e sp ir itu al li nk ag e of c on se rv at io n an d hu m an w el lb ei ng . Ac tio n 1. 5. 3: Id en tif y & su pp or t n at ur e cl ub in sc ho ol s a s a m ba ss ad or o f c on se rv at io n. Ac tio n 1. 5. 4: O bs er ve G lo ba l T ig er D ay a t a pp ro pr ia te lo ca tio ns . O ut pu t 1 .6 : S tre ng th en ed c ap ac iti es o f l aw en fo rc em en t d iv is io ns u nd er M oA F. Fr on tli ne st af f c ap ab le o f h an dl in g w ild lif e ca se s Tr ai ni ng a nd w or ks ho p re po rts N C D , F PE D & L eg al Se rv ic es , M oA F Ac tio n 1. 6. 1: S tr en gt he n an d su pp or t l eg al se rv ic es u nd er M oA F Ac tio n 1. 6. 2: C on du ct a w ar en es s w or ks ho p on F N C RR a nd o th er re le va nt le gi sl at io ns fo r a ll th e fie ld d iv is io ns . Ac tio n 1. 6. 3: T ra in fi el d st af f i n ba si c en fo rc em en t s ki lls in cl ud in g w ild lif e cr im e de te ct io n an d pr os ec ut io n. O ut pu t 1 .7 : E nh an ce d co op er at io n an d co or di na tio n am on g th e la w e nf or ce m en t a ge nc ie s. C oo pe ra tio n an d co or di na tio n w ith la w en fo rc em en t a ge nc ie s s tre ng th en ed W or ks ho p pr oc ee di ng s, Pr ot oc ol D oc um en ts N C D , F PE D , R B P, R B A , B A FR A , D R C , Ju di ci ar y Ac tio n 1. 7. 1: C on du ct w or ks ho p on d et ec tio n of il le ga l w ild lif e tr ad e w ith la w e nf or ce m en t a ge nc ie s. Ac tio n 1. 7. 2: D ev el op p ro to co ls fo r r ec or di ng a nd re po rt in g of il le ga l w ild lif e tr ad e. Ac tio n 1. 7. 3: F or m al ize in te r- ag en cy in te lli ge nc e le d en fo rc em en t i ni tia tiv es a t n at io na l l ev el . Ac tio n 1. 7. 4: S tr en gt he n on g ro un d in te lli ge nc e le d en fo rc em en t i ni tia tiv es . O ut pu t 1 .8 : S tre ng th en ed tr an sb ou nd ar y co op er at io n on ti ge r c on se rv at io n. St re ng th en ed tr an sb ou nd ar y tig er co ns er va tio n M ee tin g re so lu tio ns , J oi nt tig er m on ito rin g re po rts N C D , F PE D , G TC & Fi el d D iv is io ns Ac tio n 1. 8. 1: O rg an iz e re gu la r m ee tin gs a nd w or ks ho ps a t t ra ns bo un da ry le ve l t o di sc us s i ss ue s, ch al le ng es a nd b es t p ra ct ic es . Ac tio n 1. 8. 2: A rr an ge e xc ha ng e vi si ts fo r t he fo re st ry o ffi ci al s. T IG E R A C T IO N P L A N F O R B H U T A N (2 01 8- 20 23 ) 36 A la nd sc ap e ap pr oa ch to ti ge r c on se rv at io n Ac tio n 1. 8. 3: C oo rd in at e an d co lla bo ra te w ith p ar k of fic ia l a nd o th er st ak eh ol de rs fr om In di a on sy nc hr on iz ed a nt i-p oa ch in g pa tr ol , t ig er m on ito ri ng a nd ot he r a ct iv iti es . O bj ec tiv e II - M an ag e cr iti ca l t ig er h ab ita ts w ith in a nd o ut si de p ro te ct ed a re as O ut pu t 2 .1 : C rit ic al ti ge r a nd th ei r p re y ha bi ta ts zo ne d an d de lin ea te d w ith in a nd o ut si de th e pr ot ec te d ar ea n et w or k. C rit ic al ti ge r h ab ita ts z on ed b ot h w ith in a nd o ut si de P A s M ap s a va ila bl e fo r u se b y th e fie ld o ffi ce s N C D & G TC Ac tio n 2. 1. 1: Id en tif y an d m ap c ri tic al ti ge r h ab ita t f or p ro te ct io n an d m an ag em en t i nt er ve nt io ns . Ac tio n 2. 1. 