Mr. Ugyen Dechen

Mr. Ugyen Dechen is a seasoned natural resource management professional with over 14 years of dedicated experience in conservation, sustainable livelihoods, and community-based natural resource management (CBNRM). He currently serves as a Project Officer at the Bhutan for Life Project Coordination Unit (BFL-PCU), a position he has held since September 1, 2023.

Prior to joining BFL, He served as a Senior Forestry Officer within the Department of Forests and Park Services (DoFPS). His extensive career has been defined by a deep commitment to balancing biodiversity conservation with community development. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Forestry from the Royal University of Bhutan, College of Natural Resources.

Throughout his tenure in the forestry and conservation sector, He has played a pivotal role in several high-impact national initiatives. His technical expertise was instrumental in conducting the technical assessments that led to the official declaration of Biological Corridor 9 (BC9) between the Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary (SWS) and Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS). Furthermore, he has made significant contributions to landscape-level planning by drafting the Conservation Management Plans for both BC6 and BC9, as well as for the Kharungla Key Biodiversity Area.

Mr. Dechen is also a recognized contributor to conservation science, with a portfolio of 19 publications focusing on biodiversity, sustainable livelihoods, species management, and CBNRM. His work continues to inform evidence-based conservation strategies and community engagement practices within Bhutan’s protected area network.