December 13: With the inauguration of Wangchuck Centennial Park in Bumthang yesterday, Bhutan now has 10 protected areas. Dedicated to the monarchs of our country. The park was inaugurated by the Prime Minister Lyonchen Jigmi Y. Thinley.

The park headquarters will be at Nasiphel village under Choekhor geog in Bumthang. The park with an area of 3763 square kilometers covers the five Dzongkhags of Lhuentse, Punakha, Trongsa, Wangduephodrang and Bumthang. It is the second largest protected area after the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Park.

At the inauguration, the Prime Minister said when many countries in the world are fighting a losing battle against conservation of natural environment, Bhutan today is seen as a model for conservation by the international community.

Surveys conducted in the park with financial support from World Wildlife Fund show over 200 species of plants, 23 species of mammals and 134 species of birds. The park is also home to endangered animals like tiger, snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, takin and Tibetan wolf.

The Head of the Nature Conservation Division Dr. Sonam Wangyel Wang says the Wangchuck Centennial Park is the key park in the country because four major rivers; Chamkharchu, Punatshangchu, Mangdechu and Kurichu, originate from this protective area. He added since hydropower is the main revenue generator in the country, conservation of vegetation in the park will ensure continuous flow of water.

The park has hundreds of high altitude lakes and glaciers making it important in conservation, climate change and hydropower generation. The hot spring at Dhur and major trekking routes are also located in the park.

Conservation officials however say overgrazing poses serious threats resulting in human-wildilfe conflict but there will be efforts to reduce the number of cattle and encourage people to rear hybrid cattle.

The park team will help farmers in pasture management and in marketing their produce.

The Prime Minister also trekked to the site of Drapham Dzong, where the first phase of an archaeological project has been completed.