2: C on du ct st ak eh ol de r c on su lta tio n m ee tin g to h ar m on iz e cr iti ca l t ig er h ab ita t m ap s w ith d ev el op m en ta l m as te r p la ns . O ut pu t 2 .2 : C rit ic al ti ge r h ab ita ts m an ag ed a s p er th e ha bi ta t m an ag em en t g ui de lin es . C rit ic al ti ge r h ab ita ts w el l m an ag ed Pr og re ss re po rts N C D , F PE D & F ie ld D iv is io ns Ac tio n 2. 2. 1: C ar ry ou t g ra ss la nd m an ag em en t i nc lu di ng c on tr ol le d bu rn in g an d w ee d er ad ic at io n. Ac tio n 2. 2. 2: In iti at e ha bi ta t i m pr ov em en t t hr ou gh e nr ic hm en t p la nt at io n of n at iv e pa la ta bl e sp ec ie s a nd re m ov al o f i nv as iv e sp ec ie s. Ac tio n2 .2 .3 : M ai nt ai n an d im pr ov e th e ex is tin g ca ttl e gr az in g la nd s ( ts ha m do s) fo r w ild h er bi vo re s. Ac tio n 2. 2. 4: M ai nt ai n na tu ra l w at er h ol es a nd sa ltl ic ks a nd c re at e ne w o ne s o n ne ed b as is . O ut pu t 2 .3 : P rin ci pl es o f s m ar t-g re en in fra st ru ct ur e ad op te d an d im pl em en te d fo r i nf ra st ru ct ur e de ve lo pm en t i n th e cr iti ca l t ig er h ab ita ts . Sm ar t g re en in fra st ru ct ur e pr in ci pl es ad op te d an d im pl em en te d M ee tin g re so lu tio ns , t ou r re po rts , i nf ra st ru ct ur e de ve lo pm en t p la n D oF PS , M oW H S, C D B Ac tio n 2. 3. 1: O rg an iz e se ns iti za tio n w or ks ho ps o n sm ar t-g re en in fr as tr uc tu re w ith re le va nt st ak eh ol de rs . Ac tio n 2. 3. 2: O rg an iz e ex po su re tr ip s f or re le va nt st ak eh ol de rs to u nd er st an d an d ap pr ec ia te th e fe at ur es o f s m ar t- gr ee n in fr as tr uc tu re . Ac tio n 2. 3. 3: In co rp or at e sm ar t-g re en fe at ur es in th e na tio na l a nd lo ca l i nf ra st ru ct ur e de ve lo pm en t p la ns . Ac tio n 2. 3. 4: E nf or ce a nd m on ito r s m ar t-g re en fe at ur es in in fr as tr uc tu re d ev el op m en t i n th e tig er h ab ita ts . O ut pu t 2 .4 : T ig er a nd p re y ha bi ta t c ha ng e an d m an ag em en t i nt er ve nt io ns st ud ie d an d m on ito re d. H ab ita t d yn am ic s a nd im pa ct s o f in te rv en tio ns u nd er st oo d A ss es sm en t r ep or ts , ph ys ic al v er ifi ca tio ns N C D , U W IC ER , G TC & F ie ld D iv is io ns Ac tio n 2. 4. 1: Id en tif y an d es ta bl ish p er m an en t p lo ts in ti ge r h ab ita ts a t d iff er en t e co lo gi ca l z on es . Ac tio n 2. 4. 2: A ss es s t he e ffe ct s o f r oa d an d in fr as tr uc tu ra l d ev el op m en ts o n th e ha bi ta t c on ne ct iv ity fo r t ig er a nd p re y. T IG E R A C T IO N P L A N F O R B H U T A N (2 01 8- 20 23 ) 37 A la nd sc ap e ap pr oa ch to ti ge r c on se rv at io n O ut pu t 2 .5 . A t l ea st 5 ti ge r s ite s ( PA s a nd fo re st di vi si on s) m an ag ed a s p er C A |T S st an da rd s. 10 T ig er si te d ac cr ed ite d an d m an ag ed as p er C A |T S st an da rd s C A |T S A cc re di ta tio n C er tif ic at e N C D & F ie ld D iv is io ns Ac tio n 2. 5. 1: C A| TS re gi st ra tio n of th e tig er si te s. Ac tio n 2. 5. 2: F ie ld a ss es sm en t o f t he ti ge r s ite s a nd p ro po se fo r ac cr ed ita tio n to C A| TS . O bj ec tiv e II I. R ed uc e hu m an -t ig er c on fli ct . O ut pu t 3 .1 : U nd er st oo d hu m an ti ge r c on fli ct sc en ar io in B hu ta n In fo rm at io n on h um an -ti ge r c on fli ct av ai la bl e M ap s, A ss es sm en t r ep or ts , D at ab as e N C D , U W IC ER , G TC & F ie ld D iv is io ns Ac tio n 3. 