𝐃𝐨𝐅𝐏𝐒 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐨 𝐃𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐤𝐚, 𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐭, 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧’𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭-𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐧

The Department of Forests and Park Services (DoFPS) introduced Acho Dongka, a Red panda mascot, to promote forest-fire prevention and encourage safer behaviours across Bhutan. The initiative was launched coinciding with the birth anniversary of His Majesty King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, who is widely regarded as the Champion of the Environment. The programme was graced by the Honorable Minister of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MoENR), marking an important step towards raising public awareness and strengthening collective efforts to prevent forest fires and protect Bhutan’s forests and biodiversity.

Developed with BBS Channel 3, Acho Dongka is a warm, practical and good-humoured elder-brother figure. He explains serious safety messages in clear, memorable language, without blaming or frightening his audience.

The campaign opens with an introductory video in which Acho Dongka presents himself, his role and the campaign’s musical theme. Four public service announcements will follow, each focused on a common activity that can start a forest fire, such as burning crop residue carelessly, leaving picnic fires unattended and discarding cigarette butts. Each video shows the risk, the safer alternative and the part every person can play in preventing a fire.

“Forest fires are preventable, and every one of us has a role to play in protecting our forests. Through Acho Dongka, we want to bring forest-fire prevention closer to people’s everyday lives by encouraging simple but responsible actions. Our message is not just about preventing fires; it is about nurturing a culture of care, responsibility and collective ownership of our forests. We hope Acho Dongka will become a familiar voice, inspiring children, families and communities to make forest protection a shared responsibility,” said Sonam Tobgay, Chief Forestry Officer, Forest Resources Planning and Management Division, Department of Forests and Park Services.

The Red panda was chosen because the species is closely tied to Bhutan’s forests and gives children, families and communities a warm, distinctive character to engage with. The campaign is designed to run year-round, not only during the forest-fire season.

“Through Acho Dongka, we are combining storytelling, local language, music and a relatable character to make forest-fire prevention easier to understand, remember and act on. We hope he becomes a familiar and trusted voice for protecting Bhutan’s forests,” said Tsedon Dorji, Managing Director, BBS Channel 3.

With Acho Dongka, DoFPS aims to build a lasting public identity for forest protection, and to remind everyone that one careful action can prevent a devastating fire.