Jigme Dorji National Park

27/05/2026

Public Notification

20/05/2026

Beyond the snow-capped mountains and deep forests of Lunana, there is a struggle that many people never see.

At more than 5,000 meters above sea level, our foresters continue their duty in harsh weather and difficult terrain. During recent cordyceps patrols in Gangjayphu, Berumarp, and Chumdue, teams worked tirelessly to protect cordyceps collection areas and prevent illegal harvesting. Several unauthorized camps were found inside key cordyceps growing zones, and with the support of the Royal Bhutan Police, the areas were cleared and order was restored.

Behind these operations lies a harder reality.

Our frontline foresters walk for days across snow-covered mountains, carrying supplies on their backs. They face freezing cold, thin air, exhaustion, and isolation in places with no roads, no hospitals, and no communication. The cold bites into the skin. The altitude makes every breath difficult. Yet, season after season, they continue their duty.

They do this to protect our forests, our biodiversity, and our natural resources.

Cordyceps are not just a resource. They are the livelihood of our highland communities. If they are overexploited, the impact will be felt by many families. Most of these sacrifices are unseen. There are no headlines for long patrols, sleepless nights, or the silent hardship of remote high-altitude work.

Today, let us acknowledge and appreciate the dedication of our frontline forest officials and Royal Bhutan Police working in Bhutan’s high mountains.

We also have a shared responsibility. Let us raise awareness to protect these fragile areas. Let us avoid unnecessary entry into collection areas like Lunana, and respect the rules that safeguard them.

Protecting nature is not easy. It is a duty carried through snow, wind, and silence and it depends on all of us. of Forests and Park Services

30/04/2026

Jigme Dorji National Park participated in a two-day consultation and awareness meeting on the Cordyceps Auction Guidelines 2026, organized by the Department of Agricultural Marketing and Cooperatives (DAMC) at Punakha.

The meeting, chaired by the Hon'ble Director of DAMC, was attended by Chief Forestry Officers and Gups of cordyceps growing areas, officials from DAMC, the Bhutan Standards Bureau, legal division, MoENR, BFDA, exporters and other relevant stakeholders.

In addition, the Chief Legal Officer from the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources provided detailed awareness on the Cordyceps Collection Rules and Regulations 2026.

The consultation served as an important platform to review and refine the Cordyceps Auction Guidelines 2026, which will revoke the Cordyceps Auction Guidelines 2019. It also provided an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss lessons learned from previous auctions, share best practices, and deliberate on strategies to address key issues, including illegal entry into cordyceps collection areas, the trading and sale of collection permits, and effective waste management.

All stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to working collaboratively to ensure the sustainable management of cordyceps, an invaluable gift from the Golden Throne to our highland communities.

The management would also like to reiterate and highlight the following points from the Cordyceps Collection Rules and Regulations 2026:
• Entry into cordyceps collection areas during the collection season without authorization is strictly prohibited.
• Cordyceps collection permits are non-transferable and must not be sold, traded, or misused.
• Permit holders must collect their Certificate of Origin (CoO) at the end of the collection period from the exit points identified by the Park office.

We seek the cooperation of all stakeholders and the general public in upholding these rules for the benefit of our highland communities and the nation.

23/04/2026

Helicopter Deployment Update – Lunana (Lhedi)

A total of five helicopter sorties were successfully completed today, enabling the deployment of 12 forestry personnel and the delivery of essential rations to Lunana, Lhedi in preparation for this year’s cordyceps patrolling operations.

An additional 9 forestry personnel are scheduled to be airlifted on 25 April 2026 in three sorties, along with one more sortie for ration supply.

The park management sincerely appreciates the support of all divisional forest offices and park offices for contributing dedicated 21 forestry personnel for deployment in Lunana. We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Department of Forests and Park Services for their continued guidance and support despite the limited resources, the Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation and the Royal Government of Bhutan for its unwavering support.

The Cordyceps Collection Rules and Regulations 2026 will be strictly implemented across all cordyceps collection areas this season. The public is kindly reminded to refrain from entering these areas during the collection season.

Any violations will be dealt with in accordance with the Cordyceps Rules and Regulations 2026 and any other relevant laws of the Kingdom of Bhutan.

