Nature conservation and biodiversity for poverty reduction case of Bhutan

摘要

Forests and biodiversity in Bhutan play a significant role in the national and local economy of th country. Also, the protection of fragile watersheds by forests for soil protection and water discharge maintenance are critical to offset any negative impacts on settlement, agriculture and hydropower. Bhutan Vision 2020 expresses a need to balance economic development with cultural and environmental conservation. The Royal Government of Bhutan emphasizes that biodiversity and natural resource conservation do not constitute a constraint to development but also serve as opportunity for development and return of adequate benefits to the local people. The opportunities for nature conservation and biodiversity contributing to reducing poverty are great, but they will remain as ever a wishful list of opportunities if they are not converted to tangible benefits for the poor.