SECRETARIAT
Kinley Tenzin, PhD
Executive Director
ktenzin@rspnbhutan.org
Dr. Kinley Tenzin served as the Program Director at Renewable Resource Research and Development Center, Yusipang under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests before taking up the responsibility as the Executive Director of the Royal Society for Protection of Nature. He went to University of the Philippine at Los Banos for B.Sc. in General Forestry and got M.Sc. in Resource Management form the University of Edinburgh in UK. He obtained his PhD in Forest Ecosystem Dynamics from University of Boku, Vienna, Austria in 2008.
He started his career as Forestry Research Program Officer in RNR-RC, Jakar in March 1997. In 2005, he was transferred to RNR-RC, Yusipang as Deputy Chief Research Officer and back to RNR-RC, Jakar in the same capacity in 2009. Considering his capacity and vast experience in research, he was appointed as the Program Director at RNR-RC, Yusipang in 2010. Besides attending numerous national and international conferences, seminars and trainings, he has made several important publications.
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT (PDD)
Wangchuk Namgay
Director
wnamgay@rspnbhutan.org
Phurpa Dorji
Specialist
pdorji@rspnbhutan.org
Mr. Phurpa Dorji is a Program Specialist under Program Development Department with years of experience in edifying, learning and research, and project management at Sherubtse College, Royal University of Bhutan and the Gross National Happiness Commission.
He is a nature lover, enthusiast and commiserate conservationist. His contribution towards conservation emanates from nature cognate research and project implementation.
Lungten Norbu, PhD
Specialist
lnorbu@rspnbhutan.org
Dr. Lungten Norbu had served 34 years in the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests (MoAF), Royal Government
of Bhutan, before joining the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) in 2017, as a Specialist. His life-
long career as forester, researcher, research manager and specialist has led gain vast experiences on policy and
program planning, co-ordination and management; and undertaking research on natural resource system,
including socio-economic surveys. Of late, he has led and mentored foresters and researchers in conducting
investigation and policy analysis on the emerging issues such as Forest and Climate Change, Carbon
Sequestration, Ecosystem-based Conservation, Payment for Environment Services (PES), Green Recovery and
Bhutan REDD + strategy preparation.
He has PhD from Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland, and has many scientific
publications to his credit. His present work at RSPN mainly includes coordinating, writing and submission of
technical proposals for donor support; providing guidance on policy & program planning, implementation and
monitoring; and supporting technical staff on proposal writing, data analysis and report writing. He continues to
mentor Bhutanese researchers, foresters and students in carrying out research and publication of the results for
wider dissemination.
Administration and Finance Division (AFD)
Tshering Dorji
Chief
tsheringd@rspnbhutan.org
Mr. Tshering Dorji serves as the Chief of Administration and Finance Division. He had been recruited as the Adm/ HR Officer during the beginning of 2011 untill he became the Chief of Adm/HR Division in 2014. He has a Bachelors of Education (B.Ed) from the National Institute of Education(NIE) in Samtse (2003-2005), MA in Applied Community Development from the Future Generations University, USA. He has also completed his Advance Diploma Course in Educational Studies from the University of Leeds, U.K (1991-1992). During 2007-2008, he had completed an International Diploma in Educational Planning and Administration (IDEPA) from the National University of Educational Planning and Administration (NUEPA) , New Delhi, India. Prior to joining RSPN, he had served as a teacher, Principal and Assistant Dzongkhag Education Officer for 23 years (1987-2009) under the Ministry of Education.
Sonam Wangmo
Sr. Adm/Hr Assistant
swangmo@rspnbhutan.org
Ms. Sonam Wangmo is the Senior Adm/HR Assistant for RSPN based in Head Office, Thimphu. She brings over a decade of administrative experience to the table with expertise in human resources and procurement. With the recent automation of human resources in the organization, Sonam is strongly focusing to adapt to this application to ensure that the services are rendered smoothly. Besides office and event management, she also takes care of office logistics.
Currently, she is undergoing a professional course at Royal Thimphu College in Bachelor of Commerce with a Finance major.
Deki Dema
Sr. Protocol Officer
ddema@rspnbhutan.org
Ms. Deki Dema serves as a Senior Protocol Officer. She initially joined the organization as a temporary project Officer for Green Transport Project under Environment Education and Advocacy Division prior to taking up the role of communications in 2014.
Having worked in the same field for couple of years, she has gained a broad range of communications related skills and is excited to learn and enhance her knowledge in ensuring effective communications content to represent the Organization.
She completed her Bachelor’s in Arts, with a major in English from North Bengal University and received various communications and media management training and workshops.
Namita Kafley
Sr. Finance Officer
nkafley@rspnbhutan.org
Namita Joined RSPN in July 2014 as finance assistant, currently she is serving as Sr. Finance Officer under FID.
She has has 8 years of experience in field of Finance & accounts.
Holding a Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Management from Royal Institute of Management in 2012 and has obtained Bachelors of Business Management (Specialized in Financial Management) from Bangalore University in 2010.
