There is a growing global awareness that land degradation is as much a threat to environmental well–being as more obvious forms of damage, such as air and water pollution (e.g. Greenland & Szalbocs, 1994; Conacher, 2001). Although the source of land degradation is usually local, its effects often stretch for considerable distances from the source site. It can impact large areas and many people. Governments, NGO’s and community groups therefore have the right and duty to be concerned, and to intervene and assist where needed.
Because of its topography and altitude, Bhutan has inherently limited resources of productive land. Moreover, the predominantly steep slopes put these resources at particular risk from some forms of degradation. Land degradation is therefore an even more serious threat in Bhutan than in most places. This is recognised in policy, vision, and review documents, such as the Biodiversity Action Plan (MOA, 1998), the National Environment Strategy (NEC, 1998), and Bhutan 2020.
