SGP NATIONAL STRATEGY GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FACILITY (GEF SGP) IN THE REPUBLIC OF (2015-2018) SGP NATIONAL STRATEGY GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FACILITY (GEF SGP) IN THE REPUBLIC OF TAJIKISTAN (2015-2018)

Country: Tajikistan Funds for the sixth Operational Phase ($) ??? USD a. Funds of the GEF Small Grants Programme ??? USD b. Residual balance (for the fivth Operational Phase): ??? USD c. STAR funds: ??? USD d. Other funds which should be involved: ??? USD (project co –financing )

This strategy serves as a fundamental document for the Small Grants Programme of the Global Environment Facility in Tajikistan (hereinafter - the GEF SGP), determining the thematic and geographical scope of work of the GEF SGP in the country, as well as governing the rules and procedures of programme work. The National Strategy has been developed in accordance with the guidelines and strategic priorities of the GEF on the GEF-VI operational period (2015-2018), as well as the strategic priorities for the environmental preservation in the Republic of Tajikistan and the guidance documents of the GEF SGP for all participating countries. The National Programme Strategy to be reviewed for the next GEF–VII operational period. Table of Contents

Acronyms 6

1. General information on the GEF SGP results in the framework of OP5 7 1.1. Brief summary of the GEF SGP Strategy in Tajikistan 9 1.2. Base terms for the GEF SGP in Tajikistan 11 Socio-economic context 11 Geographical context 11 Biodiversity context 13 Protected areas 13 Existing legal terms 13 Institutional context 15

2. Programme niche of the GEF SGP Country Strategy 16 Setting priorities 18 POPs / chemicals 22 Environmental management and economic benefits 25 Geographical and thematic coverage 27 2.1. Strategic priorities of the GEF SGP thematic areas in Tajikistan under the OP-6* 30

3. GEF SGP Action Strategy for the OP 6 36 3.1. Comprehensive strategy of grants provision under the OP6 36 3.2. Strategy of grants provision under the OP6 based on a landscape approach 38

3.3. "Donor +" Strategy 40 3.3.1. Platform for dialogue between civil society organizations (CSOs) and government 40 3.3.2. Impact on decision-making 40 3.3.3. Promoting social and gender integration 40 3.3.4. Knowledge Management Plan 41 3.3.5. Communication strategy 41

3.3.6. UNDP Social and Environmental Standards 42

4. List of the expected results 44

5. Monitoring and evaluation plan 53

6. Resources mobilization plan 55

7. Risk management plan 60

8. Approval of the National Coordination Committee 61

Annex 1. Estimated baseline of defined landscapes for the GEF SGP Strategy within the OP6 62

Annex 2: Table of indicators for the selection and justification of the priority combined 75 makrolandscape classes to implement the SGP implementation Annex 3. Satellite image of Tajikistan with the landscape distribution and area directions for 77 the GEF SGP Annex 4: Description table of the SGP priorities by administrative and geographical areas 78 Annex 5: Table of the SGP distribution by the GEF priorities 79 Annex 6. Applications of donor-partners strategies under OP 6 81

Addition 1. Table of donor projects and programmes in Tajikistan 84 Addition 2. A list of terminology used on the landscape 87

References 88

Acronyms

GEF Global Environment Facility CEP Committee of Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan ICCA International Council of Chemical Associations IEA International Energy Agency NC GEF SGP National Coordinator, responsible for the execution of the GEF SGP NCC GEF SGP National Coordinating Committee, responsible for decision-making and implementation of the GEF SGP NAPEP National Action Plan for Environmental Protection NBSAP National Strategy and Action Plan on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity CSOs Civil Society Organizations UN United Nations OP Operational Phase OECD Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development SGP Small Grants Programme UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Change CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora SMART System of indicators, SMART, meaning: Specific– specific for the object being studied Measurable – measured evaluation of the object quantitative change Attainable – logical and achievable within the established time frame Relevant – related to the subject Time-bound/trackable – linked by time frames СО2 Carbon dioxide SES Social and Environmental Standards CPAP Country Programme Action Plan STAR System of Transparent Allocation of Resources TAPRI Tajikistan- Poverty Reduction Initiative SLM Sustainable Land Management SFM Sustainable Forest Management UNDAF United Nations Development Assitance Framework UNITAR United Nations Institute for Training and Research UNOPS United Nations Office for Project Services RDD+CBR+ United Nations Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation

