PROJECT Improvement of Central Karakoram National Park Management System As Model for Mountain Ecosystems in Northern Pakistan I

Home , Astore Valley, Bagrot Valley, Balghar, Baltistan, Biafo Glacier, Deosai National Park

PROJECT Improvement of Central Karakoram National Park Management System as Model for Mountain Ecosystems in Northern Pakistan

Inception report for Lots 1,2,3 (Q2)

June 2018

Ev-K2-CNR Inception Report (Q2), June 2018

INDEX OF CONTENTS

ACRONYMS ...... 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 2 DELIVERABLE 1: Ev-K2-CNR IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY ...... 3 DELIVERABLE 2: INFORMATION ABOUT CKNP AND DNP INCLUDING ITS DEMOGRAPHICS, MAPS, TARGET COMMUNITY, VILLAGES, EXISTING LSO/ VCC AND AREAS REQUIRING COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION...... 15 DELIVERABLE 3: LIST OF MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL PROJECT ADVISORY GROUP (LPAG) ...... 43 DELIVERABLE 4: MINUTES OF THE 1ST MEETING OF THE LOCAL PROJECT ADVISORY GROUP ...... 44 DELIVERABLE 5: MOUs WITH RELEVANT GOVT. DEPARTMENTS SIGNED ...... 47 DELIVERABLE 6: CONSULTATION MEETINGS WITH COMMUNITIES AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS IN CKNP AND DNP ...... 48 DELIVERABLE 7: SURVEY FOR TRAINING NEED ASSESSMENT ...... 50 DELIVERABLE 8: MINUTES OF THE INCEPTION WORKSHOP ...... 58 DELIVERABLE 9: PRELIMINARY SURVEY FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF DEOSAI NATIONAL PARK – CENTRAL KARAKORUM NATIONAL PARK ECOLOGICAL CORRIDOR BOUNDARIES ... 72 ANNEX I: SIGNED MOUs WITH CONCERNED AUTHORITIES ...... 77 ANNEX II: MINUTES OF THE 1ST CONSULTATION SESSION WITH PROJECT STAKEHOLDERS 87

Ev-K2-CNR Inception Report (Q2), June 2018

ACRONYMS

AKRSP - Aga Khan Rural Support Programme

CBO - Community Based Organization

CKNP- Central Karakorum National Park

DNP - Deosai National Park

ETI - Economic Transformation Initiative

GB - Gilgit Baltistan

GIS - Geographic Information System

GPS - Global Positioning System

IMARC - Integrated Mountain Areas Research Center

KIU- Karakoram International University

LPAG Local Project Advisory Group

LSO - Local Support Organization

M&E - Monitoring and Evaluation

MP -Management Plan

MPA - Mountain Protected Area

NRM - Natural Resource Management

OP - Operational Plan

PIDSA - Debt for Development Swap Agreement

SEED- Socio Economic and Environmental Development

SO - Social Organizer

SWOT - Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats

TNA - Training Need Assessment

ToR - Terms of Reference

UNDP - United Nations Development Programme

VCSDP - Valley Conservation and Sustainable Development Plan

VCC - Valley Conservation Committee

WO - Women Organization

WWF- World Wildlife Fund for Nature

1 Ev-K2-CNR Inception Report (Q2), June 2018

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The inception report describe the main results achieved by Ev-K2-CNR in the second quarter of the Project.

Activity progress allow to present all the 9 foreseen deliverables and in particular: 1. Implementation strategy 2. Information about CKNP and DNP 3. List of members of the Local Project Advisory Group 4. Minutes of the 1st meeting of the Local Project Advisory Group 5. MoUs signed with relevant Govt. departments 6. Consultation meetings with communities and other stakeholders in CKNP and DNP 7. Survey for Training Need Assessment initiated 8. Minutes of the project inception workshop 9. Survey initiated for the identification of boundary of ecological corridor

During this first period of work, no particular criticisms have been highlighted and the activities follow the foreseen workplan. Project team, including local and international experts have been defined and a network of connections with concerned authorities, stakeholder and communities has been established.

This initial period allow to have a more clear picture on the information available for the two protected areas and to initiate a discussion about the ecological corridor possible locations. This starting point is a fundamental step to properly plan further field activities.

Since UNDP suggested to plan the first meeting of the Local Project Advisory Group on July 9, and in order to respect the deadline of June 30 for the delivery of the inception report, this document present the results of the preliminary interactions with LPAG, which allow to confirm group members and to prepare group ToRs which will be presented and approved during the first meeting. LPAG 1st meeting minutes will be thus included in the 3rd quarter progress report.

