Thimphu City Corporation

Thimphu ,Bhutan

Introduction to Bhutan Project overview

Area: 46,500 sq.km. Population: 672425(2005 census record) Religion: 75% Buddhist and rest other religion Type of Government : Constitutional Monarchy Economy: GDP (purchasing power parity 2007

est.): U.S. $3.359 billion Based on hydroelectricity, tourism, forestry

and agriculture. Districts: 20 Dzongkhags. 4 Cities and 4 Mayors(local government

election on 21st Jan,2011).

Current Environment Status: 72.5% Forest cover including 26.3% protected areas.

93% of the population is still rural, but urbanization is on the rise.

26 Sq. km 15 km long & 3 km wide Population 79185 (2005) Population density: 3,030/km2 By 2027 it is expected to be

162,000 6 zones (mainly for administration

purpose)

Thimphu city became member of ICLEI South Asia

Its membership benefited to become partner and beneficiary of DReAMS project

Funded by European union for 3 years.

Kick-off meeting of DReAMS in Bohol, Philipines:3 officials

Received budget of 20772.10 Euro for 2010 for the implementation of the project

With that, Ms Tshering Yangchen , Environment Officer was appointed as the Project Manager.

Ms Bedoshruti Sadhukhan from ICLEI South Asia Secretariat: facilitator /trainer

3 days program, 20 participants from Thimphu City Corporation,1 from town committee

As a part of training program, we have prepared master budget as well as work plan for 2010.

The project was then presented to 92nd City Committee Meeting and the council endorsed all the activities of the project.

The council also endorsed for the appointment of Ms Sonam Denkar as the Project Support Officer.

   Master budget in different slide. Workplan also in different slide.

As mandated in the project, an advisory committee was instituted to monitor and guide the project activities.

6 members - 4 from Thimphu City Corporation,1 from RSPN, 1 from town committee.

A working committee was also instituted and following are the members

Mr Gyeltshen Dukpa,Chief Environmnet Officer

Pema Dorji,Sr Environment Officer Ms Tshering Yangchen Mr Garab Dorji,IT Officer Mr Dorji Phurba,Adm Officer Ms Sonam Denkar,Project Spport Officer

TCC is constructing oil water separator Unit for Olakha Automoblie workshop : This will help in meeting the target of reducing oil entering water thus preventing soil and water pollution

A very promising company called Greenery way has come up which solely focuses on recycling of waste. With their initiative more than 25% waste will be recycled.

1.5 acres of land within the city has been approved for transfer station by the government.

Public awareness on waste management: all level of society including schools.

Compost plant of the municipality already in operational.

PET bottle crushing plant constructed . Pilot survey on PPP-ISWM initiated:

Funded by UNDP and TCC Study tour for 10 junior level officials to

Kolkata on waste and waste water management.

Every year TCC supplies saplings and tree for plantation to schools and public for plantation. Also, TCC initiates afforestation and reforestation activities in all the available barren land: This will help in meeting targets of reducing landslide, flash flood, air pollution etc.

TCC is in the process improving facilities in the existing parks as well as developing more recreational areas.

All these activities will help us in meeting our project targets.

The whole city survey was postponed after the Germany meeting.

So as suggested by backup team from ICLEI Secretariat, we have carried out only 15 household survey .

For this Survey we have chosen Langjophakha as the pilot survey as this place has good mix of people from all levels. (Total HH: 240)

Sole responsibility of TCC/Municipality to tackle the problems.

Community level participation is very low (never voluntary rather forced participation).

Difficulty in enforcing rules. Small manpower. Enforcing mechanism not systematic. Budget constraint in implementing

the plans.

Now, we are positive that things will work out fine as TCC is autonomous headed by the Mayor.

Strong legal provisions, so should focus on the implementation part.

Public awareness is most important for any activity.

Building strong HRDs.

Budget HRDs

Thank you all for having time with me!!