Twelve participants representing various sectors (Tourism Council of Bhutan, Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators, Nature Recreation and Ecotourism Division, Guide Association of Bhutan, Local Government (Phobji and Gangtey Gewog, Wangduephodrang), Phobjikha Environment Management Committee and RSPN) were on a four day study tour to various ecotourism destination in the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 15-18 November 2011 experiencing the tropical rain forest fruits and tubers and sea foods, the heavy afternoon convectional rainfall, and a very different eco-tourism experience.
15 December 2011 - Mr, Tseten Dorji, the field officer of RSPN based in Kangpara, Trashigang received reports of sighting of lone black-necked crane in Kangpara. Mr. Phurpa Dorji, Assistant Forest Officer of Kangpara Geog Territorial Forest Office informed the field office that he first sighted the crane feeding on post-harvest paddy fields below Kangpara Lower Secondary School at around 7:00AM (BST) this morning. He said that the black-necked crane looked like fully grown adult.
8 December 2011 - Durban, South Africa – It was the busiest Fossil ceremony yet at COP17. New Zealand took third for opposing the Kyoto Protocol. Japan, Canada, and Russia earned second for their own lack of KP commitment. And the United States came in first for failing their 2 degrees C agreement. Luckily, the Africa Group earned the first Ray of the Day in Durban for consistent, constructive progress. If only the negotiations were so productive. The Fossils as presented read:
7 December 2011 - “The United States of America and the European Union win the 2nd place Fossil. The US-EU supported the deletion of Fast Start Finance paragraphs (Paragraph 18 and 19) from the updated amalgamated Long-Term Cooperative Action text. This implies that they are not serious about the past commitments made by their head of states on provision of finance to the most vulnerable countries to cope with the impacts of climate change. Not only is it a breach of trust, but also shows lack of leadership from them to take climate action seriously.”
6 December 2011 - Durban, South Africa – Canada wins a first place Fossil of the Day Award. Canada’s position has been clear when it comes to Kyoto – without movement from large industrializing emitters, Canada will not budge. Over the weekend you may say that China called this bluff by announcing openness to a more flexible position at the climate talks. Unfortunately, it seems Canada is not prepared to live up to its end of the bargain – with the Minister saying that even if China moves, Canada’s position is set in stone.