Guwahati: The World Heritage Committee (WHC) has expressed serious concern over the continued absence of information from the States Parties of India and Bhutan regarding the Mangdechhu hydroelectric project. Despite repeated requests, neither the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) nor the Environmental Management Plan has been submitted.
The Mangdechhu hydroelectric project, governed by a bilateral agreement between India and Bhutan, has been under scrutiny since 2012 when the WHC first requested Bhutan to submit an EIA. This assessment was to include potential impacts on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the area. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) had also received third-party reports indicating that another dam upstream, the Kurichu Dam, was adversely affecting the OUV of the property.
In its report on the Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, the WHC has called for an online joint meeting between the States Parties of India and Bhutan, the World Heritage Centre, and the IUCN. This meeting, to be held by December 1, aims to clarify the status of the Mangdechhu project, monitor impacts on the OUV, and discuss mitigation measures.
In 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the ₹4,500 crore Mangdechhu hydroelectric power plant, a significant project under Bhutan’s initiative to generate 10,000 MW of hydropower by 2020 with support from the Indian government. The project is located on the Mangdechhu River in the Trongsa Dzongkhag district of central Bhutan.
Welcoming Conservation Progress
Regarding the Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, the WHC has commended the ongoing efforts to monitor key species and strengthen anti-poaching measures. The Committee noted that rhino populations have remained stable, the tiger population has been increasing since 2006, and efforts to reintroduce pygmy hogs are aiding in the recovery of this endangered species. It recommended that systematic long-term monitoring continues to protect these species.
The report highlighted that rhino populations have been stable over the past three years, with numbers increasing from 38 (2020-21) to 47 (2022-23). The tiger population in the Manas Tiger Reserve has also shown an upward trend, with 57 individuals recorded in 2023. Reintroduction efforts for pygmy hogs have led to 54 individuals being released, moving towards a target of 60 by 2025. Additionally, several new anti-poaching camps have been established.
Addressing Encroachment and Invasive Species
The Committee noted positively that agricultural encroachment within the sanctuary has been controlled, with ongoing consultations involving local communities. However, it called for more detailed information on the management measures and their effectiveness in addressing encroachment, while respecting the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities.
While the finalization and implementation of an Action Plan for sustainable grassland-woodland management remain pending, habitat management continues under the Manas Tiger Conservation Plan. Pilot activities to combat invasive species like Chromolaena odorata and Mikania micrantha have been initiated, though longer-term implementation is needed to assess their effectiveness. The Committee has requested further details on this Action Plan and its progress.
The WHC also noted the positive continuation of transboundary cooperation with Bhutan at the operational level and encouraged consideration of any potential future transboundary extensions of the property.
The States Parties have been requested to submit an updated report on the state of conservation and the implementation of these recommendations by December 1, 2025, for examination at the WHC’s 48th session.
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