6 1. General information on the GEF SGP results in the framework of OP5

The Small Grants Programme of the Glob- The GEF SGP on biodiversity conservation al Environment Facility (GEF SGP) is a global ini- provides support in strengthening the capacity tiative and is designed to support local commu- building of 3 protected areas: Almasin, Zaraf- nities who wish to contribute to solving global shan, Ramit located in Hissar ridge, where had a environmental problems. The programme pro- positive impact on 6,000 hectares, enhanced a vides small grants for projects carried out by conservation status of 300 hectares of signifi- representatives of local communities, initiatives cant ecosystems, as well as provided support to that are local in scale, but able to make a posi- the local communities in issues of measures tive global impact. It encourages community development in order to reduce deforestation, initiatives aimed at improving the situation in support the effective management of protected these areas. GEF SGP implements a number of areas, the expansion of best practices for sus- demonstration projects with a view to further tainable land management, promotion of re- expansion and advancement of proven technol- newable energy technologies and sustainable ogies. To act on a local level through the civil agricultural practices. society and local communities is a very im- As part of measures to combat land deg- portant component of the strategy of the GEF radation in the project areas of Southern Tajiki- 20/20 (including an appeal to all stakeholders to stan, it was planted more than 200,000 trees in work together to bring the benefits of the global , which contributed to the reduc- environment and contribute to the UNDP stra- tion of land degradation and improve the envi- tegic plan, as well as focus on sustainable devel- ronmental situation of project areas. By opment). planting trees saved more than 43 million cubic UNDP/GEF SGP in Tajikistan has been op- meters of irrigation water, which helped to pre- erating since 2009. The first memorandum with vent secondary soil salinization in many areas. grantees were signed in September 2010. To In remote rural areas of Sughd, Khatlon date, the GEF / SGP Tajikistan allocated more and Rasht more than 100,000 people living in than US$ 1,184,171 through 48 grants to com- rural areas were involved in the initiatives of munity-based organizations and NGOs all over the SGP, 22, 000 from them are the direct bene- the country with an average size of grant sup- ficiaries of the project activities. Among other port about US$ 25,000. Following the terms of good results can be mentioned promotion the co-financing, the SGP has provided the appro- conservation of soil and water resources on an priate co-financing in the amount of US$ area of over 25,000 hectares, most of which are 1,458,157 for the period from 2009 to 2015. located on the territory of protected areas. During the work process the Programme has implemented various initiatives at the local level Within the framework of climate change and contributed to the global environmental activities through the integration of low-carbon benefits for the environment. In the framework technologies were prevented emissions of 50 of OP 5 UNDP-GEF SGP in Tajikistan has been tonnes of CO² into the atmosphere and took established the international cooperation, and measures for the energy generation from re- financed a number of activities to address five newable sources (small hydroelectric power key problems, seriously threatening the global station, biomass, solar energy, etc.). Applied the environment, to achieve the objectives of the practice of using low-carbon technologies and Rio Conventions: measures to ensure the energy saving (applicable to the industrial and construction  biodiversity loss, sectors, space heating, cooking, etc.).  climate change, Three projects were implemented with  land degradation and desertification the participation of the communities, within (sustainable land management) which being demonstrated and implemented technologies with low GHG emissions. The total  reduction of persistent organic pollutants cost of provided energy, technological and (POPs) and chemicals transport services was 20 000 US dollars. On  degradation of international waters the area of 200 hectares were implemented and are being used the improved land manage- 7 ment practices and providing "climate stability", al, thereby prevented the burning and recycling due to that it was prevented the emission of 50 of 0.5 tons of municipal solid waste. Due to the tons of CO² . These initiatives had contributed disposal of 500 kg of obsolete that to the reduction of deforestation for heating had been made properly, also prevented the and the communities in the aforementioned leakage of 500 kg of harmful chemicals into the areas gained access to electricity and energy- environment. saving technologies. Another important aspect of the program As part of measures to combat land deg- is livelihood supporting, empowering local com- radation (LD) and sustainable forest manage- munities, in which were attended by over 50 ment (SFM) restored 200 hectares of degraded members of communities in the target areas. land in southern Khatlon province, where the Under these initiatives, the following results practice of sustainable forestry, agriculture, and were achieved: a period of food shortage was the practice of sustainable management of wa- reduced by 30 days; a duration of the school ter resources were provided. The result was working days was increased by 30 days; 20 achieved by planting fruit trees and pistachio households gained access to clean drinking wa- plantations. ter; increased the community purchasing power by reducing costs, increased revenues ($ 150 Activities on the conservation and man- per 1 household, participating in the UNDP-GEF agement of international waters were directed SGP projects). to integrate the practices of sustainable use and management of land-based sources of water. As Thus, all of the projects that were imple- a result, on an area of 30 hectares of river ba- mented within the framework of the GEF SGP in sins / lakes are being used the practices of sus- targeted areas, Khatlon, Sughd and RRS, are tainable water management, as well as prevent- quite indicative and may be adapted and imple- ed the use and leakage of 10 tons of pollutants mented in other regions of the country for a into water sources. wider dissemination of good practices. This ex- perience will help to reduce the ecological load Under the projects on persistent organic on the landscapes / ecosystems and the envi- pollutants, implemented in the pilot areas, ronment, as well as to improve the socio- there were used alternative methods of dispos- economic level of the population.

