1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Approach

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

Strengthening national-level institutional and professional capacities of country Parties towards enhanced UNCCD monitoring and reporting – GEF 7 EA Umbrella II (GEF 7 UNCCD Enabling Activities_Umbrella II)

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

National Soil Services Center, Department of Agric (National Soil Services Center, Department of Agric) - Bhutan

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

16/07/2023

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.4 Reference(s) to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Technologies

2.1 Short description of the Approach

The Community Forest Management Group (CFMG) functions with an aim to sustainably manage and utilize potential Non-Wood Forest Products (NWFP) such as cane and bamboo to diversify income sources. The Jangbi CFMG comprises three Monpa (indigenous) communities viz. Jangbi, Wangling and Phrumzur. The group's main mandates are to maintain raw material (bamboo and cane) germplasm, uphold the ancestral arts and crafts skills, and ensure the sustainable harvest of natural raw materials.

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

Tsharzo (bamboo craft) is popular in the eastern and southern parts of Bhutan where raw materials such as bamboo and cane are abundant. Tsharzo makes use of cane and bamboo to weave products such as orongbhazib (backpack), lapchu (hand basket), chungchu (basket), bechab (winnow), tsew (basket to carry fodder, fruits, shoots etc.) and pari (mats), among others. The Community Forest Management Group (CFMG) under Jangbi chiwog, Trongsa Dzongkhag is called Monpa Selwai Yoezer Tshogpa. The Jangbi CFMG is one of the successful groups that promote bamboo and cane products in the country. The group consists of 59 households (HH) from three villages, Jangbi (23 HH), Wangling (22 HH), and Phrumzur (14 HH). The group was formed under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on 14 April 2000, and officially came into play in 2007, upon drafting the bylaws. The bylaws were revised upon the need for further improvement in the year 2018. The group was formed to promote and enhance bamboo and cane products, thereby sustaining the existing trend and culture of the community. The group's main mandates are to maintain raw material germplasm (namely bamboo and cane), uphold ancestral arts and crafts skills, and ensure the sustainable harvest of natural raw materials.
The group received initial fund support of Nu. 1,400,000 from UNDP and Nu. 800,000 from Bhutan Orchids, a non-governmental organization (NGO). The government has given a total of 45 acres of land to the land users of Jangbi CFMG to plant bamboo and cane. Out of the 45 acres, 15 acres of land are collectively managed by all the land users of Jangbi CFMG for nursery raising. And 10 acres each is managed by each village under Jangbi chiwog for plantation activities. The land users plant different varieties of bamboo on the land. Some major activities carried out by the group involve documentation of the existing stock of cane and bamboo and new plantations. Cane and bamboo plantations are fenced to protect against wild and domestic animals.
Initially, Tsharzo in Jangbi CFMG was taken up on a contract basis. However, the proposal to establish a community Tsharzo group named Monpa Selwai Yoezer Tshogpa was approved by the Dzongkhag administration and was funded by the UNDP. Upon approval of the proposal, the Dzongkhag Forestry Department assisted the land users in land development (nursery development) for the cultivation of bamboo and cane in the allocated areas on 45 acres of state-owned land. The stakeholders involved in the formation of CFMG were the community members of Jangbi, Wangling, and Phumzur villages, of Jangbi chiwog, an NGO (Bhutan Orchids), the gewog administration, the forestry department, and UNDP. The community members’ roles included carrying out fieldwork (plantation of bamboo and cane, their maintenance) and engaging in decision-making processes under CFMG. The gewog administration supported the group with technical, financial, and advisory services. The NGO provided fund support of Nu. 800,000 and UNDP provided initial fund support of Nu. 1,400,000. The forestry department sourced the initial funds from UNDP, formulated bylaws, and facilitated hands-on training on bamboo and cane plantations.
The benefits of the approach include the establishment of dedicated germplasm, sustainable harvest of natural raw materials, conservation and promotion of ancestral arts and crafts skills, social cohesion through group formation, and employment opportunities. Bamboo and cane plantations play a great role in preventing soil degradation. Bamboo and cane have extensive root systems that help prevent erosion, stabilize soil, and reduce landslide risks. They are excellent for revegetation as they quickly establish themselves. Bamboo is also an efficient carbon sink, absorbing significant amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This helps mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas concentrations. Bamboo and cane provide habitats for some organisms thereby increasing biodiversity. Products made from bamboo and cane are biodegradable, reducing the environmental impact.

