making environmental sustainability a reality in Pakistan Authors: Rehan Rafay Jamil ZiaHashmi

Edited by: Mehreen Saeed Strategic Management Unit UNDP Pakistan.

UNDP is the UN's global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience andresources to help peoplebuilda better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw onthe people ofUNDPandourwide range ofpartners.

Front Cover: Children playing at Gwadar's Oman Beach. Illegal trawling and heavyport traffic is causing environmental degradation in the wetlands ofthe Makran Coast.

Foreword

akistan is home to some of the most beautiful and varied Ptopography. The majestic mountain valleys of Baltistan in the Himalayas, the Alpine forests ofSwat in the North West Frontier Province, the fertile agricultural lands of the Indus river in Punjab and Sindh, and the magnificent deserts and coastal beaches of Baluchistan are Pakistan's national treasures. The diverse landscape is rich in bio-diversity and communities to protect their environment home to many rare and endemic and improve lives. Each story highlights species ofplants and wildlife. However, some aspect of UNDP's efforts towards Pakistan's fragile ecosystem is under promoting sustainable development with threat. The country's forest cover which the support ofthe Ministry ofEnvironment, is only2.5% ofits total land area is being local and international development rapidly reduced by deforestation. partners and above all the communities Pakistan'swetlandswhich cover 9.7% of themselves. The stories reflect some ofthe the total surface area, are being diverse and pressing challenges facing degraded by pollution, urbanization, Pakistan, as well as innovative solutions to and lack of conservation efforts. These overcome them. From efforts to preserve environmental changes are in turn Ziarat's ancient Juniper forests, to affecting communities liVing across developing a comprehensive waste Pakistan, many of whom are amongst disposal mechanism for the Shandur Polo the poorest in the country. Festival, to community efforts in Dera Ismail Khan to prevent illegal trade in soft-shell The challenges facing Pakistan in turtles, each story is a testament to how promoting environmental communities were able to make positive conservation as an integral part of sustainable changes in their lives. sustainable development are significant. Like many countries around It is my hope that these stories will help the world, Pakistan is experiencing the bring a few of the voices of Pakistan's most effects ofclimate change, compounded marginalized and impoverished by loss in biodiversity, shrinking forest communities into the ongoing cover and the degradation of its development debate. Communities must wetlands. The greatest challenge for be engaged in the development process, Pakistan is endemic poverty and because only then will ourefforts to achieve unsustainable development which environmental sustainability be more threatens to harm the fragile impactful and deliverthe maximum benefit. ecosystems and uproot indigenous populations from the land of their ancestors. Alvaro Rodriguez To mark the Year ofEnvironment, UNDP Country Director, UNDP Pakistan has produced a compilation of ten stories highlighting the human dimension of our work with

Engaging Communities

Gwadar practice sus ina fishing. Is is because we bow the s as and understand the I portance of easonal Ing. However, tHe trawlers ~ that come into our COCISt are just concerned with making profits at all coasts and it is these people w 0 are de leting the f hing po tlons of the kran coast": Abdul Aziz Fisherman from Gwadarclty.

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clean and preserve its ecological systems Salmon has led to the depletion ofstocks and bio-diversity. The high visibility with devastating consequences for the slogans are a reminder to both local livelihoods oflocal fishermen. residents and tourists of the ecological importance of Pakistan's coastal areas. As Abdul Aziz, a resident of Gwadar, and the number of tourists coming Gwadar member of the city's fisher folk increases, there is aneed toclean thecity's community, insists that for the most part picturesque beaches and ensure that local fishermen practice sustainable both local residents and tourists do not fishing. He says the illegal trawling has contribute to the destruction ofGwadar's devastated the local fishermen's coastline. livelihoods. Although trawling is illegal along Balochistan Coast. Aziz says that the Sustainable Fishing: The Life trawlers, backed by powerful mafias in Line oftheMakran Coast Karachi, routinely fish in the waters of Baluchistan. "The fishermen of Gwadar practice sustainable fishing. This is because The imposing Koh-e-Batil mountains we know the seas and understand the loom over Gwadar's sapphire blue importance af seasonal fishing. Hawever, harbour, where local fishermen still dock the trawlers that come into our coast are their traditionally made wooden boats as just concerned with making profits at all part oftheir daily routine to capture fresh costs and it is these people who are produce. The majority of Gwadar's depleting the fishing populations of the residents are employed in the fishing coast~ industry. But the fishermen now have to go further into the Arabian Sea to catch Since the 1970's,trawlers from Sindh have fish, once found in abundance off the moved into the coast of Baluchistan, and coast of Gwadar. Local fishermen claim practiced illegal bottom trawling in the that pollution and illegal bottom trawling area. The trawlers use nets that rope in a primarily from the neighboring province varietyoffish and othersea life ofminimal of Sindh, has led to a rapid depletion in economic benefit buthigh environmental fishing populations. In many other parts value. This kind of unsustainable fishing of the world, over fishing of certain disturbs the entire life cycle ofmany types species of fish such as Cod, Tuna and ofmarine life. Engaging Communities

Wind turbines generate electricity using wind pressure. This is considered one of the most promIsIng green technologies at a time when the world faces the unprecedented challenges of climate change and creatIng clean, efficient and renewable energy sources. Wind technology Is relatIvely new in Pakistan, yet it has huge potentIal to help meet the country's growing energy needs Wind Energy Brings Light to Coastal Communities Exploring Innovative Ways to Reduce Poverty in Coastal Communities

arran is one the many small Darran's vIrgin beaches are also the villages scattered along the nesting ground forthe endangered Green DMakran coast. It has a population Turtle {Chelonia mydas}, once found of 200 residents. It is a 90-minute drive throughout the Arabian Sea. The turtles from Gwadar city and is located close to are frequently hit bythe growing number the Iranian border. Yet Darran has ofships, oil tankers, and other vessels that changed little over the centuries. It has no enter the Makran Coast en route to the electricity, gas or access to a nearby main Persian Gulf, which has become one ofthe road. Living conditions in the village are busiest shipping areas in the region. PWP extremely basic. has been working with communities in Darran to protectthe nesting sights ofthe Darran has asmall public school building, turtles and simultaneously bring but there are no classes held there. Like sustainable development to this hundreds of abandoned government impoverished community. schools across Pakistan, commonly referred to as "ghost schools, it lies Community members keep a record of unused. The people of Darran are still the number of eggs laid by each turtle awaiting the fruits of development during the breeding season, and then promised to the people of the Makran help release the new-born turtles safely coast. into the Arabian sea. Local residents say the number of Green turtles coming to Green Turtle nesting sights on the beaches of Darran for nesting is Darran Beach: decreasing each year. Already the signs of pollution are beginning to show effects on the Makran Coast's beaches. The black Unlike other inhabitants of the Makran Coast, people of Darran's depend on residue of oil which leaks from passing ships and oil tankers, dotsthe white sandy farming and some fishing for livelihoods.

Engaging Communities

There was a time when Karachi's coastline and much of the nearby Indus River Delta was covered with dense Mangrove forests, known in Sindhi as nmar. However, rapid urban development, land reclamation projects, illegal encroachments and deforestation has resulted in the destruction of the majority of the city's mangrove forests.

