ADMINISTRATIVE SETUP
Since the 99% of the Reserve area falls under Haa Dzongkhag, the office has been set up in Haa Dzongkhag in order to provide effective services to the public and fulfill the prime objective of the government to conserve biodiversity. The Reserve has field Range/Warden offices each at Sangbay and Bji Geog with two guard posts at Yaba and Lolithang extending the coverage of the conservation activities and delivery public services efficiently particularly in reducing the incidence of wild life poaching and illegal trade.
The Reserve is organized into four sections under the Reserve Manager (Chief Forestry Officer) as reflected below:
- Research, Information and Management Planning Section.
- Species Protection and Conservation Section.
- Resource Allocation Section.
- Communities, Recreation and Development Section.
SIGNIFICANCE OF JKSNR
The significance of JKSNR is not only in Bhutan but also for the entire Hindu-Kush Himalayan region (HKH), which is a significant reservoir of biodiversity, composed of extraordinary varied ecosystems, assemblages of species of global importance and rich genetic diversity. It is home to many endemic, endangered and threatened flora and fauna species. There are also flagship species of the landscape. JKSNR forms an integral part of the Kangchenjunga Landscape, which is part of the proposed Scared Himalayan Landscape (SHL) of the Eastern Himalayas. SHL is also known popularly as the Snow Leopard Landscape forming part of the Indo-Burman Biodiversity Hotspot; one of the 10 hotspots of the world. SHL builds link with the three major trans-boundary conservation areas in China, India and Bhutan.
The Reserve provides tremendous ecological services to the nation in terms of serving as an important watershed for two major rivers in the country, namely Haachu and Amochhu, on which mega-hydropower projects have been built (Wangchu) and some are in the process of being built (Amo Chu). In addition, people residing in the Reserve especially yak herders continue to reap benefits from the bountiful natural resources of the Reserve. Further, many international tourists find their favorite trekking destinations in the Reserve particularly to Nub-Tshonapata , and the park assists the tour operators to contribute substantial amount of foreign currencies to the national exchequer.