1. 1: C ar ry o ut h ot sp ot m ap pi ng h ig hl ig ht in g sp at io -te m po ra l c ha ra ct er is tic s o f t he c on fli ct . Ac tio n 3. 1. 2: A ss es s s oc ia l c ha ra ct er is tic s ( so ci al d yn am ic s a nd to le ra nc e le ve l), se ve ri ty a nd im pa ct s o f t he c on fli ct . Ac tio n 3. 1. 3: D ev el op a nd m ai nt ai n hu m an - t ig er c on fli ct d at a ba se b ot h at c en tr al a nd fi el d le ve l. O ut pu t 3 .2 : E nh an ce d pr ev en tio n of h um an -ti ge r co nf lic t i n B hu ta n. H um an -ti ge r c on fli ct p re ve nt io n m ea su re s i n pl ac e A w ar en es s m at er ia ls , re po rts N C D , D oL & F ie ld D iv is io ns Ac tio n 3. 2. 1: C on du ct m as s e du ca tio n an d aw ar en es s o n th e co nf lic t s ce na ri o an d pr ev en tiv e m ea su re s, po lic y, st ra te gy a nd sc ie nc e of h um an -ti ge r co nf lic t i n Bh ut an . Ac tio n 3. 2. 2: Im pr ov e liv es to ck m an ag em en t t hr ou gh im pr ov ed b re ed s a nd e nh an ce d gu ar di ng p ra ct ic es . Ac tio n 3. 2. 3: In st al l a nd m ai nt ai n lo w -v ol ta ge e le ct ri c fe nc es to m in im iz e lo ss o f c ro p an d ca ttl e to w ild lif e. Ac tio n 3. 2. 4: E st ab lis h an d st re ng th en v is ito r i nf or m at io n ce nt er s a t f ie ld o ffi ce s. O ut pu t 3 .3 : M iti ga tio n m ea su re s p ut in p la ce in c as e of c on fli ct o cc ur re nc e. Ti m el y re sp on se to h um an -ti ge r co nf lic t c as es M ee tin g re so lu tio ns , C om m itt ee b y- la w s, G ui de lin e D oF PS (N C D , F ie ld D iv is io ns ), D oL Ac tio n 3. 3. 1: E st ab lis h an d st re ng th en H W C co m m itt ee a t n at io na l a nd c om m un ity le ve l. Ac tio n 3. 3. 2: D ev el op a st an da rd c on fli ct re po rt in g sy st em fo r B hu ta n. Ac tio n 3. 3. 3: D ev el op n at io na l p ol ic y fo r e x- gr at ia p ay m en t i n th e ev en t o f l os s o f h um an li fe o r i nj ur y. Ac tio n 3. 3. 4: S tr en gt he n an d su pp or t t he li ve st oc k in su ra nc e an d co m pe ns at io n sc he m es . T IG E R A C T IO N P L A N F O R B H U T A N (2 01 8- 20 23 ) 36 A la nd sc ap e ap pr oa ch to ti ge r c on se rv at io n Ac tio n 1. 8. 3: C oo rd in at e an d co lla bo ra te w ith p ar k of fic ia l a nd o th er st ak eh ol de rs fr om In di a on sy nc hr on iz ed a nt i-p oa ch in g pa tr ol , t ig er m on ito ri ng a nd ot he r a ct iv iti es . O bj ec tiv e II - M an ag e cr iti ca l t ig er h ab ita ts w ith in a nd o ut si de p ro te ct ed a re as O ut pu t 2 .1 : C rit ic al ti ge r a nd th ei r p re y ha bi ta ts zo ne d an d de lin ea te d w ith in a nd o ut si de th e pr ot ec te d ar ea n et w or k. C rit ic al ti ge r h ab ita ts z on ed b ot h w ith in a nd o ut si de P A s M ap s a va ila bl e fo r u se b y th e fie ld o ffi ce s N C D & G TC Ac tio n 2. 1. 1: Id en tif y an d m ap c ri tic al ti ge r h ab ita t f or p ro te ct io n an d m an ag em en t i nt er ve nt io ns . Ac tio n 2. 1. 