Some of Karachi's last remaIning UNDP " GEF'S Small Grant mangrove forests can be found in Kemari, Programme Supports Mangrove near the city's harbor and in the coastal areas and islands near the city. But these Eco-tourism forests are also under threat. Illegal urban encroachments now compete with some The future for Kaka Pir, like so many ofthe of the city's last remaining mangrove fisher folk communities of Karachi, which forests for land. Local NGOs have been are fast disappearing seemed grim. But in active in demanding thatthegovernment 2004, afew members ofthe village led by take action to preserve Karachi's Hajji Mohammad Siddiq, decided to take mangrove forests. While some steps have matters into their own hands. The group been taken, the constant pressures for land in Karachi have made the struggle to preserve the mangrove forests a difficult one.

The Residents of Kaka Pir Take MattersintoTheirOwn Hands

The small village ofKaka Pir is located near Karachi's Sandspit beach. The beach is a popular recreational spot for Karachites and is also a nesting spot of the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydasJ once found in abundance along the coast of Karachi. Kaka Pir is home to some of Karachi's last remaining mangrove forests. The sewerage-infested Lyari River flows directly into these mangrove forests before draining into the Arabian Sea. It is remarkable that in spite ofthe thick black came together and established a sewerage-infested water, the mangrove Community Based Organization (CBO) forests of Kaka Pir have still managed to called the Kaka Pir Fisherfolk survive. Residents say the waters of this DevelopmentOrganization. area were once rich with shrimps, crabs and many varieties offish. Today the only In July 200B, the Kaka Pir Fisher folk fish that survives in the area is locally Development Organization was able to referred to as the "Black Fish~ a species successfully obtain a grant from UNDP's that has adapted tothe polluted waters of and The Global Environmental Fund's the Mangroveforests. (GEF)'s Small Grants Program (SGP). SGP supports activities of non-governmental The sewerage and waste has almost and community-based organizations in destroyed the livelihoods of the developing countries in combating fishermen of Kaka Pir. Like their kinsmen climate change, conservation of in Shams Pir, they must nowtravel further biodiversity, protection of international into the coast ofBaluchistan to catch fish, waters, reduction of the impact of once found in abundance offthe coast of persistent organic pollutants and Sindh. Unemployment in the coastal prevention of land degradation while villages is high. Many fishermen have generating sustainable livelihoods. been forced to leave the trade and seek employment elsewhere is Karachi The grant obtained by the Kaka Pir Fisher because of the dwindling profits in the Folk Foundation by SGP has helped the Engaging Communities fisher folk community of Kaka Pir underway to secure similar funding for a implement an innovative idea to promote teacher to give lessons to the boys ofthe eco-tourism and protect the mangrove village.lnJanuary2009, the Kaka Pir Fisher forests near the village. The fishermen Folk Organization also obtained plan to develop the once desolate corporate funding to help pay for the mangrove forests near Kaka Pir, into a installation ofpipes in Kaka Pir, which will model for conservation and protection. bring water directly to the homes of the The community members hope that by villagers. It is unique examples of preserving the mangrove forests they can corporate social reasonability in practice encourage environmentally in Pakistan, helping communities change conscientious tourism in the area and their lives. highlight the importance of mangrove forests forthe coastal areas ofPakistan. Kaka Pir did not have health facilities until recently. Abdul Ghani has provided his The community has already purchased a home to local doctor, who visits the small boat to take tourists and students village for a few hours daily and provides from both private and public schools around the winding rivulets of the mangrove forests, while a second larger boat is in the final stages of completion. Small watchtowers have already been setup in the mangrove forests, where tourists can now sit amidst the mangrove forests and observe numerous varieties of birds including several species of migratory cranes, pond herons, black and white egrets, white pelicans and seagulls that still live in the mangroves. Abdul Ghani, the President ofthe Kaka Pir Fisher folk Development Organization, says they have elaborate plans forthe area.'Weplan to establish marked trails in mangrove forests, smallsheds andfloating huts where tourists can sit and enjoy a traditional Sindhi sea-food meal and we event plan to train local fife guards andprovide first aid~ Abdul Ghani is convinced that the basic health care to the people of the preservation ofthe mangrove forests will village. For all other treatments the bring much needed employment and villagers must go to government and prosperitytothe people ofKaka Pir. private hospitals in Karachi. Butthattoo is about to change. A Mother and Child The changes in the area are already Health Care Center is in the final stages of beginning to bear fruit. The community completion in Kaka Pir. The construction has obtained funding from a local of facility is being paid for by a company to pay for a teacher and for multinational bank, and will provide books to enable the girls ofthe village to treatment to the community for one year. attend the local government primary The community hopes that once the school. The government primary school UNDP funded eco-tourism project building, like thousands 'Ghost schools' becomes successful they will be able to across Pakistan, had been abandoned continue paying the salaries ofthe staffof after the government stopped funding the MotherandChild Health Care Center. local teachers. Community members say attendance amongst female students The success story of the villagers of Kaka from the village is high. Plans are now Pir, have inspired neighboring

Engaging Communities communities such as the residents ofthe island of Shams Pir to follow their Modern Threats to an Ancient example. Abdul Ghani and his colleague Community Abdul Hamid regularly visit Shams Pir and meet local community members, But the biggest threat facing encouraging them to follow their communities such as Kaka Pir and their example and mobilize by building a mangrove forests is the rapid and community plan. Their message has unstoppable growth ofthe city ofKarachi. slowly begun to bear fruit. Although Community members say, despite their Initially the villagers of Shams Pir were best efforts to preserve the mangrove skeptical, seeing the changes in Kaka Pir forests, they cannot sustain it unless the brought home the idea thatcommunities government makes efforts to both legally can help themselves if they come protect the remaining mangrove forests together. The residents of Shams Pir have and create acomprehensive plan to clean now begun renovating the large the water ofthe Lyari River. government school building, derelict from years of neglect. Currently there are In 2006, Karachi's City Government no functional schools on the island, but announced a controversial plan to re­ residents ofthe island hope thatfollowing develop over 60,000 acres of land along the example of Kaka Pir they can also the city's seafront from, including bring development to Shams Pir. Sandspit, Manora and Hawks Bay Residents have even begun to see the beaches. The plan involves the relocation value in preserving the mangrove forests ofover 100 of Karachi's traditional goaths that surround the island. MNow if such as Kaka Pir and Shams Pir, affecting contractors from Karachi come to cut the an estimated 200,000 people, to make mangroves for wood, we stop them' insists way for a new multi-million dollar Abdul Latif, a local resident from Shams development called 'Sugarland City." The Pir.

