Zhemgang Division

Introduction

Divisional Forest Office, Zhemgang was established on July 28th, 2003, after separation from Bumthang forest division. The division head office is located within Zhemgang town.

Zhemgang Forest Division is located in the south-central part of the Kingdom covering the jurisdiction of seven out of eight gewogs of Zhemgang Dzongkhag encompassing a total forest area of 223,067.45 ha (2,230.674 sq. km). The elevation ranges from 120 m to 4480 m above sea level. Zhemgang Dzongkhag, when conducting the National Forestry Inventory, had 150 cluster plots of which 17 were inaccessible due to rugged terrain. The Divisional Forest Office also looks after the Biological Corridor Four (BC4) which is the largest BC in Bhutan covering more than 594.65 sq. km. Among all the BCs in Bhutan, BC4 is the most significant corridor that connects Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park in the northwest, Phrumsengla National Park in the north and Royal Manas National Park in the south.

Zhemgang has the highest forest cover with 93.89% and a stem count of 384 trees in a hectare corresponding to the growing stock of 269.18 cubic meter per ha. Zhemgang Dzongkhag’s forest has an annual volume increment of 7.28 cubic meters per ha. Forests in Zhemgang Dzongkhag have more than 213.85 million established regenerations with about 477 different species in terms of its diversity. Zhemgang Dzongkhag’s forest is also home to numerous Non-Wood Forest Produce which are being utilized by the Khenrig Namsum (people of Zhemgang) since time immemorial for different purposes.  The following forest types are found within the division:

  • Subtropical Forests.
  • Warm Broadleaved Forests
  • Cool Broadleaved Forests
  • Chir Pine Forests.
  • Alpine scrub and pastures.

Map of Zhemgang Forest Division

Vision:

To conserve and manage Zhemgang’s forest and natural resources to ensure socio-economic and environmental wellbeing thereby contributing to the constitutional mandate of maintaining a minimum of 60% forest cover for all times to come.

Mission:

To fulfill the people’s aspirations through different sustainable forest management regimes and conserving a healthy forest ecosystem for a progressive Dzongkhag.

Core Mandates

  • Manage and utilize Zhemgang’s forests for sustainable production of economic and environmental goods and services to meet the needs of the people of Zhemgang.
  • Enhance long term sustainability of Zhemgang’s biodiversity and ecosystem services through management of natural habitats.
  • Sustainable forest management through effective application of science and technology including participation of communities for socio-economic benefits.
  • Forest landscape restoration for social, ecological and economic benefits.
  • Generate forestry data to develop scientific knowledge to enhance forest and biodiversity management to support implementation and ecologically sound policies.
  • Periodic monitoring of forest resources and evaluation to ensure sustainable management and information dissemination.
  • Delivering effective and efficient forestry services to the people unstintingly as per the forest Act and Rules.
  • Ensuring that the implementation and enforcement of forestry/(other vested) rules, regulations and programs are in line with the plans and policies of the department.

Office Email address: dfozhemgang@gmail.com 

Office Phone Number: 03-741205/03-741221      

Postal Address: Post Box No. 394, Divisional Forest Office, Zhemgang                        

Official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ZFD2003                               

Departmental Website: https://www.dofps.gov.bt/zhemgang-division/

Contact Information:

  1. Chief Forestry Officer – Mr. Tashi Wangchuk – email: tashiwangchuk@moenr.gov.bt 03-741221/17113920
  2. Forest Monitoring and Information Section – Mr. Kado Dukpa – email: kado2015druk@gmail.com 17655780

                                                                        – Ms. Rinzin Tshomo- email: rinzintshomo@moenr.gov.bt 17736959

  1. Forest Resources and Management Section- Mr. Jangchu Wangdi – email: jwangdi@moenr.gov.bt 17662857
  2. Nature Conservation Section – Mr. Phub Dorji – email: phubdorji@moenr.gov.bt 17672447
  3. Administration and HR Section – Ms. Leki Wangmo – email: lillyeshey4@gmail.com 17366095
  4. Zhemgang Range Office – Mr. Tandel Zangpo – email: tandyl.zangpo@gmail.com 03-741136/17559998
  5. Panbang Range Office – Mr. Tshering Wangdi – email: tsheringwangdi38@gmail.com 03-742014/17571747
  6. Khomshar Range Office – Mr. Sherab Jamtsho – email: sherabjamtsho85@gmail.com 17559931
  7. Wangdigang Forest Management Unit- Mr. Sonam Phuntsho- email: somfonso@gmail.com 03-741212/1781187