2: C on du ct st ak eh ol de r c on su lta tio n m ee tin g to h ar m on iz e cr iti ca l t ig er h ab ita t m ap s w ith d ev el op m en ta l m as te r p la ns . O ut pu t 2 .2 : C rit ic al ti ge r h ab ita ts m an ag ed a s p er th e ha bi ta t m an ag em en t g ui de lin es . C rit ic al ti ge r h ab ita ts w el l m an ag ed Pr og re ss re po rts N C D , F PE D & F ie ld D iv is io ns Ac tio n 2. 2. 1: C ar ry ou t g ra ss la nd m an ag em en t i nc lu di ng c on tr ol le d bu rn in g an d w ee d er ad ic at io n. Ac tio n 2. 2. 2: In iti at e ha bi ta t i m pr ov em en t t hr ou gh e nr ic hm en t p la nt at io n of n at iv e pa la ta bl e sp ec ie s a nd re m ov al o f i nv as iv e sp ec ie s. Ac tio n2 .2 .3 : M ai nt ai n an d im pr ov e th e ex is tin g ca ttl e gr az in g la nd s ( ts ha m do s) fo r w ild h er bi vo re s. Ac tio n 2. 2. 4: M ai nt ai n na tu ra l w at er h ol es a nd sa ltl ic ks a nd c re at e ne w o ne s o n ne ed b as is . O ut pu t 2 .3 : P rin ci pl es o f s m ar t-g re en in fra st ru ct ur e ad op te d an d im pl em en te d fo r i nf ra st ru ct ur e de ve lo pm en t i n th e cr iti ca l t ig er h ab ita ts . Sm ar t g re en in fra st ru ct ur e pr in ci pl es ad op te d an d im pl em en te d M ee tin g re so lu tio ns , t ou r re po rts , i nf ra st ru ct ur e de ve lo pm en t p la n D oF PS , M oW H S, C D B Ac tio n 2. 3. 1: O rg an iz e se ns iti za tio n w or ks ho ps o n sm ar t-g re en in fr as tr uc tu re w ith re le va nt st ak eh ol de rs . Ac tio n 2. 3. 2: O rg an iz e ex po su re tr ip s f or re le va nt st ak eh ol de rs to u nd er st an d an d ap pr ec ia te th e fe at ur es o f s m ar t- gr ee n in fr as tr uc tu re . Ac tio n 2. 3. 3: In co rp or at e sm ar t-g re en fe at ur es in th e na tio na l a nd lo ca l i nf ra st ru ct ur e de ve lo pm en t p la ns . Ac tio n 2. 3. 4: E nf or ce a nd m on ito r s m ar t-g re en fe at ur es in in fr as tr uc tu re d ev el op m en t i n th e tig er h ab ita ts . O ut pu t 2 .4 : T ig er a nd p re y ha bi ta t c ha ng e an d m an ag em en t i nt er ve nt io ns st ud ie d an d m on ito re d. H ab ita t d yn am ic s a nd im pa ct s o f in te rv en tio ns u nd er st oo d A ss es sm en t r ep or ts , ph ys ic al v er ifi ca tio ns N C D , U W IC ER , G TC & F ie ld D iv is io ns Ac tio n 2. 4. 1: Id en tif y an d es ta bl ish p er m an en t p lo ts in ti ge r h ab ita ts a t d iff er en t e co lo gi ca l z on es . Ac tio n 2. 4. 2: A ss es s t he e ffe ct s o f r oa d an d in fr as tr uc tu ra l d ev el op m en ts o n th e ha bi ta t c on ne ct iv ity fo r t ig er a nd p re y. T IG E R A C T IO N P L A N F O R B H U T A N (2 01 8- 20 23 ) 37 A la nd sc ap e ap pr oa ch to ti ge r c on se rv at io n O ut pu t 2 .5 . A t l ea st 5 ti ge r s ite s ( PA s a nd fo re st di vi si on s) m an ag ed a s p er C A |T S st an da rd s. 10 T ig er si te d ac cr ed ite d an d m an ag ed as p er C A |T S st an da rd s C A |T S A cc re di ta tio n C er tif ic at e N C D & F ie ld D iv is io ns Ac tio n 2. 5. 1: C A| TS re gi st ra tio n of th e tig er si te s. Ac tio n 2. 5. 2: F ie ld a ss es sm en t o f t he ti ge r s ite s a nd p ro po se fo r ac cr ed ita tio n to C A| TS . O bj ec tiv e II I. R ed uc e hu m an -t ig er c on fli ct . O ut pu t 3 .1 : U nd er st oo d hu m an ti ge r c on fli ct sc en ar io in B hu ta n In fo rm at io n on h um an -ti ge r c on fli ct av ai la bl e M ap s, A ss es sm en t r ep or ts , D at ab as e N C D , U W IC ER , G TC & F ie ld D iv is io ns Ac tio n 3. 