Engaging Communities government has already sold the largely Kaka Pir are slowly beginning to bear the uninhibited islands ofBundiari and Dingri fruits of their small but pioneering to a multinational property developer, initiative in partnership with UNDP to who plans to build luxury villas and preserve their way life. But they are aware apartments on the islands. The proposed that unless the government supports project has led to widespread resistance their initiative, their ancient villages and amongst the indigenous people of the mangroves forests will become part ofthe area, who fear one day in the not so folklore ofKarachi. distant future the villages in which their communities have lived for centuries will be forced to relocate. Source:

Members of Kaka Pir actively took part in Jamil, Rehan. R. Field Interviews, Kaka Pir the "Sahel Bachao" (Save Our Coast) and Shams PirViliages,Jan 2009 movement,which consisted ofavarietyof local coastal communities from Sindh and Baluchistan, several local NGOs, civil society members and citizens from Karachi. The protests led the halting ofthe construction on Bundiar and Dingri, but it remains unclear whether the plans to develop "Sugarland" will continue. Abdul Ghani, who actively took part in the protests says "We are the indigenous people of Karachi, who have lived in this area before the Arabs invaded Sindh in the 1" Century. Now government and land grabbers want to evict us from our homes anddestroy ourwayoflife, butwe willresist it", he somberly notes.Today the people of

Engaging Communities The Kehals have traditionally been fishermen. However, decades of grinding poverty has forced many of them to take-up catching soft-shell turtles, once found In abundance in the waters of theIndusRiver

."",.. a d rg ntJ/lzed a unless mcJft! meaIUII5 an!1aII!n b' ICGfIGmlc up/IfffheymuidbefDad fDllllUmfDrlleDad& Dera Ismail Khan's Turtle Catchers Turn into Conservationists The Kehal community: Catching Turtles for a living

Faizallah Urs Faizo has been catching turtles for a living for the last three years. It's an unusual profession in Pakistan, a country where turtle meat is not popular, as many consider it to be against Islamic dietary restrictions. Faizo comes from the nomadic Kehal community, who live along the banks of the Indus River in the district of Dera Ismail Khan, in the NWFP. Soft-shell turtle meat fetches a high price from international vendors and is the primary reason why Faizo turned to this lucrative business. The Kehals have traditionally been fishermen. However, decades of grinding poverty has forced many of them to take-up catching soft­ shell turtles, once found in abundance in the waters of the Indus River. "We are extremely poor" says Faizo. "Fish costs 25 rupees a kilo and turtle's meat fetches up to Programme (PWP) initiated conservation 300 rupees a kilo from vendors. ..• we de project in the area there had been few need the money to survive, that's why we initiatives by the government to seriously catch the turtles~ address conservation of Pakistan's soft­ shell turtles. One of the four Pakistan is home to eight species of demonstration sites of PWP is the Central freshwater turtles, all ofthese species are Indus Wetlands Complex (CIWC). It under threat from illegal hunting for meat consists of wetland resources along the and shells. According to local main stem ofthe Indus River, between the communities, all eight species of town ofChashma in the North and city of freshwater turtles are found in River Indus Sukkur in the South. Controlling illegal and its tributaries. The species found in hunting and improving livelihoods are the Indus River include the Ganges soft­ integral partsofCIWC. shell turtles, Smith's turtle, Indian Roofed Turtle, and Indus Mud Turtles are in The Kehals ofDera Ismail Khan have been abundance. involved in capturing Ganges soft-shell turtles (Aspideretes gangeticus) and In the provinces of Sindh and Punjab, Peacock soft-shell turtles (Aspideretes wildlife legislation has been amended to hurum), which are listed on the IUCN's protect freshwater turtles after efforts by "Red List" of endangered species. The UNDP. If a turtle meat or shell techniques of capturing turtles are consignment is found itis confiscated.The traditional. They use spear rod (Songolo), offender is given an option, either to go to net with hooks called (Teenc/) to capture court or solve the matter internally with turtles. They fit nets in shallow water and the department by paying a fine. check them for turtles, twice a day; early However, the laws are rarely implemented morning and in theevening. and until UNDP's Pakistan Wetlands

Engaging Communities Threatened With Extinction Faizo and his family live in tents along the banks of the Indus River, in the village of After conducting extensive surveys in the Toya Siyal, a community of about 1200 area, the PWP team discovered that people. Livings conditions in the village populations of three soft-shell turtle are extremely basic. There is no electricity, species of Pakistan are under severe gas, or asingle school in the entire village. threat duetoan increase in turtle hunting. Faizo believes that poverty and lack of The NWFP Wildlife Department, taking opportunities are the main reasons why notice of the urgency of the issue, people like himself, have resorted to undertook the initiative to protect catching turtles. The Kehals are landless freshwater turtles in the province. On fishermen and amongst the most August 22"', 2007, the NWFP Wildlife Act, economically marginalized communities 1975,was amended and all thefreshwater in Pakistan. The entrenched system of turtles of the province were included in feudalism, which still continues in the the list ofprotected animals. area, impedes social mobility and development in the area. Faizo says the The Kehals hunt soft-shell turtles because Kehals are paid less by local landlords for their chest pellicles and pastoron are in working on their land as compared to high demand in international markets. other communities. As a result, many Parts ofthe rare soft- shell turtles are used villagers have resorted to begging in in traditional Chinese medicines, while nearbytownsjustto survive. the abundantly found hard-shell species are not commercially important. Providing Sustainable Freshwater turtles are heaVily exploited Alternatives for food and in some cases for medicine, particularly in Southeast Asia and China, The Kehal's has adopted selling of turtle where harvesting levels are unsustainably parts as their profession because of the high. Many species are now threatened lack of other options. Most of them are with extinction because of this unstable willing to leave the trade if viable trade. Turtle traders act as middlemen in alternative sources of income are this flourishing business and offer provided. PWP has launched series of handsome amounts of money to initiatives to engage the Kehal encourage the impoverished community in conservation efforts, while communities such as the Kehal to adopt simultaneously addressing their the profession. economic needs by focusing on capacity building, conservation, education and Engaging Communities awareness. In order to provide them with providing alternative economic alternatives sources of livelihood, PWP is opportunities, we need to mobilizereligious encouraging the development of the leaders and community elders to increase local cottage industry of mat and basket awareness about the benefits of making. It is working with the Kehal conservation~ PWP is in the process of community to improve their livelihoods preparing awareness materials on through improved marketing practices freshwater turtles in English and Urdu and holding exhibitions oftheirproducts. languages.

PWP is also promoting awareness about Faizoo is hopeful that education can the need for conservation with transform the circumstances in which he government authorities and local and his fellow villagers live. "We need to communities. In this regard, PWP is establish aschoolin ourvillage. Education is working towards increasing the capacity the key to changing the conditions af the of the NWFP Wildlife, Fisheries and people here and ending the turtle trade." custom departments in turtle parts UNDP's work is the first glimmer of hope, identification.Turtle hatcheries have been in what will be a long road ahead for created in collaboration with the NWFP development to come to this Wildlife Department to protect the impoverished area. But Faizoo and many offspring ofsoft-shell turtles. Community others like him in the Kehal community of Based Organizations (CBOs) have been Dera Ismail Khan are eagerly awaiting established to conserve freshwater these changes. turtles. Nest protection of the turtles during breeding season is also promoted Sources: through the CBOs. Noureen, U. and Khan, A. 2007. Education and Poverty "Freshwater Turtles ofPakistan, Dera Ismail Alleviation Drivers of Change Khan, North West Frontier Province" . Pakistan Wetlands Programme. pp 23. Khalil Kundi, an employee of the NWFP Wildlife Department says awareness is slowly growing in the community, but a lot more needs to be done. "In addition to