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DELIVERABLE 1: Ev-K2-CNR IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY

The full document has been officially delivered to UNDP on May 2018. Herewith below project rationale, activities and workplan are reported.

Project Rationale Why an update/review of CKNP and DNP Management and Operational Plans and Delineation of Ecological Corridor Needed? The circumstances and issues that are significant for a National Park may change over time because of emergence of new issues, ongoing projects’ interventions, new types of outdoor activities and climate change. Changes like these may require a new approach to management that may not fit in with the existing Plan of Management. In this situation it is suggested to review and revise the entire management and operational plan of national park through various studies and consultations in coordination with relevant departments. The operational plan divides CKNP in 15 valleys. In Ev-K2-CNR SEED phase II (2016) project, VCSDPs for each valley developed to promote participatory natural resource management and enrich environmental conservation of the park and to create synergies among park stakeholders and to promote community-based conservation in CKNP buffer zone valleys and villages. Given that VCSDPs are the main planning tools for the sustainable development for CKNP valleys and watersheds, its proposed management interventions should be reflected in Park’s MP and OP. It is important to review that other programs including ETI GB supported by IFAD comply with the content of VCSDP in terms of biodiversity and sustainable development in Protected Areas/Watersheds. This will be particularly important in case of development of infrastructures like irrigation channels, roads, introducing new crop cultivars and farming practices. Furthermore, it is important to focus also on the results of CKNP Management Plan Implementation PC-I phase II by GB Forest department through CKNP Directorate. Since the development and approval of the MP and OP it has been almost four years. These are lively documents which require a regular updating through surveys, research and stakeholder consultative sessions. The MP and OP of CKNP will be updated under lot 1 adopting participatory approaches. The draft management plan of DNP has been developed by WWF. However, the operational plan has yet to be developed translating the MP into actions to devise a strategy and for its implementation later on. The objective is to facilitate implementation of certain activities under the “Improvement of Central Karakoram National Park (CKNP) Management System as Model for Mountain Ecosystems in Northern Pakistan”. Activities of the project will be implemented in Gilgit Baltistan, focusing specifically on CKNP and DNP. The activities include review and updating of CKNP and DNP Management and Operational Plans, mapping of an Ecological Corridor between CKNP and DNP, capacity building of relevant stakeholders, design of a web-platform for sharing best practices on biodiversity conservation and park management and others. The analysis of the DNP Management Plan (WWF, 2016) and related literature give a vision not different from the initial situation of the CKNP regarding the requirements for nature conservation and needs of the communities with interest in the Park area. The existing management plan of DNP will be revised and operational plan will be developed with the main objectives: 1. Re-establishment of the area’s inherent self-sustaining biophysical integrity 2. Definition of land use parameters 3. Long term conservation of natural fauna, flora, cultural, and scenic features of the area

Ev-K2-CNR Inception Report (Q2), June 2018

4. Promotion of sustainable use of the natural resources and historic cultural sites of the park for educational, recreational, and scientific purposes through appropriate regulation 5. Promotion of local, provincial, national, and international tourism development at recreational and geo-tourism levels 6. Promotion of the economic and social uplift and well-being of the park’s human population 7. Development of an integrated conservation and tourism environment within a regional rural social context In the 70s of the last century the concept of conservation biology was developed, and this new interdisciplinary approach starts to link together social sciences with the nature management (Soulè and Wilcox, 1980). From this new point of view it was clear that for the conservation of the biodiversity and natural resources on long term, the protected areas were not sufficient (Noss, 1991a). With the bio- region approach (McNeely, 1992) the aim was to avoid habitat loss and territorial fragmentation, one of the most threats for the biodiversity (Wilcove et al., 1986; Noss, 1991b), through the creation and conservation of biological corridors: natural areas (natural or agricultural ecosystems) able to connect the different Protected Areas maintaining the necessary flow of individuals and genes between the populations (i.e. Soulé, 1987; Noss, 1993). The importance of this new approach is growing up during the time also considering the potential impact of climate change on ecosystem and species, especially the ones located in mountain areas that, for their specialized adaptation to the extreme conditions, are more sensitive to this phenomenon. The proposed connectivity corridor between CKNP and DNP can promote biological conservation because it may contribute to habitat connectivity for a range of individual species. Ev-K2-CNR will strive to identify and map the corridor as mentioned in ToRs through a range of proposed interventions under Lot 2. A research planning team ( internal group) comprising planning team and researchers will be established in inception phase, aiming to set objectives and priorities for the smooth and timely accomplishment of the project. Relevant information through secondary sources will be gathered in inception phase on natural, cultural and socio economic aspects including satellite maps. To fill the data gaps and for on ground accuracy, primary information will be collected both in inception and main phase through series of field surveys. Relevant data collected through secondary and primary sources will be analyzed to produce corridor thematic layers in main phase with the support of experts, GIS tools and computer modeling. In main phase SWOT analysis for the potential area will be carried out to have pros and cons of various zones and maps of maps of possible connecting areas. Based on the documents, consultations and research findings, connectivity corridor will be mapped and post project scenarios will be built.