1. 1: C ar ry o ut h ot sp ot m ap pi ng h ig hl ig ht in g sp at io -te m po ra l c ha ra ct er is tic s o f t he c on fli ct . Ac tio n 3. 1. 2: A ss es s s oc ia l c ha ra ct er is tic s ( so ci al d yn am ic s a nd to le ra nc e le ve l), se ve ri ty a nd im pa ct s o f t he c on fli ct . Ac tio n 3. 1. 3: D ev el op a nd m ai nt ai n hu m an - t ig er c on fli ct d at a ba se b ot h at c en tr al a nd fi el d le ve l. O ut pu t 3 .2 : E nh an ce d pr ev en tio n of h um an -ti ge r co nf lic t i n B hu ta n. H um an -ti ge r c on fli ct p re ve nt io n m ea su re s i n pl ac e A w ar en es s m at er ia ls , re po rts N C D , D oL & F ie ld D iv is io ns Ac tio n 3. 2. 1: C on du ct m as s e du ca tio n an d aw ar en es s o n th e co nf lic t s ce na ri o an d pr ev en tiv e m ea su re s, po lic y, st ra te gy a nd sc ie nc e of h um an -ti ge r co nf lic t i n Bh ut an . Ac tio n 3. 2. 2: Im pr ov e liv es to ck m an ag em en t t hr ou gh im pr ov ed b re ed s a nd e nh an ce d gu ar di ng p ra ct ic es . Ac tio n 3. 2. 3: In st al l a nd m ai nt ai n lo w -v ol ta ge e le ct ri c fe nc es to m in im iz e lo ss o f c ro p an d ca ttl e to w ild lif e. Ac tio n 3. 2. 4: E st ab lis h an d st re ng th en v is ito r i nf or m at io n ce nt er s a t f ie ld o ffi ce s. O ut pu t 3 .3 : M iti ga tio n m ea su re s p ut in p la ce in c as e of c on fli ct o cc ur re nc e. Ti m el y re sp on se to h um an -ti ge r co nf lic t c as es M ee tin g re so lu tio ns , C om m itt ee b y- la w s, G ui de lin e D oF PS (N C D , F ie ld D iv is io ns ), D oL Ac tio n 3. 3. 1: E st ab lis h an d st re ng th en H W C co m m itt ee a t n at io na l a nd c om m un ity le ve l. Ac tio n 3. 3. 2: D ev el op a st an da rd c on fli ct re po rt in g sy st em fo r B hu ta n. Ac tio n 3. 3. 3: D ev el op n at io na l p ol ic y fo r e x- gr at ia p ay m en t i n th e ev en t o f l os s o f h um an li fe o r i nj ur y. Ac tio n 3. 3. 4: S tr en gt he n an d su pp or t t he li ve st oc k in su ra nc e an d co m pe ns at io n sc he m es . T IG E R A C T IO N P L A N F O R B H U T A N (2 01 8- 20 23 ) 38 A la nd sc ap e ap pr oa ch to ti ge r c on se rv at io n Ac tio n 3. 3. 5: In iti at e co m m un ity b as ed e co to ur is m in th e tig er la nd sc ap es . Ac tio n 3. 3. 6: L in k an d es ta bl ish P ES sc he m es in th e tig er la nd sc ap es . O bj ec tiv e IV : I nc re as e sc ie nc e ba se d in fo rm at io n on ti ge r, p re y an d th ei r la nd sc ap e. O ut pu t 4 .1 : T ig er a nd p re y po pu la tio n pe ri od ic al ly m on ito re d us in g ro bu st sc ie nt ifi c de si gn a nd a na ly si s. In fo rm at io n on ti ge r a nd p re y po pu la tio n up da te d Pr ot oc ol d oc um en t, Su rv ey re po rt, T ra in in g re po rt N C D , U W IC ER , G TC & F ie ld O ffi ce s Ac tio n 4. 1. 1: E st ab lis h lo ng te rm m on ito ri ng p ro to co l f or ti ge rs a nd p re y sp ec ie s. Ac tio n 4. 1. 2: C on du ct n at io nw id e tig er p op ul at io n re va lid at io n su rv ey e ve ry fi ve y ea rs . Ac tio n 4. 1. 3: E va lu at e tig er a nd p re y di st ri bu tio n an d pr od uc e de m og ra ph ic re po rt s. Ac tio n 4. 1. 