Background
The “Resilient Mountain Solution (RMS) in Bhutan” project is an initiative of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and Ministry of Agriculture and Forest (MoAF) under regional program “Adaptation and resilient building. The RMS initiative is supported by the Governments of Sweden and Norway for a period of 5 years from 2018 to 2022.
Rationale for the Project
Globalization and climate change have an increasing influence on the stability of fragile mountain ecosystems and livelihood of the mountain people. The project aims to assist mountain people to understand these changes, adapt to them, and make the most of new opportunities.
Project Components
The major components are:
- Knowledge generation and application,
- Building resilience through innovative solution packages,
- Gender, social inclusion and governance,
- Regional scaling and policy uptake,
- Communication and outreach; and
- Capacity building.
Approach for RMS engagement
RMS’s engagement would be focused on
- Land- livestock economy in the high mountains
- Entrepreneurship Development on Agro and natural resource-based enterprises
Strategy for engagement:
- Align with the 12th Five Year Plan (FYP) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Bhutan
- Use National Organic Flagship Programs as key entry points
- Strengthen capacities to better integrate gender in designing and implementation of programs
- Contribute to program on Up-Scaling Organic Sector for Sustainable Socio-Economic Development,
- Entrepreneurship promotion, with focus on facilitating participation of women across all levels
- Focus on two or three activities; demonstrate good impact
- Converge with Kangchenjunga Landscape Conservation and Development Initiative
Project Partners
The RMS in Bhutan project is being implemented by the following partners:
- Ministry of Agriculture & Forests (Department of Agriculture, Department of Livestock & Department of Forests and Park Services)
- Ministry of Economic Affairs (Department of Cottage and Small Industry)
- Gross National Happiness Commission
Project Site
Haa Dzongkhag (Longpa/Nobgang Organic Village)
Project Management and Coordination
The Department of Agriculture(DoA), ARDC-Yusipang and Department of Cottage and Small Industry (DCSI) will be responsible for overall planning, implementation, monitoring and timely delivery of technical and financial reports. The ICIMOD will provide technical backstop during the entire process of implementation.The implementing partners will work in consultation with the ICIMOD to ensure timely flow of information on all project-related issues, and conduct training/communication/workshops/exposure visits. The DoA and DCSI will be coordinated and involved throughout the implementation of the project activities.
Expected Outcome
Enhanced resilience of women and men in the intervention areas of Hindu Kush Himalayas to socioeconomic and environmental changes including climate change.