Objective The main objective of the current assignment, in line with the objectives of the project is to improve the governance of mountain ecosystems in northern Pakistan, with regards to ecosystem services, nature conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources and promotion of effective response to climate change.

Specific Objectives Governance: Management of Central Karakoram National Park, Deosai National Pak and connectivity corridor between CKNP and DNP have been improved, which includes enhancing functional capacities of relevant CKNP, DNP, and Government Departments in the target area to undertake the desired activities related to park management. Knowledge: A mechanism to share knowledge, lessons, experiences and best practices in protected area management domestically and internationally has been established. 4 Ev-K2-CNR Inception Report (Q2), June 2018

Deliverables The deliverables under this assignment will include the following

Outputs Deliverables Actions Phase 1 Phase 2 1: Management of Central Karakorum National Park, Activity Result 1.0 : Key Action 1.0(a) Participation in the project and Deosai National Park Stakeholder Mobilized for Orientation workshop and connectivity corridor implementation and between CKNP and DNP ownership for projects Action 1.0 (b). 1.0(b) Conduct 3 Quarterly is improved, which includes intervention develops meetings of Local Project Advisory Group enhancing functional capacities of relevant Action1.1 ( a) Conduct 02 Consultative Action 1.1 (a). Review Progress made in Inception Phase and CKNP, DNP, Government Activity Result 1.1: meetings with communities/stakeholders identify short-comings. departments in the target CKNP Management Plan in CKNP. area to undertake the revised, updated and Action 1.1 (b). Quarterly meetings (04) of Local Project Advisory desired activities related to submitted for Action 1.1(b). Review background Group providing technical support and coordination park management. Government approval information documents, reports including available MP/OP of CKNP, DNP and Action 1.1 (c). Conduct 15 Consultative meetings with potential ecological corridor communities in CKNP region in coordination with WWF Action 1.1 (d). Cover gaps in national park management, priority Action 1.1 (c) Gap analysis of the areas and community interests in MP and OP of CKNP information and data between the MP/OP of CKNP and VCSDPs Action 1.1 (e). Conduct 02 field surveys for the assessment of flora, fauna and impact of implementation of the previous MP/OP Action 1.1 (d) Conduct 2 Consultative meetings with communities/stakeholders Action 1.1 (f). ) Finalize CKNP MP/OP and submit for in CKNP government of GB approval

Action 1.1(e) Develop, print and Action 1.1 (g). Conduct 03 training events for protected area disseminate 1 Project visibility material for managers and staff on park management , biodiversity CKNP conservation and monitoring

Action 1.1 (h). Conduct 02 trainings for the communities

Action 1.1 (i). Print visibility material for CKNP Activity Result 1.2: DNP Action 1.2 (a) Conduct 3 Consultative meetings Action 1.2 (a). Carry out 02 questionnaire based field Management and with communities/stakeholders in DNP surveys and data analysis for customary practices Operational plans revised, Action 1.2 (b) Review of customary laws updated and submitted governing natural resources for Government approval Action 1.2(c). Delineation of DNP Boundary with Action 1.2 (b). Collect Primary data through field surveys

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Outputs Deliverables Actions Phase 1 Phase 2 the GPS and remote sensing (preliminary work for floral assessment done) Action 1.2(d) Work out DNP Zoning system and Action 1.2 (c). Collect Primary data through field surveys develop initial concept for fauna assessment Action (e). Develop, print and disseminate Project visibility material for DNP Action 1.2 (d). Record GPS coordinates from all sides of DNP for boundary delineation

Action 1.2 (e). Conduct 04 Meetings with the communities along the boundary of DNP on the park boundary delineation

Action 1.2 (f). Develop GIS based maps for DNP various zones including core zone, minimal use zone, buffer zone etc .

