| Author | Katel, Om N. |
| Note | A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the
degree of Doctor of Philosophy in
Natural Resources Management, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | This research was carried out in Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park (JSWNP) in Inner
Himalayas, Bhutan. The objectives of this dissertation were: (a) to document the forest species
composition and distribution in Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park (JSWNP), (b) to
analyze the forest resources use by local communities and its effect on species composition
and distribution in the park, and (c) to examine the constraints of biodiversity conservation in
JSWNP through understanding the park residents’ knowledge, awareness, attitudes and
perceptions of park management interventions.
The research included vegetation inventories, a household questionnaire survey, group
discussions and observations. The vegetation inventories were carried out in four transects
along an elevational gradient. The sample plots were established randomly at every 100 m
elevation. The household survey questionnaire included information regarding local people’s
knowledge of park management, perceptions, people’s use of forest resources and their
constraints to resources use. A total of 264 respondents were interviewed using pre-tested
standard questionnaires.
The results show that species richness with respect to elevation depicted a unimodal pattern
with a peak at 1500 meters above sea level. Elevation, soil calcium and magnesium, aspect
and soil depth are the significant predictors controlling plant distributions in JSWNP.
A Kruskal-Wallis analysis showed significant differences between disturbed and undisturbed
plots. Sample plot parameters used were mean dbh, species richness, crown cover and stem
density. A Bonferroni correction was used and Mann-Whitney analysis showed that sample
plots with low disturbance intensities are significantly different from plots with medium and
high disturbance intensities. There was also a significant difference in forest plot variables
between high intensity and medium intensity plots. Livestock grazing and tree felling were the
major disturbance factors within an elevation range of 500 to 1300 meters where most of the
settlements are located.
Although conservation activities started in the 1960s in Bhutan and JSWNP was established in
1995, about 20% of JSWNP residents are not aware of the park establishment and an even
greater proportion of the park residents do not know the park boundary. The local peoples’
knowledge and perceptions of the park and park management are influenced mainly by
constraints on their access to forest resources, and by benefits and incentives obtained from
the park administration through socio-economic development. Findings showed that rural
people who are exposed to frequent threats from wildlife tend to perceive the park as a source
of problems, although they recognize the goods and services they get from the park. The
shrinkage of financial support from the donor agencies is a serious setback to the conservation
activities in JSWNP and in Bhutan. The well-being of the park residents and sustainability of
the park needs immediate attention. |
| Year | 2012 |
| Type | Dissertation |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Natural Resources Management (NRM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Schmidt-Vogt, Dietrich; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Shivakoti, Ganesh P.;Webb, Edward L.;Ahmad, Mokbul Morshed;Gurung, D. B.;Ohsawa, Masahiko ; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | NORAD/Asian Institute of Technology Fellowship; |