PAKISTAN SNOW LEOPARD AND ECOSYSTEM PROTECTION PROGRAM (PSLEP)
COMMUNICATION AND AWARENESS PLAN FOR LANDSCAPES 2019-2023
Introduction Snow Leopard range in Pakistan is spread across the mighty mountain ranges of Himalaya, Hindu Kush, Karakorum, and Pamir in northern Pakistan. Nature has gifted this region with enchanting landscape and enriched biodiversity. Besides, these majestic mountain ranges are home and provide livelihood options to more than nine million mountain dwellers inhabiting in remote and rugged valleys and sub valleys in the form of small settlements. These culturally diverse communities, who are even now unfamiliar with the basic civic facilities, are dependent on the fragile mountain ecosystem resources for their existence since time immemorial. However, with explosion of human population this dependence is increasing day by day and consequently the natural resources are depleting significantly. The situation is even worse for the wildlife such as snow leopard and other predators which are persecuted for predation of domestic livestock that constitute the major source of livelihood of the agro-pastoralist communities. Thus the socio-economic factor coupled with ethnical, cultural, traditional, and religious factors have a direct bearing on the mountain ecology. The most crucial are those directly causing loss of biodiversity. This may be either due to heavy dependence by communities on a resource or lack of awareness about its sustainable use. Overgrazing of pastures, inappropriate slope cultivation, poaching of wild animals, destruction of forests, and the consequent erosion and high sediment loads in rivers, are just of a few factors threatening the fragile mountain ecosystem of the country. The single most important and neglected factor associated with these problems is the lack of awareness about the environment. Snow leopard being the flagship species is considered as the indicator of the health of the mountain ecosystem. Hence the conservation of snow leopard guarantees the conservation of the ecosystem itself. However, this majestic cat is dwindling due to the lack of awareness and support, retaliatory killing, loss of natural prey and habitat, and rapidly changing climatic conditions. To safeguard the snow leopard and associated fragile mountain ecosystem in the longer run a well defined and tangible conservation education and awareness paradigm is prerequisite. Conservation education and advocacy plays a key role in equipping people with the knowledge and skills to be active and authoritative partners in managing the environment. The activities and tools proposed in the following lines will contribute to the conservation of snow leopard and associated biodiversity through information, communication, education, capacity building, and empowering people to participate in conservation measures in an informed, committed, and skilled manner.
Background
The high range Himalayan ecosystem in Pakistan is of critical importance for the biodiversity and ecosystems of global significance that harbors and forms an important life-support system for a large number of remote and agro-pastoral communities that depend on it. It provides essential ecosystem services – a source of freshwater, maintains hydrological functions, reduces erosion and sedimentation downstream, provides food security and maintains land races of food crops grown in much of northern Pakistan. Hundreds of millions of people depend on these ecosystems for water for hydropower and agriculture, forage for livestock and food for themselves, mineral resources, medicinal and aromatic plants and their products, cultural traditions and spiritual values, and inspiration that draws increasing number of people from around the globe to experience these places. Overall the country’s northern mountains provide water to half of the nation and 70% of summer flow into the Indus River watershed. Rangelands occupy over 22% of Pakistan’s mountainous areas and provide critical grazing areas for wild and domestic ungulates. In Northern Pakistan, approximately 60-80% of the population is engaged in subsistence agriculture and an estimated livestock population of 4.56 million is dependent on alpine pastures alongside wild prey species. Despite the immense biological, socio-cultural and hydrological values of the Himalayan ecosystems, these natural ecosystems are under severe threat from high dependence of local communities on natural resources, pressures from economic development, selective removal of medicinal and aromatic plants, and the emerging threat of illegal wildlife trade and wildlife crime.
Spread across the Hindu Kush, Karakoram, Pamir and Western Himalayan mountain ranges, Northern Pakistan [Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) administrative units] represents a mosaic of pluralistic diversity – a composite of myriad human cultures and linguistic diversity including a number of tribal communities – and their relative seclusion and remoteness that has made them the last bastions of globally significant indigenous knowledge and cultural heterogeneity. Around nine million people belonging to different ethnic groups, including one of the world’s oldest known civilizations in the Kelash valleys, reside in this region. Likewise, the high altitudinal variations and associated climate regimes in the region have given rise to corresponding numerous unique ecosystems and biological communities of global significance.