Action 1.2 (g). Finalize zones including Core Zone, Minimal Use Zone, Sustainable Use Zone, Intensive Use Zone and Buffer Zone with GIS techniques, ground verification and community support

Action 1.2 (h). Conduct 1 stakeholders’ meeting for zoning system

Action 1.2 (i). Update Management Plan of DNP and update first draft with all collected information

Action 1.2 (j). Finalize first draft of Operational Plan for DNP will be finalized

Action 1.2 (k). Conduct 1 consultative session with stakeholders to share newly updated OP and MP for DNP

Action 1.2 (l). Print Project visibility material, OP and MP for DNP

Action 1.2 (m). Submit the updated MP and OP of DNP for approval

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Outputs Deliverables Actions Phase 1 Phase 2 Activity Result 1.3: Action 1.3 (a). Conduct 02 meetings with Action 1.3 (a) Conduct 2 field surveys for floral and faunal Ecological corridor the communities along the corridor , one assessment and analyse primary data of ecological corridor between CKNP and each in CKNP and DNP DNP identified and mapped Action 1.3 (b). Carryout one field survey Action 1.3 (b). Conduct 05 meetings with the communities along of the potential sites for establishing the corridor corridor for primary data and to have a clear picture of the actual situation. Action 1.3 (c). Develop maps of ecological corridor through field surveys Action 1.3 (c). Identify possible ecological boundary points with GIS and develop Action 1.3 (d). Develop final document of ecological corridor initial concept with identified site, maps and boundary delineation

Action 1.3 (c). Develop, print and Action 1.3 (e). Conduct 2 consultative sessions with key disseminate project visibility material for stakeholders ecological corridor Action 1.3(f). Develop management guidelines for the ecological corridor developed on the basis of field surveys, consultative sessions and available literature.

Action 1.3 (h). Printing of the publications 2: A mechanism to share Activity Result 2.2: Action 2.2 (a). Conduct Training Need 2.2 (a). Printing of TNA, capacity building plan, training manual knowledge, lessons, Training Needs Assessment (TNA) through and visibility material will be printed experience, and best Assessment (TNA) questionnaires and meetings with the practices in protected area carried out and Capacity stakeholders (Directorates of DNP and management domestically Building Plan developed CKNP, CBOs, etc) for the identification and internationally has and implemented of the areas of capacity building been established. Action 2.2 (b) Develop a comprehensive capacity building plan for protected areas staff in GB on the basis of TNA results

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Outputs Deliverables Actions Phase 1 Phase 2 Activity Result 2.4: 2.4 (a). ) Development of purpose, goals 2.4 (a). Share for approval with UNDP the specifications and Web-platform on and specifications and feature summary design of the web platform protected areas designed document of web platform. and rolled out 2.4 (b). Finalize web platform in agreement with UNDP and stakeholders feedback, development will be finalized

2.4 (c). ) Hold 03 radio talks of experts on conservation issues in mountain areas

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Proposed activities description

Output 1: Management of Central Karakoram National Park and Connectivity Corridor between CKNP and DNP is improved which includes enhancing functional capacities of relevant CKNP and DNP, Government departments and Project staff in the target area to undertake the desired activities related to Park management.

Major Deliverables: 1.1. CKNP management plan revised, updated and submitted for Government approval 1.2. DNP management and operational plans revised, updated and submitted for government approval 1.3. Ecological corridor between CKNP and DNP identified and mapped Activity Result 1.1: CKNP Management Plan revised, updated and submitted for Government and UNDP, at the inception, will conduct one orientation workshop in Gilgit Baltistan. Project staff of Ev-K2-CNR, representatives from UNDP, WWF-P, Government of GB (including line agencies), parks staff, and media and community representatives will be provided with detailed orientation about the Improvement of CKNP Management System as Model for Mountain Ecosystems in Northern Pakistan Project and its relevant assignments. Participants will be briefed in details about project’s objectives, procedures, activities, project area, proposed target beneficiaries, project duration and project monitoring etc. A Local Project Advisory Group will be established in coordination with UNDP and WWF. The Local Project Advisory Group will provide its technical inputs. Proposed initiatives will be shared with community living in 15 valleys of CKNP and their needs and issues will be identified through participatory approach in consultative sessions. Communities will be selected in coordination with partner organization WWF-P on the basis of park boundaries, recognized rights of communities with in the park and their needs and issues will be identified through participatory approach in consultative sessions. Available data for CKNP, DNP and potential ecological corridor (information from stakeholders, scientific and “gray” literature, technical documents, previous Management Plans) will be collected and analyzed, in order to assess the data reliability of the biological and physical resources and condition of the area, historical and cultural heritages, human activities, also considering traditional natural resources use, recreational aspects and tourism, political, administrative and customary laws and rules, administration, with focus on operational, manpower and financial resources required to run the DNP, CKNP and Ecological Corridor. On the basis of these results, a review and gap analysis will be carried out, identifying if and what further data have to be collected. The information requirements and the indications for the structuring of research activities will be shared with research institutions, government representatives, park staff and stakeholders. The review of literature is required for all major deliverables in devising updated CKNP and DNP management and operational plans and ecological corridor identification and mapping, hence it will be done under one single activity 1.1 (e).

