ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION OF LAND DEGRADATION1. Conservation, Rehabilitation and Sustainable Use of Forest Resourcesa) Forest Fire ManagementDevelop and implement community-based forest fire management schemes targeting specific groups of local communities, such as lemon grass oil producers and grazers. Review and rationalize existing forest fire penalties to make them enforceable. Review and strengthen institutional arrangements for networking, reporting and forest fire suppression. b) Sustainable Production and Utilization of Forest ResourcesDevelop and promote alternative fuels and construction materials to reduce dependence on forest resources. Promote bio-digester (biogas) at household level and stall feeding livestock for collection of manure. This intervention would address two problems: reduction in fuel wood consumption as well as uncontrolled grazing of livestock in forests.

c) Rehabilitation of Degraded and Barren Forest LandsAssess the extent of degraded and barren forest lands, map these areas, and prioritize them for reafforestation taking into consideration a number of factors such as socio-economic benefits to the local communities, ecological risks (both immediate and long-term) of not rehabilitating the forest land, and contribution to global environmental needs such as carbon sequestration and adaptation to climate change. Re-afforest prioritized degraded and barren forest lands using species and methods that are environmentally appropriate to local conditions.d) Participatory Forest ManagementDesign and impart participatory training to develop community skills for community and private forestry focusing on activities such as community organization, conflict resolution, benefit-sharing and community fund management. For the sustainability of the fast-spreading community forestry program, it is very crucial to equip the local communities with adequate technical and social skills to establish and manage community forests.e) Livestock and Grazing ManagementCarry out carrying capacity studies and based on these, develop a taxation scheme to discourage the rearing of livestock in excess of the carrying capacity. Provide effective animal health coverage to give livestock farmers the security to keep smaller but more productive herds of livestock. Where overgrazing is a problem but livestock rearing is the primary source of livelihood, develop and promote improved pasture management and forage development. Concurrently, promote alternative livelihoods that are environmentally sustainable.2. Development and Promotion of Sustainable Agricultural Practicesa) Integrated Soil Fertility ManagementDevelop toolkits for training of farmers on integrated soil fertility management. The toolkits may include training handbook (for the agriculture extension staff), posters, flipchart, video, pictorial manual and other materials that may be necessary for farmer-friendly training. Conduct farmer training on integrated soil fertility management in a phased manner, first focusing on dzongkhags where use of inorganic fertilizers is most excessive.b) Sustainable Land Management for Steep Slope AgricultureConduct and complete land capability studies. Based on these studies, develop agricultural land capability classification and formulate management guidelines for agricultural land use as per land capability. Mainstream SLM in RNR-Research programs and translate SLM research results and recommendations into farmer-friendly extension materials on SLMc) Phasing Out of Tseri and Promotion of Suitable AlternativesDepending on the resolutions of the parliament, carry out policy, legislative and administrative reforms to phase-out tseri cultivation and/or promote suitable alternatives which are more environmentally sound and economically viable than tseri.d) Integrated Pest Management Building upon past work and with additional research, consolidate integrated pest management technology integrating biological measures and good crop management practices to control agricultural pests and diseases. Discourage the use of pesticides that belong to Class Ia (extremely hazardous), Class Ib (highly hazardous), and Class II (moderately hazardous), and gradually phase them out if possible.e) Improvement of Irrigation System ManagementReview and revise existing irrigation development guidelines, especially examining ways in which management of the tertiary irrigation channels and tail sections of the irrigation channels can be improved. Rectify existing irrigation schemes that have become highly risky from the land degradation point of view. 3. Environmental Management of Development Activities that pose Land Degradation Risksa) Environment-friendly Road ConstructionMake adoption of existing environmental codes of practices for road construction mandatory for all types of roads by enhancing legal provisions for EFRC in the Roads Act of Bhutan.b) Sustainable MiningIn keeping with the Mines and Mineral Management Act 1995 and Mines and Mineral Management Regulations 2002, ensure all existing and new mining operations have mine plan, environmental management plan, and mine restoration plan as per acceptable standard stipulated by law, regulations and ECOP, and that these plans are being effectively implemented.c) Sustainable Urban DevelopmentDecelerate the growth of Thimphu and Phuentsholing urban centers and enhance environmental management of these centers, including beautification of urban lands and development of public amenities for recreation, drainage, sanitation, and waste disposal. Improve municipal governance and strengthen municipal capacity to effectively manage urban environments and deliver public services.d) Solid Waste ManagementEstablish waste recycling hubs in major towns. In establishing such hubs, examine the possibility of introducing models of community-based entrepreneurship and public-private partnership for waste management. Improve solid waste management by introducing a system for waste segregation at source and adoption of proper landfill management practices.4. Strengthening of Systemic and Institutional Capacitya) Policy and Legislation DevelopmentFormulate a National Mining and Mineral Development Policy laying out Bhutans fundamental position and principles for mining to ensure equitable allocation and access to mineral resources, sustainable management of non-renewable mineral resources, long-term sustainability of mineral based industries, and mitigation of adverse environmental impacts.b) Strengthening Enforcement of Environmental Laws and RegulationsEnforce the full range of procedures and processes for environmental assessment and clearance on projects which inherently have very high potential of adverse environmental impacts. These would essentially include infrastructure development that involves use of heavy machinery, industries and mines.c) Institutional DevelopmentStrengthen the institutional capacity of the Department of Disaster Management and Dzongkhag Administrations to effectively deal with natural disasters.5. Information, Advocacy and Education for Policy and Public SupportProduce and broadcast a TV documentary series, highlighting land degradation trends and issues in the country, to create increased public awareness. Carry out a country-wide quantitative survey of land degradation using Geographic Information System technology. This survey would need to assess the nature, extent and scale of land degradation and generate quantitative information to primarily inform decision-making, provide baseline for monitoring land degradation trends, support awareness raising programs, and aid planning of geographically-targeted actions to combat land degradation.