Dzongkhag
Forestry Sector was born 23 years after the nationalization of forest in Bhutan
and lived for another 23 years making ease to put decentralized forestry
activities into practice most particularly in upholding the sustainable and
participatory forest management. The sector made a giant step in 1997 by launching
the country’s first community forest in Mongar under the guidance of Social
Forestry & Extension Division (SFED), and thereafter about 600 communities
received their right to manage the forest.
Had there not been Dzongkhag Forestry Sector then it would be easier said than done to shift from traditional tree orientated system to the current practice of balanced tree conservation and sustainable usage. The Sector supported not only the community forest but also gave equal weightage to improve the health of State Reserve Forest (SRF) by planting forest crops, bioengineering the critical landslide prone zones, protecting the water sources and many more. In so doing the private individuals also received helping hand from the Sector to own woods in their unproductive private lands and thereby adding more trees to the state.
 |
| Fig: Farewell Speech by Dasho Dzongdag to Dzongkhag Forestry |
Had there not been Dzongkhag Forestry Sector then it would be easier said than done to shift from traditional tree orientated system to the current practice of balanced tree conservation and sustainable usage. The Sector supported not only the community forest but also gave equal weightage to improve the health of State Reserve Forest (SRF) by planting forest crops, bioengineering the critical landslide prone zones, protecting the water sources and many more. In so doing the private individuals also received helping hand from the Sector to own woods in their unproductive private lands and thereby adding more trees to the state.
 |
| Fig: Sharing of Gifts during farewell party |
Now
the parent organization has made a homecoming call by merging the Dzongkhag
Forestry Sector and Divisional Forest Office into one. It would be a shock to
the communities to see forestry officials working under one umbrella but
nothing to be worried for they shall continue to receive technical supports and
forestry services as before. However the concern is not on about going back
home to work but with regard to the working infrastructures. For time being the
field staffs may function from the RNR-Extension Centre but one day or the
other they deserve to be under a good shelter of their own. So, we are hopeful
that the Department may have made arrangements to build the needed infrastructures.
With this, I wish my workmates to serve with loyalty to protect our nation’s
green property and also delivery the services to the people as before. Goodbye
to Dzongkhag Forestry Sector.
 |
| Fig: First Day at Divisional office, Joint meeting at Mongar |
0 comments:
Post a Comment