This region is also the center of the globally endangered snow leopard (Panthera uncia) range that extends from the mountain of Central and Southern Asia across twelve range countries. The snow leopard is listed under Appendix I (i.e. species threatened with extinction) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). It is also listed under Appendix I of the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), and was later elevated to ‘requiring Concerted Action’ in 2002 (Resolution 7.1). It is also listed as Endangered in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list. The snow leopard occupies the high mountains of twelve countries extending from the Hindu Kush in eastern Afghanistan and the Syr Darya through the mountains of Pamir, Tian Shan, Karakorum, Kashmir, Kunlun, and the Himalaya to southern Siberia, as well as the Russian Altai, Sayan and Tannu Ola Mountains covering a total area of around 1.7 million km2. The global snow leopard population is estimated to be between 3,900 and 6,400 individuals. Snow leopards generally occur between elevations of 2,500–4,500 m, but are also found at lower elevations (900–1,500 m). Home ranges vary from 12-39 km2 in productive habitats, to over 500 km2 in areas of low prey density. The total habitat of the snow leopard in Pakistan is around 80,000km.2 spread over 5 mountain ranges, the Hindu Kush and Hindu Raj in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and the Pamir, Karakoram in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Azad, Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). These ranges form an important link between the Central Asian and East Asian populations of snow leopards, and serves as a vital corridor for the genetic interchange between these populations. Although no precise population estimate is available for the country, the current population assessment is around 200 individuals.
With its wide distribution, precarious conservation status and immense aesthetic appeal, the snow leopard is considered the flagship species of the high altitudes and an indicator species for Asia’s high mountain ecosystems. In recognition of the irreplaceable value of the snow leopard in natural and cultural heritage and an indicator of the health and sustainability of high mountain ecosystems, the twelve snow leopard nations adopted the Bishkek Declaration in 2013 to pledge to ensure that snow leopards and the people who live among them thrive in healthy ecosystems that contribute to the prosperity and well- being of the countries and the planet. The Declaration recognized the need to intensify conservation efforts in the large landscapes required for snow leopard survival by identifying and designating critical habitats of key snow leopard, maintaining their integrity and connectivity through natural corridors, and strengthening their protection on the ground, enhancing the role of local communities in snow leopard conservation efforts by adopting and implementing policies that favor the involvement of such communities as stewards of biodiversity and take firm action to stop poaching and illegal trade of snow leopards and other wildlife. As a signatory to the Bishkek Declaration, Pakistan has initiated number of actions with the intent of safeguarding and conserving its unique natural heritage of high altitude wildlife populations and their habitats by promoting landscape conservation approaches through participatory policies and actions.
Project Areas
The proposed project area encompasses both the Greater Himalayas and Trans-Himalayan ranges of the snow leopard in Pakistan. The Greater Himalaya is represented by sub-alpine and dry temperate forests and alpine scrub, alpine meadows, vast areas under permafrost, glaciers and rock faces, while the Trans- Himalayan cold deserts primarily consist of sparsely vegetated steppes, small patches of moist sedge meadows near water bodies and vast areas that are barren and under glaciers. These areas are the headwaters of many major rivers of Northern Pakistan, and form part of the high range Himalayan ecosystem, which have unique assemblages of flora and fauna. The Himalayan Ecosystem is recognized as one of the 35 global biodiversity hotspots by Conservation International and is among the 200 WWF global ecoregions in the world. In addition to the snow leopard, these areas also harbor several other IUCN-listed endangered large mammals. The associated species found in this region include the markhor (Capra falconeri; globally Near Threatened); Marco Polo sheep (Ovis ammon polii); alpine musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster; globally Endangered); Himalayan lynx (Lynx lynx); blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur); brown bear (Ursus arctos); Indian wolf (Canis lupus); and Himalayan ibex (Capra sibirica). Ibex, markhor and wild sheep that are all key prey species of snow leopard and are therefore important to the species’ survival.
Project Objective The project objective is to promote a landscape approach for the survival of snow leopard and its prey species by reducing threats and applying sustainable land and forest management in critical habitats in Northern Pakistan. To achieve this objective, the GEF alternative aims to remove the barriers with the long-term solution to achieve the sustainable development and ecological security of Pakistan’s forest and land resources through integrated planning, management and protection involving a wide range of stakeholders. Further, the project recognizes the fact that these landscapes underpin the lives and livelihoods of a large number of local communities and that implementation of coherent strategy to promote sustainable livelihood options that are biodiversity friendly is an integral part of the solution.
Project Outcome 4: Implementation, upscaling and replication of project approaches supported by effective knowledge management and gender mainstreaming.
Baseline conditions for this outcome (without GEF project):
Information and knowledge on the benefits of integrated landscape planning in Pakistan and especially in the snow leopard areas would remain limited, often anecdotal and mostly restricted to a sectoral approach. The lack of knowledge and information sharing on the status of natural resources, biodiversity, ecosystem services and sustainable livelihood options will remain a key barrier to achieving integrated landscape planning and conservation of snow leopard habitat management. Collaboration between provinces and neighboring countries would prevail, but at a slow and ad-hoc basis, often restricted to occasional meetings or individual actions, rather than a coordinated approach for partnership in information exchange on wildlife trade and poaching. Information on snow leopard and its management will remain fragmented.
