Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment  

SFS-UWICE (The School for Field Studies- the Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment, Bumthang) students’ research symposium was held at Hotel Dragon Roots in Thimphu on 9th July 2012. The main aim of the symposium is to present the findings of directed research carried out by SFS students during their 6-week program period in Bhutan.

Twenty undergraduate students from 17 different universities/colleges of USA are in Bhutan to undertake a 6-week course on Eastern Himalayan Forests, Watersheds, and Rural Livelihoods. This year the students have carried out field research on two broad topics under Chokhor valley of Bumthang Dzongkhag:  i) Land-use change and potential for private forest and ii) Climate change and flood risk in Chamkharchhu basin.  These research topics are in line with the identified research priorities of UWICE.

Mr. Chencho Norbu, the Director of the Department of Forests and Park Services (DoFPS) presided over the symposium. The symposium was attended by representatives of various departments and agencies such as the Department of Hydro-Met Services, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Bhutan-Canada-Foundation, Bhutan Foundation, Bhutan Innovation and Technology Centre, and heads of various functional divisions under the DoFPS.

SFS is an independent educational organization based in United States of America. SFS organizes field-based study courses for young students to develop environmentally literate citizens, and to promote and protect sustainability of the world’s natural resources.

The SFS introduced its programme in Bhutan in 2010 and being implemented in collaboration with UWICE.

The SFS students will fly back to their home country on 12th July 2012.