October 24: College of Natural Resources in Lobesa will now offer the Forestry degree program. Initially, it was supposed to be conducted by the Ugyen Wangchuck Environment and Forestry Institute in Lamigonpa, Bumthang.

This was decided at the 19th Lhengye Zhungtshog meeting on Monday. A news release from the cabinet secretariat says this is being done as per the mandate of the Royal University of Bhutan.

The Royal University requires all formal education and academic qualification to be provided through colleges and institutions affiliated to it.

The college of natural resources is affiliated to the university.

The news release also says that the Ugyen Wangchuck Environment and Forestry Institute will be developed into a regional or international Center of Excellence for environmental studies and higher learning.

It will also serve as a research centre and forum for seminars and workshops on sustainable environment management.

The institute will act as a think tank for environmental issues, offer training modules for graduates and post graduate students from both Bhutan and abroad.

It will also offer practical forest operational skills to mid-level professionals.