October 7, 2024: The National Biodiversity Centre (NBC), Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, in collaboration with the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), held the inception meeting for the project titled “Scaling Bioprospecting as a Nature-Based Solution (NbS) in Bhutan” on 7th October 2024 in Thimphu. This project which is part of the Himalayan Resilience Enabling Action Programme (HI-REAP), aims to promote sustainable livelihoods in Bhutan’s mountain communities through bioprospecting while fostering inclusive economic growth and biodiversity conservation. The project’s current phase until March 2025, with the overall project extending until December 2026.
The inception meeting, focused on establishing key project deliverables, milestones, and responsibilities. The meeting identified eight businesses for upscaling ten nature-based products under the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework. The project aims to launch ten new or reformulated products by March 2025 enhancing their presence in both domestic and international markets. Additionally, the project seeks to foster private sector led bioprospecting-based natural product development in the long run.
The meeting was facilitated by Dr. Surendra Raj Joshi, HI-REAP Coordinator and Ms. Anu Joshi Shrestha, Rural Enterprise and Value Chain Development Specialist and was attended by the representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Jigme Dorji National Park, Cottage and Small Industry (CSI) Association, Menjong Sorig Pharmaceuticals Corporation Ltd., Bio Bhutan Private Ltd., The Mugwort Solutions, Kingdom Essence, Kdy Herbal Production, Jinlab Agro Products, Pure Bhutan and the National Biodiversity Centre.
Submitted by: National Biodiversity Centre