08/04/2026

Jigme Dorji National Park successfully conducted a virtual awareness session on the Cordyceps Collection Rules and Regulations 2026 on 7th April 2026, engaging technical staff across the park.
The session, coordinated by the Forest Monitoring and Information Section (FMIS) focused on strengthening a shared understanding of the rules to ensure smooth, consistent, and effective implementation in the field. The discussion also provided a platform for participants to share insights, address potential challenges not covered in the rules, and arrive at practical solutions through consensus.
The following this, strategies to reduce fuel consumption amidst fuel crises in the country was discussed. Staff were encouraged to adopt measures such as using pool vehicles, promoting walk-to-work initiatives, and exploring remote work options where feasible, thereby contributing to cost efficiency and the national economy.
Earlier, on 28th March, 2026, a separate virtual meeting was conducted with Range Officers to discuss strategies and preparedness for the upcoming cordyceps collection season. Key directives from the Hon’ble Prime Minister, shared during a high-level meeting in Thimphu with Dasho Dzongda, Gups, and Chief Forestry Officers (CFOs) of cordyceps collection areas, were also communicated and discussed.
These coordinated efforts reflect the Park’s commitment to ensuring responsible, efficient, and sustainable management of cordyceps resources.
Department of Forests and Park Services

11/03/2026

On 10th March, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Good Zaker, an official handing-taking ceremony of office management files was conducted at Jigme Dorji National Park.

The files were formally handed over by the Chief Forestry Officer to Senior Forestry Officer Wangchuk, who has now taken over as the officiating Chief. The former Chief Forestry Officer will be joining as the Deputy Program Director for the Bhutan Life Project under the Department of Forests and Park Services.

The program began with the offering of butter lamps, followed by the recitation of Tashi Tsekpa and Zhabtoen, seeking blessings for continued success and smooth transition. This was followed by an address by the outgoing Chief, who expressed gratitude to the staff and partners for their unwavering support and dedication.

Under his leadership, Jigme Dorji National Park reached new heights in conservation achievements and park management. The entire JDNP family extended their heartfelt appreciation, prayers, and best wishes for his new role and responsibilities. At the same time, the team also conveyed their support and good wishes to the new officiating Chief as he takes on the leadership of the park.

Later in the evening, a farewell program was hosted in honor of the outgoing Chief, where staff members shared their appreciation and memorable moments, celebrating his contributions and wishing him continued success in his new journey.

We wish both leaders the very best as they continue to serve the conservation of Bhutan’s rich natural heritage. Department of Forests and Park Services

30/11/2025

Jigme Dorji National Park (JDNP) with funding support from # Bhutan For Life has distributed chain-link coral fencing materials to yak-rearing households to protect vulnerable yak calves from snow leopard and Himalayan black bear predation. A total of 70 rolls of wire mesh (1050 m) and 420 angle posts were supplied to 53 herding families, enabling them to construct secure night-time corrals that significantly reduce livestock losses. With Laya’s yak population exceeding 3,278, the new fencing is expected to greatly improve calf survival while reducing reliance on timber for traditional corrals. This initiative marks a major step toward reducing human–wildlife conflict and strengthening coexistence between highland herders and Bhutan’s iconic predators.

19/11/2025

Update #
Jigme Dorji National Park conducted a two-day training on Post-Forest Fire Damage Assessment from 17–18 November 2025 at the Damji Head Office.
The training was delivered by Mr. Tandin Dorji and Mr. Pema, and coordinated by the Forest Monitoring and Information Section.
Three staff from each Range Office participated in the training and will further train additional colleagues upon returning to their stations. The program aimed to build the capacity of field staff to assess the extent of fire damage to forest stocks, document impacts, and monitor regrowth to support appropriate management interventions.
The training covered both theoretical and practical components. The first day focused on GIS-based desktop work, including forest fire boundary delineation, laying out sample plots, and familiarization with the EpiCollect data collection form. The second day involved field assessments of fire-damaged areas, followed by group presentations, and discussions on key issues and challenges.
The Management would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the Department of Forests and Park Services and UNDP for their generous funding and continued support.

21/10/2025