Bhutan, known for its strong environmental conservation, is facing growing challenges from degradation due to soil erosion, unsustainable land use and climate change. The country is now stepping up efforts by strengthening national reporting and reviewing its land restoration targets under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification to ensure that any loss of productive land is balanced by restoration, so overall land quality does not decline.
Land degradation is considered a major challenge that poses serious risks to food security, climate resilience and biodiversity.
A landslide in Wangdue Gatshel, Phuentshogling, which began several years ago, is a clear example of the challenges of land degradation, as soil erosion and unstable terrain increasingly threaten local communities.
According to officials from the agriculture and livestock ministry, land degradation now affects 13.5 per cent of the country’s total land area. They are calling for renewed and coordinated efforts to address these challenges.
During the first stakeholders workshop on the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, held in Phuentshogling, participants discussed measures to strengthen national reporting and review Bhutan’s voluntary land degradation neutrality targets.
A voluntary land degradation neutrality target is a country’s own commitment to keep its land in a healthy and productive condition.
The national reporting process is how countries measure and report their progress in tackling land degradation and drought to the UN Convention.
Land degradation neutrality targets set clear goals to protect and restore land, while the data collected through reporting supports better planning and resource allocation.
The participants also reviewed the targets, achievements, challenges and lessons learned from the Land Degradation Neutrality Targets set in 2015.
Tashi Wangdi, Programme Director at the National Soil Services Centre, said officials from the agriculture and livestock ministry alone cannot handle reporting and target-setting. “We need support and data from different agencies, so we met to discuss and work on it. Also, relevant agencies should know about the reporting process and the targets, so participants were informed and sensitised on these topics.”
The Programme Director said the reporting tracks progress on land degradation and restoration, informs evidence-based policies and investment decisions, strengthens accountability and international visibility, and mobilises technical and financial support for sustainable land management.
Tashi Phuntsho, Agriculture Officer of Zhemgang, said, “During the workshop, we worked in groups, which allowed us to discuss revising existing targets, setting new ones, and addressing related challenges.”
Sonam Choden, Water and Wetland Specialist at the Department of Water, said, “These programmes are always a learning opportunity, but this time we also got to contribute. We learned about the roles of different agencies, how information is collected, its quality, the data mandates, and how the data can be used effectively.”
The three-day workshop, with participants from various stakeholders, ensures that the targets are not only technically sound but also socially inclusive, locally relevant and nationally owned.
Kinley Dem, Phuentshogling
Edited by Phub Gyem
