Nature-based Solutions as Flood Risk Mitigation Measures for the Mo Chu, Pho Chu, and Punatshangchu Rivers in Punakha and Wangdue Districts

The Punatsangchhu River Basin (PRB) is one of the largest basins in Bhutan, covering approximately 25% of the country’s total area. Two of the main rivers flowing through the basin, the Pho Chu (Phochhu) and the Mo Chu (Mochhu), flow through the Punakha and Wangdue Phodrang districts. The Thorthomi glacial lake, considered to be one of the most dynamic and dangerous glacial lakes within Bhutan, is located at the headwater of the Phochhu sub-basin at over 4440 m above sea level. Most of Bhutan's human settlements and major economic activities are located along the main drainage basins. The Punakha and Wangdue Phodrang districts within the PRB are renowned as Bhutan’s primary rice production regions, contributing 16% and 11%, respectively, to the nation’s total rice output. The area is also rich in historical and cultural heritage, with notable landmarks such as Punakha Dzong.

The Infrastructure Planning and Flood Adaptation Division (IPFAD), Department of Human Settlement, Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport is responsible for planning flood risk reduction and mitigation measures in Bhutan. The IPFAD is seeking to investigate the potential of and investment plans for Nature Based Solutions (NBS) as flood risk reduction measures for the Mo Chu, Pho Chu, and Punatshangchu rivers flowing through Punakha and Wangdue Districts. The goal is to enhance the resilience of these districts to flood hazards while minimizing environmental impacts and promoting sustainable development.  

The World Bank will be supporting IPFAD through hiring a technical consulting firm (international / national / joint venture) to conduct a detailed analysis of the potential for NBS to reduce flood risk and build resilience in these areas. The Firm will be responsible for developing a comprehensive report that includes a thorough understanding of the current flood risk situation, the identification of suitable NBS alternatives, the impacts of suitable NBS alternatives, and the development of an investment plan for their implementation, and the operations & maintenance (O&M) plan for the NBS. This study will provide valuable input for future policy directions and strategies to ensure effective flood risk management in the region.

SELECTION OF CONSULTING FIRMS BY THE WORLD BANK GROUP

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI)

Electronic Submissions through WBGeProcure RFx Now

ASSIGNMENT OVERVIEW

Assignment Title: Nature-based Solutions as Flood Risk Reduction for the Mo Chu, Pho Chu, and Punatshangchu Rivers

Assignment Countries:

• Bhutan

ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION

Nature-based Solutions as Flood Risk Mitigation Measures for the Mo Chu, Pho Chu, and Punatshangchu Rivers in Punakha and Wangdue Districts

The Punatsangchhu River Basin (PRB) is one of the largest basins in Bhutan, covering approximately 25% of the country’s total area. Two of the main rivers flowing through the basin, the Pho Chu (Phochhu) and the Mo Chu (Mochhu), flow through the Punakha and Wangdue Phodrang districts. The Thorthomi glacial lake, considered to be one of the most dynamic and dangerous glacial lakes within Bhutan, is located at the headwater of the Phochhu sub-basin at over 4440 m above sea level. Most of Bhutan's human settlements and major economic activities are located along the main drainage basins. The Punakha and Wangdue Phodrang districts within the PRB are renowned as Bhutan’s primary rice production regions, contributing 16% and 11%, respectively, to the nation’s total rice output. The area is also rich in historical and cultural heritage, with notable landmarks such as Punakha Dzong.

The Infrastructure Planning and Flood Adaptation Division (IPFAD), Department of Human Settlement, Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport is responsible for planning flood risk reduction and mitigation measures in Bhutan. The IPFAD is seeking to investigate the potential of and investment plans for Nature Based Solutions (NBS) as flood risk reduction measures for the Mo Chu, Pho Chu, and Punatshangchu rivers flowing through Punakha and Wangdue Districts. The goal is to enhance the resilience of these districts to flood hazards while minimizing environmental impacts and promoting sustainable development.

The World Bank will be supporting IPFAD through hiring a technical consulting firm (international / national / joint venture) to conduct a detailed analysis of the potential for NBS to reduce flood risk and build resilience in these areas. The Firm will be responsible for developing a comprehensive report that includes a thorough understanding of the current flood risk situation, the identification of suitable NBS alternatives, the impacts of suitable NBS alternatives, and the development of an investment plan for their implementation, and the operations & maintenance (O&M) plan for the NBS. This study will provide valuable input for future policy directions and strategies to ensure effective flood risk management in the region.

FUNDING SOURCE

The World Bank Group intends to finance the assignment / services described below under the following:

• BB: Bank Budget
• TF0C5747: CCFGF

ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility restrictions: Not Applicable

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The World Bank Group invites eligible firms to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested firms must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc. for firms; CV and cover letter for individuals). Please note that the total size of all attachments should be less than 5MB. Firms may associate to enhance their qualifications unless otherwise stated in the solicitation documents. Where a group of firms associate to submit an EOI, they must indicate which is the lead firm. If shortlisted, the firm identified in the EOI as the lead firm will be invited to the request for proposal (RFP) phase.

Expressions of Interest should be submitted, in English, electronically through WBGeProcure RFx Now

NOTES

Following this invitation for EOI, a shortlist of qualified firms will be formally invited to submit proposals. Shortlisting and selection will be subject to the availability of funding.

Only those firms which have been shortlisted will be invited to participate in the RFP phase. No notification or debrief will be provided to firms which have not been shortlisted.

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