Activity Result 1.2: DNP Management and Operational plans revised, updated and submitted for Government approval The revision of management plan and development of operational plan for DNP will entail rigorous efforts as it will be a new product out of revised management plan. Ev-K2-CNR project team will carry out social mobilization and consultative sessions with community of DNP in coordination with partner NGO, in order to fulfil learning needs of the community and to ensure sustainability of proposed

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interventions in a cooperative, efficient and transparent manner. The approach to delineate park boundaries is very complex and needs a relevant amount of data from different environmental, economic, political, administrative, legal and social sectors. DNP boundaries’ delineation at inception phase will involve initial GIS work; obtaining thematic maps and community meetings. Initial concept of zoning system will be worked out with various zones in DNP including Core zone, Minimal Use Zone, Sustainable Use Zone, Intensive Use Zone. More detailed work on park zonation and boundary delineation will be carried out in main phase.

Activity Result 1.3: Ecological corridor between CKNP and DNP identified and mapped a. 02 meetings with the communities along the corridor , one each in CKNP and DNP b. Carryout one field survey of the potential sites for establishing corridor for primary data and to have a clear picture. c. Possible ecological boundary points identified with GIS and very initial concept writing d. Visibility material for ecological corridor developed for printing Specific field surveys , GPS coordinates and meetings with local groups/ communities in line with selection criteria and in coordination with WWF for different inland zones of Ecological Corridor will be held in order to fill the gaps emerged from the documents review and needs and perspectives of local communities, and analyse field situation with practical perspective for establishing ecological corridor

Output 2: A mechanism to share knowledge, lessons, experience, and best practices in protected area management domestically and internationally has been established. Major Deliverables: Activity Result 2.2: Training Needs Assessment (TNA) carried out and Capacity Building Plan developed and implemented TNA will determine if a training need exists and, if it does, what training is required to fill the gap. TNA seeks to identify accurately the levels of the present situation in the target surveys, interview, observation, secondary data and/or workshop. The gap between the present status and desired status may indicate problems that in turn can be translated into a training need.

Training Needs = Desired Capability – Current Capability of the concerned categories

Based on the TNA, a capacity and development plan will be developed and implemented. The capacity building plan will include the priority topics, on which trainings for GB park managers, parks staff and community will be conducted. TNA and capacity building plan will be carried out in inception phase and it will be implemented in main phase. The numbers of trainings given in deliverables and activities table are subject to amendment as the number of trainings and topics will be generated from capacity building plan.

Activity Result 2.4: Web-platform on protected areas designed and rolled out In Pakistan there is still a lack of centralized data repository to facilitate the sharing and the archiving of the information. While establishing a collaborative network between MPAs managers, a common web tool will not only facilitate the sharing of information and the interactions among Pakistan MPAs managers and Institutions, but also for general public interested in assessing MPAs information which is one of the issues highlighted under this project. The proposed platform for web services will be based on the architecture of Geonetwork Open Source for the metadata acquisition and storing on a database. Development and finalization of web platform will be a continuous process; in inception

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phase the purpose, goals and objectives of web platform will be developed with detailed specification of the web platform; it will be finalized in main phase. It will be an integrated web-portal serving all the national parks of GB in particular and protected area managers and communities of the country in general. In inception phase specifications and features of the web-portal will developed in inception phase but it will be finalized in inception phase.

Proposed methodology and approach Partnership strategy The partnership strategy is intended to figure out the potential partners and devising a mechanism to collaborate for the effective implementation of the project. Multiple partners will have a significant role in entire process project implementation. EvK2CNR will leverage on its strong relations with the community organizations, government institutions and other partners while working in the CKNP and DNP. Overall following strategy will be adopted in reaching out partners and to work with them.

