Bhutan hosts workshop on wildlife-friendly infrastructure development
RENUKA RAI
Thimphu
Bhutan has taken a crucial step toward integrating ecological conservation into infrastructure planning with the launch of a three-day workshop on wildlife-friendly infrastructure development in Thimphu.
Organized by the Department of Forests and Park Services (DoFPS) in collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Asian Elephant Transport Working Group (AsETWG), the event brought together over 35 key stakeholders from government agencies, local NGOs, and funding organizations.
As Bhutan continues to expand its road networks and explore the feasibility of railways, conservationists have raised concerns about the impact of these projects on wildlife and ecosystems.
While roads and railways are essential for economic growth, improving connectivity, trade, and access to services. However, if not planned carefully, they can fragment natural habitats, disrupt migration corridors, and increase wildlife mortality from vehicle and train collisions.
The workshop aimed to address these challenges by exploring sustainable infrastructure solutions that support economic development while minimizing environmental damage.
Roads are among the most significant drivers of habitat destruction worldwide, and Bhutan is no exception. The country’s rugged terrain makes road construction a challenging and often environmentally disruptive task.
Many of Bhutan’s major highways cut through dense forests and protected areas, posing risks to wildlife movement. Large-ranging species such as elephants and tigers are particularly vulnerable, as they depend on vast, connected landscapes for survival.
One of the most immediate threats posed by roads and railways is direct wildlife mortality. Across South Asia, roadkill incidents involving elephants, leopards, deer, and smaller mammals have increased as infrastructure has expanded.
In India, railway tracks cutting through elephant habitats have resulted in dozens of fatal train collisions, a problem that could arise in Bhutan if railway projects move forward without proper mitigation measures. Similarly, in Sri Lanka, elephant-train collisions have led to significant population declines in certain regions.
Bhutan, with its strong conservation policies, aims to prevent similar incidents by learning from these experiences and integrating wildlife-friendly infrastructure designs.
Beyond direct fatalities, roads and railways create barriers that prevent animals from reaching essential resources such as food and water. Many species have specific migratory routes that they follow seasonally, and when these paths are blocked, they are forced into human-dominated landscapes, leading to increased human-wildlife conflict.
In Bhutan, elephants have been known to raid crops and enter villages when their natural corridors are cut off. Similarly, predators such as leopards and tigers may prey on livestock when they are unable to access their usual hunting grounds.
These conflicts not only threaten wildlife but also put local communities at risk, creating tensions that can lead to retaliatory killings of animals.
Recognizing the environmental challenges associated with infrastructure expansion, Bhutan has already begun incorporating wildlife-friendly designs into its road networks.
One of the most notable initiatives is the construction of underpasses in key wildlife corridors, allowing animals to cross highways safely. These underpasses have proven effective in reducing roadkill incidents and ensuring that migration routes remain intact.
In addition to physical mitigation structures, the country mandates environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for all major infrastructure projects. These assessments help identify potential threats to biodiversity and recommend strategies to minimize harm.
However, conservationists at the workshop emphasized that EIAs alone are not enough. They stressed the need for stricter enforcement of environmental guidelines, long-term monitoring of infrastructure impacts, and greater investment in research to understand how wildlife responds to road and railway development.
One of the key discussions at the workshop focused on the need for early planning in infrastructure projects. Experts highlighted that wildlife-sensitive designs should be incorporated at the very beginning of the planning process, rather than being added as afterthoughts.
This approach, they said, not only reduces costs but also ensures that roads and railways are built in a way that aligns with Bhutan’s conservation priorities
The workshop provided an opportunity for Bhutan to learn from countries that have faced similar challenges in balancing infrastructure development with wildlife conservation.
India, for instance, has developed one of the most extensive networks of wildlife crossings, including overpasses and underpasses designed specifically for elephants, tigers, and other large mammals. The Kanha-Pench corridor in central India, which features multiple underpasses and fenced highways, serves as a model for how infrastructure can be designed to accommodate both human and wildlife needs.
Nepal, another country with a strong conservation focus, has integrated road ecology into its transportation planning. By preserving buffer zones and maintaining connectivity between protected areas, Nepal has managed to minimize the impact of roads on wildlife.
Similarly, Sri Lanka has implemented motion-sensor alarms along railway tracks that alert train drivers when elephants are nearby, significantly reducing elephant-train collisions.
By studying these international case studies, Bhutan is looking to adopt best practices that can be tailored to its unique landscape and conservation goals.
The country’s commitment to maintaining over 70% forest cover provides a strong foundation for sustainable infrastructure planning, but experts at the workshop stressed that proactive measures must be taken to prevent future conflicts between development and biodiversity conservation.
Throughout the three-day event, experts from Bhutan and other countries presented their insights on wildlife-friendly infrastructure planning. One of the key topics being discussed is the role of policy in ensuring that roads and railways are designed with ecological considerations in mind.
Conservationists also analyzed Bhutan’s existing regulatory framework and comparing it with international standards to identify areas for improvement.
Another major focus of the workshop is road ecology, the study of how roads interact with natural environments. Scientists are sharing research on how road design can influence animal behavior, highlighting the importance of measures such as speed restrictions in wildlife zones, the use of warning signs for drivers, and the installation of camera traps to monitor animal movements near roads.
Economic considerations are also a major theme at the workshop. While wildlife-friendly infrastructure often requires a higher initial investment, experts argue that these costs are outweighed by the long-term benefits.
For example, underpasses and overpasses not only prevent wildlife fatalities but also reduce road maintenance costs by preventing vehicle collisions with large animals. Additionally, investing in sustainable infrastructure can attract international funding and strengthen Bhutan’s reputation as a global leader in conservation.
Human-wildlife conflict mitigation strategies are another key topic being discussed. Participants explored ways to integrate infrastructure planning with broader conservation efforts, such as habitat restoration and community engagement programs. Experts also emphasized the importance of working closely with local communities to ensure that development projects do not negatively impact their livelihoods
As the workshop progressed, participants worked toward a set of recommendations that will guide future infrastructure projects in Bhutan. Among the key proposals is the mandatory inclusion of wildlife crossings in all new road projects, stricter enforcement of environmental regulations, and increased investment in research and monitoring programs.
Policymakers are also discussing ways to integrate conservation into Bhutan’s national development plans, ensuring that infrastructure expansion does not come at the expense of the country’s ecological integrity.
With support from IUCN AsETWG and WWF, this workshop marked a significant milestone in Bhutan’s journey toward sustainable infrastructure development. The country has long been recognized for its environmental leadership, and this event reaffirms its commitment to finding innovative solutions that balance progress with conservation.
The workshop concluded with optimism that Bhutan can continue to lead the way in conservation while advancing its infrastructure needs.
With strong collaboration between conservationists, engineers, policymakers, and communities, the country is poised to build a future where both humans and wildlife can thrive together.