Alternative for this outcome (with GEF project):
The goal of Outcome 4 is to improve knowledge and information systems to enhance awareness on the benefits of landscape approach for conservation of snow leopard and their associated biodiversity and ecosystems by improving policies that support conservation and sustainable use. To achieve such an objective requires improved understanding and participation of key target groups (decision makers and staff from key sectors), non-governmental organizations, and community groups, researchers, including women and the most vulnerable segments of the population is critical. The development of a communication and outreach strategy is intended to promote meaningful stakeholder participation in biodiversity conservation, sustainable natural resource use and alternative livelihood as well as replicate and scale-up successful lessons in resource conservation more widely in the landscape and beyond. In addition, safeguarding snow leopard and associated species populations will be achievable through appropriate communication and messaging to government stakeholders, community, general public and most importantly youth. This will be accomplished through awareness campaigns, creation and maintenance of an online public access database. This Outcome will also increase inter-provincial and international cooperation by establishing links with relevant global and regional programs such as GSLEP program and other relevant initiatives. Targeted support will be provided for Pakistan’s participation in the Global Snow Leopard Ecosystem Protection Program, including for partnership development and trans-boundary coordination. For example, Pakistan’s participation in international meetings and to inter- governmental cooperation on snow leopard conservation (e.g. for inter-governmental control of illegal trade), international collaboration and joint learning and research on snow leopard (e.g. gene flow and connectivity of populations) and good practices for snow leopard conservation. The Snow Leopard Foundation will have new and additional information on the best practices in snow leopard conservation and updated mapping, monitoring and evaluation data that will strengthen its existing database and will be made available beyond the circle of project stakeholders.
Communication and Knowledge Management Strategy
The communication strategy is designed to create bridges between the stakeholders from the grass-root to the national and global level, for flow of information, exchange of ideas, knowledge management and implementation. It will also help build visibility to the conservation needs of the landscape by helping connect policy makers, media, research and academic institutes, private sector, NGOs and general public, through a comprehensive program, from consultations, brand building to outreach and awareness. The core intent of the communication strategy is to instill within the stakeholders, an ownership to the goals of the project – shared knowledge, experiences, inputs and ideas for effective action. The idea would be to create systems that facilitate and generate a common vision for the project in the future. The communication strategy will focus on strengthening, as well as creating the links that pertain to different dimensions of the project. The two primary areas of operation will be the Internal circle – which includes the key stakeholders who are directly associated with the project, and the Outer Circle which includes stakeholders who need to be included, involved and made aware of the significance of protecting the Karakorum Pamir, Hindu Kush and Himalayan Landscapes.
Objectives of PSLEP Education & Awareness Campaign
The objective of education and awareness campaign is to provide a platform to inform, educate and engage various stakeholders. The goal is to enhance voluntary initiatives and participation in snow leopard conservation activities by local communities through education and awareness campaigns. This is expected to foster inclusiveness and partnerships in snow leopard conservation and management. The education and awareness campaign will ensure effective stakeholder involvement and resource mobilization.
The education and awareness strategy for PSLEP is aimed to provide various population groups access to education that provides a real understanding of the environment and wildlife conservation to equip them to participate actively and effectively in managing resources sustainably. The education and awareness strategy is designed to contribute in biodiversity conservation through information sharing, education, and capacity building. The purpose is to empower people to participate in conservation measures in an informed, committed, and skilled manner. It specifies the activities to be undertaken in the area, and provides guidelines so that the PSLEP can be managed more effectively.
Approach to Developing Strategy
The approach to develop and implement the communication strategy will be step by step (i) developing insights (ii) developing intervention and tools and (iii) plan and implementation of communication strategy. Developing Insight for Assessment of Communication needs
A baseline will be established with regard to different aspects of communication and advocacy.
Communication gaps between stake-holders
Awareness of the concerns and needs from the local to national level
Communication mediums available in the landscapes and at the outer scope
This baseline will help to design the intervention and set up markers for monitoring and evaluation of the strategy, and also measure to some degree the change in attitude, adoption of methodology, awareness about the different components and the extent of involvement among the stakeholders.
Some of the physical challenges across the landscapes are common such as accessibility, erratic communication network, vulnerability to natural disasters, water crisis and climate variability. In addition, to the physical barriers, the communication needs, specific to regions and stakeholders was also considered, such as the relationship between departments and communities, perceptions of conservation linked livelihood, presence of active NGOs or community collectives during the design of the strategy.
