The Department of Forests and Park Services (DoFPS) bids farewell to Mr. Pankey Dukpa, Chief Forestry Officer, Bumthang DFO marking the conclusion of an extraordinary thirty-nine years of career dedicated to the conservation and management of Bhutan’s rich natural heritage.
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Mr. Pankey Dukpa officially retired from the civil service on March 1, 2026, having completed almost four decades of unwavering service from 1986 to 2026. His journey stands as a testament to dedication, resilience, and an abiding commitment to the nation’s forests and its people.
A Career of Dedication and Leadership
Mr. Pankey Dukpa began his journey in the forestry sector on November 1, 1986, as a Forester at the Bhutan Forestry Institute in Taba, Thimphu. Within a year, he was posted to the Bumthang Division, a region that would remain central throughout his career. His dedication and competence led to his promotion to Forest Ranger in 1993.
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Beyond administrative roles, Mr. Pankey Dukpa was a dedicated mentor. In 1998, he joined the Natural Resources Training Institute (NRTI) in Lobesa, now the College of Natural Resources, where he served as an instructor and helped shape the next generation of forestry professionals.
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His field postings took him to some of Bhutan’s most vital landscapes. In the early 2000s, he served as Dzongkhag Forest Officer in Zhemgang, followed by a nearly five-year tenure at the Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary in Trashiyangtse, where he held the positions of Senior Forestry Officer and later Deputy Chief Forestry Officer.
In 2016, he reached the pinnacle of his career with his appointment as Chief Forestry Officer at the Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park, one of Bhutan’s most important conservation areas. His leadership was instrumental in harmonizing conservation goals with the needs of local communities. In March 2019, he returned once more to Bumthang, serving at the Divisional Forest Office until his retirement.
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A Legacy of Wisdom and Stability
Throughout his forty-year career, Mr. Pankey Dukpa witnessed significant institutional changes, serving under the Ministry of Agriculture and later the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources. Through it all, he remained a steady and guiding presence, offering wisdom and stability to colleagues and subordinates alike.
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As Mr. Pankey Dukpa steps into a well-deserved retirement, the Department extends its deepest gratitude for his four decades of service. His journey not just reflect a timeline but far more than a series of postings. It reflects a life dedicated to Bhutan’s forests and the people who depend on them. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of forestry professionals.
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On behalf of the Department of Forests and Park Services, we offer our sincere wishes for good health, happiness, and peace in the years ahead.
“May the protective deities of our mountains and forests always watch over you.”