Programme's contribution to global environmental benefits: Biodiversity conservation. Preserved and are being used sustainably globally significant ecosystems and their endemic and / or endangered biodiversity; Mitigation of climate change (mitigation and adaptation). The local population is aware of the adverse effects of climate change and the opportunities to reduce through the use of energy efficient technologies and renewable energy sources. Protection of the quality of international waters. Local agricultural sources of water are reduced and / or eliminated. Combating land degradation. Improving land management and sustainable use of natural resources for the management and distribution of these improvements. Reduction of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The local population in the project areas is aware of POPs, and their use in agriculture was minimized / or reduced in comparison with the existing situation.

8 1.1. Brief summary of the GEF SGP Strategy in Tajikistan

The National Programme Strategy is the The eighth chapter contains a table of main document on implementation of the Small NCC members who make decisions in the Grants Programme of the Global Environment process of programme implementation. Facility in Tajikistan (GEF SGP). National Annexes 1, 2, 3 and 4 are provided with the Programme Strategy defines the main goals, support of the landscape with descriptions, objectives and results of the GEF SGP in maps of selected landscapes and tables of Tajikistan. The Programme Strategy is applicable priority areas for the landscape within the GEF to the sixth GEF Operational Phase (2015-2018). SGP in Tajikistan. After that, the Country Programme Strategy can Based on the state of the environment in be reviewed and adjusted in accordance with Tajikistan, current conditions, on feedbacks and the new priorities of the GEF. suggestions of stakeholders, as well as on the The GEF SGP Country Strategy consists of GEF thematic priorities, the Strategy identifies 8 chapters, 4 Annex and 2 Additions. The first the following priority directions of its activity in chapter of the Strategy describes the goals and the country: objectives, expected results and achievements i) Under the GEF focal area "Conservation of of completed projects, thematic areas of the biological diversity" - to reduce pressure on GEF SGP in Tajikistan, base conditions for the ecosystems and habitats of important species implementation of SGP projects, socio- from the activities of the local population. economic and environmental conditions of the landscape, as well as the contribution of the This area of the GEF SGP provides for programme to the national and global implementation a variety of project proposals environmental benefits. on protection, maintenance and rational use of biological diversity. The second chapter is devoted to the current status of the national policies and programmes implementation and provides information on the national priorities of the country in a field of environment, as well as its implementation in accordance with the strategic objectives of the GEF-6. The third chapter considers issues of grant provision for the GEF thematic areas, thematic and geographic area coverage, “Donor +” Strategy, principles of dialogue between civil society and government, promotion of social and gender integration, knowledge management and SGP communication strategy. Petilium eduardii The table describing the targets and ii) At the GEF focal area "Climate Change" - to expected results of the GEF SGP thematic areas reduce emissions of greenhouse gases into the is included in the fourth chapter of the Strategy. atmosphere from energy use by the local The fifth chapter is devoted to the monitoring population, and to prepare the most vulnerable plan and the implementation of the GEF SGP, groups of the population to the upcoming which describes a primary role and climate change consequences. responsibility for the NCC and NC in monitoring Projects of this thematic section form the of implementation the country-level projects. second largest group, funded by the Global The sixth chapter describes an action plan Environment Facility. Taking the decision to for resource mobilization and involvement of support the project idea, the GEF is guided by funds from other sources for the effective the priorities and allocation criterias of the implementation of SGP projects. The seventh United Nations Framework Convention on deals with the risk management plan and the Climate Change (UNFCCC). Activities on use of measures taken to reduce and eliminate risks renewable energy sources, reduction of CO² during the project implementation. 9 emissions, the elimination of institutional, iv) At the GEF priority "POPs and chemicals" - technological and economic barriers and spread reduction of persistent organic pollutants and of public, sustainable and environmentally chemicals. friendly for the climate technologies, as well as Tajikistan acceded to the Stockholm activities at the aforementioned geographical Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants areas have the highest priorities. (POPs) in 2006, thereby recognizing the In addition, in this thematic section will existence of earlier unsolvable problem. In the be selected demonstration projects, which second half of the XX century, when it was could also be useful to public associations that "fashionable" to increase yields by using deploy alternative energy at the local level, such achievements of the chemical industry, more as those that use the energy of wind, water, than a thousand tons of pesticides were biomass, biogas and solar for heating and imported into the country. Later it became electricity generation. Projects that known as persistent organic pollutants are demonstrate how renewable energy sources dangerous to human health and the can improve the quality of life, be cost-effective environment. Having a stable structure, the and promote sustainable development in the carbon-containing chemical compounds and region, may also request the GEF SGP support. mixtures can accumulate without decomposing over the years, even in the soil and in living organisms. This POPs do not lose biological activity and extend far beyond the use areas. They are the main polluter of surface and groundwater. GEF Small Grants Programme aims to help Tajikistan to eliminate existing POPs stocks and stop their further spread, guided by the National Plan of Action. Project activities on persistent organic pollutants will focus on the following areas.

