Analysis of the Feedback Forms

Smart Green Infrastructure in Tiger Conservation Landscapes: Practitioners Workshop

30-31 May 2011 Taj Tashi Hotel, Thimphu, Bhutan

The Practitioners Workshop in Bhutan addressed in a practical context the multisectoral implications for planning and implementation of Smart Green Infrastructure (SGI) tools with application to roads, hydroelectric projects, ecotourism development, and land-use planning that can potentially impact Tiger Conservation Landscapes (TCLs). Participants in the Workshop included Bhutan’s senior officials and industry representatives from the natural resource management and infrastructure sectors as well as invited experts from several other tiger range countries including Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Lao PDR and Nepal and international experts (resource persons) from public and private sector. Participants were given the Feedback Forms, analysis of 39 of received forms is presented below.

Quote of the day “Keep up the good work GTI and the World Bank in your effort to save our precious animal, "The Tiger". Which is on the verge of extinction.”

Sonam Paldu, Bhutan Power Corporation

Quantitative Feedback (Average)

The answers were rates on the scale from 1 to 4: 1 Completely disagree; 2 Somewhat disagree; 3 Mostly agree; 4 Completely agree.

3.02.9

3.0

3.5

3.13.2

2.9

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

Expectations met

Materials / documents adequate

Workshop length

appropriate

Balanced plenary / technical

Level of content

appropriate

Opportunity for networking

provided

Introduced new topics

Most rewarding aspects of the workshop

• Case studies, practical international experience Sharing of lessons from Malaysia and USA on road infrastructure. Environment of mitigation activities in the hydropower project in Thailand.

• Engagement of Bhutan’s different sectors Commitment and insights of Bhutan officials. Variety of external experts.

• New SGI concept The most rewarding aspects of the workshop is that I am introduced to the importance of Tiger Conservation and new topic of smart green infrastructure.

Applicability of acquired information

• For planning and design of infrastructure Knowledge & ideas gained from workshop very important for me as I am an engineer and would help me and other immensely during the planning and design of roads and civil infrastructure. The acquired knowledge used effectively during plan & design of roads. Whenever I have to build infrastructure inside the PAs I will follow the concept of SGI. Design environment friendly structure.

• For reporting to own Ministries Write the report & submit to my ministry. Also, add this report to the Tiger national committee meeting.

• For incorporating into policies, guidelines To launch practical follow-up in all key TRCs (dissemination of results/recommendations), esp. at executive level. The workshop recommendations can be incorporated in the existing guidelines

Thematic areas for more in-depth understanding

• Land use planning Land use planning as basis for conservation of biodiversities including tiger landscape.

• Practical SGI design of roads, hydro, ecotourism, power lines Construction of power transmission lines. Best practices across the world esp. when going through PA's and Tiger Habitat.

• Case studies 1.Good practice on mechanism that can pull back some tourist revenue to community. 2.Case study on success story PES

Topics / sessions that provided greatest information or skills for a participant

• Roads and hydro Roads and hydropower presentations from both international and national presenters

• Land use planning Land use planning; Malaysia cases very relevant in my country

• Integration of infrastructure development and biodiversity conservation Integrating road planning with biodiversity corridor planning, and its implementation

Capacity building efforts that would help a participant to do his/her job better

• Practical skills through technical training, field trips, guidelines Construction technology & methodology is within the National Park; on the job training; more practical level w/shops related land use plan and SGI; field visits.

• International experience Study tours on training on best practices of SGI's in other countries would be really helpful to learn and implement in Bhutan.

• Networking, exchange visits, e-learning Networking; Case studies, research in protected areas; E-exchange of knowledge; Suggest we establish a network of contacts related to SGI for TCL/wildlife.

Additional comments/suggestions/observations

• Proper follow up is needed. These should be proper followed up on all the recommendations.

• More interactive design of the workshop should have been planned. These could have been more interactive between "resource person" and other participants; There should be more time for questions and answers.

• Bhutan needs resources for SGI’s practical implementation. It would be beneficial if World Bank could provide grant to implement the recommendations of this workshop.