Engaging Communities --...... Rejuvenating life on the banks of the Indus River A Village Comes Together To Solve Its Own Problems:

very month the men of the small village of Hunjarai located near the Ebanks of the Indus River come together for an important meeting. They gather in the open fields and sit on charpays (beds), while some of the elders smoke Hookah, and of course everyone drinks chai. It could be a typical village gathering anywhere in Pakistan, except the monthly gathering in Hunajari is for a Village Community Council (VCC) meeting, where villagers discuss major socio-economic and environmental issues and howto develop ajoint strategy to overcome these problems. Community members heatedly discuss everything from agriculture to water problems and depleting fishing stocks in the melodious and seasonally flooded depressions in the Seraiki language spoken in this region. Itis flood plain. It is also rich is wildlife being generally an informal and relaxed home to 66 different species of birds. In meeting and everyone has a chance to addition, the Indus River supports more have their voice heard. A similar but than 9S,*, of the surviving population of separate gathering is conducted by the the endangered Indus River women of the village, who much like the Dolphin(Platanistaminor). men gather to discuss their own problems. Hunjarai is home to over two hundred families and is one of the many Community gatherings such as impoverished villages in the Panchayats or Jirgas are still common in Muzarfargarh district ofSouthern Punjab. many parts ofrural Pakistan. Most ofthese Mostofthe people ofthevillage are either meetings are dominated by the village farmers or fishermen. For centuries their elders, or local landlords. But the WC of livelihoods have been based on the Indus Hunjarai is different because it has no River, which provides water for the established hierarchy and primarily aims cultivation of rice, sugarcane and many to provide a platform to all community other crops in the green agricultural fields members to have a voice in the surrounding the village. Fishing on the development of their area. The VCC in Indus River is also prevalent in the area. Hunjarai is just one ofthe many setup by The local Mohanna fishermen spend their Pakistan Wetlands Progamme (PWP) in days catching fresh produce to sell to villages throughout the Central Indus contractors tomakea living. Wetlands Complex, an important Wetlands region that spreads from Hunjaral: AVillage Struggling To Stand Chashma in Punjab to Sukkur in Upper On ItsFeet Sindh. The topography of the area includes braided and meandering river Life is tough in Hunjarai. There is no gas or channels, islands, dhands or oxbow lakes electricity in the village and the nearest

Engaging Communities main road is 17 kilometers away. Villagers agricultural produce grown. Villagers must rely on traditional methods of complain thattheonly proper roads in the transport such as donkey or camel carts district lead to the lands of the MGodhas", justto gettoa main road. Since there is no the Seraiki word for landlords, which is a hospital or clinic in the vicinity of the ubiquitous term in the region. Like many village, people must make the long other parts of rural Punjab, the caste journey to the towns ofMuzzafargarh city system is still strong here. Villagers or Kot Addu in order to get medical generally only marry within their own assistance. There is anew school bUilding caste and theVillagers ofthe poorercastes in the village, complete with chairs and a are often the most economically blackboard, but it lies vacant. marginalized in the area. Rapid Government authorities built the school urbanization and changing social norms but only after three months, stopped is putting pressure on thefeudal and caste sending a teacher to the village. system but in many of the villages of Remarkably the villagers of Hunjarai have Southern Punjab like Hunjarai, these taken matters into their own hands, and systems remain deeplyentrenched. the community pays for a teacher to provide a primary education to both boys Economic Development and and girls in the village mosque. Most of Environmental Conservation: Hunjarai's children end their formal education in their early teenage years, PWP has been working with people in onlya handful goon forfurther education Hunjarai and many other communities for which they must travel to nearby along the Indus River to raise awareness towns. about the value of their natural environment and how to utilize it in a Large feudal landholdings are prevalent sustainable way. The Indus River and its in many parts of Southern Punjab and vast network of link canals that sustain Sindh, impeding economic and social agriculture here, are home to many development in the area. Many poor important species of wildlife. The Indus farmers work on the estates of the local Dolphin (Platanista Minor) is one of the landlords in return for a small share ofthe most unusual and rare specifies ofdolphin

Engaging Communities and is endemic to this part of the Indus River. It is estimated that the 1,100 Indus Dolphins that exist today and are a small fraction of their former range are limited only to the lower regions of the Indus River in Pakistan. Water pollution, trapping in fishing nets, and a loss of habitat due to the construction of dams and barrages have been a major reason for their decline. Many dolphins get trapped in the irrigation canals that take water out of the Indus. Residents of Hunjarai say that dolphins were once common in this part of the Indus River several decades ago. However, now they are rarely seen and are mostlyfound in the nearbydistrict ofTausa and parts ofUpper Sindh. Other rare species found in the area include several varieties of soft-shell turtles, and hog-deer which until recently were frequently hunted in thearea.

PWP has been working with the Efficient Stoves: Simple Technology community of Hunjarai to promote Makesa Big Difference sustainable development. Highlighting the importance of environmental Khuda Bux has four daughters and fours conservation is achallenging task in areas sons. He lives with his family in one ofthe such as Hunjarai, where there is such a many mud-baked houses ofHunjarai. Like high level of economic deprivation. Yet many villagers in Hunjarai, Khuda Bux is a the villagers have been remarkably farmer. The courtyard of his home now supportive in efforts to protect their has a new addition in the form of an natural environment. The vee agreed to efficient clay stove. Because there is no ban the hunting of soft shell turtles an gas or electricity in Hunjarai, most of the increasingly lucrative trade along the villagers cook their food on traditional banks of the Indus River. But people in clay stoves which burn wood to make fire. Hunjarai complain thatthe local landlords The smoke created by the firewood used and 'contractors' known as 'thekaidars' to result in a variety of respiratory still regularly hunt animals and practice ailments amongst the village women. unsustainable fishing in the Indus River. Moreover, the traditional clay stoves The political influence wielded by the required large amount of firewood, landlords and contractors, many ofwhom compelling the villagers to cut the are involved in flourishing businesses increasingly scant forests around selling fish and turtle meat, leaves Hunjarai. villagers helpless to stop them. "The contactors backed by local landlords To help solve this challenge, PWP employpeople who come andillegallyhunt introduced the simple technology of turtles, fish andbirds in thearea. Noonecan efficient stoves in the area. The efficient stop them even though the depletion offish stoves are a modified version of the stocks is having a direct impact on local traditional stove, but are covered and fishermen's income and the illegal turtle contain long exhaust pipes which trade is contributing to pollution in the chanelizes the smoke out. These stoves Indus River 'says Khuda Bux, a resident of require significantly less firewood and Hunjarai. also prevent the user from inhaling