Community involvement strategy The revision of the MP/OP of CKNP and development of OP of DNP will require undergoing a rigorous community involvement plan. Communities around CKNP and DNP will be met to obtain the necessary information and also to mobilize them for their necessary involvement. The communities will have the major role as having their rights inside and around the park. A protected area is governed under the customary and statuary laws which have a direct link with the communities. However, mobilization has a pivotal role in creating among them ownership for a national park. Ev-K2-CNR while developing the MP/OP of the CKNP has created close linkages with the communities also giving them the incentives with livelihood interventions during the past many years. Based on such strong relations, the communities will be contacted again while conducting with them the consultative sessions and workshops for the revision of MP and OP of CKNP and to develop the operational plan for DNP. Since the activities under Lot 4 compliment the activities under Lots 1,2 and 3, the EvK2CNR will liaise closely with WWF for selection of communities for consultation and the mobilization process. i. CKNP: CKNP encompasses an area of 10000 km2 in five districts of GB including Gilgit, Nagar, Skardu, Shigar and Ghanche. There are 15 valleys with the approximate 125.000 people in 220 villages. The communities have use rights in the national parks. However, after the boundary delineation and completion of zoning system in the SEED project, the communities have been sensitized about their rights and restrictions in view of the rules in a protected area. Building upon such initiatives, communities will be involved through existing CBOs to ensure compliance with the laws to protect the parks. CBOs in fifteen valleys of CKNP will be reviewed to know their functional status. Offices of Ev-K2-CNR in Gilgit and Skardu will update the list of LSOs, WOs, VCCS and other CBOs clearly indicating their functioning status. Active CBOs from each valley will be highlighted. Subsequently, for any intended meeting with the communities, the President and General Secretary of the CBO will be contacted. In order to reach the communities, support from these organizations will also be sought wherever needed in coordination of with other partner NGO. ii. DNP DNP is spread over approximately 3626 km2 with 8 valleys around the park. The population is almost 12584 with 1321 households. Balti and Shina are the major languages spoken around the park. A

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vigorous community mobilization will lead to creating maximum awareness among the communities on the rules inside the protected areas and their role in the entire management system. The consultative sessions and meetings with the communities/representatives will be led as part of the revision of the DNP MP and to develop its new OP. Compare to CKNP, the communities in DNP are not very much mobilized. There have been very less interventions on park management practices or on the livelihood improvement of its communities. Taking into account the ground realities, CBOs will be assessed finding out their status. Meeting and sessions will be held with the communities as per plan in every valley of the protected area. Moreover, CBOs that are found dormant and inactive necessary support will be provided for revival and functioning together with other implementing NGO. Subsequently meetings and consultative sessions will be held on need basis which will vary both in the inception phase and the main phase.

II. Government institutions: Close coordination will be established with the Department of Forest Wildlife and Environment, Tourism Department, Agriculture and Livestock Department, Planning and Development Department. At the commencement of the project, meetings will be held with government forest, wildlife and environment department for an orientation of the project and also seeking necessary support in implementation and approvals. A meeting with government planning department GB will also be conducted to give an orientation on the project. Meetings with directorates of CKNP and DNP will also be organized at the inception however; a constant coordination with both directorates will be continuing by end of the project. Moreover, to seek cooperation from the local administration a meeting with the local administration in Gilgit and Skardu will be held. Ev-K2-CNR has the MOU signed with government forest, wildlife and parks department. Under its umbrella, the secretariat will be requested to direct its directorates to extend support in the implementation of the activities under this project. Furthermore, possibilities will be worked out for partnership with KIU for the research studies. Ev-K2- CNR supported to establish IMARC (Integrated Mountain Areas Research Center) established under SEED at KIU. The purpose of its establishment has been to setup a center focusing on research in the mountain areas.

2.2. Communications strategy The communication strategy for Lot 1 will primarily be linked with the output of Lot 3 i.e Web Platform Development. All the information related to the project and parks will be put on to the web- portal for maximum visibility of both parks. Furthermore, in order to reach to the desired results consultative meeting will be held with the relevant target groups in the process to update the management plan of CKNP. Similarly an inclusive approach will be adopted in reviewing the management plan of DNP. Workshops and other participatory sessions can be conducted to obtain information and knowledge from the communities. Moreover, meetings and sessions will be organized with the government organizations and other stakeholders as given in the partnership strategy. Information about interventions on the mountain communities and protected areas do not generally reach the masses and main stream media. It thus requires highlighting the achievements through a proper strategy among media, communities, government institutions, and donor. EvK2CNR cherishes on its wide relations with partner organizations, close relations with the communities, and strong ties with the media over last many years in Gilgit-Baltistan as well as at national and international levels. Thus a robust communication strategy will aim at disseminating and getting across the information on achievements among the stakeholders.

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In addition the communication strategy will seek to disseminate the visibility material among a wider audience. EvK2CNR has previously developed the website for CKNP that will also be linked with the newly developed web platform for the dissemination of the information among the target groups. Different tools will be in place for the visibility of the project including electronic and print media. EvK2CNR, through its robust communication strategy will establish close linkages. Communities will be met on a regular basis as part of the social mobilization, obtaining the indigenous knowledge and to find out ways to work in a collaborative manner. The communication guidelines of the UNDP will be taken into account in the implementation of the communication strategy. Any material for mass communication, interviews to media sources or sending messages through social media will be done after approval from UNDP.