The key findings with regard to challenges and communication needs for different stakeholders are listed in the Table below:
Table 1: Challenges and Needs of the different Stakeholders in the landscape REGIONAL LEVEL Site Challenges Specific Needs A. Local Communities Karakorum Pamir Improved communication between Villages in remote and distant district administration and Forest locations department. Accessibility affected by natural Improved information flow on disaster/ landslides conservation aspects, biodiversity, Variable economic condition waste management, pesticide use, etc. Weak telephone connectivity Participatory decisions and collective Youth moving out for education action Human carnivore conflict Engagement of youth Recognizing livelihood in relation to conservation needs to be better understood, beyond just economic terms Enhancing opportunities for responsible tourism training Hindu Kush Water and Climate Variability Villages in remote and distant Need for convergence of traditional locations knowledge and scientific research Accessibility affected by natural Improved documentation of traditional disasters/landslides knowledge and good practices Weak telephone communications Improved participation of youth in Youth moving out to cities engagement with conservation Agro Pastoral communities are Collective talks and decisions on water nomadic issues and conservation Communication improvement between community and Forest Department Improved information and training on biodiversity to promote village home- stays Improved connectivity with markets Himalayas Water and Climate Variability Infrastructure for basic health and Villages in remote and distant educational facilities locations Environment and wildlife planning Accessibility affected by natural Communities’ infrastructure disasters/landslides development Weak telephone communications Capacity building in livestock Youth moving out to cities management and predation control Seasonal migration for economic Improved connectivity with markets needs Wildlife poaching control measures Agro Pastoral communities are nomadic Increasing human settlements and activities inside the protected areas B. State Level Departments, Forest and District Administration Insufficient wildlife staff and Capacity building and training of Karakorum Pamir resource limitations wildlife department staff Staff lack training on laws Workshops and on ground training pertaining to protection of Tourist education program wildlife Enhancing information flow on tourism Heavy pressure on landscape Teachers training workshop for Nature during tourist season Clubs Hindu Kush Lack of training on monitoring Improving communication gap fauna and flora between forest department and Poor control on illegal timber communities logging and deforestation Improving training materials and knowledge tools Enhancing information flow on conservation and tourism Teachers training workshop for Nature Clubs Himalayas Insufficient wildlife health and Awareness through communication conservation tools Poor communication between Improving communication between wildlife and forest staff with departments communities Active engagement of community groups in conservation Teachers training workshop for Nature Clubs C. State Level NGOs and other such agencies Karakorum Pamir Convergence of work of all NGOs Improving information material and in the landscape knowledge products on tourism and conservation Hindu Kush Lack of coordination between Capacity building related government and non- communication tools and methods government organizations Engagement of communities in the landscape for conservation improving education and outreach activities Involvement in training, capacity building for communication interventions Himalayas Lack of coordination between Engagement of NGOs with community government and non- and other key departments government organizations Involvement in training, capacity building for communication interventions D. Research Institutes, Universities Karakorum Pamir Convergence of research work Identification of relevant and with traditional knowledge actionable research subjects/topics Research findings being Engagement with community and translated to action on the ground other sector agencies Hindu Kush Convergence of research work Identification of relevant and with traditional knowledge actionable research subjects/topics Research findings being Engagement with community and translated to action on the ground other sector agencies Himalayas Convergence of research work Identification of relevant and with traditional knowledge actionable research subjects/topics Research findings being Engagement with community and translated to action on ground other sector agencies E. Media All three Awareness and capacity building Information related to project landscapes
At the same it is equally important to be aware of and understand the challenges and threats faced by the environment and snow leopards in the PSLEP project landscapes. The communication strategy can only be implemented with desired impact and fruitful results if we know the threats and challenges faced by the snow leopards and their ecosystem.
Environmental Concerns & Challenges Our earth is currently facing a lot of environmental concerns. Over the last few decades, the exploitation of our planet and degradation of our environment have increased substantially. Several environmental challenges have been experienced in the PSLEP project landscapes mainly due to over-exploitation of natural resources and emission of wastes and pollutants into the environment leading to degradation.
