28 September 2012: The Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar Convention) has reported that the Convention has come into force for Bhutan, as of 7 September 2012, and that the paperwork is complete for its first two Wetlands of International Importance.

The first site, Tashiyangtse Dzongkhag, is a wildlife sanctuary that provides habitat for at least 74 bird species, including endangered species. Tree species found in and around the wetland are used for making traditional household items and represent the main source of income for some communities in the area. The river Kholong Chhu and its three tributaries flow through the wetland, providing the local communities with a source of water for irrigation and drinking. The main river will be the site of a hydropower project 35 kilometers south of the wetland, which will not impact on the site itself.

The second site, Wangdue Dzongkhag, provides drinking water and irrigation water for farming. It provides one of the main wintering sites in the biogeographic region for vulnerable species, and provides habitat to other endangered species. Logging carried out on the site has led to noise pollution and increased sedimentation of the rivers.

Bhutan’s designations contribute to one of the goals contained in the Ramsar Convention’s Strategic Plan for 2009-2015, which is to reach a protected area of 250 million hectares by 2015. [Ramsar Press Release]