In a groundbreaking move, Bhutan and the Tiger Conservation Coalition have pledged to mobilize a staggering $1 billion to save the world’s dwindling tiger populations. This ambitious initiative was announced at the Sustainable Finance for Tiger Landscapes Conference, a gathering that marked a historic milestone in global conservation efforts.
Under the royal patronage of Her Majesty The Queen of Bhutan, the conference spotlighted the urgent need to protect tiger habitats. It underscored the necessity of sustainable financial strategies to ensure long-term conservation success. Her Majesty emphasized, “In our commitment to conservation, we must not overlook the essential and realistic need for sustainable funding. The unpredictability of financial support often hampers the invaluable work of conservationists.”
The conference concluded with the Paro Statement, a bold declaration by the Royal Government of Bhutan in collaboration with the Tiger Conservation Coalition. This statement invites global participation in their mission to secure an additional $1 billion over the next decade to conserve tigers and their landscapes. These funds aim to increase the global tiger population, expand tiger ranges, and enhance these areas’ ecological integrity and overall biodiversity, all while benefiting local communities.
Joe Walston, Executive Vice President of WCS Global, reflected on the dual nature of this mission, stating, “While we celebrate the increase in wild tigers, we must also acknowledge our failure to prevent their extinction in numerous areas. True success is measured not only in numbers but in having no more losses.”
The inaugural event occurred in the inspiring Dungkar Dzong in Pangbisa, Paro, Bhutan. It brought together high-level representatives from ten tiger range countries, private and public sector donors, international development agencies, and other conservation organizations. They discussed innovative solutions to finance tiger landscape conservation sustainably. His Royal Highness Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah, Crown Prince of Pahang, emphasized his commitment to increasing protected area coverage in Malaysia, highlighting the collaborative spirit of the conference.
Valerie Hickey, Global Director of Environment, Natural Resources and Blue Economy at the World Bank, poignantly noted, “We will never have a world without poverty in a world without tigers.” This statement encapsulates the interconnectedness of environmental conservation and human prosperity.
Dasho Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan, articulated the broader significance of tigers, “Tigers symbolize much more than endangered animals; they represent the health of our forests and the resilience of entire ecosystems. More importantly, tigers symbolize our collective well-being and that of our future.”
The conference also introduced the Tiger Landscapes Investment Fund, a new financial mechanism under development by UNDP, designed to catalyze nature-positive businesses that positively impact tigers, biodiversity, and people. The Asian Development Bank intends to explore innovative financing instruments, including a tiger bond, to engage private sector investors in nature-based solutions.
Lobzang Dorji, Director of the Department of Forests and Park Services in Bhutan, expressed gratitude for the global commitment. He emphasized the importance of continued collaboration to achieve the ambitious goals of the Paro Statement.
The conference represents the first step in a ten-year collaborative journey towards securing sustainable financing for the conservation of tiger landscapes, signalling a beacon of hope for the future of global biodiversity.
Written by: Yves Thomas
