•RNRNewsletter

A bimonthly publication of the Ministry of Agriculture & Forests

Vol. V Issue No. XII www.moaf.gov.bt 15-30 June 2017

INSIDE

Seeing wildlife through hidden Eyes: A decade of wildlife

Dorji Duba, JSWNP, DoFPS

Of all the months in a year, November is the only pleasant month in Manas, a Park Range office under Royal Manas National Park, close to Indian border. The place, in other months is terribly hot and humid. If it is not for the continuous running fan, one would easily succumb to the heat stroke. It feels like the earth is doubly heated and everything around is ablaze. Many won't even dare venture outside rather remain herded inside at the mercy of the fan.

But by November, the unrelenting

Footage captured during the National Tiger Survey 2014

..rendezvous with the wild animals

Pg 1& 3

MoAF's week

Pg 6

Cont.. on Pg 2

heat would reluctantly subside. The unforgiving heat of the sun becomes more tolerable with the cool breeze from mighty Manas River fanning the place. The river as it flow majestically down south, leave behind a chilly breeze making the environment calm and soothing.

Then, residents of Manas Park Range campus would be seen enjoying a wonderful evening stroll through the woods and along the banks of mighty Manas River. If it is not for the heat, it is a heaven on earth. The thick

tropical vegetation is a safe haven for all kinds of wildlife including Royal Bengal Tigers, Golden Langur, Great Hornbill, Wild Buffaloes, Guar, and several other prey and predator species.

The residents share an uneasy neighborhood with the wild animals. Infact, they co-inhabit the place and co-exist harmoniously. It is anything but normal for a herd of wild buffalo

Ugyen Tshering, DoFPS, Thimphu

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Message from the Hon’ble Ministeron the

International Day of Co-operatives

I am pleased to join the cooperative community around the world in general and the Bhutanese co-operators in particular in wishing all a Very Happy International Day of Cooperatives (IDC) on 1st July. I am delighted to learn that the theme for this year’s International Day of Co-operatives, is inclusion with the slogan “co-operatives ensure no one is left behind”. Inclusion is a theme that is heart and soul of the development ethos of the Royal Government of Bhutan.

Cooperative enterprises provide livelihoods for millions of people across the globe. Regardless of race, gender, culture, social background or economic circumstance, through the cooperative model, each one can aspire to fulfill their dreams for better livelihood and better communities

Though the cooperative movement in Bhutan is still at its infancy as compared to the movement in some other countries, the cooperative model is very relevant in our setting, particularly in enhancing inclusivity of the poorest of the poor in the country. Though agriculture is a predominant economic sector and we have been farming since time immemorial, our farming community still faces innumerable challenges. The very mountainous topography means our average farm sizes are small and often isolated, mechanization is challenging, irrigation where required is expensive and the costs of transportation to bring in inputs and dispatch final produce to markets can be very expensive. When confronted with such impediments, working together in groups and co-operatives to accrue the benefits of economy of scale is an important development strategy.

This year, in keeping with the theme of inclusivity, the International Cooperatives Day, 2017 will be celebrated with the members of farmers group and co-operatives of Mongar Dzongkhag. The celebration will focus on creating greater awareness on the importance of the cooperatives in fulfilling their socio-economic aspirations.

I take this opportunity to wish all groups and co-operatives in Bhutan a very bright and successful future. For those co-operatives not doing too well, I urge the members not to despair and disintegrate but to seek the support of the government and attempt to turn your group into one that serves its purpose socially and economically.

Happy International Cooperative Day. Tashi Delek.

Yeshey DorjiMinister of Agriculture and Forests

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The Bhutan Journal of Animal Science, Department of Livestock, cordially invites authors to submit papers to the upcoming Volume 2, Issue 1, March 2018. The manuscript/paper can be submitted via email to kesangwangchuk@rocketmail.com. The email must bear the subject line “BJAS: Paper Submission”. If you face problems with paper submission, please feel free to contact the Editor-in-Chief (kesangwangchuk@rocketmail.com). A Manuscript submitted to BJAS will be deemed acceptable only if they have not been published or is not under consideration for publication elsewhere. The last date of paper submission is 11 November, 2017.Visit www.moaf.gov.bt for further details

– DOL

The Bhutan Agriculture and Food Regulatory Authority (BAFRA) would like to inform the general public that concerns related to plastic rice, sugar, cabbages, eggs, etc have been raised on social media recently including the concerns expressed that such products may enter into Bhutanese markets.BAFRA would like to inform the general public that all our Inspectors have been alerted to step-up the monitoring of such products to rule out possibilities of entry into our market, if it is true at all.Further, BAFRA would also like to seek support of the general public to inform or register complaint to the nearest BAFRA office or report via Toll Free number 155 for any encounter with such products.

-BAFRA

Riding The Train A lady from the city and her traveling companion were riding the train through Vermont when she noticed some cows. "What a cute bunch of cows!" she remarked. "Not a bunch, herd", her friend replied. "Heard of what?""Herd of cows.""Of course I've heard of cows." "No, a cow herd." "What do I care what a cow heard. I have no secrets to keep from a cow!"

Two Cows in a field Two cows were out in a field eating grass. One cow turns to the other cow and says, "Moooooo!" "Hey", the other cow replies.... "I was just about to say the same thing!"

Religious Cowboy The devout cowboy lost his favorite Bible while he was mending fences out on the range. Three weeks later, a cow walked up to him carrying the Bible in its mouth. The cowboy couldn't believe his eyes. He took the precious book out of the cow's mouth, raised his eyes heavenward and exclaimed, "It's a miracle!" "Not really," said the cow. "Your name is written inside the cover."

source: http://www.jokes4us.com/animaljokes/cowjokes.html

Leisure

Submit articles for RNR-Newsletter

totandindorji@moaf.gov.bt

Call for Papers: Bhutan Journal of

Animal Science

Notification

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The Ministry's week MoU on Financial Support for Cottage and Small Industries

Launching of Bhutan Journal of Animal Science

Launching of Agriculture Land Development Guidelines

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests and the Rural Enterprise Development Corporation Limited (REDCL) in Thimphu.As per the MoU the Ministry is to oversee development of the RNR sector including Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry and the Marketing of RNR products in the country while the REDCL, a state owned enterprise,

The Bhutan Journal of Animal Science (BJAS) is a tribute to the recent Organizational Development Exercise initiated by the Royal Civil Service Commission of Bhutan, wherein Research and Extension Division was conceived, and therefore a rejuvenation of livestock research in Bhutan. The research findings reported in BJAS add to the previous state of knowledge, forming a basis for new thinking in Bhutan.

Coinciding with the World Day to Combat Desertification (WDCD) on 17 June 2017, the Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture & Forests launched the Agriculture Land Development Guidelines (ALDG) for sustainable management of agriculture land through adoption of proper processes, procedures and technologies. The ALDG has been developed by a

will be responsible for the promotion and development of cottage and small industries and non-formal rural activities in the country by providing financial support through the Revolving Fund created under the Economic Stimulus Plan of the Government.MoAF and REDCL will work as partners to realise the common goal of fulfilling self-sufficiency of the economy.

Published by:

InformationandCommunicationTechnologyDivision(ICTD)MinistryofAgricultureandForestsPostBox:1095,Thimphu-BhutanTel(PABX):02-323765/321142/322855Fax:02-324520Email:ics@moaf.gov.btWebsite:www.moaf.gov.bt

Technical Working Group of eight members from within and outside the Ministry with varying backgrounds and experiences. With this ALDG in place, it is anticipated that all the concerned stakeholders will diligently use it. It is also hoped the interventions will be more focused and effective to face challenges in the country.