Coinciding with World Environment Day, Her Majesty Queen Mother Tseyring Pem Wangchuck graced the launch of the Thimphu Ecological Park revitalisation project today. Her Majesty was accompanied by Her Royal Highness Princess Kezang Choden Wangchuck. Under the project, the park will undergo a major facelift and help with research as well as the protection of several acres of wetland.
The Thimphu Ecological Park located below Changangkha Lhakhang covers a total of over 10 acres and also contains large stretches of wetland within it.
It is also home to several endangered bird species and has around 130 plant species.
Rare birds such as the Wood snipe which is listed as vulnerable to extinction in future can also be sighted at the park.
During the launch, Her Majesty Queen Mother Tseyring Pem Wangchuck also went around the park to see the sites for the development plan.
Her Majesty is the President of the Bhutan Youth Development Fund and a recipient of the “Champion of Rising Leaders Award” from Teton Science School for her dedication to environmental conservation and for inspiring and nurturing the next generation of environmental leaders.
The project worth over two million ngultrum will focus on the conservation of wetland and helping researchers and students study flora and fauna.
Renovations will also be carried out on the infrastructure such as the footpaths, walk ramps, toilets, gates and the gazebo.
“Thimphu Ecological Park needs revitalization. So, for that matter, I think for wetland conservation purposes, we have a lot of biodiversity here, local biodiversity, as well as some endangered bird species, which require due attention. We want to revamp the local wetland biodiversity conservation and we want to actually revamp the bird species and the local flora and fauna over here,” said Sonam Wangchuk, Chief Environment Officer of Thimphu Thromde.
“Today is World Environment Day, the day when we Bhutanese, all of us, are very proud because of the state of our environment. But due to urbanization, I think we are hurting the wetlands. So, today we have pledged, the Bhutan Youth Development Fund, the Thromde and the Bhutan Trust Fund, where three of us will come together and ensure that we will restore this park for the benefit of the public so that every Bhutanese can enjoy the benefits of environmental conservation,” said Karma Tshering (PhD), Managing Director of Bhutan Trust Fund for Environment Conservation.
The Thimphu Thromde will carry out the construction works and the funding will be provided by the Bhutan Trust Fund for Environment Conversation and Bhutan Youth Development Fund.
The project is expected to be completed by September this year.
The Thimphu Ecological Park was inaugurated by Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen in 2016.
Devika Pradhan
Edited by Tshering Zam