Some of the key factors include:
Table 2: Challenges and Threats to Ecosystem and Snow Leopards in PSLEP Landscapes Ecosystem Challenges Reasons Pollution Pollution of the environment especially related to land, water and air has led to adverse effects on animal and human health as well as the quality of the environment Deforestation Extensive destruction of forests has been rampant in the past due to illegal logging and excisions among other threats. This has also led to the loss of forest cover and the subsequent destruction of water catchment areas Global Warming and The earth’s atmosphere is getting warmer due to global warming Climate Change which is causing climate change. The change in climate has led to altered rainfall patterns, variability and extremes of weather Land use Poor land use has led to land degradation. Though caused by both natural and human activities, land degradation has led to desertification, loss of water, soil infertility, poor crop yields and loss of biodiversity Waste Management Waste management is a great challenge to the landscape due to the absence of appropriate technologies and modern facilities. Improper waste disposal has also enhanced land degradation and reduced the quality of the environment. Increase in the numbers of tourists has also contributed in the increase of waste and its improper disposal by the tourists Loss of Biodiversity Biodiversity is yet another casualty due to the impact of human beings on the environment. It is the result of 3.5 billion years of evolution. Habitat destruction is a major cause for biodiversity loss. Habitat loss is caused by deforestation, overpopulation, pollution and global warming Human Disturbance Ecosystems in the PSLEP regions are also under threat from human activities. In the last few decades, there has been a steady rise in both the human population and numbers of domestic livestock, leading to an increased demand for land and other resources. In many places, the demands have already exceeded the levels that the local ecosystems can sustain. Habitat destruction in these regions result most frequently from the effects of overgrazing, excessive removal of sparse natural vegetation, unsustainable collection of bio resources, wildlife poaching outside the protected areas Human-wildlife Conflicts The decline in wild ungulates, a key component of the snow leopard diet, due to extensive hunting practices has caused a significant shift in predation pressure towards domestic livestock in some areas of the PSLEP landscapes. Snow leopard prey upon domestic livestock, mainly yak, goat, and sheep, causing economic damage and threatening village-level food security. For local people, livestock are an important component of their livelihoods, thus retaliatory killing has become one of the main threats to wildlife in the region Threats to Snow Leopards Retaliatory killing Herders Hunters/Poachers School children Religious Leaders General Masses Depletion of natural prey- Herders base due to: Hunters/Poachers a) Hunting, b) Over grazing Lack of awareness Local people GOs NGOs Youth Teachers Schoolchildren Media Lack of Trans-boundary GOs conservation initiatives NGOs Poaching Hunters Poachers Herders Black markets/ industries
Communication intervention and tools for SLEP
Table 3: Communication Interventions and Tools REGIONAL Stakeholder Intervention A. Local community, CBOs, local Participatory Workshops and meetings using innovative NGOs, researchers, forest frontline methodologies like board games, video, theater, focus group staff discussion for engaging stakeholders in collective decision, sharpening perspectives on their natural resources and ideas for adaptive changes Documentation of good practices Training films, publications for the community Policy framework for combatting wildlife crime Exchange of information and updates with other countries including neighboring countries Community Outreach activities, non-formal education and awareness programs B. Youth and Women, Children Capacity building and training in communication and informing policy and advocacy Nature Clubs, Education and awareness programs Internships with organizations working on conservation, livelihood and enforcement Training as nature guides, research assistants, etc. Documentation at the regional level – biodiversity, traditional knowledge, local stories and narratives C. NGOs and other institutes working Knowledge products for information and promotion at regional level Supporting on-going Nature Club and communication projects for awareness Capacity building and training in communication and informing policy and advocacy D. Multiple Stakeholders – State Information Center located at suitable places and with a multi Forest and other Departments, Local – purpose use of space – interactive tools for travelers, community, NGOs, Local level community space for meetings and engagement with other administration, forest department, stakeholders. travelers, researchers, general Audio Visual tools - Short films and Radio programs public, media Websites – improving existing websites or creating new ones where required. - Home-stays and tourist destinations across the 3 landscapes - Promote good practices and build that into tourism - Market the products that are produced locally - Trekking routes and facilitators Information about Conservation groups in the region E. Regional/ Provincial Law Awareness workshops (wildlife crimes) Enforcement / Border Control Communication with local communities Agencies F. State level Departments – forest Participatory Workshops, meetings to strengthen internal and other line departments communication Knowledge Products specific to department needs Capacity Building for communication team at local level Website support G. Tourists and General Public Information Center with multiple inputs on the landscape Information material on conservation, trekking routes, home stays, responsible tourism, waste management National level competitions to engage general public Training of local taxi unions, transporters and involved in tourism for dissemination of information on the region and responsible tourism H. Regional Media Press Meet Field Visit Participatory Workshops and events
Table 4: List of Activities Medium Activity Target Audience Description Events Community Local Meetings with community member of both Meetings communities, genders and all ages. Sharing constraints, solutions and success stories with them. (Frequent) Engaging locals in discussions will subside the element of vested influence on these communities. Other objective is to build perspective that locals are part of conservation effort and they are given due importance. This may reduce the exploitation at the time of human animal conflicts. Training workshops Local National and regional workshops to facilitate communities, staff dissemination of field lessons and help members, inform legal and policy reform relevant to government and landscape conservation practice. private sector Media/communication training workshops for SLF field staff to help at the time of any human animal conflicts or otherwise. Training workshops for local communities about improving corals, livestock health. Exhibitions National Participation in exhibitions and expos on wildlife/environment conservation. Setting (Opportunity up stalls and distributing info materials Based) (posters, brochures, souvenirs). Seminars Government Speaking engagements on various topics departments, including the need for monitoring illegal general public, hunting, deforestation, animal crimes etc. social sector organizations. Schools Student Grade 1 – Learning with fun activities, painting 8 competitions, jigsaw puzzles. All activities focusing importance of wildlife and snow leopard conservation. Colleges Students Painting competition, speech contest University Students Quiz shows, seminars, documentary shows.