Objectives 8. To disseminate the information and visibility about the project achievements to multiple stakeholders and general public at large. 9. To create strong links with government institutions, organizations, communities and media 10. To take best out of the project initiatives with synergies and collaborations with the interventions from other organizations through proper communication including one meeting in every quarter. 11. Sensitizations and awareness on the key environmental issues and related responsibilities among the relevant stakeholders 12. Liaise and coordinate with donor and implementing NGO 13. To give visibility to the project interventions

Proposed activities; 14. Development of an integrated web platform with information, and visibility of CKNP, DNP and other protected areas of GB. 15. Development and dissemination of visibility material including leaflets, brochures. 16. Development and sharing of revised MP/OP of CKNP and DNP with stakeholders 17. Carryout meeting with stakeholders from time to time to closely liaise on the crosscutting thematic areas. 18. Talks on radio will be organized on environment and livelihood related matters considering the local context and needs. 19. Relevant international days will be celebrated to exploit on the themes with communities, students, and other agencies giving awareness and related information. 20. Frequent meeting will be held with the government departments for necessary support in the project intervention areas and also to share about the results of the project. 21. Development of brochures and leaflets

Target Groups 22. Community 23. Government institutions 24. Media houses 25. Stakeholders 26. Park managers and communities of other protected areas of the country

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Channels and tools Electronic and Print Media Electronic and print media will be used for conveying the messages at grassroots level. Radio Pakistan, PTV, Karakoram Publishing Network, and other local and national broadcasting channels will be used for the necessary communication. Social Media Social media including, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram will have an important role in getting messages across among a wider audience. Website The website of EvK2CNR, Central Karakoram National Park and newly to-be-developed web platform under the lot 3 will be used for the knowledge and information sharing. The websites will be enriched with adequate information, pictures and other material linking it with other relevant and useful websites. Face-to-face meetings Face-to-face meetings are pertinent as part of mobilization and also for the information and knowledge sharing. Among the communities of CKNP and DNP, the meeting will be held at different forums including communication organizations about the park management related issues and their role. Also the awareness sessions will be held on the ecological sensitivities. Reports and Formal documentation Reflecting the project activities reports and other documents will be shared with UNDP, partners and government institutions keeping in view the relevance.

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DELIVERABLE 2: INFORMATION ABOUT CKNP AND DNP INCLUDING ITS DEMOGRAPHICS, MAPS, TARGET COMMUNITY, VILLAGES, EXISTING LSO/ VCC AND AREAS REQUIRING COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION.

This section provides a general overview of the Central Karakorum National Park and the Deosai National Park. While there is a very comprehensive knowledge of CKNP thanks to the data collection done in the previous projects carried out in the area such as Karakorum Trust II and SEED Project phase I and II, the availability of information about DNP could be improved also to support the development of a specific Operational Plan that is lacking for this Protected area. Moreover, to so it is necessary to put together, information as well as to program field missions to improve the knowledge about this Park and to improve the available management documents.

THE CENTRAL KARAKORUM NATIONAL PARK 1. Introduction/Background The Central Karakorum National Park (CKNP), better identifiable as the Park of K2, is located in the Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan by bordering with China and India. Central Karakorum in the Northern Area of Pakistan is a mountain area endowed with rich biodiversity, superb natural beauty and important resources. It was declared the Central Karakoram National Park (CKNP) in 1993. Today it is Pakistan’s largest protected area, covering 10,557.73 km2 in the Central Karakorum mountain range, which includes K2, the second highest peak in the world. It occupies four administrative districts of the Gilgit-Baltistan Region. Pakistan Central Karakoram has not only the highest number of high mountain peaks in the world, but also the highest concentration of forests, pastures, biodiversity, medical plants and protected areas of the entire country. Therefore the Government of Pakistan notified the Central Karakorum National Park (CKNP) in December 1993, in order to protect and develop its huge potential.

1.2. The highest Park all over the world The CKNP encompasses the densest collection of the highest mountain peaks in the world. It includes four, out of the total fourteen, over-8,000-meter-high peaks on Earth − K2, 8611 m, Gasherbrum II, 8035 m, Gasherbrum I, 8080 m, Broad Peak, 8051 m − more than sixty peaks higher than 7,000 metres and more than 700 peaks above 6000 meters .The CKNP area is also the most heavily glaciated part of the world outside the polar regions. The Biafo Glacier, a 67 km-long glacier, meets the 49 km-long Hispar Glacier to create the world’s longest glacial system outside the polar regions. The Baltoro Glacier, 63 km in length, is also one of the longest glaciers in the world.

