3.3 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSETS

Nature functions in its own organized system. All development should be in harmony with nature. The ecological balance has to be maintained at all costs. Any step towards development which disturbs the balance and harmony of nature could lead to devastating consequences like landslides, soil erosion, pollution of natural water bodies and atmosphere, silting of rivers, floods and earthquakes. Environment should be understood as an asset to mankind rather than a mere element.

All human development should consider and understand the determinants of the natural system. Topography, vegetation, geology, and hydrology are the primary determinants of the natural system and they are the prime factors for the healthy planning of a town. Cities that have ignored natural determinants while undertaking developmental measures are today facing a severe environmental crisis. Apart from understanding the determinants and functioning of the natural systems, utilization and management of the natural resources is another factor to be addressed in planning a town. The uncontrolled utilization of natural resources like water and forests resources at a rate at which the natural system cannot regenerate will lead to depletion of these resources, which would leave the future generations with little natural wealth and major crises management problems.

Thus understanding the determinants of the natural system and efficient management of these environmental assets are two essential components of the Structure Plan.

3.3.1 Existing Open Space

Open space systems have become an integral part of city planning as a result of the intense demand for outdoor recreation and a growing concern for conservation. Open spaces have always been a breathing space for the dense urban fabric or a place for recreation and retreat for the urban population.

Open space systems not only act as recreation space but also vitalize the social and cultural activities of the city. They play a major role in controlling and managing the urban environment, health and climate. Trekking, picnicking, camping, fishing and pleasure driving are amongst the most popular recreational activities in addition to regular sports. Providing the space needed for these activities in close proximity to urban communities has become an urgent necessity in all urban centers.

Gelephu town inspite of having about 80% of undeveloped areas in the form of agricultural lands, forest lands, vacant lands and water bodies, has very limited defined open spaces. The open spaces in Gelephu are incidental, disjointed and rather loosely organized in the fabric. The most impressive being the football ground and the central open space near the prayer wheel in the city core (Norkhil Lam). The football ground provides opportunity for other outdoor sports like archery, dart throwing, cricket, etc. Its location on the junction of the crossroads coupled with Tsewang Goempa makes it the most special. The other ground associated with school building also allows various sporting activities including basket-ball. The forest department’s teak plantation near the match factory consists of tall, impressive flora, and if planned properly it can be well agglomerated as an interesting urban open space.

3.3.2 Flora, Fauna and Avifauna Reserv

The flora of a region is the vegetation typology of the region. As plants are very specific to the concerned environment, the ecologist who knows the presence, pattern and distribution of plants can infer more accurate information about their environment than the generally available information from the climate, soil, water regimen and other factors.

The major vegetation types found in Gelephu are mixed hard wood forests, paddy fields, wetlands and some amount of marsh land vegetation.

Paddy fields

Paddy wet lands are irrigated agriculture lands. Paddy fields are the dominant landscape of Gelephu and its region. The environmental significance of these lands beyond their fertile nature is that they protect and mange the lower river terraces, which are potential ground water resources. One of the fine concentrations of these paddy field wetlands of the region is along the Mao Chhu to the south east of the town.

Marshland Vegetation

Marshlands are wetlands which act as water severs. Marshlands are the prime natural ecosystem that supports a variety of plants and birds. They play a major role in maintenance of ground water and surface water supplies, sediment trapping, erosion control and pollution abatement. The river bed wetlands in Sarpang Dzongkhag cover an area of 59.38 sq. km., the largest such area in Bhutan. In Gelephu marshlands are found along the river courses especially at places where the tributaries meet the Mao Chhu. Some marshlands are also present along the Mao Chhu course, to the east of the town beyond the municipal limits. Some of the marshlands near the Indo-Bhutan border have already been converted into paddy fields. Most of these marshlands act as habitats for winter migrant birds of the region.

Click here for existing vegetation map

Forestland Vegetation

Forests are the prime natural resource of the country, supporting a variety of flora and fauna. Forest vegetation protects the hill slopes from erosion, landslides and also plays a major role in regulating the climatic condition of the region. Forests are the dominant land cover of the country occupying about 70% of the total area of Bhutan.

The forest cover in the Gelephu region could be classified as tropical forest with some amount of broad-leaf evergreen vegetation. Due to high rainfall the region is dominated by hard wood trees and cash crops like arcanut. The thick teak vegetation along the Gelephu-Sarpang corridor, the Gelephu-Trongsa Highway and near Setikhare Chhu is a good example of lower terrace forest vegetation in the region. In the Gelephu region the forest cover plays a major role in protecting the steep and very steep slope ranges of the mountains adjoining the town. This cover reduces siltation in the terai region.

Fauna and Avifauna Reserves

Animals are specific to the environment and like flora their survival is an indication of a healthy environment. If we can discern different environments, and know the linkages between creatures and their natural habitat, it will be possible to establish the pattern and distribution of wildlife in the region. Animals like elephants, peacocks, wild boar and monkeys are common fauna present in the region. The history of Gelephu provides references to the existence of these animals in the region. The process of urbanization and conversion of forest lands to agricultural purposes and intense human interference, has resulted in the extradition of these animals from the town and its immediate vicinity. There also exist a few bird habitats in the region.