RSPN Bhutan

22/09/2026

🌧️🌿 Celebrating the Rain, Celebrating Life 🌿🌧️

The arrives as nature’s gentle blessing-nourishing our forests, filling our rivers and wetlands, and bringing life to every corner of our beautiful home.

On this auspicious , may the rain bring happiness to our homes, abundance to our communities, and renewed life to nature.

Let us celebrate this beautiful gift by continuing to cherish, protect, and live in harmony with nature, for when nature thrives, we all thrive. 🌏💚

Happy Thrue Bab!

19/09/2026

RSPN Participates in the 14th Adaptation Fund NIE Annual Seminar 2026

RSPN Bhutan participated in the 14th Adaptation Fund ( ) Annual National Implementing Entity (NIE) Seminar, held from 15–17 September 2026 in Rabat, Morocco.

RSPN, represented by Mr. Wangchuk Namgay, Director, and Mr. Tshewang Lhendup, Project Officer, joined representatives from 34 accredited NIEs from across the globe for three days of learning, dialogue and experience sharing. RSPN's participation was particularly significant as the organization was recently accredited as the 39th National Implementing Entity (NIE) of the Adaptation Fund.

The annual provided an important platform for accredited to exchange experiences, strengthen institutional capacities and explore practical approaches to improving access to and delivery of climate adaptation finance. The seminar also emphasized the importance of country ownership, project pipelines, institutional compliance, upscaling and strengthened collaboration among NIEs.

Besides this, RSPN also participated in the panel discussion along with representatives from Mexico and Morocco to share the accreditation experiences including, challenges, lesson learnt and success stories.

The seminar primarily aimed to:

🍃 Strengthening institutional and operational capacities of accredited NIEs.
🍃Facilitate peer-to-peer learning and knowledge exchange among Direct Access Entities.
🍃Enhance understanding of the AF's project development, technical review and approval processes.
🍃Strengthen compliance with environmental, social and gender standards.
🍃Explore opportunities to improve access to different AF financing windows.
🍃Strengthening coordination between Designated Authorities (DAs) and NIEs.
🍃Promote stronger alignment of adaptation investments with national NAPs and NDCs and
🍃Identify approaches for developing stronger project pipelines and scaling up adaptation action.

18/09/2026

🪶🦤🦉🦜🦩🐦‍⬛𝗕𝗶𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗡𝗼 𝗕𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀: 𝗥𝗦𝗣𝗡 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗹𝘆𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 🦅🦜🐦‍⬛🦩

RSPN Bhutan participated in the held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 8-11 September 2026, joining governments, conservation organizations, scientists and development partners in a global call for stronger protection of and their .

RSPN joined participants in endorsing the , which calls for coordinated action to conserve migratory birds across their breeding, stopover and wintering grounds. The brought together the wider Partnership, representing 125 conservation partners across 120 countries.

The Declaration comes amid mounting concern over the state of migratory birds. BirdLife International reports that 45% of migratory bird species are declining, while around one in nine is threatened with extinction. For Bhutan, the Declaration reinforces RSPN's longstanding work to conserve migratory species, particularly the , and the critical habitats and landscapes on which they depend. By endorsing the Nairobi Flyways Declaration,RSPN reaffirmed our commitment to advancing science-based conservation, protecting critical habitats and strengthening international cooperation for migratory birds.

14/09/2026

Join us for the at the Royal Highland Festival 2026, celebrating the unique animals of the highlands and the dedicated herders who care for them.

Experience the rich culture, traditional food, vibrant celebrations, and the much-awaited Royal Highland Festival amidst the breathtaking highlands of Laya. Mark your calendars and come experience the living heritage of the highlands!

📍 Laya, Gasa, Bhutan
📅 23–24 October 2026

Meet the animals at the heart of highland life.

Yaks provide milk for butter and cheese, fibre for weaving and income for herding families. Horses carry goods across mountain trails, while mastiffs help guard homes and herds. Together, they support the livelihoods and food systems of Bhutan’s highland communities.

Join the Living Highland Parade at Royal Highland Festival 2026 to celebrate these animals and the herders who care for them.

📍 Laya, Gasa, Bhutan 📅 23–24 October 2026

Rangelands for Life: Empowering Herders.

14/09/2026

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴-𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲

With the objective to provide a platform for country-to-country knowledge sharing and peer learning, the Green Climate Fund ( ) Regional Dialogue begins today in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Regional Dialogue is expected to broaden engagement with countries, understand the impact of GCF investments and explore opportunities to enhance country ownership.

RSPN as A Delivery Partner ( ) to GCF is attending this important Regional Dialogue along with officials from National Designated Authorities (NDAs), Accredited Entities (AEs), and other partners of the GCF.

