Elephant Conservation Action Plan for Bhutan 2018-2028.

This Elephant Action Plan for Bhutan (2018-2028) is a sectoral plan at the national level. The Plan seeks to address the threats and challenges faced by elephants in Bhutan and across the border. The Plan envisions a viable population of elephants in coexistence with the people in the landscape. The vision will be realized with a goal to maintain a viable population of elephants through improved habitat and reduced conflict with human.
To achieve the goal, the Plan sets up eight broad objectives. Objective 1 is: To prevent habitat loss and improve the existing habitat condition. For this, elephant habitats will be zoned to reduce loss from land use change while degraded critical habitats will be restored and managed. Elephant migratory routes will be mapped, delineated and managed to ensure habitat connectivity. Objective 2 is: To reduce human elephant conflict through adoption of science based and community driven approaches. Successful preventive and mitigation measures will be upscaled and community protection groups will be strengthened. Ex-gratia schemes and incentives will be provided to increase tolerance of communities to elephants and the possibility of translocating the problem animals will be explored. Objective 3 is: To increase knowledge base on elephant and its habitat. Studies will be carried out to understand ecology and behavior of elephants including population survey, radio-telemetry and vulnerability to climate change. Objective 4 is: To improve coordination among stakeholders including trans-boundary partners. Transboundary consultative meeting, exchange programs and synchronized patrolling and species monitoring works will be carried out. Collaboration with other stakeholders involved at policy and planning to grassroots and other line agencies will be enhanced. Objective 5 is: To strengthen institutional capacity and human resource development. National elephant conservation program will be instituted both at national and field level. Elephant conservation and management training will be carried out. Objective 6 is: Identify and address the current and emerging disease. Elephants are susceptible to disease transmission both within themselves and from humans and livestock. Disease outbreak and transmission will be prevented and controlled through adoption of international guidelines and protocols including enlisting of potential diseases, staff training and disease surveillance. Objective 7 is: To prevent poaching and illegal trade of elephant parts and products. Poaching and illegal trade of elephants will be prevented through implementation of zero poaching strategy and MIKE program in the elephant range protected areas and forest divisions. The provision on elephants in the National Forest Policy and Forest and Nature Conservation Act of Bhutan 1995 will be harmonized. Objective 8 is: To improved management of captive elephants. Although captive elephant population in Bhutan is small, they need proper care and management. For this, health of captive elephants will be monitored on regular basis following standard protocols.