NEWS Phobjikha 12 November The much awaited event of the Year - the Annual Black-necked Crane Festival is here again. The early morning chill is not a deterrent to the members of Phobjikha Environment Management Committee (PEMC) as they rise up early in preparation for the festival. PEMC, the local community group was formed nine years ago by the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) under its integrated conservation and development program (ICDP) initiative. The committee was formed to promote conservation and guide the prudent management of natural resources in Phobjikha. Over the years, the committee has increasingly taken up responsibilities that they are now the organizers of the festival.

The Annual black-necked Crane Festival is celebrated on 12th November every year and coincides with the birth anniversary

of our Fourth King Jigme Singye Wangchuck. The 9th Crane festival coincides with the 52nd Birth anniversary of the fourth King, and was graced by Dasho Dzongda of Wangdue Dzongkhag. Comparing to the last year’s festival, the 2007 crane festival saw a huge crowd such that finding a place to sit was difficult. It also saw a large number of international visitors/ tourists who were delighted to attend such a rare occasion.

“I must appreciate and applaud the efforts made by RSPN and Phobjikha Environment Management Committee to conserve the crane’s habitat and other natural resources”, said Dasho Kinzang who recently took over Wangdue Dzongkhag as the Dzongdag. “Conserving natural resources is very important for all, you must never let your efforts go in vain and continue with your commendable efforts”.

“The festival was far better than I expected”, said Mr. Trinh Thang Long, a volunteer with RSPN attending the festival for the first time. “It is a good time for people to come together and rejoice in the midst of their tiring field works”.

The students from two community primary schools in the valley presented cultural items including the most fascinating item, black-necked crane dance. There were also many cultural dance and mask dance items presented by local village folks. One of the unique cultural items was the ‘Pazap’ presented by the folks of Bjena geowg.

Dr. George Archibald from International Crane Foundation who attends the event annually saw the increasing involvement of the local people in this festival. He said “the festival was very interesting and my group was very happy to be a part of it.”

The main objectives of conducting annual event are to foster awareness and understanding among the local communities and visitors on the importance of conserving the endangered Black-necked Crane, encourage involvement of general public in the actions that can lead to conservation of the Black-necked Cranes, provide an avenue for the local community to showcase their cultural heritage and foster environmentally and culturally sensitive tourism in the valley.

The event is annually held on 12th November which is a celebration at the time when the black-necked cranes start to migrate from cold Tibetan region in the north to the warmer valleys in Bhutan. As the day-long event concluded with the Tashi Lebey, about 35 cranes arrived from the summer grounds making a total of 44 cranes having found Phobjkiha as safe and sound winter habitat as they have left some eight months ago. The organizing committee cherished the success of the festival.