July 9, 2026
THIMPHU – The critically endangered white-bellied heron (Ardea insignis) was sighted for the first time along the Amochhu river basin in Sangbeykha Dungkhag, Haa on June 27, marking a historic milestone in Bhutan’s conservation journey, with the species now recorded in all five major river basins of the country.
This historical sighting also marks a major extension of the species’ known range, pushing its distribution further west beyond the Wangchhu basin in Bhutan and making the Amochhu the furthest west the WBH is known to occur since its last records from Nepal and the Terai of Sikkim before the 1950s, where the species is no longer known to occur today.
Following the sighting, a joint team from Royal Society for Protection of Nature ( RSPN) and the Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve, under the Department of Forests and Park Services (DoFPS), conducted intensive monitoring of the bird and a pre-assessment of habitat conditions upstream of the Amochhu.
Consultation and awareness programmes on WBH conservation were also conducted with local government officials and other stakeholders under Sangbaykha Dungkhag and Haa Dzongkhag.
The pre-assessment found that the upstream habitat is suitable for the species. Many river stretches have braided river flow with thick riparian vegetation, settlements are minimal and located away from the river, and the elevation ranges between 500 and 800 metres — conditions considered suitable for the WBH.
Based on the habitat conditions and past sightings reported by local communities, RSPN believes the bird is possibly a resident species within the Amochhu river basin.
WBH habitat in Bhutan now extends across all five major river basins—the Punatshangchhu, Mangdechhu, Wangchhu, Manas, and, most recently, the Amochhu.
RSPN has accorded the Amochhu sighting high conservation priority, as it is one of the country’s largest river basins, with several tributaries and relatively intact habitat conditions.
The discovery also offers hope that Bhutan’s long-term conservation efforts for the species are yielding positive results, although conservationists say it is too early to conclude success.
This year alone, Bhutan has witnessed significant achievements in WBH conservation, with the highest population count of 31 individuals and the discovery of six nests.
In the coming months, RSPN and DoFPS will conduct a detailed habitat inventory of the Amochhu to better understand its biodiversity and the socio-economic conditions of communities living in the landscape.
Based on the findings, critical habitats within the river stretch used by the heron will be gazetted for public awareness.
RSPN also plans to explore conservation and livelihood projects within the landscape to benefit biodiversity conservation and the livelihoods of communities residing in the heron’s landscape.
The WBH faces several threats, particularly from climate change and riverine activities. However, Tshering Tobgay, Research Officer with RSPN, said that understanding the bird’s behaviour and ecological needs was crucial for conservation.
“It is important that people understand the behaviour of the WBH, such as its preference for freshwater riverine ecosystems, fish-based diet, and use of riparian forests for roosting and breeding,” he said. “ Considering these needs could help mitigate many of the threats facing the species.”
He said that although the WBH was critically endangered, its presence should not be viewed as restricting development.
“There are no cases where developmental activities have been restricted due to the WBH’s presence, and there are several mechanisms to mitigate impacts and create balanced development that benefits both the heron and the socio-economic conditions of the people,” Tshering Tobgay said.
According to RSPN, communities living within WBH landscapes have benefited from conservation investments. Over the past five years, the organisation has mobilised close to USD 10 million through internationally donor-funded projects supporting WBH conservation and communities within the species’ landscape.
This support has included improved rural water supply, forest management, human–wildlife conflict management, agricultural production, land management, and alternative livelihood opportunities through community-based ecotourism.
The WBH is also among the most sought-after bird species for the hundreds of birdwatching tourists visiting Bhutan, and it drives ecotourism in the country.
“Today, communities within the WBH landscape often regard the species as a precious treasure and refer to it as ‘Norbu’, which can benefit them in terms of socio-economic development and environmental sustainability,” Tshering Tobgay said.
Bhutan today holds more than half of the world’s remaining WBH population, with fewer than 60 individuals known globally.
“Bhutan should always feel proud that we hold over 50 percent of the world’s WBH population, from the last small known global population of fewer than 60 individuals remaining,”Tshering Tobgay said.
He said that the Amochhu sighting, and any future discoveries elsewhere in the country, should be viewed as a success of Bhutan’s conservation efforts.