National Target 20: By 2016, funding requirement for implementation of NBSAP identified and funds mobilized.

National Target 20: By 2016, funding requirement for implementation of NBSAP identified and funds mobilized.

The availability of adequate financial resource will be crucial to the successful implementation of the NBSAP and achievement of national targets. Achieving the national targets will go beyond biodiversity conservation and contribute to sustainable socio-economic development and human well-being, and ultimately the realization of Gross National Happiness. Further, Bhutan’s biodiversity conservation efforts transcend national boundaries to benefit global communities.

The fund allocated for the Renewable Natural Resource (RNR) sector in the 11th Five Year Plan (2013-2018) is about USD 65 million out of which, around USD 16.83 million is for biodiversity related activities (GNHC, 2013b). A tentative estimate of the total funds required for NBSAP implementation is USD 32.05 million indicating a gap of 15.2 USD million, which will have to be sourced. The lack of a coordinated approach for resource mobilization and allocation further aggravates the situation. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to mainstream the implementation of NBSAP into the Five Year Plans and establish an institutional framework for NBSAP coordination and resource mobilization. The formulation of a resource mobilization strategy will be fundamental in sourcing of funds for implementation of NBSAP.