Phoenix Forests – Bhutan’s Forests Revival
A youth-led initiative to restore fire-damaged forests in Bhutan.
| Project Title | Phoenix Forests – Bhutan’s Forests Revival |
|---|---|
| Year | 2025 |
| Location | Thimphu |
| Country | Bhutan |
| Genre | Sustainability |
| Lead Name(s) | Eden Lucky Tshomo & Sangay Yeshi |
| School(s) | Pearson College UWC |
| Other Organisations | N/A |
| Value | $2000 |
| Project Report |
Download Report |
Project details:
A youth-led initiative to restore fire-damaged forests in Bhutan.
Our project has been a powerful force that has made insurmountable difference in the community by addressing both the ecological and social dimensions of the forest fire crisis. On one hand, we physically restored degraded forest areas through large-scale plantation; on the other, we engaged the younger generation in awareness-building activities.
What we have achieved
- Planted 1,400 saplings in Samarzhingkha, contributing to reforestation and biodiversity restoration.
- Two awareness workshops were delivered to students, with sessions covering the science of forest fires, local case studies, preventive measures and interactive activities.
- Over 70 volunteers participated in the tree plantation, including UWC scholars, BIW members, YVIA students, and local community members.
- Developed collaborations between youths and local organizations, creating a model of partnership that can be replicated in future initiatives.
- Created practical resources (workshop materials, posters, and presentations) that schools can continue to use for awareness campaigns.
Post-project comments:
We are particularly proud of the energy and ownership shown by students during our workshops.
Many participants engaged in lively discussions and committed to taking action in their own communities. During the plantation, volunteers treated the saplings with care and expressed excitement at contributing to a long-term environmental legacy. Moreover, the students that we provided the workshops to came forth with the promise to care for the trees planted.
What they said:
For us as a project team, this initiative was transformative. We learned the realities of organizing large-scale environmental projects, from logistical planning to mobilizing volunteers and coordinating with multiple partners. The challenges of transporting saplings, ensuring their survival, and managing diverse groups of participants taught us resilience, adaptability, and leadership. Above all, we developed a deeper sense of responsibility toward the environment and toward mobilizing others for meaningful change.
— Eden Lucky Tshomo & Sangay Yeshi