2. Localization and access The Central Karakorum National Park (CKNP), officially gazetted as national park in 1993, is the largest protected area of Pakistan, covering over 10,000 km2. It falls into four administrative districts of Gilgit-Baltistan Region.

The Gilgit Baltistan Region covers about 72,500 km2 in the north of Pakistan and it borders with China, Afghanistan and India. Its position represents one section of the Asian high-mountain system of Hindukush- Karakorum-West Himalaya (HKKH).

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For centuries, the Gilgit Baltistan was one of the most remote and inaccessible region of the sub- continent but, since 1965, roads to the southern lowlands of Pakistan connected the GB on a year- round basis. Then, the realization of the Karakorum Highway (completed in 1978) opened up the Gilgit Baltistan to a series of unprecedented changes (social, economic, cultural and environmental). The Karakorum Highway (KKH), linking Pakistan and China, crosses through the GB for about 840 km and provides them with a vital link to the rest of Pakistan. The road has also spawned a network of “jeepable” roads throughout the Region. The region now has hundreds of kilometres of roads, over 360 bridges and two substantial airports

Climate The Central Karakorum National Park’s area is part of the "transitional zone" between the arid Central Asia and the semi-humid subtropics of the South Asia. Local climate is characterized by greater precipitation in winter and spring and by the effects of arid continental climate in summer with sudden onsets of cold weather in early autumn. As a general rule, a decreasing humidity and an increasing significance of continental climate elements can be observed from south to north. The amount of precipitation increases with altitude, an essential precondition for the expanded glaciation of mountain peaks. At high altitudes generally, it occurs to have more snowfalls than rainfalls. Down the valleys, aridity prevails with an average annual precipitation of less than 300 mm . Average rainfall in the valleys is 100-300 mm most of which occurs during winter and early spring. Significant research on glaciers, water and snow melt has been carried out in the CKNP under Ev-K2- CNR/SEED project. CKNP is home to hundreds of peaks higher than 6000 m above sea level (a.s.l.), with wide mountain glaciers. This mountain range is being extensively investigated due to the so-called “Karakorum anomaly”, i.e. a general stability of many central Karakorum glaciers versus the general shrinking of eastern Himalayan and Tibetan glaciers. Despite this, changes in the “average” climate of the Pakistan northern areas, the region where the Karakorum is located, have been observed over the last century by the Pakistan Meteorological Department by analysing surface meteorological data. Moreover, studies carried out in the Upper Indus Basin have reported increasing winter precipitation/decreasing summer temperature over the last two-three decades. Together with the possible transport of short-lived climate forcers (like black carbon and surface ozone) up to the higher mountain, the observed change of meteorological regimes can impact both the mountain cryosphere and the hydrological system, with severe implications to the society and agriculture of the whole country: Karakorum hosts the Upper Indus Basin (UIB), which is one of the main catchment basins which supply irrigation water for Pakistan.

3. Ecological Zoning The great altitudinal range and the climatic conditions (considering, in particular, low precipitation and the effects of westerly humid winds) have carved out distinctive ecological zones, which have been identified on the basis of researches on vegetation and on the rich faunal component associated to each zone . The major ecological zones represented in CKNP are; - Alpine Dry Steppe (Artemisia-Steppe) - Sub-alpine Scrub Zone - Alpine Meadows and Alpine Scrub Zone Permanent Snowfields and Cold Deserts (Sub-Nival and Nival Zones)

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4. Land Cover The land cover map of the area indicates that a major part (66.5%) is covered by snow and glaciers. Bare rocks and bare soils also represent a substantial part (15.4%) of CKNP, whereas vegetation base classes represents about more than 14.7% of the area. Vegetation classes considered for the area are the followings: - Scattered vegetation - Sparse vegetation - Pasture and/or Meadows < 3,750 m a.s.l. - Pasture and/or Meadows > 3,750 m a.s.l. - Open forest - Closed forest - Cultivated areas

5. Fauna Mammals CKNP is a refuge area not only for threatened species, i.e. markhor, musk deer, urial and snow leopard, but also for not threatened but important “flag” species, i.e. blue sheep, ibex, lynx and wolf. The CKNP was proposed in the early 90s of the 20th century to protect the major mountain massifs, watersheds and glaciers of the Central Karakorum region and to constitute a contiguous conservation area with the Khunjerab National Park and the Deosai National Park. In CKNP area, brown bears are reported in low densities from Shigar, Baraldu and Baltoro Glacier, as well as from Nagir, Chaprote and Bar Nullah. Brown bears in the Baltoro valley subsisted mostly on grass and various roots.

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