Organogram of the Division: 

Sections under the Division

1. Nature Conservation Section (NCS)

Terms of Reference

  • Coordinate and implement wild flora and fauna surveys, assessments and research
  • Review and provide technical support in preparation of conservation management plans including those of KBAs and HCVs
  • Coordinate management, implementation and monitoring of conservation activities inside Biological Corridor 4
  • Coordinate and implement wildlife habitat enrichment and improvement activities
  • Protection and conservation of watershed & wetlands as natural habitats of fauna and flora
  • Conduct and coordinate environmental education and conservation awareness outreach programs
  • Coordinate and conduct biodiversity and socio-economic survey
  • Coordinate and implement Integrated Conservation and Development activities
  • Coordinate and lead programs related to human-wildlife conflict
  • Develop and promote ecotourism products and facilities
  • Maintain a biodiversity database of the division and come up with publications/scientific reports.

Important Keystone Species

FaunaRoyal Bengal Tiger, Golden Langur, Golden Mahseer, Red Panda, White Bellied Heron & Dhole

Flora – Sapria himalayana, Aquilaria malaccensis & Begonia species.

Biodiversity information of the Division:

  1. Total Mammal – More than 40 species
  2. Total Birds- More than 340 species
  3. Total Butterflies- More than 245 species
  4. Total Moths – More than 111 species
  5. Total Orchids – More than 129 species
  6. Total Flora species – More than 484 species
  7. Total Mushroom species – More than 37 species
  8. Total Fern species – More than 38 species
  9. Total Herpetofauna – More than 41 species

2. Forest Resources Planning and Management Section (FRPMS)

Terms of Reference

  • Scientific forest management planning and implementation for CF and NWFP
  • Community based forest resource management through planning and implementation of activities in Community Forestry and Non-wood Forest Product management area.
  • Provide technical support for preparation/revision of Community Forests Management Plan.
  • Provide technical support for formation of NWFP Management and Marketing Group and formulation of its management plan.
  • Facilitate and support the establishment of Private Forests.
  • Compilation and submission of Annual monitoring and valuation reports of CF and NWFP groups
  • Plantation and agroforestry programs
  • Monitoring of Community Forest Networking Group and provide technical support
  • Coordinate and lead the programs of Bermo Botanical Garden
  • Forest Fire Management, technical backstopping and awareness program
  • Forest Pest and Diseases management and control

 Approved Community Forests

Sl.No. CF IDName of CFGewogNo. of CFMG membersArea (Ha)Year of establishment
119Norzin CholingNgangla66108.442004
220Yoesel PelriNangkor23111.742004
3112Galing DrongdeyNgangla36162.332009
4124TashichholingNangkor29102.192009
5128Phuensum PelriNangkor1659.32009
6188DangkharTrong521562010
7191Phendhey NorbulingNangkor37115.092010
8192Rinchen NorbulingNangkor39119.62010
9301Tashi YangchaBardo19952011
10302Thukten CholingShingkhar441742011
11311PhendeycholingBardo44155.642011
12312Thuenpa PuenzhiTrong2266.342011
13320KhomsharBardo961071.032011
14321RadhiShingkhar23148.32011
15357BudashiGoshing612232012
16361ThinleygangNgangla391672012
17440TshaidangNangkor29177.22012
18783MewangangGoshing26141.22020
19784Nyakhar DungNangkor351602020
20813DaliBjoka271292022
Total7633642.4

Approved Non-Wood Forest Product groups

Sl.No.Name of NWFP groupGewogTotal area (Acres)No. of HHEstablishment year
1Goling Jamphel Thoenkhung TshogpaNangkor81452019
2Shobling NWFP GroupNangkor198102019
3Tsaidang Shingmen TshogpaNangkor611.8282019
4Nyakhar Dung Shingmen TshogpaNangkor652.6302019
5Kamati Shingmen TshogpaBjoka202015
6Ngangla Trong Shingmen TshogpaNgangla2.47462019
7Marangduth NWFPs Management and Marketing GroupNgangla252019
8Lamtang NWFPs Management & Marketing GroupGoshing522019
9Dali NWFPBjoka293.93282020
10Bjoka Tsharzo Gongphel TshogpaBjoka10071732007
Total2846.8457 