Print Media Press /photo National / Global Time to time issuance of press release and Release partners photo release of occasions/events. Newsletter National / Global Monthly or bi-monthly online newsletter for partners circulation through e-mails, website subscriptions. (2-4 pages) Magazine National / Global Bi-annual magazine is planned to carry partners stories from the online newsletters but in addition interviews, articles as well. (20-30 pages) Articles National / Global Success stories from landscapes, SLF role in partners policy/reform structuring by government departments. Interviews National Ministry, regional or local influential Posters National/ Covering visuals of landscapes, snow educational leopard, statistics etc. Event inspirational institutions, local posters to encourage general public to communities etc. participate in our efforts as volunteers or Exhibitions any other form. Flyers National/ Same as posters. local/exhibitions/ educational institutions Brochures National/ local, About the project components and sites seminars, other events
Electronic Media Spot interviews National Spot interviews of SLF senior management on events and occasions Documentaries National/ Global Production of thematic documentaries of Partners / each landscape. Two to three versions of documentaries to be produced for airing on Educational electronic media (local and international) as institutions well as for showing on events or specific occasions. TV shows National Participation on specific days Radio National Drive time quiz, public service messages on FM channels
Social Media Website National/ Global Regular updates to inform project activities Partners / and achievements. Educational institutes / General public SMS alerts Need basis (campaign or disaster) Social networking Picture posts and short stories channels Blogs, Vlogs Interesting stories, and videos about the project and its achievements.
Social Shelters, clothing, Local communities Our three landscapes are always at risk of Responsibility food, water, natural disasters hence making the local medicines, etc. communities vulnerable to face it. We need to have an extra budget readily available for such events so that we can take a lead role in providing any help they need. Not only humanity demands it but it can also play vital role in image building. Depending on the available funds, we can apply this activity at national level as well. Media interaction Media tours to National media Media relations play a delicate role in any landscapes organization. Regular interaction with media (print mostly) works as shield in case of any crisis or image-damaging situation. Short Campaigns Printed materials in Tourists visiting Seasonal campaigns in summers and winters the form of flyers. the landscapes for awareness on environment protection and wildlife protection. Printed materials to be distributed at petrol filling stations, motels, restaurants etc. Site Signage Tourists, Visitors Signage at strategic locations will help advertise existence and potentials of the landscapes. The signage may cover location, boundary identification; orientation and interpretive. A signage program can be developed by the park management to rationalize this.
Implementation of Communication Strategy
The communication strategy implementation will be implemented over a period of five years. The main value embedded in the plan is to set systems that are effective, sustainable and long lasting; aiming to build capacities at the local level to create communication material that gives a voice and purpose to the local community, builds regional visibility and integrates concern and action across the outer circle. The communication plan should be able to create an effective network across the landscape representing diverse stakeholders both at the internal and outer circles. Simultaneously at the National Level, the branding will aim to build PSLEP as a conservation priority for the nation.
Table 5: Implementation of Communication Plan 2018-2023
# Activities Timeline (Year) Description 1 2 3 4 5 1 Development of Resource Materials Educational posters: Thematic posters for education and awareness of students, nature cub members. Posters will be developed on wildlife conservation, threats to snow leopards, snow leopard conservation techniques. In the fifth year of the project posters will be designed depicting the journey of PSLEP from first year to the fifth year.
Story books: Story books in the form of comics will be launched on human animal conflicts, role of conservation organizations in snow leopard and ecosystem protection.
Species information disks: First disk was designed, printed and distributed on International Snow Leopard Day 2018 events.
Awareness Brochures and Flyers: Brochures and flyers will be designed and printed on all the components of the PSLEP targeting the stakeholders and general public for sharing information on the project components. These brochures will be distributed in the local communities while conducting capacity building trainings, corner meetings, social mobilization events. 2 Year Calendar Yearly calendars will be designed with the consultation of project regional teams so that themes and pictures to be selected based on the activities, events conducted in each year. 3 Brand Development of PSLEP PSLEP brand development initiated, logo design, brand ambassador appointment will be finalized and launched by end of November. Explainer videos of PSLEP brand will be produced and shared with stakeholders through social media. 4 PSLEP Brand Activities 5 PSLEP website development RFP developed and circulated to potential vendors. PSLEP website will be completed within 2018. The website will be upgraded periodically all through the project duration. 6 Social Media PSLEP updates sharing with stakeholders through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. 7 YouTube Channel Project documentaries, explainer videos, events videos will be uploaded on regular basis and monitoring of views and hits. 8 Nature Clubs Action plan for each landscape will be developed after the consultation with project regional managers. The activities will include; Establishing nature clubs, strengthening of existing nature clubs, planning new interventions for the students including introduction and demonstration of field survey and research equipment, Presentations/ Lectures on Snow leopard and other environmental issues, Health & Hygienic Week in the schools, celebration of international days. 9 Media Visit Media visits in each landscape for sharing on the ground progress and implementation of PSLEP. Selected beat journalists from print media will be part of these visits. 10 Media Relation/ Interaction Briefing, interviews with the project team in each landscape. 11 Press Release Press release to be issued on events, project implementation activities, success stories. 12 Documentaries Four documentaries are planned covering the components of PSLEP project. 1. Camera Trapping 2. Nature Clubs 3. Valley Conservation 4. Snow Leopard Enterprises (Skill development and enhancement of livelihood) The last documentary in fifth year will be about the changes and improvements due to PSLEP project in three landscapes. 