4: C on du ct su rv ey o n pr ey u si ng s ta nd ar d m et ho do lo gy (s ig n su rv ey s, di st an ce sa m pl in g, p oi nt c ou nt s, do ub le o bs er va tio n, a nd d un g su rv ey s) . Ac tio n 4. 1. 5: S tr en gt he n na tio na l d at ab as e of ti ge rs a nd o th er w ild a ni m al s. Ac tio n 4. 1. 6: T ra in a nd e qu ip ti ge r r es ea rc h an d m on ito ri ng te am s. Ac tio n 4. 1. 7: C on du ct e co no m ic v al ua tio n of ti ge r h ab ita ts in B hu ta n. O ut pu t 4 .2 : E st ab lis he d an d st re ng th en ed in fo rm at io n on t ig er e co lo gy a nd m ov em en t th ro ug h st ud y an d id en tif y im po rta nt e nv iro nm en ta l an d an th ro po ge ni c va ria bl es in re la tio n to ti ge r h ab ita t u se a nd se le ct io n. In fo rm at io n on ti ge r e co lo gy a nd m ov em en t i n B hu ta n st re ng th en ed R es ea rc h ar tic le s, tra in in g re po rts N C D , U W IC ER , G TC & F ie ld O ffi ce s Ac tio n 4. 2. 1: C om pi le a ll av ai la bl e da ta a nd in fo rm at io n on ti ge rs a nd p re y sp ec ie s w ith D oF PS . Ac tio n 4. 2. 2: C on du ct st ud y to a ss es s h ab ita t c on di tio n fo r t ig er a nd p re y. Ac tio n 4. 2. 3: C on du ct ra di o co lla ri ng o f t ig er s a t d iff er en t h ab ita ts to st ud y th e be ha vi or a nd sp at ia l m ov em en t e co lo gy . Ac tio n 4. 2. 4: E nh an ce c ap ac ity o f f ie ld st af f o n an im al h an dl in g an d m an ag em en t. Ac tio n 4. 2. 5: P er fo rm p op ul at io n vi ab ili ty a ss es sm en t o f t ig er a nd p re y po pu la tio n us in g st at is tic al a nd m at he m at ic al m od el s (p op ul at io n pr oj ec tio n an d ca rr yi ng c ap ac ity ). Ac tio n 4. 2. 6: C on du ct d ie ta ry se le ct io n by ti ge r a nd p re y sp ec ie . O ut pu t 4 .3 : E st ab lis he d ge ne tic d at ab as e of ti ge rs in B hu ta n. G en et ic d at ab as e of B hu ta ne se ti ge rs es ta bl is he d Tr ai ni ng re po rts , D at ab as e, R ep or t o n ge ne tic p ro fil e N C D , U W IC ER , G TC & F ie ld O ffi ce s Ac tio n 4. 3. 1: E st ab lis h ge ne tic la b to p er fo rm g en et ic a na ly si s o f t ig er s a nd it s c o- pr ed at or . T IG E R A C T IO N P L A N F O R B H U T A N (2 01 8- 20 23 ) 39 A la nd sc ap e ap pr oa ch to ti ge r c on se rv at io n Ac tio n 4. 3. 2: T ra in re le va nt st af f o n ge ne tic a na ly si s a nd p ro fil in g. Ac tio n 4. 3. 3: E st ab lis h an d st re ng th en g en et ic d at ab as e of ti ge rs a nd p re y. Ac tio n 4. 3. 4: P ro du ce re po rt o n ge ne tic p ro fil es o f t ig er s i n Bh ut an . O ut pu t 4 .4 : A ss es s i m pa ct s o f p ot en tia l d is tu rb an ce re gi m es a nd d is as te rs o n tig er a nd p re y po pu la tio n. Im pa ct s o f p ot en tia l d is tu rb an ce re gi m es a nd d is as te rs o n tig er un de rs to od R es ea rc h ar tic le s, A ss es sm en t r ep or ts N C D , U W IC ER , G TC & F ie ld O ffi ce s Ac tiv ity 4 .4 .1 : A ss es s i m pa ct o f c lim at e ch an ge o n tig er a nd p re y ha bi ta ts a nd d ev el op a da pt at io n pl an . Ac tiv ity 4 .4 .2 : A ss es s d is ea se th re at to ti ge rs o r t he ir p re y fr om li ve st oc k an d fe ra l a ni m al s a nd m on ito r w he re n ec es sa ry . Ac tiv ity 4 .4 .3 : S tr en gt he n w ild lif e cl in ic a nd la bo ra to ry . Ac tiv ity 4 .4 .3 : A ss es s t he im pa ct o f f er al d og s o n w ild lif e po pu la tio n an d m an ag e do g po pu la tio n. T IG E R A C T IO N P L A N F O R B H U T A N (2 01 8- 20 23 ) 38 A la nd sc ap e ap pr oa ch to ti ge r c on se rv at io n Ac tio n 3. 