 

3. Forest Monitoring and Information Section (FMIS)

Terms of Reference

  • Online Forestry Services (OFS).
  • Online Government to Citizen Services (G2C)
  • Forest Information Reporting and Monitoring System (FIRMS)
  • Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART)
  • APA and Policy Works (Strategies, FYP, Progress reporting, etc.)
  • Facilitate, coordinate and collaborate for effective and efficient utilization of forest resources.
  • Timber Allocation and Utilization including facilitation activities with Wood-based Industries, natural resources pricing, timber disposal and utilization.
  • Non-Wood Forest Produce Allocation and Utilization
  • Compilation and submission of annual Monitoring and evaluation reports of FMU, LFMA and working schemes.
  • Provide legal advice in compounding and settlement of forest offense cases and follow-up on forest protection and legal issues.

Approved Local Forest Management Areas (LFMA)

Sl.No.NameGewogEstablishment YearTotal Area (Ha)Total Area (Acre)AAC(M3)
1Bardo LFMABardo201811793.829142.482.8
2Goshing LFMAGoshing201921795384.3093210
3Trong LFMATrong20163386.2088367.321095
4Bjoka LFMABjoka202025406276.341323
5Nangkor LFMANangkhor201224334.560130.55199938
6Ngangla LFMANgangla20191562.8973861.9185155
7Shingkhar LFMAShingkhar201529567304.2761419.6

Wood Based Industries registered under the division

  • Registered Sawmills
Sl. No.Name of WBI Type of WBI Location of WBILicense NumberContact No. of ownerRemarks
1Panbang SawmillStationary sawmillPanbang3009838Permanently closed
2K.D SawmillStationary sawmillTama Laptsa500581017434343Permanently closed
3Rinchen Yangdu SawmillStationary sawmillDechogang, Trong500025617830562Operational
4Sangay Dema Lucas SawmillMobile sawmillJevangoli, Tingtibi300940277278757Operational for rural timber sawing
5Sonam Mebar SawmillStationary sawmillTama Laptsa500581017626350Operational for commercial timber sawing
  • Registered Furniture and Handicraft Units
Sl. No.Name of WBIType of WBI  Location of WBIContact no. of ownerRemarks
1Ugyen Furniture houseFurniture UnitSonamthang, PanbangPermanently closed
2Kawang Furniture houseFurniture UnitBelow Helipad, Zhemgang17836118Transferred to Gomphu Range Office (RMNP)
3Ugyen Furniture houseFurniture UnitSonamthang, PanbangPermanently closed
4Sonam Choden Furniture houseFurniture UnitZhemgang Town17766126Non-Operational
5KD Furniture houseFurniture UnitTarala17434343, 77727272Non-operational
6Pyelgay Woodworking UnitFurniture UnitWamtakpa17677129Non-operational
7Rinchen Yangdu Furniture houseFurniture UnitDechengang17830562Operational
8Pradhan Furniture houseFurniture UnitDangkhar Pokto17792610Operational
9Ghalley Furniture houseFurniture UnitDungbi77274554Operational
10Sangay Dema Furniture houseFurniture UnitJivangoli77278757Operational
11Sangay Dorji FurnitureFurniture UnitTama Laptsa17626350Operational
12Kelzang Wangchuk Furniture houseFurniture UnitTali,Nangkhor17895749Operational
13Sherab Furniture HouseFurniture UnitTali, Nangkhor17801786Operational
14Khomshar Furniture houseFurniture UnitKhomshar17726027Operational
15Tshering Lhamo Furniture houseFurniture UnitChangazam, Panbang17459104Operational
16Sangay Wood CraftFurniture UnitPanbang town17711249Operational
17Phuntsho samphel furnitureFurniture UnitRebati, Ngangla17446523Operational
18Bjoka Tshardo GongphelHandicraftYangkhar Bjoka17525686Operational

 