Engaging Communities dangerous carbon monoxide gasses degradations ofthewetlands ofthe Indus produced by burning firewood. The River. As in Hunjarai, villagers in Bhet Gujji introduction ofthe efficient stoves in the are forced to use firewood to cook food village has been a major success and and keep their houses warm in the winter. many villagers are keen to have one This burdensome task usually falls upon installed in their homes as well. PWP has the women of the village who must installed seven efficient stoves in Hunjarai collect the fuel wood, which typically as a pilot project and plans to install over takes uptothree hours each day. one hundred efficient stoves in the village in 2009. The construction and installation PWP has installed the first ofwhatit hopes of each stove costs Rs. 750, for which the will be many bio-gas plants in the village community provides a 20% contribution. in November 200B. The bio-gas plants The introduction ofsimple technology of convert manure into natural gas, making efficient stoves in Hunjarai will greatly it a cheap, clean and renewable form of reduce the use of firewood in the village energy. The bio-gas plants replace nearly and prevent many respiratory diseases all the use offuel wood, and make cooking amongst community members, easier, cleaner and safer. Bio-gas can particularlywomen. provides safer lighting as well replacing the traditional kerosene lights used in the Bhet Gujji: A Pioneering Bio-Gas village. The reduction in unsustainable Village fuel wood usage not only reduces carbon dioxide emissions but the effluents In thevillage ofBhet Gujji, in the district of derived from the bio-gas plant serve as Liyyah, PWP has initiated a unique valuable organic compost for agricultural experiment.The village, which is home to use. Each bio-gas plant can produce about 2000 people recently obtained sufficient energy for unto three houses. electricity but like so many other villages PWP plans to install ten bio-gas plants in in the district does not have access to Bhet Gujji in 2009, handing them over to natural gas. The lack of access to gas has the people of the village who will be put a huge strain ofthe natural resources responsible for their maintenance after of the area, and has led to the they have been installed. By introducing 1!!l!If---- Engaging Communities IIiI the blo-gas technology in Bhet Gujji, PWP Source: hopes the village will adopt the technology and turn in a model-bio-gas Jamil, Rehan. R. Field Interviews, Hunjari, village. Muzzafargarh and Bhet Gujji, Liyyah Jan 2009. Endemic Poverty: The Biggest Challenge for Sustainable Development

The Central Indus Wetlands Complex encompasses some of the poorest districts in Southern Punjab and Upper Sindh. Efforts to introduce environmental conservation in the area cannot succeed without a concerted plan to address the related Issues of endemic poverty in the area. High levels of iiliteracy, poor access to health facilities and lack of access to electricity and gas still hinders the progress ofmany people in this region. Yet there is hope. Innovative and cost effective solutions such as bio-gas plants and efficient stoves can help make sustainable development a reality in the area. These simple technologies can transform the quality of life ofmillions of people living in villages across Pakistan, and help preserve ourwetlands. IIAIthough Juniper forests are found in others parts of Baluchistan as well, such as the Zarghoon valley, the Juniper forests of Ziarat are believed to be the largest natural Juniper forests in Pakistan, and the second oldest in the world after the Juniper forests of California. Junipers are one of the slowest growing trees in the world and are often called llliving fossils" because of theirlongevity" Sustaining a Treasured Life Amid Ziarat's Juniper Forests Ziarat valley's Ancient Juniper Forests Under threat

he Juniper forests located in the emphasize the need for effective serene valley of Ziarat in preservation and conservation to TBalochistan are an important part of safeguard this heritage. Development the ecological heritage of Pakistan. These organizations have joined hands to treasured natural resources are known to initiate constructive conservation plans have world's oldest and tallest Juniper including efforts to sustain the benefits trees, which serve as the principal source for the dependent communities whose of livelihood for the local populace while traditional agricultural methods may not offering rare tourist attractions. Ziarat was be sustainable. a favorite summer hill station of the founder of Pakistan, Mohammad Ali Ziarat's Juniper forests known locally as Jinnah. It was here that he spent the last "Sanober" cover alandscape of100,000 ha days ofhis life. Ziarat's natural habitats are in the Ziarat Valley. Although Juniper centuries old, housing some important forests are found in others parts of ecological systems. Adistinctbutvaluable Balochistan such as the Zarghoon valley, feature of Balochistan's queen forests is the forests ofZiarat are believed to be the the longevity of Juniper trees which on largest in Pakistan, and the second oldest the average ranges from 1500 to 2500 in the world. Junipers are one of the years making the forests system a rare slowest growing trees in theworld and are national asset. often called "liVing fossils" because of their longevity. This makes the loss ofthe The worldwide movement to preserve Juniper forest cover particularly alarming, world heritage sites on the verge of as the trees take decades to grow to extinction has brought thejuniperforests maturity. under the spotlight. Environmentalists

Engaging Communities UNDP Engages Communities In channels significantly improving the Conservation Efforts ecological balance and condition of Junipers, enabling communities tosecure Realizing the urgent need to protectthese their livelihoods. ancient forests, UNDP in collaboration with International Union for Conservation Although the valleys of Ziarat are still of Nature (IUCN), has launched the dotted with beautiful Juniper trees, the "Mainstreaming Biodiversity into area has suffered both man-made and Production Systems in the Juniper Forest natural calamities.The Ziarat Valley which Ecosystem" project. This unique is located is 8000 feet above sea level has development intervention has two main traditionally been facing water scarcity objectives. Firstly, it aims to protect and problems due to prolonged droughts.The preserve Ziarat's Juniper forests and last big droughtfrom 1998 to 2004caused secondly, it provides benefits of considerable hardship for the sustainable development to the local communities and was extremely communities for whom this is a principal detrimental to the Junipers trees and source of income. The project started in harmed the biological diversity of Ziarat 2007, and is working extensively to as well. reduce the negative impacts of livestock grazing and weed collection for energy Improved Irrigation Brings Life to The purposes. It also promotes the collection FruitOrchards ofZiarat of medicinal plants, controls soil erosion, and regulates hunting, tourism, Faced with this natural disaster, the watershed management and other people ofZiarat relied on traditional water ecosystem services. channels to irrigate their precious cherry and apple orchards. Water courses led to Among the many initiatives under this the formation of ponds and caused project, the preservation of water frequent disruptions such as landslides resources for the health and well-being of which blocked these water channels. Juniper treasures is the most notable. To Outdated water channels constrained the preserve water, the project strengthens options for local farmers to meaningfully watersheds and underground water cultivate their lands for on which they were dependent.

UNDP has engaged communities in Ziarat to develop their own solutions for timely provision of water for orchards, livestock and households. The local communities were mobilized by project staff who encouraged them to resolve their problems collectively. The project promoted the concept of community­ based organizations in the Ziarat valley. Khairullah, a farmer from Ziarat who heads one such community-based organization stated "A 900-feet water pipeline was installed in our village with our own contributions and support from UNDP. This has marked aturning point for my community of around 30 houses. 18 members ofmyorganization pooled in Rs. 21,000 while project allocated Rs. 120,000 to make thisdream come true."

