A roadmap for watershed management in Bhutan : from policy to practice /

Includes bibliographical references.

Watersheds are natural waterscape resulting from the combination of the hydrology and
topography of the landscape with a human perspective. While they project different
contexts under natural, political or demographic framework, watersheds are, nonetheless,
ubiquitous units that can be seen as the physical foundation of our nation state. They are
logical divisions or regions of the natural landscape, and for some purposes they are
ultimately the best framework to use for management. The human perspective, in an effort
to factor in his interests, imposes an additional dimension to this definition to extend it
beyond the boundaries of the physical watershed. As a result, we are inclined to perceive
watershed space as a domain that transcends physical delineation.
Considering the historic transformation in the Bhutanese politics with power devolved to
the people and authority decentralized to the local levels, the central government must
stand up to the new roles and challenges posed in accommodating local-level, peopleoriented
imperatives while being resolute in safeguarding and representing the overall
interests of the general public and the nation as a whole. Realization of the four pillars of
Gross National Happiness (GNH) is squarely anchored in the collective resolve of all citizens,
researchers and scientists, resource managers and decision-makers to focus on a vision of
sustained peace and prosperity through integration of ecological, sociocultural, economic
and to environmental objectives. Adopting a watershed perspective to the whole
development strategy can provide a balanced framework for effective integration across
management systems and administrative levels.
The watershed approach is one panacea with the real prospect of addressing coupled
human, resource and environment related problems, in particular those related to water
resources rapidly being exposed to competing demands. Most of the time, we get caught
into the dichotomy of economic development and environment, and well-conceived
participatory, integrated watershed management in the upper catchments may become an
important tool. The watershed approach acknowledges linkages between upstream and
downstream areas and between “Green” and “Blue” water, and reduces the risks of trading
problems in space and time. Watershed management is an integrative way of thinking about
various human activities that occur on a watershed that have effects on, or affected by,
water. With this perspective, we can plan long-term, sustainable solutions to many natural
resource problems, and find a better balance in fulfilling the current needs while leaving a
sound resource legacy for generations to come.
Watershed approach cannot be impressed through regulations, changes in law, more
money or any normal bureaucratic measure; but through integrative and participatory
actions. Watersheds constitute a coherent and systematic basis for deliberation and action
in natural resource management as those constituents relate to each other with minimal
scientific ambiguity within their natural boundaries. A single nationalized solution is unlikely
to succeed in an environment as complex as the human-associated diversity, and these local
variations are the key to the growing demand for local actions and solutions. Unfortunately,
watershed science in general has not yet developed an effective interface between what we
know and how we use that knowledge. Good science is not enough; we need useful science.
As a result, watershed management is perceived to be both institutionally and scientifically
A Roadmap for Watershed Management in Bhutan 2011
W a t e r s h e d M a n a g e m e n t D i v i s i o n
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complex, and thus inherently difficult to implement. Given the benefit of recent advances in
watershed science in terms of new knowledge and experience, we are offered with
unprecedented opportunity to embark upon a program of synergizing environmental and
sociocultural safeguards with economic and consumptive imperatives while fostering the
natural resource potential.
There are also challenges posed by the development pathway that the nation has cautiously
chosen to tread. The proliferation of market-based economic activities have fueled
accelerated demand for natural resources all too often leading to overexploitation and
unsustainable practices. Problems associated with water scarcity, deforestation and land
degradation are manifest. The urgency for achieving a watershed vision is related to both
the need to protect an expanding network of major hydropower installations in the country
and the relatively small but productive river valleys for improving food security situation of
the largely agrarian-based rural communities. The approach envisioned is one of integrating
watershed management practices with environmentally sound land-use management
activities and effective community development efforts through comprehensive local
institutional movement, emphasizing focus on best practices (Box 1).
In 2009, the Watershed Management Division (WMD) was established under the
Department of Forests and Park Services, and designated as national focal agency for
operationalizing the watershed management program as a part of larger a initiative in
developing integrated frameworks for major river basins in the country. In close
consultation with managers, stakeholders and communities, WMD has developed three
broad goals underpinning the common program objectives and practical measures
contributing to the overall development vision of GNH by sustaining the flows of natural
resources and better stewardship of watersheds. These goals and objectives are grounded
in providing the country and its people with goods and services in ways that maintain the
long-term productive capacity of natural resources without damaging the environment.