FAO in 2007-2009

FAO adopted a participatory strategy involving locally affected communities and government line agencies such as the On-Farm Water Management in the identification, assessment and rehabilitation process of damaged irrigation infrastructure.

Collaborative and Integrated Watershed Management

Many of the watersheds in PAK and NWFP got scared with landslides and landslips following 2005 earthquake. With much of the livelihoods in the earthquake affected districts being closely linked to the natural resources base in these affected watersheds, the Swedish funded livelihood rehabilitation project also introduced the Collaborative and Integrated Watershed Management approach in the rehabilitation process of 17 of the earthquake affected sub-watersheds. The process applied includes the development of Land Use and Hazard Maps; activities are carried out in close collaboration with the concerned communities, using a number of ‘Participatory Rural Appraisal’ (PRA) tools. With the purpose of finding sustainable solutions to natural resource management, the gathered information is combined in Watershed Management Plans in order to reach a compromise between the need for environmental sustainability and the livelihood needs of the community.

FAO in 2007-2010

PAK and NWFP: The environmental impact of the earthquake is addressed through stabilization of landslips and restoration of productivity of eroded hillsides. At an initial stage, two pilot sub-watersheds were focus of the work, allowing the combined government-NGO-FAO teams to gather valuable experience with the approach. Since, interventions have been introduced in several more watersheds. Interventions are made in collaboration with the Forest and Agriculture Departments and the respective communities, under the guidance of experts from the Nepal-based International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and FAO staff.

Managing Natural Resources in PAK and NWFP

Fragile ecosystem of Pakistan was further aggravated by 2005 earthquake resulting in heavy losses to vegetation cover, field terraces, crops and water courses.In order to conserve natural forests at higher altitudes and cater to community needs, it was necessary to establish multipurpose plantations. Similarly, the setting up of private nurseries of forest and fruit mix plants not only ensured the availability of plants to the farmer at the doorstep but is also considered a viable enterprise in a rural setup. Further, development activities such as the rehabilitation of field terraces, need-based physical infrastructure, fruit orchids, landslips stabilization, feasibility studies for small-scale business promotion together with setting-up of a Forest Protection Committee that has developed a set of rules for the protection of reforested areas has gone a long way in managing and conserving natural resources. Fragile ecosystem of Pakistan was further aggravated by 2005 earthquake resulting in heavy losses to vegetation cover, field terraces, crops and water courses.In order to conserve natural forests at higher altitudes and cater to community needs, it was necessary to establish multipurpose plantations. Similarly, the setting up of private nurseries of forest and fruit mix plants not only ensured the availability of plants to the farmer at the doorstep but is also considered a viable enterprise in a rural setup. Further, development activities such as the rehabilitation of field terraces, need-based physical infrastructure, fruit orchids, landslips stabilization, feasibility studies for small-scale business promotion together with setting-up of a Forest Protection Committee that has developed a set of rules for the protection of reforested areas has gone a long way in managing and conserving natural resources.

FAO 2007- 2009

FAO in collaboration with the Forest Department and the Village Development Committees (VDC) conducted capacity building activities on forestry. Planning Divisional Forest staff and VDC members were coached for the smooth implementation of monitoring and supervision of the reforestation of forests, establishment of private nurseries, survey and cost estimates of soil conservation works. With the technical assistance of FAO, the Forest Department staff and VDC members implemented four major activities: planted multipurpose tree species, established nurseries, constructed loose stone check dams inside the forest to conserve soil and water, and trained community women and men in nursery raising and management, kitchen gardening and nursery business record-keeping.