Nubi Geog is located in the Northern part of Trongsa Dzongkhag and falls within the main Mandechu watershed (headwater) area. The whole geog falls within the biological corridor and upper most part of the Geog falls inside the Wangchuk Centennial National Park and is significant habitats for tiger and other wildlife in the country as mentioned earlier (DoFPS). The park revealed that 244 species of vascular plants, 23 species of large mammals and 134 species of birds are present (WCNP, WWF Bhutan). The Geog, due to its location is experiencing high intensity of rainfall during summer and the whole Geog is situated on a steep terrain/slope; there is a high risk of landslide and soil erosions. Consequently, conservation of natural resources has become so important to sustain the watershed area, to protect land slide & soil erosion and to protect the flora and fauna.

However, thousands of young age pole size trees are being harvested every year for hoisting of prayer flags (a cloth on which prayers are inscribed) which is causing serious negative impact on the forest resources. Therefore, the aim of the project is to substitute wooden prayer flag poles with permanent Iron pole. It is proposed that one to two permanent MS poles will be installed in designated locations in each village and communities are expected to hang prayer flags on the MS pole once the MS poles are installed.

I It is estimated that a total of 108 prayer flags can fit (hung in a conical style) on each MS pole and can save around 108 young pole size trees from being destroyed and thus preventing negative impact to the environment. There are 24 Villages under Nubi Geog and each village will be provided with one to two MS poles (with Gyeltshen) and small Iron rings fixed at the top and at the base in a conical style. A total of 36 MS poles which are 18 mtrs long will be installed in 24 villages. Through the implementation of this project thousands of young pole size trees are expected to be saved from in-discriminate harvesting. The communities will also gain benefits financially as they do not have to spend time and money on extraction of flag poles from the forest.

The main objective of the project is to conserve watershed areas through sustainable harvesting of young pole wood (forest resources) and use of durable alternative MS poles to replace wooden poles in 24 villages under Nubi Geog. The project will enhance the capacity amongst the stakeholders such as the local religious groups, communities including the newly formed executive committee members on forest and environment conservation. The expected output of the project is to have installed MS poles in all 24 villages, to make use of the MS poles for hoisting prayer flags by the communities, reduce the use of young wooden poles and enhance forest resources conservation in the area. The project will provide MS poles in each village to replace the use of wooden poles for prayer flags. The communities will be educated on forest & watershed conservation and create awareness on the benefit of using MS poles. The outcome of the project will be disseminated to other Geogs and Dzongkhags through documentation of the project results and live or video broadcasting through BBS etc