NCI 2024
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    Bhutan, officially known as the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a small, landlocked country nestled in the Eastern Himalayas in South Asia. It is recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot and is listed among the world’s 234 exceptionally significant eco-regions by the World Wildlife Fund in a detailed global biodiversity analysis conducted between 1995 and 1997.

    The country features six major agro-ecological zones, each corresponding to specific altitudes and climatic conditions, ranging from alpine to various subtropical environments. Bhutan boasts extensive forest coverage, which accounts for over 70% of its total land area and remains relatively well-preserved. Additionally, the country is rich in inland water resources, including a vast network of rivers, streams, and rivulets, fueled by high precipitation levels, glaciers, and glacial lakes.

    Score Rank Change
    Total Score – NCI 2024 63.1 15 N/A
    Land Management 80 3 N/A
    Protected Areas (Terrestrial) 100 1 N/A
    Ecological Representativeness of Terrestrial Protected Areas 89 56 N/A
    Connectedness of Terrestrial Protected Areas 61 62 N/A
    Protected Areas (Marine)
    Pristine Habitat (Converted Land) 100 1 N/A
    Sustainable Nitrogen Management (Soil Pollution) 45 58 N/A
    Sustainable Pesticide Use 83 15 N/A
    Threats to Biodiversity 66 60 N/A
    Threatened Species (Terrestrial) 88 78 N/A
    Threatened Species (Marine)
    Threatened Species’ Coverage by Protected Areas 75 134 N/A
    Species Coverage by Marine Protected Areas
    Species with Declining Populations (Terrestrial) 13 141 N/A
    Species with Declining Populations (Marine)
    Depleted Fisheries
    Fishery Pressure in the High Seas
    Invasive Species Pressure 87 130 N/A
    Capacity and Governance 72 20 N/A
    Total Management Cost 76 156 N/A
    Conservation Culturomics 65 20 N/A
    Conservation Legislation 32 124 N/A
    Ratification of CBD 100 1 N/A
    Ratification of CITES 100 1 N/A
    Political Stability and Absence of Violence 70 3 N/A
    Control of Corruption 80 17 N/A
    Government Effectiveness 62 43 N/A
    Future Trends 35 132 N/A
    Climate Change Mitigation 35 132 N/A


    Four pillars elaborated:

    Land Management

     Bhutan features a comprehensive network of protected areas that spans over 51% of its territory. This network comprises four national parks, four wildlife sanctuaries, and one strict nature reserve, which was established in 1993. In February 2024, Bhutan further enhanced its conservation efforts by adding a new biological corridor to its protected area network. This corridor plays a crucial role in protecting vital habitats for endangered species such as the snow leopard and red panda.

    Threats to Biodiversity

     The diversity of wild species is facing numerous threats, such as land conversion, overexploitation, reliance on wood for fuel, pollution caused by domestic sewage, climate change, and forest fires. The development process in the country, along with the need for forest products, infrastructure development, population growth, and living space requirements, rapid urbanization, agricultural expansion, grazing pressures, and forest fires are putting the forest biodiversity at risk.

    In addition, with the growing urbanization and industrialization, there is an increase in pressure on water resources, and it is predicted that the city population will increase by 50% by 2020. Lastly, specific threats to domesticated biodiversity include unsustainable cropping practices, conversion of agricultural land, cultivation of exotic agricultural crops, and land degradation in the form of erosion.

    Capacity and Governance

     Thanks to the visionary leadership of their kings and a longstanding tradition of living harmoniously with nature, Bhutan has largely preserved its biological richness into the 21st century. Bhutan’s constitution enforces a minimum forest cover of 60 percent indefinitely, demonstrating a firm commitment to environmental preservation even as economic and developmental ambitions often prioritize other concerns. Bhutan upholds the philosophy of Gross National Happiness, which emphasizes environmental conservation as a fundamental component. This philosophy guarantees that development does not compromise environmental integrity. To this end, numerous policy documents and action plans have been formulated and are in the process of implementation.

    Future Trends

     Bhutan has implemented several strategic plans, including the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plan (NBSAP) and the Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP). These initiatives are designed to preserve biodiversity, ensure sustainable utilization of natural resources, and distribute the benefits of biodiversity to local communities. The BAP specifically targets forest management, protected areas, and the sustainable use of resources. It also emphasizes capacity building, research, and raising public awareness. The government has achieved notable success in these areas, with more than 51% of Bhutan’s territory now protected in some form.


    Biodiversity

    Bhutan’s geography and climate are distinct, providing a range of ecosystems from subtropical forests in the south to alpine meadows in the north that nurture a diverse range of plant and animal life. The country is home to numerous plant species, with over 5,600 species of seed plants, including many that are rare and endangered. The forests are particularly diverse, covering over 60% of the land area.

    The takin, Bhutan’s national animal, is a large goat-like mammal found exclusively in the Himalayas. Close to 200 species of mammals, including 27 globally threatened ones, are known to exist in Bhutan. The country is also known for its abundant wild felids, with 11 of the 36 species documented globally.

    In the table below are the number of known species in several main groups, how many of these species are Threatened with extinction, and how many of them are Endemic (unique to Bhutan only):


    Species
    (World rank)    		 Threatened % Threatened Endemic % Endemic
    Mammals 142 (#81) 25 17.6%
    Birds 620 (#50) 19 3.1%
    Reptiles 90 (#95) 3 3.3% 2 2.2%
    Amphibians 42 (#67) 1 2.4% 1 2.4%
    Fishes 52 (#203) 4 7.7% 1 1.9%
    Plants 5,603 (#55) 43 0.8% 212 3.8%


    Go To 2024 National Nature Conservation Index Main Page

    Bhutan

    ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon’ — owing to the fierce storms that descend from the Himalayas

    Score:

    63.1 / 100

    Rank:

    15 / 180