Range Offices under the Division

  1. Zhemgang Range Office
  2. Panbang Range Office
  3. Khomshar Range Office

Terms of Reference

  • Enforcement of forestry acts & forestry rules.
  • Issue permit & mark the timbers in favor of permit holders.
  • Carry out timely patrolling to curb the illegal utilization of timbers.
  • Carry out fishing patrolling & poaching.
  • Maintain general accounts.
  • Monitor & inspect on land encroachment, road construction, transmission, stone quarries. Surface collections and other developmental activities.
  • Registration of offense and compounding the case as per the provision of the rules.
  • Submit monthly, quarterly & annual reports to the Division

1. Zhemgang Range Office

The Range Office is located at Trong Gewog under Zhemgang Dzongkhag and covers Nangkor and Trong gewog respectively. The Range office is situated between the longitudes 90° 37′ 15.54”E to 90° 53′ 12.07”E and latitudes 27° 23′ 5.54”N to 27° 1′ 2.52”N with an altitudinal range from 274m to 4566m above sea level. The Range Office was established in 2003 and has a total area of 509.39 Sq. Km and caters services to 489 households.

Beat Offices under the Range Office:

  1. Mangdechhu Beat Office
  2. Tali Beat Office
  3. Buli Beat Office

2. Panbang Range Office

The Range Office is located at Panbang, Ngangla Gewog under Panbang Dungkhag and covers Ngangla, Goshing and Bjoka gewog respectively. The Range office is situated between the longitude 90° 58′ 57.26’’E and latitude 27° 00 ‘30.17’’N with an altitudinal range from 150m 2416m above sea level. The Range Office was established in 2007 and has a total area of 610.11 Sq. Km and caters services to 867 households.

Beat Offices under the Range Office:

  1. Goshing Beat Office
  2. Bjoka Beat Office

3. Khomshar Range Office

The Range Office is located at Khomshar, Bardo Gewog under Zhemgang Dzongkhag and covers Bardo and Shingkhar gewog respectively. The Range office is situated between the longitudes 90°57’40.98’’E to 90° 50 ‘22.06’’E and latitude 27°22’50.11’’N to 27°00’09.98’’N with an altitudinal range from 410 m to 3587 m above sea level. The Range Office was established in 2012 and has a total area of 519.5 Sq. Km and caters services to 587 households.

Beat Offices under the Range Office:

  1. Shingkhar Beat Office

Forest Management Unit

Terms of Reference

  • Implementation of forest management plan (Operational inventory, cable line survey, road alignment survey, preparation of operational plan, rural/commercial marking/passing, monitoring of road construction/maintenance and illegal monitoring) etc.
  • Enforcement of forestry acts & forestry rules.
  • Issue permit & mark the timbers in favor of permit holders.
  • Carry out timely patrolling to curb the illegal utilization of timbers.
  • Carry out fishing patrolling & poaching.
  • Maintain general accounts.
  • Monitor & inspect on land encroachment, road construction, transmission, stone quarries surface collections and other developmental activities.
  • Registration of the offenses and compounding the case as per the provision of the rules.
  • Submit monthly, quarterly & annual reports to the Division.

Wangdigang Forest Management Unit

The Office is located at Trong gewog under Zhemgang Dzongkhag and covers Trong and Nangkor gewog respectively. The FMU falls between the longitudes 90°37’E to 90°45’E and latitudes 27°13’N to 27°20’N with an altitudinal range from 796 m to 4143 m above sea level. Wangdigang FMU was established in (1992-2018) and has a total area of 8759 hectares (Sershong, Boksar and Mithun Farm under Trong gewog).

The Wangdigang Forest Management Unit (FMU) has started its third management plan 2017-2026 to manage on a multiple use, sustainable basis for production of timber, fuel wood and other forest products and for conservation of watershed, wildlife and environment. The forest protection totaling 6639 hectares (75.80%) of the FMU are permanently dedicated for total protection of watershed, flora and fauna and soil stability.

Working Schemes under the Office:

  1. Malaya Working Scheme was established in (2008-2015) Total Area: 602 hectares (Malaya, Buli under Nangkor gewog).
  2. Kikhar Working Scheme – established in (2009-2022)   Total Area: 2460 hectares (Kikhar, under Nangkor gewog)

 

 

 

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