Implementing partners of the National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) II project at the knowledge-sharing workshop presented outcome and progress of the various activities under the project.

NAPA II project is aimed at addressing the risks of climate-induced disasters through enhanced national and local capacity for effective actions.

About eight activities were highlighted that included issues related to landslides, water, and fire disasters. One of the activities under the project included the study of four critical landslide and flood prone areas in Bhutan.

Economic affairs ministry’s project manager, Tashi Tenzin, said that the Phunthsoling-Barsa watershed, landslides at Moshi area, Lamsorong area in Samdrup Jongkhar, and Box-cutting located along the highway between Gelephu and Zhemgang were four of the most critical landscapes in the country today. “We are studying the landslide risks and hazards and propose sustainable mitigation measures or solutions to reduce the risks. We will also publish a report of the project.”

Tashi Tenzin said that a project report would benefit stakeholders in making decisions in the future.

Strengthening community resilience to climate-induced risks, developing a windstorm resilient roofing system, establishing a community based forest fire management, upgrading and expanding the existing hydromet network, and development of community level water resource inventory were also among the activities of NAPA II project.

Project manager with NAPA II project, Sonam Lhaden, said that under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change for Least Developed Countries (LDC) held in 2001, an LDC work programme was established.

She added that a Least Developed Country Fund (LDCF) was also established along with the global environment facility to operate LDCF. “When NAPA was formulated, the main objective was to address urgent adaption needs of the country to enhance their capacity to climate variability. It is focused on urgent and immediate need that is why it was based on existing information and not necessarily waiting for research and survey.”

The activities under the project are action-oriented and are decided by the country depending on the immediate needs and issues related to climate change.

About 10 implementing partners are involved in the various activities of the project.

Sonam Pelden said that some of the agencies have completed the work. “Some have completed their critical programme of the activity and some have more to do such as the report printing.”

The NAPA I project had three main activities – lowering of the Thorthormi Lake, installing early warning system at Punakha and Wangdue, and providing community based awareness.

The NAPA II project began in July 2014 and will end June this year. Funded by LDCF, the NAPA II project has a fund of USD 11.49 million.

Phurpa Lhamo

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