Ramsar Wetland Sites of the Himalayan Kingdom...

Ramsar Wetland Sites of the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan: A Geographical Note

Author Name : Ugyen Namgyel, Ripudaman Singh

ABSTRACT Wetlands recognized as Ramsar sites occupy about 1,226 hectares or 12.26sq km of the total land area in Bhutan. It provides habitat to some of the rare species of flora and fauna in the world. With increasing population, the pace of industrialization has also increased adding immense pressure to the usable natural resources. In this respect, wetlands provide alternative for sustaining life on earth. Wetlands are the lands of marshes, swamps, bogs and the river banks. Currently, Bhutan has three sites recognized as wetlands of international significance. Royal Government of Bhutan has ensured that the wetlands are well preserved without any anthropological activities, which might disturb the serenity and sanctity of the wetlands. Bhutan has successfully recognized three wetlands as Ramsar sites after its entry to the Ramsar convention in the year 2012. Amongst these three wetland sites, Gangtey-Phobji and Khothokha are in Wangdiphodrang district, whereas Bumdeling is located in the far eastern Bhutan in Trashiyangtse district. All these three wetlands in Bhutan are the wintering ground to one of the rare birds of the world, i.e. black necked crane (Grus nigricollis). Ramsar wetlands also play a pivotal role in the kingdom socially, economically and culturally. In terms of size, the third Ramsar site, Gangtey-Phobji has 975 hectares, Bumdeling with 142 hectares and Khotokha with 114 hectares or areas. Bumdeling is a riverine wetland and considered as unique as a Himalayan flood plain and is much warmer than the other two wetlands.