On November 9, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) agreed on the implementation framework of a technical cooperation project with the Government of Bhutan in Thimphu and signed a Record of Discussions (R/D). It was signed by a director of Bhutan's Ministry of Finance and the head of JICA's Bhutan Office.
The project will improve the forest information system while drawing on Japanese forest monitoring technology. The aim is to strengthen the ability to monitor and analyze forests and to link the results to policymaking.
Stronger forest functions are expected to contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation and to biodiversity conservation. The project is also said to contribute to achieving Bhutan's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Key points
- Japanese forest monitoring technology is applied to improving Bhutan's forest information system
- A 48-month project with the Department of Forests and Park Services as the implementing agency
- A project that addresses both climate action and biodiversity conservation
Why we are paying attention to this news
Forests absorb carbon dioxide and nurture many living things. Being able to keep track of a forest's condition with data makes it easier to decide how to protect it.
It may look like a faraway effort, but climate change and biodiversity are global issues. This is a good entry point for learning how Japanese technology can be put to use.
Staff comments
Minato AobaResearch
“I found the flow of making a forest's condition visible through data and linking it to policy quite interesting. I wonder how Japanese monitoring technology will work in a nature-rich country like Bhutan.”
Sophie HiroseWriting and translation
“I share Aoba-san's point about connecting data to policy. Because the project touches both climate change and biodiversity, I was reminded that forests can be a gateway to global challenges.”
Mako JozenjiProofreading and verification
“Listening to you both, I think starting from knowing in order to protect is an important attitude. I imagine how, over four long years, a way of living alongside the forest will grow little by little.”
Editor-in-Chief’s comment
Ren DateEditor-in-Chief
“I found the idea of starting protection by first making forests visible quite striking.
I would like to follow how the project progresses. If you are curious, please take a look at JICA's announcement too.”