The four day GCF Regional Dialogue will serve as a platform to:

✅Enhance understanding of regional climate challenges, capacity gaps, and programming needs;
✅Share regional success stories and lessons learned;
✅Support the identification and development of high-impact climate change mitigation and adaptation initiatives aligned with countries’ priorities, development needs, and climate vulnerabilities; and
✅Share updates on GCF’s strategic direction to enable simpler, faster, and more effective access to climate finance.

The programme will include targeted technical sessions and hands-on workshops for both public and private sector programming, with a focus on building country capacity, strengthening project pipelines, and advancing transformational and paradigm-shifting climate investments.

13/09/2026

𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲-𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗵𝘂; 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗼.

It came as a surprise for Karma Lethro when he spotted -bellied Heron in Thimphu. Having only remembered seeing the species previously in Punakha, the sighting from Namseling, Thimphu, in August came as an unexpected discovery. He later shared photographs and details of the sighting on the page Bhutan Dhenzang Travels and Tours.

This marks the second confirmed record of a White-bellied Heron in Thimphu. The first was recorded in 2019 from Babesa. Although photographs of the species had been shared by a few birdwatchers from the area during the same period, the birds were largely assumed to be Grey Herons, which are also known to occur in the area during this period.

The same individual, or possibly the same bird, was subsequently recorded in the Shaba area of Paro, where it was observed flying upstream along the Pa Chhu on 17 August. This represents the first known record of a White-bellied Heron from Paro.

The White-bellied Heron (Ardea insignis) is one of the world's most threatened birds, classified as , with a known global population of fewer than 60 individuals. Bhutan remains a stronghold for the species. In 2026, 31 individuals and six active nests were recorded in Bhutan, the highest number recorded in the country since systematic conservation efforts began in 2003.

Through an integrated conservation approach that brings together biodiversity conservation, community stewardship and climate resilience, RSPN and its partners continue to work towards safeguarding the species and the ecosystems on which it depends. These recent sightings beyond its traditionally known range further highlight the importance of maintaining and strengthening conservation efforts across Bhutan's riverine landscapes.

📸 Photo : Karma Lethro.

10/09/2026

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆-𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗮𝘆𝗮

RSPN Bhutan in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Bhutan conducted a four-day Orientation and Hospitality Capacity-Building Program in Laya, Gasa Dzongkhag, from 5–8 September 2026, with 62 community participants (50 Women and 12 Men).

The program combined learning, demonstrations and hands-on practice on tourism, community-based tourism ( ), hospitality, housekeeping, culinary practices, food hygiene, waste management and responsible tourism. Through CBT and participatory resource mapping, participants explored 's rich tourism potential beyond trekking and adventure including its culture, traditions, stories, local food, festivals, handicrafts, highland lifestyle, agriculture, livestock practices and natural surroundings.

Practical sessions on and practices focused on cleanliness, sanitation, safe food handling, room preparation, cooking and food presentation, while highlighting local food as an important part of the visitor experience.

“𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗪𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗘, 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗕𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬” was one of the key messages shared with participants, highlighting the importance of the -Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle and the strong connection between responsible waste management, tourism, community well-being, and conservation. The programme also reinforced an important message: “𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁.”

The program emphasized that is not about changing what makes Laya unique, but about strengthening authenticity, hospitality, cleanliness, and responsibility to create meaningful visitor experiences while protecting its culture and nature.

Together with our partners, RSPN is committed to building tourism that benefits communities and protecting it's nature. 🌿

09/09/2026

A White-bellied Heron (Ardea insignis) has been sighted in the Jigme Dorji National Park, a welcome record after a long interval without recent sightings in the locality.

The bird has now been observed in the area for more than a week, offering an important opportunity to learn more about its habitat use, movements, and behaviour.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to our valued partner, the Department of Forests and Park Services (Jigme Dorji National Park) for their constant and dedicated monitoring. Following the sighting, teams from Ruecheyna Range, Gasa Range, and the Head Office are closely monitoring the site while ensuring that the bird is observed with minimal disturbance.

For a species as rare and critically endangered as the White-bellied Heron, every sighting tells a story and every safe habitat offers hope.

Together, through strong partnerships and sustained conservation efforts, we can give the White-bellied Heron a place to return, survive, and thrive.

08/09/2026

Our precious Gyalsem Sonam Yangden Wangchuck 🌼✨🌼✨🌼

✨ Happy Birthday, la. ✨

08/09/2026

𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐉𝐨𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐞𝐦

On the joyous occasion of the 3rd Birth Anniversary of Her Royal Highness the Gyalsem Sonam Yangden Wangchuck, the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) extends our warmest greetings and heartfelt prayers for Her Royal Highness’s good health, happiness, and long life.

May Her Royal Highness continue to be blessed with joy, love, and happiness, bringing immense pride and delight to the people of Bhutan.