Engaging Communities the recent earthquake in Ziarat would have caused immense destruction. The water courses were protected by concrete slabs and landslides caused by the earthquake cauld not hamper the flow af water to communities, orchards andforests:

Mr. Ghulam reiterates 'l<1s such no direct damage was caused by the earthquake because ithitthe lowlying areas awayfrom Ziarat valley, where the project is working. Had there been no slabs on the water In the past women had to walk a channels, there would have been serious considerable distances to fetch water. disruption of the water supply; he added Now with a 900- feet long pipeline while stating that flood protection connected to a 10-year old well, the structures played a big role in stopping women in Khairullah's community don't the deforestation. face this problem anymore. The pipeline brings water from a natural source which Mr. Ghulam says Mini dams increased is stored in a nearby well. "Drinking water water availability which ensured the was neverso easily available to us. Nowour regeneration of Juniper vegetation and orchards are green and our children and saved the trees which were under stress. women can focus on more productive .Regarding reforestation measures to activities because of the time they save; conserve the Juniper forests in the valley, Khairullah proudly boasted while adding Mr. Ghulam noted "A few nurseries have "this water is a source oflife notonly for us been set up for the benefitofthe forests and but also for our livestock whose health around 50,000 plants have been planted visiblyimprovedafterthe installation ofthis including shrubs and 45000 thousand pipeline." walnutsplants toprotectarchards. This way a mainsource oflivelihoodis saved." UNDP has helped preserved water in the villages surrounding Ziarat valleys. "Our Responding to UNDP's initiative, project has helped build flood-protection communities in Ziarat have taken the walls through embankments which have opportunity to preserve their timeless saved around 15 to 20 productive but very Juniper companions whose existence is vulnerable agricultural lands including essential for their livelihood.The project's forests; Mr. Ghulam Syed, the Project success lies in its promotion of local Manager remarked. He maintained that ownership, grass root initiatives and 'water availability helped women wash collective action which has helped clothes within the privacy of their homes conserve the centuries-old treasure and ensured by the newly constructed water made communities realize that they have channels andcourses." a pivotal role in the solution to their local development issues. Water Courses Limit the Damage of an Earthquake

The income of the community has increased on a self-help basis, an approach that is promoted by the project. Water channels which were vulnerable to natural calamities have now been protected. Citing a recent example, Mr. Ghulam said 'Were itnotfor ourinitiatives,

Engaging Communities refarll!Sbldan d areas Is a viable and realistic Empowerment Comes to Ziarat Socio-Economic Development Through Community Participation

With a comparatively better record of human development indicators compared to other parts of Balochistan, communities of Ziarat in northern Balochistan, have set an impressive example by initiating successful socio economic community uplift programmes through collective action and mobilization. These community-led initiatives mainly revolve around farming methods, agricultural techniques, livestock and innovative income generation activities.

The inhabitants ofZiarat live in the valleys surrounded by idyllic fruit orchards and Juniper forests. But in spite of the development in Ziarat, residents still have limited access to basic amenities of education, fresh drinking water and health facilities. This de-motivates people makes them pessimistic about their future. The predicament faced by the has made considerable progress in women ofZiarat tells its own story of lack catalyzing behavior change, modernizing of opportunity, restricted freedoms and traditional patterns of livelihoods and choices. However, these patterns have environmental preservation. Capitalizing slowly started changing thanks to a joint on the overpowering sense ofcommunal partnership between development welfare already present, UNDP unveiled a organizations, local communities and number of initiatives calling for government institutions such as forest community engagement and collective department and some local government action to address previously difficult authorities. problems.

Keeping in view the ecological Improving Livelihoods importance of the areas and the poor living conditions of the local population, Agricultural land and livestockare thetwo UNDP has undertaken a bold main sources of income generation for development programme for Ziarat's communities in Ziarat. UNDP has uplift and conservation of the Juniper supported the communities in these forests in 2007. For the first time, the areas, keeping in mind that they have to community saw a real opportunity for move to warmer places during the winter, improved living conditions as well as taking their livestock with them. It is protection of their most valuable natural extremely difficult for these communities assets. UNDP's project "Mainstreaming to survive and sustain their livelihoods in Biodiversity Conservation into Production these harsh conditions. The communities Systems in the Juniper Forest Ecosystem" have no option but to make this yearly

Engaging Communities

funds to 0 scheme ofselfhelp in which 2096 droughts, the project beneficiaries have resources were generated by these 10 demonstrated great resilience in helping women organizations. As a result, each each other during times of tragedy house which has contributedfunds nowhas particularly when the recent earthquake 2 to 3 sets ofsmall poultry units at home struck Ziarat district on October 30th each having around 11 hens. These women 2008. Although people at the project are makingmoneybyselling eggs."The next location felt the tremors, there was no phase of project intends to focus on visible destruction around the project improving marketing skills. This has been location. However the project identified as a missing link in the beneficiaries provided humanitarian empowerment the project hopes to reliefin the affected neighboring districts. achieve. According to the Project Manager, Syed Ghulam Mohammad, the project joined Enabling Communities For Income hands with the local beneficiaries and Generation took part in relief work. They provided cooked food for affectees including beds The project has successfully built the and blankets. capacity of both the male and female inhabitants ofZiarat valleys to participate Empowering communities is always in their own small scale community challenging but the people of the Ziarat development activities. Whereas the valley have risen to this challenge. people of Ziarat are being capacitated to Benefiting from the skills and knowledge address their own problems with their the project has imparted, the people of own solutions, UNDP has also helped Ziarat have begun to enjoy the fruits of communities deal with natural disasters. community participation and are a model for replication in other districts of Besides learning what to do during Pakistan,

Engaging Communities

Salvaging Juniper Forests from An Impending Disaster Timber Mafias & Parasites Threaten Ziarat's Juniper Trees

iarat's Juniper forests are in a poor trees are also being robbed by timber condition for a variety of reasons. thieves and attacked by a parasite ZThis is partially due to the harsh, infection called Mistletoe, "Tasma Pa" in arid environment and heavy use by local Pashto, for which there appears to be no residents. Excessive harvesting ofJuniper remedy, except to cut down the infected for fuel wood and overgrazing has left part or in extreme cases, the whole tree. most ofthe accessible areas in a severely Conservationists believe unless timely degraded condition. corrective action is taken, these valued treasures stand on the verge of Moreover, theJuniper Forests ofZiarat are irreversible extinction. of particular importance to local environmentalists who have been These parasite seed pods, when dried, complaining that not enough has been disperse through winds as far as 20 done to save the famous forests from kilometers infecting healthyJuniper trees impending disaster compounded by tree in other parts ofthe valley. The Mistletoe felling and parasite infection. Cutting of infestation was first discovered in 1970's live trees has been illegal for several years when scientists of the Pakistan Forest and it is a common practice for herdsman Institute (PFI) were investigating causes of and local villagers to girdle one or more Junipermortality. stems oftheJunipers trees. Environmentalists are concerned that if The frequent cutting down of trees for continued, this parasite would not merely heating and cooking aside, the Juniper deprive Ziarat ofits healthyairand natural

Engaging Communities beauty, but also damage farming and conservation and environmental issues agricultural practices which are the major linked to poverty. The project aims at source oflivelihood for local populations. creating awareness among communities about the ecological importance of The impact depletion of sick trees on Juniper tract through meetings and farming can be disastrous as it is these workshops. trees which replenish the underground water resources which irrigate the soil. Junipers Forests Hit By Mistletoe The tree grows only one inch in ayear and Infection takes a hundreds of years to reach full development. Unless this parasite A survey by experts was conducted as infection can be arrested in a timely part ofa UNDP funded projecttocalculate manner, the loss will take centuries to the pace ofJuniper extinction. The study revert. was the outcome ofconsultancy awarded by IUCN-Pakistan in collaboration with Recognizing the need for immediate and UNDP to assess the status of Mistletoe concrete steps to tackle ecological infection, the diabeck problem, and adversities affecting Ziarat with Juniper's general health ofjuniper forests. This was extinction, UNDP launched a done in coordination with the Divisional multidimensional project titled Forest Officer Ziarat and Divisional Forest "Mainstreaming Biodiversity Conservation Officer (Research) in Quetta. The results of into Production System in the JuniperForest this study show that the Juniper forests Ecosystem" to address the conservation are vanishing at an alarming pace, while needs of Ziarat. Working with the local suggesting that urgent steps need to be communities to protect this natural taken such as pruning and removing heritage, the project has initiated a infected trees. number of activities. It focuses on