Damcho Yonten
ICT Officer
dyonten@rspnbhutan.org
Damcho Yonten is a B.Sc IT graduate from National Institute of Information Technology (NIIT), Delhi. He started his I.T career as process developer in Genpact (India). In Bhutan he served IT park Thimphu as system security and threat management and later got into teaching ICT to high school students at Druk school.
He specializes in website designing, network design and security, Database management and ICT administration including maintenance of ICT inventories including Media Library, Software Assets, Hardware Assets and Communications lines.
Beside his nature of function, Mr. Yonten is a vehement video documentarian where he enjoys wildlife videography, photography and graphic designing.
Damcho joined RSPN in 2018.
Dechen Tshomo
Accounts Officer
dtshomo@rspnbhutan.org
Dechen Tshomo joined the Royal Society for Project of Nature (RSPN) as an Accounts Officer in July 2019. Dechen Tshomo has obtained Bachelors in Commerce (majored in Accounting) from Gaeddu College of Business Studies, Bhutan in June 2013.
Prior to joining RSPN, Dechen Tshomo had worked as an Accountant in Private Limited Companies for 5 years.
Kinley Gyem
Receptionist
kgyem@rspnbhutan.org
Tshering Dendup
Sr. Driver
tdendup@rspnbhutan.org
Tenzin Nima
Driver
tnima@rspnbhutan.org
Dechen Wangmo
Cleaner
Tenzin Wangmo
Cleaner
Kezang Wangdi
Caretaker
Norbu Wangdi
Caretaker
COMMUNICATIONS AND EDUCATION SERVICES
Sonam Rinzin
Sr. Communication Officer
srinzin@rspnbhutan.org
Mr. Sonam Rinzin is currently working as the Senior Communications Officer based in headquarters in Thimphu. He is responsible for the information and knowledge management particularly in the development and dissemination of knowledge through communication, knowledge products and publications. He also specializes in Graphic Design, Website and Database Development, and Archive and Digital Library Systems. Hailing from the Eastern Bhutan, Sonam holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Sherubtse College, Kanglung, Bhutan.
Sangay Dema
Communication Officer
sdema@rspnbhutan.org
Ms.Sangay Dema has a Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies and English from Sherubtse College, Royal University of Bhutan (2018).
Right after her graduation, she joined Bhutan Youth Development Fund (YDF) as a Communication & Media officer and gained her first-hand experiences in the social service sector. She attained various social media and communication trainings.
She joined RSPN in July 2021 and is exploring herself as a Communications Officer under the Communication & Education Division.
Besides, she is an outdoor soul and enjoys mountain trekking and new learnings every day.
SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD DIVISION (SLD)
tdorji@rspnbhutan.org
Tsheten joined RSPN in May 2005 and held responsibilities in various capacities both in the field and at the headquarter in Thimphu, and has adequate experience in the implementation and management of both regional and national level conservation and sustainable livelihood programs and projects. He also currently coordinate and manage the Black-necked Crane Visitors Center in Phobjikha and Field Office in Zhemgang.
He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Manipal University, India; Advance Certificate in Eco-Peace Leadership from Eco-Peace Leadership Center, College of Forest and Environmental Studies, Kangwon National University, South Korea and Master of Business Administration from the University of Canberra, Australia. Tsheten enjoys volunteering for social causes and during leisure hours, he engages in farming, bird watching, photography, cycling, and hiking.
kwangmo@rspnbhutan.org
Khachi Wangmo obtained Bachelors in Commerce (majored in Finance) from Gaeddu College of Business Studies, Bhutan in June 2012. Right after pursuing the bachelor degree, she joined Tourism Council of Bhutan as Tourism Focal Officer looking after tourism activities in the Central region based in Zhemgang Dzongkhag Administration. Besides that, she worked under the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) as Destination Steward looking after project titled, “Entrepreneurship development in creative industries to support the productive sector impacting on community-based tourism for job creation and poverty reduction”.
Wangmo joined Royal Society for Project of Nature (RSPN) as a Project Officer in November 2016 to oversee the Community-based Sustainable Tourism project. Currently, she oversees the Environmental Education Program at RSPN.
kwangchuk@rspnbhutan.org
Karma is a passionate social worker with a decade of social service experience gained from serving various positions in the Tarayana Foundation. He has also worked in various government institutes like the Ministry of Labour and Human Resource (MoLHR) under the Department of Human Resource as Project Supervisor and at Nursery Management under Dzongkhag Forestry sector, Haa.
Mr. Karma is the first Bhutanese to represent the country at AUROVILLE Earth Institute, India, and successfully completed the Earth Architecture Course from the Institute.
At the international level, Mr. Karma had the opportunity to work with Development Alternatives, TARAgram, Orchha, India. During this time, he specialized in waste recycling and eco-friendly technologies. He was also one of the recipients of the FK Norway exchange program, 2011.
He has a bachelor’s degree in Bachelor Science Information Technology (Bsc IT) from Manipal University, India.
Currently, he is overseeing the EcoTourism program, under the International Climate Initiative (IKI) project with RSPN.