Deglaciation iii) At the GEF focal area "Land degradation" - to restore previously degraded land in rural areas for the purpose of conservation and sustainable use. The main objective of the GEF Small Grants Programme in this thematic area is sustainable land management and implementing of innovative methods of their use at the local level. The interest of the GEF SGP in the financing of measures to prevent and Tailings dam in combat land degradation caused by close relationship with global climate change. The v) At the GEF priority "International Waters" - to destruction of forests and water resources prevent degradation of international waters. regression endanger biodiversity, cause climate This thematic cluster aims to support the change and disrupt the hydrological balance. projects designed to improve the ecological status of transboundary watercourses and rivers in accordance with international agreements. Preference will be given to project proposals that are closely associated with the already implemented by large and medium- sized GEF projects in which is given a strategic environmental assessment, developed and approved the National Action Plans. Project ideas that combine the efforts of public organizations and residents of Tajikistan, as well as two or more countries in a multilateral international cooperation to overcome the Degradation of pastures in Southern Tajikistan 10 Another important area for the GEF SGP to endeavor is to improve the general awareness, knowledge, understanding and skills of the local population, which will help in achieving the environmental benefits, defined by the key international environmental conventions. In addition, the GEF SGP aims to achieve concrete results to improve the living conditions of local people and to promote the river implementation of gender equality through SGP projects. These two areas are "integrated", i.e. negative effects of human activities on aquatic should be taken into account during the ecosystems are eligible for funding. development and implementation of the GEF SGP in all thematic areas of the Programme in Projects may be aimed at preventing the Tajikistan. emission of pollutants such as biogenic substances (nutrients), biological and persistent The Country Programme Strategy also organic pollutants (POPs), heavy metals. These describes the operational framework of the GEF pollutants threaten ecosystems, accumulate in SGP work in Tajikistan. the body and are not amenable to neutralization in pure water.

1.2. Base terms for the GEF SGP in Tajikistan

Socio-economic context (estimated at 10-13%) go to work in other countries (more than 90% in Russia) and send Tajikistan, with a population of about 8.8 remittances back home to support families. million people1 is a sparsely populated country in . The population density varies Tajikistan's economy is based on considerably depending on the mountain agricultural, aluminum and electricity geography. production, also animal husbandry, which brings the country one-third of total export earnings. The population density is 57.2 people per Labour migration from Tajikistan (and their 1 km². More than 73.4% of the population live subsequent remittances) is unprecedented in in mountainous areas, 26.6% in cities and scope and have a greater economic impact. regions. The gender distribution of the Migrant workers are one of the main aspects of population shows that the percentage of men Tajikistan's rapid economic growth over the past and women in the country varies by the main few years. age categories and by the regions. The number of men is 50.2%, the number of women is Agriculture has a significant impact on 49.5%. Life expectancy in the country is 61 Tajikistan's economy, providing 23% of the years for men and 64 years for women. In 2014 country's gross national product (GDP). Given Tajikistan ranked 125th place on the Human the volatility of prices on the commodities Development Index and it was 2,3%2. markets and the ongoing energy crisis, the agricultural sector is now the foundation for the The country is faced with a young and improvement of living standards and welfare of rapidly growing population - the latest the population, especially for the nearly 70% of estimates indicate that 40 percent of the the population living in rural areas, whose population in Tajikistan in age from 17 to 25 incomes are directly or indirectly linked to years. A significant number of people agriculture economy.

