Training provided in law enforcement in RMNP - Copy Right - Rohit Singh/WWF TAI
This project highlights the need of the Spatial Monitoring And Reporting Tool (SMART) approach to effectively address the threats in the Royal Manas National Park (RMNP), Bhutan. The SMART approach is based on three fundamental principles; the use of effective law enforcement monitoring tool, lasting capacity and support, and rigorous enforcement standards. All three principles are key to effective protected area management.
Photo and video gallery
Context
Challenges addressed
Location
Royal Manas National Park, Zhemgang, Bhutan
North and Central Asia
Impacts
1) The holistic approach of the project, which includes adequate capacity, and rigorous enforcement standards resulted in improvement of protection levels in RMNP. Two rangers were trained on SMART data handling, data management and reporting, while 22 rangers (80%) were trained on basic law enforcement ranger skills. All the patrol effort is measured and patrol reports are shared and used for further planning. 2) Like many parks across the globe, RMNP does not have an adequate number of rangers to cover the entire park on a daily basis. Burner, et al. (2001) suggests at least 3 rangers per 100 km2 for effective management of the park, but RMNP has only 1.98 rangers per 100 km2. With the help of the SMART approach, threat hot spots have been identified and updated on a monthly basis. These hot spots are patrolled on a regular basis to make sure that limited resources are used in the most appropriate areas. 3) SMART conservation software has also been introduced and monthly SMART reports are used to plan future operations. In February 2015 six arrest were made based on good patrol planning and intelligence gathering.
