Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Forestry Research and Training (UWIFoRT) is currently organizing the 25th series of nature tour guide training for the culture tour guides and local youths from communities residing

within the southwestern part of the Tiger habitat range areas in Bhutan. The 15-day training program commenced on the 3rd of April from  Majathang, Samtse geog Tshogdhey office, and was attended by 18 participants (12 males and 6 females). This capacity development program aims to enhance knowledge and

develop skills of the aspiring tour guides and local youths who will serve in the tourism industry of the country.

The training opening program was graced by the Gup of Samtse geog office and team from Samtse

Divisional Forest Office led by the Officiating Chief Forest Officer with the recitation of His Majesty’s long-life prayer. The training program is supported by the Bhutan Tiger Center of the Nature Conservation Division under the Department of Forests and Park Services through the IUCN and KFW program of Integrated Tiger Habitat Conservation project.

The training participants includes aspiring candidates mostly from the tiger range areas of Pemagatsel, Zhemgang, Sarpang, Dagana, Tsirang, and Samtse.

The training started with  two days of theoretical inputs imparted by the taxa experts of UWIFoRT with sessions on the program activities related to tourism and training of the Department of Forests and Park Services, Samtse Forest Division, and UWIFoRT as an awareness program. For the practical learning, tour visits to nearby bio-cultural heritage sites to explore local biodiversity species occuring within the sub-tropical habitat will start from 5 th April and end by 9 th April. Thereafter the practical training will continue under Wangduephodrang Dzongkhag area with camps at Bjena geog office compound to explore species under the warm and cool temperate areas. 

The 15 day training will conclude on 17th April with a day-long assessment and awarding of certificates.