2.3 Photos of the Approach

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Approach has been applied

2.6 Dates of initiation and termination of the Approach

2.7 Type of Approach

• project/ programme based

2.8 Main aims/ objectives of the Approach

The group's main aims are:
i. To maintain raw material germplasm (bamboo and cane).
ii. Uphold the ancestral arts and crafts skills.
iii. To ensure sustainable harvest of natural raw materials.

2.9 Conditions enabling or hindering implementation of the Technology/ Technologies applied under the Approach

3.1 Stakeholders involved in the Approach and their roles

3.2 Involvement of local land users/ local communities in the different phases of the Approach

	Involvement of local land users/ local communities	Specify who was involved and describe activities
initiation/ motivation	interactive	In the year 2000, a few community representatives approached the Forestry officials to explore the market and sale plans for bamboo and cane products. The representatives expressed an interest in acting as vendors. In return, the forestry officials suggested instituting a group. Hence, the idea of Community Forest Management Group (CFMG) was conceived for managing cane and bamboo species (non-wood forest produce).
planning	passive	The fund securing was supported by Gewog Administration whereas formulation of a management plan and by-laws was technically supported by forestry officials, Department of Forests and Park Services.
implementation	interactive	Following the sensitization program from UNDP and the Gewog Administration, a hands-on training program was conducted by forestry officials on bamboo and cane plantations.
monitoring/ evaluation	self-mobilization	The monitoring activities are carried out by the group members themselves on an annual basis. As such, the scale-up programs are limited due to budget constraints.

3.3 Flow chart (if available)

3.4 Decision-making on the selection of SLM Technology/ Technologies

Specify who decided on the selection of the Technology/ Technologies to be implemented:

• land users alone (self-initiative)

Explain:

The community expressed their interest in marketing their already existing bamboo and cane products to the erstwhile Forestry Office. Their main objectives were to enhance the livelihoods of the Monpa community through the sale of bamboo and cane products, uphold their ancestor's legacies and traditions, and ensure the sustainability of the raw materials.

Specify on what basis decisions were made:

• personal experience and opinions (undocumented)

4.1 Capacity building/ training

Was training provided to land users/ other stakeholders?

Yes

Specify who was trained:

• land users

If relevant, specify gender, age, status, ethnicity, etc.

All the group members (both male and female) were trained.

Form of training:

• demonstration areas
• public meetings

Subjects covered:

The members were trained on the plantation and management of bamboo and cane and about their germplasm.

4.2 Advisory service

Do land users have access to an advisory service?

Yes

Specify whether advisory service is provided:

• on land users' fields
• at permanent centres

Describe/ comments:

The CFMG is under the jurisdiction of the Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park under the Department of Forests and Park Services. The advisory services are provided by the Langthel Park Range Office.

4.3 Institution strengthening (organizational development)

Have institutions been established or strengthened through the Approach?

• yes, greatly

Specify the level(s) at which institutions have been strengthened or established:

• local

Describe institution, roles and responsibilities, members, etc.

The sale of bamboo and cane products has helped diversify the income sources of the group members and improve their living standards.

Specify type of support:

• financial

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Is monitoring and evaluation part of the Approach?