13 Eco-tourism Awareness on importance of eco-tourism through explainer videos, public service messages on FM radio, printed flyers for distribution to tourists. Anti-littering campaign throughout the landscape. This campaign would target the visitors in particular. Education and awareness campaigns for local communities, nature clubs in each landscape. 14 Students Educational Field Trips Study tours on Conservation Education to each landscape. These field trips will be arranged and conducted for nature club students from the three landscapes and also for students from various educational institutions from all over the country. Each field trip will be planned on two different models. One for 2-3 days and other for 1 week to 10 days. 15 International Days Events Celebrating the international days at national and regional levels. Main events in a year include; World Wildlife Day, Biodiversity Day. World Environment Day, International Snow Leopard Day. On other Days, events are planned locally by the project regional teams. 16 Printing of Newsletter “Carnivore 2018 Edition is printed and being circulated. Column” (Designing, Printing, Distribution 17 Online Newsletter It is being released on monthly basis, on international days and for public service messages as and when required. The news covers stories from all the three landscapes. 18 Development of training modules Development, designing and printing of modules for trainings on capacity building and project implementation. 19 Promotion of Best Practices Projection through social media and newsletters. 20 Tree Plantation Campaigns Nature club members participated in September in Plant for Pakistan campaign. The regional project teams will arrange tree plantation campaigns each year for awareness on importance of forests and trees in the ecosystem.
Landscape Communication Plan - Hindukush (2019-2023)
Threats to Snow Leopards and associated mountain Ecosystems in Hindukush Landscape
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 # Threats Stakeholders Interventions Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 Retaliatory killing / Herders Meetings, Workshops to motivate the √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ Human Wildlife Hunters stakeholders Conflict Poachers Awareness Campaign √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ School children Radio Talks √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ Religious Print Media, News, Articles √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ Leaders Sermons (Conservation & Islam) by √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ General Masses influential religious leaders from communities.
2 Depletion of Herders Conservation shows √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ natural prey-base Hunters/Poachers Workshops √ √ √ √ √ due to: GOs (WL Dept) Awareness campaigns √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ NGOs a) Hunting Social mobilization √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ b) Over grazing/ Religious Leaders Forest Dept. Print & Electronic media √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ grazing
competition
3 Lack of awareness Local people Training of teachers in conservation √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ GOs education through training sessions to be NGOs conducted by trainers. Youth Establishment of Nature Clubs in schools √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ Teachers Development of action plan for Nature Clubs √ √ √ √ √ Schoolchildren Youth Conservation Forum, sports √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ Media tournaments, awareness activities Conduct Nature Study Camps √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ Distribution of resource materials √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ Greening events with schools √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ Relationship building with journalists √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ Relationship building with stakeholders/ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ partners Conservation shows (cultural) √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ Exposure visit of religious leaders to PAs √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
4 Loss and Communities/ Meetings/ Consultations with communities √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ fragmentation NOMADs Use of print and electronic media √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ ofhabitat due to Developmental Imposing of Environment Impact Assessment √ √ √ √ √ a) Over grazing Organiztions (EIA) through EPA for every developmental b) Mining NGOs project/ mining GOs c) Ill planned Resource material development √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ Armed Forces development General Public d) Fodder, fuel Tourists wood, and timber collection e) Conversion of pastures into farm lands f) Unsustainable mountain expeditions
5 Lack of Trans- GOs Awareness and education on IWT and √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ boundary NGOs poaching to local communities conservation initiatives
6 Poaching Hunters Improve surveillance through community √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ Poachers Develop and disseminate resource material √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ Herders Capacity building of concerned field staff √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ Communities Black markets/ industries GOs NGOs
7 Climate Change Communities Conduct research and disseminate results √ √ √ √ √ GOs Develop awareness material √ √ NGOs Capacity building of concerned field staff √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ Schools Influential Elders
8 Tourism Tourists Awareness on eco-tourism √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ Communities Education and capacity building on waste √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ Schools, management Colleges Education on importance of biodiversity √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ GOs Resource material development √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ NGOs Public Service Messages √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ Tour Operators Livelihood opportunities for local √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ communities in tourist season
Landscape Communication Plan - Himalaya (2019-2023)
Threats to Snow Leopards and associated mountain Ecosystems in Himalaya Landscape
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 # Threats Stakeholders Interventions Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 Retaliatory killing / Herders Meetings, Workshops to motivate the √ √ Human Wildlife Hunters stakeholders Conflict Poachers Awareness Campaign √ √ √ √ School children Radio Talks √ √ √ Religious Print Media, News, Articles √ √ √ Leaders Sermons (Conservation & Islam) by √ √ √ √ General Masses influential religious leaders from communities.
