Jigme Dorji National Park

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Jigme Dorji National Park

The Jigme Dorji National Park is the second-largest National Park in Bhutan. It occupies almost the

It occupies almost the entire Gasa District, as well as the northern areas of Thimphu , Paro and Punakha Districts. It was established in 1974 and stretches over an area of 4374.06 km², thereby spanning all three climate zones of Bhutan, ranging in elevation from 1400 to over 7000 meters. About 6,500 people in 1,000 households live within the park, from subsistence agriculture and animal husbandry. The park provides sanctuary for 52 known species of mammals including several endangered, threatened or vulnerable species, such as the takin, snow leopard, clouded leopard, Bengal tiger, bharal or Himalayan blue sheep, black musk deer, Himalayan black bear,red panda, dhole or Indian wild dog, and spotted linsang. It is also home to the Indian leopard, serow, sambar, barking deer, goral,marmot, pika and more than 400 species of birds. It is also the only park in Bhutan where the national animal (takin), bird (raven) and tree (cypress) exist together. Jigme Dorji also contains sites of cultural and economic significance. Mount Jomolhari and Mount Jitchu Drake are worshipped as homes of the local deity. The fortresses of Lingshi Dzong and Gasa Dzong are sites of historical importance. The rivers Mo Chhu, Wangdi Chhu and Pa Chhu have their sources in the glacial lakes located in the park. Jigme Dorji National Park covers most of northern Gasa District, including the bulk of Lunana and Laya Gewogs. These gewogs are the site of some of the most notable and precarious glaciers of Bhutan. These glaciers have thawed significantly over the course of recorded history, causing lethal and destructive glacial lake outburst floods. Chief among the glaciers and glacial lakes within the park are Thorthormi, Luggye and Teri Kang. As the seasons allow, temporary camps of laborers work within the park to reduce water levels to assuage the threat of flooding downstream

31/07/2026

Today, Jigme Dorji National Park proudly celebrated World Rangers Day 2026 at the Head Office at Damji, Gasa, under the global theme, "A Legacy of Protection, Courage and Service." The celebration brought together colleagues from the Laya, Lunana, Ruecheyna, Gasa Range Offices, and the Head Office to honor the unwavering dedication of rangers who work tirelessly to protect our country's rich natural heritage.

The day began with the offering of Tashi Tsekpa, Zhabtoen, and butter lamps in memory of the brave rangers who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation. Their courage and commitment continue to inspire us and remind us of the profound responsibility we carry as custodians of Bhutan's biodiversity. We had a commemorative cake-cutting ceremony which was followed by remarks from the Officiating Chief Forestry Officer, who acknowledged the invaluable contributions of rangers in conserving our protected areas. The management also took the opportunity to congratulate Mr. Sonam Younten and Mr. Kinley Tshering on their well-deserved promotions by presenting them with khadar, recognizing their dedication and achievements.

After having shamdrey the celebration continued with a friendly volleyball match that strengthened camaraderie among colleagues, before everyone gathered to enjoy a delicious lunch together.

World Rangers Day is more than a celebration. It is a reminder of the resilience, sacrifice, and commitment of rangers who stand on the frontlines of conservation every day. As we celebrate their legacy and achievements, we also renew our pledge to work even harder to protect and preserve Bhutan's biodiversity and natural heritage for future generations.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the Department of Forests and Park Services for its generous financial support in making this celebration possible.

22/07/2026

Farewell to Two Valued Colleagues

On 20 July 2026, we bid farewell to Mr. Kado Drukpa, who retires on superannuation after 38 years of dedicated service to the Tsawa Sum. As one of the most senior Rangers in the Park, Mr. Kado has been a source of immense knowledge, wisdom, and practical experience in conservation. His commitment to protecting Bhutan's natural heritage, his guidance to younger officers, and his unwavering sense of duty have inspired many of us. His legacy will continue to live on through the people he mentored and the forests he helped conserve.

On 21 July 2026, we also bid farewell to Mr. Norbu Dorji, who will be joining Royal Manas National Park to take on new responsibilities. During his tenure as the Range Officer of Lunana Range, he demonstrated exemplary leadership, particularly during the challenging 2026 cordyceps collection season. His professionalism and dedication to both conservation and public service earned the respect of colleagues and communities alike.

Both Mr. Kado Drikpa and Mr. Norbu Dorji have made invaluable contributions to the conservation and management of Jigme Dorji National Park. Their hard work, integrity, and commitment have strengthened the park and enriched the lives of those who had the privilege of working alongside them.

As they embark on the next chapter of their journeys, we wish Mr. Kado a healthy, joyful, and fulfilling retirement, and Mr. Norbu every success in his new assignment at Royal Manas National Park.

Tashi Delek, and best wishes on your new journeys.

06/07/2026

Warm Welcome to Mr. Chimi Dorji

Jigme Dorji National Park is pleased to officially welcome Mr. Chimi Dorji to the Ruecheyna Range Office.

Mr. Chimi Dorji served under Punakha Range, Wangdue Forest Division, for the past 15 years. Throughout his career, he has taken on various focal responsibilities, gaining over a decade of valuable experience. His knowledge, dedication, and expertise will be a great asset to conservation efforts in the park.

To mark the occasion, a simple welcome ceremony was held with a khadar, butter lamp offering and cake-cutting. The park management also briefed him on the park's vision, conservation priorities, and ongoing initiatives, while extending the best wishes for a successful and fulfilling tenure at Jigme Dorji National Park.

We wish Mr. Chimi Dorji every success and look forward to working together for the conservation of Bhutan's rich natural heritage.

23/06/2026

Jigme Dorji National Park announces an open auction of special class timber which is scheduled to be held on 12 July 2026 at Ruecheyna Office Compound, Goenshari. For further details and clarifications interested parties or individuals can contact the Range Officer during the office hours.

02/06/2026

Jigme Dorji National Park proudly celebrated Social Forestry Day at Ruecheyna Park Range Office, Goenshari, under the theme “Plant Together, Restore Forever, Restore Our Future.”

The occasion was made even more meaningful as it coincided with the Coronation Day of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo. As a mark of our deepest respect and gratitude for His Majesty’s visionary leadership and invaluable contributions to environmental conservation and nation-building, we offered Zhabten and lit butter lamps, praying for His Majesty’s long life, good health, and continued blessings upon the nation.

To commemorate the day, officials from the Head office and Ruecheyna Range planted more than 40 fruit-bearing and ornamental seedlings within the range office premises. We also extended our support to the Goenshari Primary School, Bjishong Central School and Gasa Dzongkhag administration by providing seedlings and technical guidance for plantation activities.

Social Forestry Day reminds us that every tree planted today is an investment in a healthier ecosystem and a better future for generations to come. Through collective action and community participation, we can restore degraded landscapes, enhance biodiversity, and strengthen our commitment to environmental stewardship.

🌿 Together, let us continue to plant, protect, and nurture nature for our future depends on it.

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

Address

Gasa

Website

http://www.dofps.gov.bt/

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