Engaging Communities Thefigures also show that morethan one­ third ofthe Juniper trees are infested with Mistletoe which kills an ancient Juniper tree in just 25 years. This parasite has already killed hundreds of Junipers trees over the years. The study concludes, that the ever-increasing sedentary and transmigrating human and livestock populations in Ziarat and surrounding valleys, poses great threats to Juniper Ecosystem. plants are grown andthen made ready to be Prolonged droughts will also hinder planted elsewhere; Ghulam 5yed noted almost any feasible attempt for while explaining that around 50,000 regeneration of stressed species. plants have been planted including Therefore, the maintenance oftheJuniper shrubs and 4-5000 thousand walnuts forest ecosystem of Ziarat and the plants toprotect orchards.

UNDP is following an innovative approach to protect the Junipers of forests by not only finding the right ways to salvage the

surrounding valleys is a potential solution given the prevailing climatic and social constraints. UNDP is considering habitat conservation for endangered species as a holisticsolution.

Reforestation Efforts in the Ziarat Valley

Addressing the effects of the parasitical damage to theJunipers, Mr. Ghulam 5yed, said there are options available apart from cutting down the affected trees such as treating them or their branches to save them. Regarding realistic reforestation measures, he said that the project helped ill trees but also afforesting areas which conserve the forests in a significant way serve as a potential source of livelihood by undertaking forestry-related steps forthe local communities as well. which are not directly related to treating the parasite. The reforestation of the threatened areas is a viable and realistic solution

"A number ofnurseries have established in the project location where a wide variety of

Engaging Communities

30,000 cranes in 1980, while only Over the past several years, the migratory approximately3000 cranes were recorded cranes passing through Pakistan have lost in 2001. PWP estimated that as much as 10 many oftheir traditional wetland habitats. to 13 percent ofthe crane populations are The establishment of a large number of captured by local communities, this can refugee camps in NWFP and Balochistan amount to as many as 4000 to 5000 cranes in the aftermath of the Soviet invasion of per season. Afghanistan in 1979 puta serious strain of the regions' wetlands. Many of the Crane Hunting is also as a very popular refugee camps were established next to practice in the Kurram and Waziristan water bodies or other Wetlands. The Agencies in the Federally Administered Afghan refugees also brought livestock Tribal Areas (FATA) and the Bannu and with them, which contributed to the Lakki Marwat districts of NWFP. During destruction of wild habitats and the the spring and fall migration seasons of migratory cranes visiting sights. Similar the cranes, the local hunters camp down degradation of Wetlands also occurred bythe wetlands ofthe Kurram RiverValley, across the border in Afghanistan. It is the main staging ground ofthe migratory widely believed that the degradation of cranes, and lay down the traps to capture Wetlands in both Pakistan and the cranes. This puts a huge strain on the Afghanistan has led tothe gradual change dwindling migratory crane populations. in the migratory cranes' routes during With diminishing returns on traditional theirannual winter migrations south. hunting areas, the crane hunters have -~----~---~--~~ started traveling to as far as Musa Khel and Moreover much of NWFP and FATA are Zhob districts in Northern Balochistan for awash with sophisticated firearms and crane hunting. vehicles, which are used to hunt the migrating cranes. FATA is exempted from People in NWFP have traditionally all government Wildlife acts and captured the migratory cranes by using ordinances, and tribesmen can openly special trapping devices known as "Soya" hunt migratory cranes in the area. Unlike in Pashto. This device consists of a long the traditional capturing techniques such string attached to a small ball at one end. as Soya which result in comparatively few The string is specifically designed for fatalities, hunting cranes with fire arms hunting and is strong enough to hold can result in the deaths of hundreds of down up to 10 kilograms in weight. The migratorycranes each year. hunting usually takes place at night, particularly in the rainy season. Tamed Captive Breeding Tool For cranes in cages are used as a decoy to lure Conservation: the migratory cranes to the traps. When the cries ofapproaching cranes are heard, To try and undo this alarming trend, PWP the hunters elicit the domesticated cranes in collaboration with the NWFP Wildlife to make loud calls to attract them. As the Department conducted one of the first curious cranes fly towards the trap, comprehensive studies of captive crane sometimes as low as 3 meters from the populations in NWFP and Frontier Region ground, the hunters throw the Soya at Bannu in the summer of 2007. The them. The Soya strikes the approaching research findings recommended crane, wrapping around its body, and organizing the local crane breeders in the pinning it to the ground. Sometimes area into an association for promotion of hunters throw as many as 20 Seyas ifa big captive breeding of cranes. Acting on group of cranes is involved. A skilled these findings, PWP promoted the hunter can throw aSoya up to ten meters concept of captive breeding for the first high length. (Zoo Print Journal 21 time in NWFP. (7)2333-23341)

Engaging Communities

I

The deep blue water '~:15f&:~?J' tJlil!(;·r.... ~( Shandur Lake stili looks •. C!J ~.r ~~.7 I C ~ ~! deceptively pristine. But the -T:""A ..V .7 ':.. research findings suggest .u.-~" 0(;1 ,vi..:;.7vY that the water during the telenor festival falls well below the minimum standards for human consumption even during humanitarian emergences. The water from the lake showed Increasing signs ofhigh phosphate and nitrogen contents from the waste materials which flow Into the lake during the polo event. Shandur: The World's Highest Polo Ground Cleans Up Its Act Polo on the Roof-Top ofThe World

very year in the second week ofJuly, by taking a flight to Chitral or Gilgit, and people gather in one of the most driving up winding roads of the Edramatic natural settings for one of Hindukush Mountains to reach Shandur. the oldest and most spectacular sporting Each summer, dozens of jeeps and four­ events, known as the Shandur Polo wheel drives bring hundreds of tourists tournament. For centuries, the rival polo who now converge on Shandur for the teams from Chitral and Gilgit have Polo Festival. An entire tent city, complete gathered at the Shandur Pass to play this with portable bathrooms and a ancient sport. The Shandur plateau is temporary bazaar are setup each summer. located 3700 meters above sea level, on But in spite of the growing number of the border between the districts ofChitral tourists, very few provisions have been and Gilgit, making it the world's highest made for acomprehensive waste disposal Polo ground. Polo is believed to have system during the festival. After the polo originated in the mountains of the event ends each summer and hordes of Karakoram and Hindukush ranges and is tourists disappear, Shandur and nearby still played in its original form, by the local communities are leftto grapple with people ofthearea, forwhom thefestival is the long term damaging after-effects of an importantsporting and cultural event. the three-dayfestival.