3. 5: In iti at e co m m un ity b as ed e co to ur is m in th e tig er la nd sc ap es . Ac tio n 3. 3. 6: L in k an d es ta bl ish P ES sc he m es in th e tig er la nd sc ap es . O bj ec tiv e IV : I nc re as e sc ie nc e ba se d in fo rm at io n on ti ge r, p re y an d th ei r la nd sc ap e. O ut pu t 4 .1 : T ig er a nd p re y po pu la tio n pe ri od ic al ly m on ito re d us in g ro bu st sc ie nt ifi c de si gn a nd a na ly si s. In fo rm at io n on ti ge r a nd p re y po pu la tio n up da te d Pr ot oc ol d oc um en t, Su rv ey re po rt, T ra in in g re po rt N C D , U W IC ER , G TC & F ie ld O ffi ce s Ac tio n 4. 1. 1: E st ab lis h lo ng te rm m on ito ri ng p ro to co l f or ti ge rs a nd p re y sp ec ie s. Ac tio n 4. 1. 2: C on du ct n at io nw id e tig er p op ul at io n re va lid at io n su rv ey e ve ry fi ve y ea rs . Ac tio n 4. 1. 3: E va lu at e tig er a nd p re y di st ri bu tio n an d pr od uc e de m og ra ph ic re po rt s. Ac tio n 4. 1. 4: C on du ct su rv ey o n pr ey u si ng s ta nd ar d m et ho do lo gy (s ig n su rv ey s, di st an ce sa m pl in g, p oi nt c ou nt s, do ub le o bs er va tio n, a nd d un g su rv ey s) . Ac tio n 4. 1. 5: S tr en gt he n na tio na l d at ab as e of ti ge rs a nd o th er w ild a ni m al s. Ac tio n 4. 1. 6: T ra in a nd e qu ip ti ge r r es ea rc h an d m on ito ri ng te am s. Ac tio n 4. 1. 7: C on du ct e co no m ic v al ua tio n of ti ge r h ab ita ts in B hu ta n. O ut pu t 4 .2 : E st ab lis he d an d st re ng th en ed in fo rm at io n on t ig er e co lo gy a nd m ov em en t th ro ug h st ud y an d id en tif y im po rta nt e nv iro nm en ta l an d an th ro po ge ni c va ria bl es in re la tio n to ti ge r h ab ita t u se a nd se le ct io n. In fo rm at io n on ti ge r e co lo gy a nd m ov em en t i n B hu ta n st re ng th en ed R es ea rc h ar tic le s, tra in in g re po rts N C D , U W IC ER , G TC & F ie ld O ffi ce s Ac tio n 4. 2. 1: C om pi le a ll av ai la bl e da ta a nd in fo rm at io n on ti ge rs a nd p re y sp ec ie s w ith D oF PS . Ac tio n 4. 2. 2: C on du ct st ud y to a ss es s h ab ita t c on di tio n fo r t ig er a nd p re y. Ac tio n 4. 2. 3: C on du ct ra di o co lla ri ng o f t ig er s a t d iff er en t h ab ita ts to st ud y th e be ha vi or a nd sp at ia l m ov em en t e co lo gy . Ac tio n 4. 2. 4: E nh an ce c ap ac ity o f f ie ld st af f o n an im al h an dl in g an d m an ag em en t. Ac tio n 4. 2. 5: P er fo rm p op ul at io n vi ab ili ty a ss es sm en t o f t ig er a nd p re y po pu la tio n us in g st at is tic al a nd m at he m at ic al m od el s (p op ul at io n pr oj ec tio n an d ca rr yi ng c ap ac ity ). Ac tio n 4. 2. 6: C on du ct d ie ta ry se le ct io n by ti ge r a nd p re y sp ec ie . O ut pu t 4 .3 : E st ab lis he d ge ne tic d at ab as e of ti ge rs in B hu ta n. G en et ic d at ab as e of B hu ta ne se ti ge rs es ta bl is he d Tr ai ni ng re po rts , D at ab as e, R ep or t o n ge ne tic p ro fil e N C D , U W IC ER , G TC & F ie ld O ffi ce s Ac tio n 4. 3. 