Thimphu Division

Introduction

Following the nationalization of the forest through the enactment of National Forest Act in 1969, the impetus of the Department was placed on curbing illegal activities and encroachment of the forest land to reduce pressure on forest. With two forest Divisions established in the southern belt in Samtse and Sarpang, a need for a division was felt in northern Bhutan to oversee activities in the region. It was against this backdrop that the Thimphu Forest Division was established during the Second Five Year Plan. It was envisaged then for the Division to cover Thimphu, Haa, Paro, Wangdue Phodrang, Punakha and Gasa Dzongkhags.

Today, the Division covers an area of 307.59 sq. km. and provides forestry services to five gewogs viz Chang, Dagala, Geney, Kawang and Mewang under Thimphu Dzongkhag. Additionally, it is also mandated to provide forestry services to urban dwelling communities as well. It is also one of the 14 field divisions challenged by increasing developmental activities and frequent forest fire outbreaks during dry winter and early spring months.

Vision: Effective conservation and sustainable management of natural resources interconnected with efficient public service delivery.

Mission: Effectively conserve and ensure sustainable utilization of natural resources through science based scientific management principles, enforcement of rules and regulations and cater to the needs of public.

Mandates:

1. Conserve and manage natural resources including biodiversity, forest and water resources through science and research-based actions;
2. Sustainably utilize and promote smooth and permissible allocation of forest resources as per sound management plans;
3. Control illegal timber harvesting and wildlife poaching including exploitation of NWFP resources through fair implementation of standing rules and regulations;
4. Promote participatory approaches for conservation and management of natural resources and enhance rural livelihood;
5. Facilitate developmental activities and fulfil public aspirations through providing efficient and equitable service delivery;
6. Serve as a linkage and provide technical backstopping to people and other stakeholders for implementation of management plans;
7. Prepare and implement plans to effectively mitigate human-wildlife conflict;
8. Provide an enabling environment for faunal species by carrying out wildlife rescue, release and rehabilitation programs;
9. Maintain viable population and facilitate safe passage for key species through management of biological corridors;

Administrative Setup

Organogram

Acronym:

TR = Thimphu Range

KR = Khasadrapchu Rage

GFMU = Gidagom Forest Management Unit

CFMU = Chamgang Forest Management Unit

RBP = Royal Botanical Park

KNP = Kuenselphodrang Nature Park

SAFP = Samazingkha Agroforestry Project

RTP = Royal Takin Preserve

LMG = Ludrong Memorial Garden

TG = Tashichodzong Garden

RPN = Royal Project Nursery

• Dechencholing Beat Office
• Langjophakha Beat Office
• Hongtsho Beat Office
• Genekha Beat Office

Contact Information

Thimphu Forest Division
Department of Forests and Park Services

Phone No: 322092/322542 / Fax: 975-2-328696

Post Box. 124

Facebook: Page – www.facebook.com/thimphuforestdivision / Messenger – m.me/102701251095411

TOR of Division

1. Sections and Units at Division Headquarter
   1. Resource Allocation and Management Section (RAMS)

    

   This section deals primarily with sustainable resource management in line with FNCA and FNCRR of Bhutan including circulars and notifications issued by the Ministry/Department from time to time. It is also responsible for the delivery prompt public services within reasonable turnaround time. In order to shoulder its responsibilities, it constitutes of the following units:

   1a. Resource Allocation and Monitoring Unit (RAMU): This unit looks after sustainable forest resource allocation for both commercial and rural requirements in complete agreement with provisions in standing rules and regulations. It is also responsible for monitoring of the utilization of forest resources and report as per template and schedule specified in the rule.

   1b. Planning Unit (PU): This unit looks after planning activities for the division. It is responsible for the preparation and review the Forest Management Plans and Operational Plans for the Forest Management Units. It also serves as the focal point for Annual Performance Agreement and prepare APA in consultation with management head, Accounts Section and field offices under the division.

   1c.Data Unit (DU): This unit is responsible for overall data management and reporting as per template and schedule as required under Forest and Nature Conservation Rules and Regulations and as and when asked by the Department/Ministry. It also serves as the focal point for Forest Information Reporting and Monitoring System (FIRMS) and G2C and other data related work as and when deemed necessary by the Department.

   2. Resource Protection and Enforcement Section (RPES)

   This section deals with forest protection and enforcement activities including forest clearance for various developmental activities/projects. It is also responsible to cater prompt public services within reasonable turnaround time. To shoulder its responsibilities, the section comprises of the following Units:

    

   2a. Forest Fire and Pest Unit (FFPU): This unit serves as the focal point for activities related to forest fire and coordinate the implementation of forest fire management programs. Accordingly, it is responsible for creating awareness and sensitization of public on forest fire and mobilize fire fighters during forest fire outbreaks. It coordinates with relevant field offices on timely creation of fire lines, and conduct damage assessment and settlement of offence cases if required. In addition, this Unit serves as the linkage for activities related to forest pest and diseases between the Division and Department. It is responsible for maintaining data on pest and diseases and monitor sanitation operations in coordination with field range offices when necessary.

    

   2b. Forest Clearance Unit (FCU): This deals with forest clearance for various developmental activities under the division. It is tasked with reviewing and processing of forest clearance for all the projects on land lease, acquisition, road, transmission line, irrigation channel/water pipeline, archery range and related activities as per requirement and provisions in the Forest and Nature Conservation Rules and Regulations of Bhutan. The unit ensures prompt and complaint free public services within reasonable turnaround time.

    

   2c. Enforcement Unit (EU): This unit is responsible for coordination of activities related to curbing illegal activities such as patrolling through the use SMART Approach in the division. It also looks after the settlement of forest offence cases referred to the division from field offices and forest check post. The unit also facilitates in monitoring forest check posts and report to the management to ensure effective management and sustainability of forest resources. It develops duty rooster for forest check post in consultation with Range Offices and unit In-charges. Additionally, it shall also serve as the focal point for waste management and coordinates monthly cleaning campaigns.

    

   3. Roles and Responsibilities of Social Forestry and Extension Section (SFES)

   This section serves as the focal point between the Division and Social Forestry and Extension Division (DoFPS) and implement activities previously mandated to the erstwhile Dzongkhag Forestry Sector. It facilitates to identity potential areas for establishment of community forest and NWFP groups, implement and validate the existing community forest management plans and non-wood forest management plans. It serves as a linkage between field offices and other stakeholders, and accordingly facilitate in the identification of potential plantation areas, preparation of estimates and monitor plantation activities under direct supervision of the Chief Forestry Officer.