Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary (PWS)

Park Information

The sanctuary straddles the Indo-Malayan bio-geographic realm and protects the southernmost variant of the country’s subtropical forest ecosystem

Faunal and Floral Diversity

Faunal and floral diversity under the Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary

Species of mammals
35
species of flowing plants
600

Risk and Threats

Poaching

A porous international border makes PWS highly vulnerable to poaching due to increase in human population and consequent depletion of wildlife population in the neighboring Indian tribal areas

Human-wildlife conflict

Interactions with local communities during the PWS socio-economic survey (2009) suggests that crop depredation by wildlife have been on the rise over the past 10-20 years.The proximity of agricultural lands to wildlife habitats in the bordering Indian territory and presence of salt licks in and around village precincts have led to increased wildlife incursions on crops.

Accessibility

The sanctuary is cut-off for at least 5 months of the year by rivers and streams which swell during monsoon.The sanctuary management is therefore, compelled to post staff on a turnover basis which is not in the best interest of implementing long-term conservation programs.

Cross-border cattle migration

PWS has several water holes, natural salt licks and open grasslands. While these resources are an asset for the sanctuary, they also attract large number of cattle from across the border which has created serious problems for the sanctuary

PWS's Future with Bhutan for Life

Park staff trained for effective anti-poaching operations

An eco-tourism enterprise implemented in PWS

SMART patrolling implemented in PWS

Park communities equipped with community-based crop and livestock Human-wildlife Conflict insurance schemes

Human-wildlife conflict hotspots mapped and installed with appropriate physical barriers

Forest quality and extent is maintained

New nature-based local enterprises implemented

PWS equipped with adequate and competent staff as well as essential equipment and infrastructure

Inhabitants

households living inside its borders
100

Camping and Trekking Sites

As the security situation improves over the years, seasonal camping sites would be identified and developed along the international border and northern parts of the sanctuary

Major Projects

Management Plan

This conservation management plan describes in details the importance of the park in ensuring biological continuity and ecosystem integrity, human communities and economic status; experiences and challenges, achievements from the past conservation management plan, threats and strategic actions for next 10 years. This plan also includes implementation work plans with budget outlay, monitoring, and evaluation approach for the planned activities.

Environmental and Social Management Plans

2019

Grievance Redressal Mechanism