Royal Society for Protection of Nature, Bhutan
Encyclopedia
The Royal Society for the Protection of Nature (RSPN) (Dzongkha: རྒྱལ་འཛིན་རང་བཞིན་སྲུང་སྐྱོབ་ཚོགས་སྡེ་; Wylie
: Rgyal-'dzin Rang-bzhin Srung-skyob Tshogs-sde; Gyäzin Rangzhin Rungchop Tshogde) is Bhutan
's first and only private nonprofit organization
with nation-wide operations. Since its foundation in 1987, the RSPN has promoted conservation, education, outreach, and sustainable development. In 2009, the RSPN reincorporated under the Civil Society Authority, and operates as a public benefit organization (PBO) under Bhutanese law.
The RSPN is particularly active in protecting the Phobjika Valley
(Wangdue Phodrang District), home to many endangered species such as the Black-necked Crane
(Grus nigricollis). This valley contains wildlife corridor
s connecting Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park
with other protected areas of Bhutan, however most of the area is not under official government protection. To meet environmental needs, RSPN staff run projects to promote sustainable ecotourism, alternative energy, and gender equity. As of 2010, the organization had outfitted more than two hundred homes, monasteries, and other buildings with solar photovoltaic panels, and provided Bhutanese women
with solar water heaters, one-pot hole mud stoves, rain barrels, and other assets that improve both human and environmental conditions.
Wylie transliteration
The Wylie transliteration scheme is a method for transliterating Tibetan script using only the letters available on a typical English language typewriter. It bears the name of Turrell V. Wylie, who described the scheme in an article, A Standard System of Tibetan Transcription, published in 1959...
: Rgyal-'dzin Rang-bzhin Srung-skyob Tshogs-sde; Gyäzin Rangzhin Rungchop Tshogde) is Bhutan
Bhutan
Bhutan , officially the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a landlocked state in South Asia, located at the eastern end of the Himalayas and bordered to the south, east and west by the Republic of India and to the north by the People's Republic of China...
's first and only private nonprofit organization
Nonprofit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
with nation-wide operations. Since its foundation in 1987, the RSPN has promoted conservation, education, outreach, and sustainable development. In 2009, the RSPN reincorporated under the Civil Society Authority, and operates as a public benefit organization (PBO) under Bhutanese law.
The RSPN is particularly active in protecting the Phobjika Valley
Phobjika Valley
The Phobjika Valley is a vast U-shaped glacial valley, also known as Gangteng Valley named after the impressive Gangteng Monastery of the Nyingma sect in central Bhutan, where the graceful Black-necked Cranes in Bhutan from the Tibetan Plateau visit the valley during the winter season to roost...
(Wangdue Phodrang District), home to many endangered species such as the Black-necked Crane
Black-necked Crane
The Black-necked Crane is a medium-sized crane that is found on the Tibetan Plateau of Asia. It is 139 cm long with a 235 cm wingspan, and it weighs 5.5 kg . It is whitish-gray, with a black head, red crown patch, black upper neck and legs, and white patch to the rear of the eye...
(Grus nigricollis). This valley contains wildlife corridor
Wildlife corridor
A wildlife corridor or green corridor is an area of habitat connecting wildlife populations separated by human activities . This allows an exchange of individuals between populations, which may help prevent the negative effects of inbreeding and reduced genetic diversity that often occur within...
s connecting Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park
Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park
Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park covers an area of in central Bhutan. The Park occupies most of Trongsa District, as well as parts of Sarpang, Tsirang, Wangdue Phodrang, and Zhemgang Districts. Jigme Singye abuts Royal Manas National Park to the southeast...
with other protected areas of Bhutan, however most of the area is not under official government protection. To meet environmental needs, RSPN staff run projects to promote sustainable ecotourism, alternative energy, and gender equity. As of 2010, the organization had outfitted more than two hundred homes, monasteries, and other buildings with solar photovoltaic panels, and provided Bhutanese women
Women in Bhutan
Although officially the government of Bhutan has encouraged greater participation by the women in Bhutan in political and administrative life, male members of the traditional aristocracy dominate the social system. Economic development has increased opportunities for women to participate in fields...
with solar water heaters, one-pot hole mud stoves, rain barrels, and other assets that improve both human and environmental conditions.
See also
- Black-necked cranes in BhutanBlack-necked Cranes in BhutanThe Black-necked Cranes in Bhutan are winter visitors during late October to mid February to the Phobjika Valley from the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and Ladakh, India, where they breed. They visit the Phobhjikha valley in large numbers, which is a declared protected area for the cranes, and also to...
- Environmental issues in BhutanEnvironmental issues in BhutanThere are a number of environmental issues in Bhutan. Among Bhutan's most pressing issues are traditional firewood collection, crop and flock protection, and waste disposal, as well as modern concerns such as industrial pollution, wildlife conservation, and climate change that threatens Bhutan's...
- Phobjika ValleyPhobjika ValleyThe Phobjika Valley is a vast U-shaped glacial valley, also known as Gangteng Valley named after the impressive Gangteng Monastery of the Nyingma sect in central Bhutan, where the graceful Black-necked Cranes in Bhutan from the Tibetan Plateau visit the valley during the winter season to roost...
- Protected areas of Bhutan