The professional nature guide training at the Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environmental Research (UWICER) in Bumthang has trained more than 200 individuals since 2015. The training is aimed at enhancing the knowledge and skills of nature tour guiding and delivering nature tourism services to guides and other youth. The institute is currently training 28 individuals who are either overseas returnees, registered jobseekers, or laid-off employees.
The two-month-long course started on Monday. It starts with a three-week theory class on nature tour planning and arrangement, plant and animal species identification, and basic photography among others at the institute. Participants are then taken on a nature tour for a month to gain practical experiences and skills to identify birds, mammals, plants, and butterfly species in biodiversity-rich areas of Zhemgang and Monggar. The Department of Forests and Park Services is providing training equipment support for the current batch.
According to the Dy. Chief Forestry Officer from the UWICER in Bumthang, Rinchen Wangchuk, this training will help diversify tourism in the country. Today the tourism sector in the country is dominated by cultural tours.
“While on tour, tourists come across various plants, trees, butterflies and animals, so if our guides could name and explain them, this would make the guests happy. That’s why the training will help promote tourism as well as create new employment opportunities for our youth,” he said.
After the field tour, the participants are brought back to the institute and post nature tour activities are introduced. Besides assignments and other activities, participants have to sit for theory and practical exams to get certified.
“I was working as a cultural tour guide, so I wanted to upgrade my knowledge and learn about plants, animals, butterflies and birds. That’s why I joined the training,” said Pemba, a participant from Dagana.
“I went abroad and after four years due to the pandemic, I came home for vacation. While on vacation, I tested positive for COVID. I recovered after five months but I didn’t feel like going back. I joined the training to encourage my friends and other youngsters. It is a very good platform to upgrade your skill and knowledge,” said Pabrita Mongar from Chhukha.
The training is a part of the Labour Ministry’s Skills Development Programme which was launched last year upon Royal Command. The two-year programme is intended to mitigate the socio-economic impact caused by the pandemic. It is also aimed at ensuring inclusive and sustainable recovery through skills training and development. The Labour Ministry has currently partnered with 13 institutes across the country to offer various courses.
“We offer about 108 courses in nine partnering institutes. We announce courses as per the market demand and the readiness of the institutes on the Labour Ministry’s website through the TVET MIS (Management Information System) link. Interested individuals can apply for courses through the link,” said Dechen Tshomo, the Programme Officer for Technical Education Department with the Labour Ministry.
Participants are selected on a first-come-first-served basis and are paid a monthly stipend of Nu 3,500 besides tuition fees. Several courses are underway in various districts. Similarly, besides the nature guide training, the UWICER is hosting a dairy production course conducted by the Rural Development Training Centre.
“We don’t make various dairy products such as curd, cheese and butter. That’s why I took part in the training so that I can share my knowledge with my friends back home. Similarly, I can also come up with my own dairy business in the future if I become financially capable,” said Dawa Zam, a member of a dairy group at Wangdue Phodrang.
The Skills Development Programme plans to train about 9,000 youth by next year. It targets unemployed youth, overseas returnees and employees being laid off due to the pandemic.
Kipchu, Bumthang