SPECIES CONSERVATION DIVISION (SCD)
Indra Prasad Acharja
Chief
ipacharja@rspnbhutan.org
Indra P. Acharja is a wildlife researcher by training and a conservationist by profession. Indra’s research focuses on studying the avian ecology, freshwater ecosystems, livelihoods and their interlinkages in the Himalayan region. Currently, his work is largely focused on ecology, biology and conservation of the critically endangered White-bellied Heron (Ardea insignis) in Bhutan. Indra is passionate about using scientific insights to aid efforts to conserve vital services that species in ecosystems provide to humankind. In his spare time, Indra enjoys exploring the wilderness, wildlife photography, photogrammetry and he is a firm believer of the power of digital and visual storytelling.
Indra holds Master of Forest Science (2019) from School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Yale University, USA, M. Sc. Forestry (2014) from Forest Research Institute (FRI)University, India and bachelor’s degree in Life Science (2012) from Sherubtse College, Royal University of Bhutan. Indra is also National Geographic Explorer and has received several grants and awards including National Geographic Explorer Grants and Andrew Sabin International Environmental Fellowship.
Indra joined Royal Society for Protection of Nature as project officer for the White-bellied Heron recovery program in 2015. Currently, he serves as chief of Species Conservation Division at the organization.
Jigme Tshering
National Coordinator
Black-necked Crane Conservation
jtshering@rspnbhutan.org
Jigme serves as National Coordinator for Black-necked Crane conservation. For the first 7 years of 14 years’ service at RSPN, Jigme was based at Phobjikha Conservation Area, the largest wintering habitat of BNC in Bhutan, researching and working with partners in the implementation of conservation and sustainable livelihood activities related to Black-necked Cranes.
He completed Economics honours for his Bachelor’s degree from Sherubtse college, Trashigang and has a Master’s degree in Environmental Management from Charles Darwin University in Darwin, NT, Australia. Jigme is passionate about birds and the environment in general and particularly in saving the Black-necked Cranes and their
habitat.
Tshering Tobgay
Project Officer
ttobgay@rspnbhutan.org
Mr. Tshering Tobgay currently serves as a Research Officer in Species and Habitat Conservation Division of RSPN. He is very passionate about the conservation of bird species found in Bhutan. His main focus is safeguarding the bird species and restoring the important bird habitats through various conservation activities driven by scientific aids. Currently, he is very much focussed in supporting to save the Critically Endangered bird, White-bellied Heron.
He holds a Master in Environmental Science graduated from Noida International University, India under the prestigious government scholarship of Nehru-Wangchuck. Prior to his current position in RSPN, he worked as a teacher teaching Environmental Science in various schools of Bhutan and managed various environmental projects. He also holds many publications of books and scientific papers in the field of bird conservation and environmental education.
He loves to spend his weekends and free times outdoors watching birds.
Tshewang Lhendup
Officer In-Charge, WBHCC
tlhendup@rspnbhutan.org
Mr. Tshewang Lhendup completed Bachelors of Science in Sustainable Development from the College of Natural Resources (CNR), Royal University of Bhutan, and joined RSPN in 2016 as a Research Officer under the Species and Habitat Conservation Division (SHCD).
He was engaged in various White-bellied Heron (WBH) conservation projects with RSPN since 2016. Ever since then, he had gained paramount skills in the field of WBH conservation aspects both social and scientific insights.
Besides attending numerous workshops and training in the country, he also attended two months captive breeding and bird handling training from Prague zoo and Zlin zoo in the Czech Republic and Warsaw in Poland as a part of the WBH ex-situ program of RSPN. Tshewang is a strong practitioner of conservation and keens on wildlife photography.
Thinley Phuntsho
Project Officer
thinleyp@rspnbhutan.org
Mr. Thinley Phuntsho, currently serves as a Research Officer in Species and Habitat Conservation Division of RSPN. Since 2018 he has been volunteering actively in various White-bellied Heron conservation projects with RSPN. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Forestry from the Dolphin (PG) Institute of Bio-medical and Natural Sciences (DIBNS), Dehradun, India.
Currently, he is focused on safeguarding the White-bellied heron and restoring their important habitats through various conservation activities. Thinley is passionate about birds in general and their habitat.
Sonam Tshering
Sr. Project Assistant
stshering@rspnbhutan.org
Samten Leki
Veterinary Officer
Ms. Samten Leki completed her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from the College of Natural Resources in 2020. she did her internship to gain hands-on experience at Gosarling, RNR centre Tsirang and Jangsa Animal Saving.
Samten believes animals too are sentient beings with feelings and integrity and should equally deserve to be treated with kind, compassion and respect since humans, animals and nature are interdependent. Samten has high regard for environmentalist philosophy and rights. Samten is a keen explorer and voracious reader.
Santalal Gajmer
Center Manager, BNCEC
sgajmer@rspnbhutan.org
Tshering Zangmo
Center Assistant, BNCEC
tzangmo@rspnbhutan.org
Wangdi Zam
Warden, WBHCC
Karma Dema
Warden, BNCEC