Since the inception of the modern Pollution Threatens A Pristine Shandur Polo Festival during British Environment colonial rule in 1936, it has become an important part ofthe tourist economy of The Shandur plateau stretches 10 km the Northern Areas of Pakistan. From its down eastwards to form the Langer origins as a small gathering of local Giligitis and Chitralis, the Shandur Polo festival has now evolved into one of Pakistan's most important tourist events, attracting both foreign and local tourists, polo enthusiasts, high ranking government officials and even corporate sponsors. Each year the volume oftourists making their way up to Shandur for the Polo Festival has been increasing steadily. It is estimated that as many as 10,000 people attend the three-day polo festival and these numbers are expected to rise in thefuture.

However the large volume of tourists coming to Shandur has put tremendous pressure on the area's fragile eco-system. While once only a few hundred Giligitis and Chitralis made the arduous journey up tothe Shandur Pass by horse back, the modern tourist can easily reach Shandur,

Engaging Communities Valley. The Langer- Shandur wetlands close to the Shandur Lake, which is used complex comprises ofthree high altitude both for washing clothes and as a lakes and is one of the largest wetland dumping ground for waste, making the ecosystems in the Chitral district of NWFP once pristine lake dangerously polluted. and Ghizer district on the Northern Areas. The study reveals that the impact of the Shandur has been declared a part of the polo festival on the waters ofthe Shandur Shandur-Handrap National Park by the Lake has triggered the "cultural Government ofPakistan in 1993, however eutrophication" of the lake. This means there is no active management or increased nutrients and organic matter in enforcement of the area by government the lake due to human activities during authorities. the polo festival degrades the quality of water in the lake. In essence, human In 2006, Mr. David John, from Oxford activity is poisoning the lake to aslow and University in the UK, conducted one ofthe miserable death. first comprehensive studies of the environmental impact of tourism on Human activities are also causing dense Shandur. PWP provided technical submerged vegetation and decay around assistance to conduct this collaborative the Shandur Lake. Such accumulation of research along with experts from WWF vegetative matter can choke the lake's Pakistan, Lahore College University and waters causing it to slowly become land Oxford University. According to the overtime.The deep blue water ofShandur research the environmental Lake still looks deceptively pristine. But consequences of the Polo Festival are the research findings suggest that the significant. The environmental water during the festival falls well below degradation has been caused by the the minimum standards for human absence ofappropriate arrangements for consumption even during humanitarian the disposal of waste, washing clothes, emergences. The water from the lake sanitation, along with the tossing of showed increasing signs of high garbage into the Shandur Lake and phosphate and nitrogen contents from surrounding areas during the festival. The the waste materials which flow into the Shandur Polo ground has been setup very lake during the polo event. In addition,

Engaging Communities the lake is gradually losing its shoreline Shandur, also aimed to raise awareness for because of vast amounts of earth being environmentally sustainable tourism thrown into it by people, horses and among both tourists and local vehicles congregating in the area communities through high visibility annually. activities and proactive public outreach plans. A local tour operator who has been coming to Shandur for over 2S years PWP installed specially designed large noted with despair"Look atShandur now. dustbins into which solid waste created You can hardly see the place amidst all the by the Festival could be tossed. The dust and air pollution. And the lake can't dustbins were particularly installed in the flush itself clean. Trash goes everywhere. bazaar area is one ofthe main areas where Tourists don't realize how only a three-day solid waste is created, where local vendors event can do everlasting damage". But he sell food and other items to tourists. The expressed hope that the festival and the bins were large and visually friendly to environment could co-exist if there was hold asubstantial amount ofmaterial, but proper planning and greater light enough to be transported by one environmental awareness among the person, if needed. They were also event organizers and participants. designed to fit into the comparatively small space of a towable trailer and were "The SaveShandur Initiative" designed to be aerodynamically stable. The bins carried the PWp, NA-EPA and The "Save Shandur initiative" was Shandur local Support Organization launched by PWP for the July 2008 (lSO) Teru initials. To show its support for Shandur Polo festival. For the first time in the "Save Shandur" initiative NA-EPA the history of the festival, a fully brought 30 of these bins from Gilgit and coordinated effort incorporating the donated them to the cause. When the integration of the Northern Areas Shandur Polo Festival ended they were Environmental Protection Agency (NA­ placed into the custody of a local EPA), NWFP Wildlife Department and participating organization called, police, Chitral Scouts, Northern Areas Shandur lSO Teru for storage and use at Scouts, community organizations and future Polo festivals. volunteers were brought together in the clean up campaign launched by PWP. The Shah Hussain a member of the Shandur aim ofthe initiative was to clean Shandur lSO in Teru said thattheShandur Initiative of the solid waste which accumulates had made a marked difference. He during the course of the festival, which observed "Before the Save Shandur officially last only three days but in initiative started, cleanup efforts organized actuality covers almost a week in were either too few or very limited. PWP duration. PWP's initiative to clean organized the first-ever large scale cleanup

Engaging Communities

help preserve Shandur's fragile ecological will ensure the protection of one of system. These measures include a Pakistan's most scenic wetlands region comprehensive system for the collection and enable future generations to enjoy and removal of refuse, and the provision this uniquefestival on world's rooftop. of appropriate ablution facilities. Other environmentally sound management Sources: practices also include the establishment of proper camp sites at an appropriate Pakistan Wetlands Programme, distance from the Shandur Lake and Newsletter,July2008edition. stream. PWP have even suggested creating a buffer zone around the Johnson, D. 2006. "Reflected in Water? Shandur Lake with a fence and signs in Assessing the impact ofthe Shandur Polo both Urdu and English warning people Festival". M.S. thesis, University of against polluting the lake. In addition, a Oxford/Pakistan Wetlands Programme. Pp comprehensive plan needs to be devised 1-28 for the provision ofproper waste disposal points, an adequate numbers of toilets and sanitary facilities and restricting the washing ofclothes, cars and animals near the lake.

Such has been the success of PWP 'Save ShandurInitiative"that itplans to continue the event nextyear. But in orderto protect the environmental degradation of Shandur all stakeholders in the festival must come together to create a comprehensive waste generation and disposal plan for Shandur. Such measures

----III Engaging Communities Photograph Credits

Cover Front: Protection and Management of Pakistan Wetlands ProgrammelUNDP

Cover Baell: Rehan Rafey JamiVUNDP

Page 5-18: Rehan Rafey JamlVUNDP

Page 19 -25: Protection and Management of Pakistan Wetlands ProgrammelUNDP

Page 26-28: Protection and Management of Pakistan Wetlands ProgrammelUNDP

Page29-40: Mainstreaming Biodiversity Conservation into Production Systems in the Juniper Forest EcosystemlUNDP

Page 41: Rehan Rafey Jamil/UNDP

Page 43-50: Protection and Management of Pakistan Wetlands ProgrammelUNDP

Forfurther information contact: Strategic Management Unit United Nations Development Programme UN House House # 12, Street # 17, F-7/2, Islamabad.

Tel: (92-51) 8355650 Fax: (92-51) 2655014-5

Copyright © January 2009 To download the on-line version ofthis publication visit: http://www.undp.org.pk

Back Cover: The carcass ofthe endangered Green Turtle at Jiwini Beach on the Makran Coast. The coastal areas ofBalochlstan are the nesting sites ofthe Green Turtle. ----

United Nations Development Programme UN House House # 12, Street # 17, F-712, Islamabad I• www.undp.org.pk Pakistan