Yes

Comments:

The monitoring and evaluation of the management plan is conducted by group members and Department of Forests and Park Services. In order to ensure the proper implementation of activities, annual monitoring is conducted by the executive committee members (Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer) based on the management plan prescriptions and by-laws framed for a period of 10 years. Similarly, the respective field office conducts annual monitoring of the group and submits the report to the Department for review and accordingly advice the field offices to carry out the corrective measures. Based on the Forest and Nature Conservation Act and Rules, a midterm evaluation on the 5th year and final evaluation on the 10th year of the plan period is conducted by the Department of Forests and Park Services for monitoring of the activities planned for 10 years. The monitoring and evaluation report for the group shall determine the revision and implementation of the plan for next 10 years.

If yes, is this documentation intended to be used for monitoring and evaluation?

No

4.5 Research

Was research part of the Approach?

No

5.1 Annual budget for the SLM component of the Approach

If precise annual budget is not known, indicate range:

• < 2,000

Comments (e.g. main sources of funding/ major donors):

The total fund supported by UNDP and Bhutan Orchids was Nu. 1,400,000 and Nu. 800,000 respectively. These budgets were granted for both the institution of the group and the initiation of technology implementation. The fund support was for the commencement of bamboo and cane plantations in the initial year. There is no funding now and the land users now manage the plantation activities themselves.

5.2 Financial/ material support provided to land users

Did land users receive financial/ material support for implementing the Technology/ Technologies?

Yes

If yes, specify type(s) of support, conditions, and provider(s):

The total fund of Nu. 2,200,000 was supported by UNDP and Bhutan Orchids to institute the group, and to initiate the technology implementation.

5.3 Subsidies for specific inputs (including labour)

• none

5.4 Credit

Was credit provided under the Approach for SLM activities?

No

5.5 Other incentives or instruments

Were other incentives or instruments used to promote implementation of SLM Technologies?

No

6.1 Impacts of the Approach

6.2 Main motivation of land users to implement SLM

6.3 Sustainability of Approach activities

Can the land users sustain what has been implemented through the Approach (without external support)?

• no

If no or uncertain, specify and comment:

Since the establishment, no additional funds have been provided to the community. However, the land users earn income from the sale of bamboo products, and whatever activities related to the approach arise like the need for plantations after harvest or care of some plantations, the land users work together. So, land users have been sustaining what has been implemented through the approach. The bamboo and cane plantations give raw materials to the land users and the land users in turn from their income of bamboo and cane products replace harvested rhizomes.

6.4 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Preserve and promote ancestral arts and crafts skills.
Dedicated germplasm (bamboo and cane) established.
Income generation through the sale of bamboo and cane products.
Sustainable harvest of natural raw materials.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Social cohesion through collaboration and coordination among the land users in the group.
Bamboo and cane have extensive root systems that help prevent erosion, stabilize soil, and reduce landslide risks.
Employment opportunities.
Products made from bamboo and cane are biodegradable, reducing the environmental impact.
Higher vegetation cover.
Sustainable utilization of forest resources (bamboo and cane).
Diversify income sources of the land users.

6.5 Weaknesses/ disadvantages of the Approach and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
The identified germplasm area lacks suitable places for convenient plantations. The majority of the area is rugged terrain and steep.	Exclude the steep and rugged terrains. Explore and identify suitable and convenient areas for plantation.
The wooden fencing poles surrounding the germplasm area are not durable (cannot withstand barbed wires for longer periods).	Replace the wooden fencing poles with steel posts or other durable materials.
No funds to scale up. For instance, the canes lost in the 2017 forest fire have not been re-generated like bamboo.	Additional funds are to be sought to scale up the plantation programs.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.3 Links to relevant information which is available online

Title/ description:

Bamboo/cane plantation to sustain Monpa livelihood

URL:

https://kuenselonline.com/bamboocane-plantation-to-sustain-monpa-livelihood/

Title/ description:

Monpa, the early settlers of Bhutan in Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park and conservation strategy

URL:

https://researchoutput.csu.edu.au/en/publications/monpa-the-early-settlers-of-bhutan-in-jigme-singye-wangchuck-nati

Title/ description:

Monpas of Bhutan: A Study of Tribal Survival and Development Responses

URL:

https://architales.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/03-Raghubir-CHANDp25-37.pdf