2 Depletion of Herders Conservation shows √ √ natural prey-base Hunters/Poachers Workshops √ √ due to: GOs (WL Dept) Awareness campaigns √ √ √ √ NGOs a) Hunting Social mobilization √ √ √ √ b) Over grazing/ Religious Leaders Forest Dept. Print & Electronic media grazing
competition
3 Lack of awareness Local people Training of teachers in conservation √ √ √ GOs education through training sessions to be NGOs conducted by trainers. Youth Establishment of Nature Clubs in schools √ √ Teachers Development of action plan for Nature Clubs √ √ School children Youth Conservation Forum, sports √ √ √ Media tournaments, awareness activities Conduct Nature Study Camps √ √ √ Distribution of resource materials √ √ √ Greening events with schools √ √ Relationship building with journalists √ √ √ √ Relationship building with stakeholders/ partners Conservation shows (cultural) Exposure visit of religious leaders to PAs √ √
4 Loss and Communities/ Meetings/ Consultations with communities √ √ √ fragmentation of NOMADs Use of print and electronic media √ √ √ √ habitat due to Developmental Imposing of Environment Impact Assessment √ √ √ √ a) Over grazing Organiztions (EIA) through EPA for every developmental b) Mining NGOs project/ mining GOs c) Ill planned Resource material development √ √ √ Armed Forces development General Public d) Fodder, fuel Tourists wood, and timber collection e) Conversion of pastures into farm lands f) Unsustainable mountain expeditions
5 Lack of Trans- GOs Awareness and education on IWT and √ √ boundary NGOs poaching to local communities conservation initiatives
6 Poaching Hunters Improve surveillance through community √ √ √ Poachers Develop and disseminate resource material √ √ √ √ Herders Capacity building of concerned field staff Communities Black markets/ industries GOs NGOs
7 Climate Change Communities Conduct research and disseminate results √ √ √ GOs Develop awareness material √ √ NGOs Capacity building of concerned field staff √ √ √ Schools Influential Elders
8 Tourism Tourists Awareness on eco-tourism √ √ √ Communities Education and capacity building on waste √ √ √ Schools, management Colleges Education on importance of biodiversity √ √ √ √ GOs Resource material development √ √ NGOs Public Service Messages √ √ √ Tour Operators Livelihood opportunities for local √ √ communities in tourist season
Landscape Communication Plan – Karakoram Pamir (2019-2023)
Threats to Snow Leopards and associated mountain Ecosystems in Karakoram Pamir Landscape
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 # Threats Stakeholders Interventions Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 Retaliatory killing / Herders Meetings, Workshops to motivate the Human Wildlife Hunters stakeholders Conflict Poachers Awareness Campaign School children Radio Talks Religious Print Media, News, Articles Leaders Sermons (Conservation & Islam) by General Masses influential religious leaders from communities.
2 Depletion of Herders Conservation shows natural prey-base Hunters/Poachers Workshops due to: GOs (WL Dept) Awareness campaigns NGOs a) Hunting Social mobilization Religious Leaders b) Over grazing/ Forest Dept. Print & Electronic media grazing
competition
3 Lack of awareness Local people Training of teachers in conservation GOs education through training sessions to be NGOs conducted by trainers. Youth Establishment of Nature Clubs in schools Teachers Development of action plan for Nature Clubs School children Youth Conservation Forum, sports Media tournaments, awareness activities Conduct Nature Study Camps Distribution of resource materials Greening events with schools Relationship building with journalists Relationship building with stakeholders/ partners Conservation shows (cultural) Exposure visit of religious leaders to PAs
4 Loss and Communities/ Meetings/ Consultations with communities fragmentation of NOMADs Use of print and electronic media habitat due to Developmental Imposing of Environment Impact Assessment a) Over grazing Organiztions (EIA) through EPA for every developmental b) Mining NGOs project/ mining GOs Resource material development c) Ill planned Armed Forces development General Public d) Fodder, fuel Tourists wood, and timber collection e) Conversion of pastures into farm lands f) Unsustainable mountain expeditions
5 Lack of Trans- GOs Awareness and education on IWT and boundary NGOs poaching to local communities conservation initiatives
6 Poaching Hunters Improve surveillance through community Poachers Develop and disseminate resource material Herders Capacity building of concerned field staff Communities Black markets/ industries GOs NGOs
7 Climate Change Communities Conduct research and disseminate results GOs Develop awareness material NGOs Capacity building of concerned field staff Schools Influential Elders
8 Tourism Tourists Awareness on eco-tourism Communities Education and capacity building on waste Schools, management Colleges Education on importance of biodiversity GOs Resource material development NGOs Public Service Messages Tour Operators Livelihood opportunities for local communities in tourist season