1: E st ab lis h ge ne tic la b to p er fo rm g en et ic a na ly si s o f t ig er s a nd it s c o- pr ed at or . T IG E R A C T IO N P L A N F O R B H U T A N (2 01 8- 20 23 ) 39 A la nd sc ap e ap pr oa ch to ti ge r c on se rv at io n Ac tio n 4. 3. 2: T ra in re le va nt st af f o n ge ne tic a na ly si s a nd p ro fil in g. Ac tio n 4. 3. 3: E st ab lis h an d st re ng th en g en et ic d at ab as e of ti ge rs a nd p re y. Ac tio n 4. 3. 4: P ro du ce re po rt o n ge ne tic p ro fil es o f t ig er s i n Bh ut an . O ut pu t 4 .4 : A ss es s i m pa ct s o f p ot en tia l d is tu rb an ce re gi m es a nd d is as te rs o n tig er a nd p re y po pu la tio n. Im pa ct s o f p ot en tia l d is tu rb an ce re gi m es a nd d is as te rs o n tig er un de rs to od R es ea rc h ar tic le s, A ss es sm en t r ep or ts N C D , U W IC ER , G TC & F ie ld O ffi ce s Ac tiv ity 4 .4 .1 : A ss es s i m pa ct o f c lim at e ch an ge o n tig er a nd p re y ha bi ta ts a nd d ev el op a da pt at io n pl an . Ac tiv ity 4 .4 .2 : A ss es s d is ea se th re at to ti ge rs o r t he ir p re y fr om li ve st oc k an d fe ra l a ni m al s a nd m on ito r w he re n ec es sa ry . Ac tiv ity 4 .4 .3 : S tr en gt he n w ild lif e cl in ic a nd la bo ra to ry . Ac tiv ity 4 .4 .3 : A ss es s t he im pa ct o f f er al d og s o n w ild lif e po pu la tio n an d m an ag e do g po pu la tio n. TIGER ACTION PLAN FOR BHUTAN (2018-2023) 40 A landscape approach to tiger conservation References Avinandan, D., Sankar, K., & Qureshi, Q. (2008). Prey selection by tigers (Panthera tigris tigris) in Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, India. Journal of Bombay Natural History Society, 105(3), 247-254. Balmford, A., Green, J. M., Anderson, M., Beresford, J., & Huang , C. (2015). Walk on the Wild Side: Estimating the Global Magnitude of Visits to Protected Areas. PLos Biol. Beamount, L. J., Pitman, A., Zimmermann, N. E., Yoccoz, N. G., & Thuiller, W. (2011). Impacts of climate change on the world's most exceptional ecoregions. National Academy of Sciesnces. Bhattarai, B. P., & Kindlmann, P. (2012). Habitat heterogenity as the key determinant of the abundance and habitat preference of prey species of tiger in the Chitwan National Park, nepal. 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Washington, DC: Global Tiger Initiative Secretariat. Hebblewhite, M., Munro, R. H., & Merrill , E. H. (2009). Trophic consequences of postfire logging in a wolf-ungulate system. Forest Ecology and Management, 257(3), 1053- 1062. Inskip, C., & Zimmermann, A. (2009). Human-felid conflict: a review of patterns and priorities worldwide. Fauna & Flora International, Oryx, 43(1), 18–34. Karanth, K. U., & Nichols, J. D. (1998). Estimation of Tiger Densities in India Using Photographic Captures and Recaptures. Ecology. Karanth, K. U., Nichols, J. D., Seidensticker, J., Dinerstein, E., Smith, J. L., McDougal, C., . . . Thapar, V. (2003). Science deficiency in conservation practice: monitoring of tiger populations in India. Animal Conservation, 141-146. Kitchener, A. C., Breitenmoser-Würsten, C., Eizirik, E., Gentry, A., Werdelin, L., Wilting, A., . . . Tobe, S. (2017). A revised taxonomy of the Felidae. The final report of the Cat Classification Task Force of the IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group. 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