1 The data based on the statistical compilation "Regions of Tajikistan", 2015 2 The National Human Development Report, Tajikistan, UNDP, 2014 11 To improve the situation of the Pamir is the source of several torrential rivers population and the empowerment of rural that cut gorges and canyons. Hissar development, there is a process of farming, (Southern Tien Shan) occupies a central place in under that an ownership of the land passes into the , with numerous peaks of 5000 m. The mountains are known for the hands of private farmers. This factor can their glaciers, the largest in Asia. Fedchenko have both positive and negative point in the Glacier is the largest in the Pamirs (77 km in issue of natural resources conservation. On the length and 3100 m. wide). The country has one hand, farmers have more land rights, which around 1200 rivers with a total length of about will contribute to a real investment in the 30 000 km. The longest rivers in the country quality of the natural resources for the include the , , , agricultural production. On the other hand, in Vakhsh and . Tajikistan also contains conditions of insufficient legal regulation numerous lakes, the largest of which is a salt concerning the rights of use of natural lake Karakul (Eastern Pamir), with a surface area of 380 km². with fresh water (in the resources, there may be different kinds of abuse Western Pamir) is the deepest (490 m), with a and inefficient use (overuse) of these resources. surface area of 86.5 km². Geographical context The climate of Tajikistan is between The Republic of Tajikistan, the smallest continental, subtropical, semi-arid and desert. country in Central Asia, which has no outlet to As a rule, there is cold winters and hot the sea and shares its border with in summers, with temperatures that can reach 45 the west, in the north, Afghanistan ° C. The temperature differences in high and low in the south and in the east (pl.see below altitudes can be overwhelming. The annual Map 1). rainfall depends on the terrain, and is often the limiting factor for agriculture. Tajikistan landscape is characterized by the alternation of mountains and river basins. At lower altitudes, the average The mountains include various ranges, such as temperature range is from 23° to 30° C in July the towering Pamir and , containing and from 1° to 3° C in January. In the eastern peaks ranging from 1,300 to 7,495 meters. Pamir, the average temperature in July is 5° to

Picture 1. Physical Map of Tajikistan and its location in relation to neighboring countries

12 10° C, while the average temperature in January Tajikistan is also a habitat for over 1,350 drops between -15° and -20° C. The average species of animals, 800 of which are considered annual precipitation in most parts of the Pamir endemic. The Red Book listed 222 species of mountain ranges between 700 and 1600 mm. animals3. From 46 species 2 species of reptiles Most of the precipitation falls in the Fedchenko and 2 amphibian species in Tajikistan are Glacier, which average is about 2200 mm per endemic to the region. More than 52 species of year; very little rainfall in the eastern Pamir, fish are found in rivers and lakes, more than a which average is less than 100 mm per year. third of which are found nowhere else. Most of the rainfall occurs during the winter Rare and endangered mammal include and spring. jeyran (Gazela subguturosa), Marco Polo sheep Main ecosystems in Tajikistan include (Argali) (Ovis ammon polii), snow leopard forests, grasslands (steppes and meadows), (Panthera uncia), peregrine falcon (Falco deserts and wetlands. Changes in vegetation peregrinus), paradise flycatcher (Terpsiphone from steppe communities in the west to the paradise), bar-headed goose (Anser inducus), semi-desert and desert formations in the south. marmot Menzbira (Marmota menzbieri), To the east, the land rises above the plains with Siberian ibex (Capra Siberica) and others. several peaks above 5,000 meters, and is Bukhara deer (Cervus elaphus), jeyran (Gazella enveloped by broadleaf and coniferous forests, subgutturosa), and markhor (Capra falconeri) subalpine and alpine meadows, glaciers and are also listed in the Red Book of Tajikistan as a snowfields. vulnerable species. The eastern and southern regions of the The total area of pastures in Tajikistan - country are characterized by open rocky slopes including grasslands, alpine meadows, forests with extensive forests with a predominance of and wetlands – being used for grazing are juniper (Juniperus) and pistachio (Pistacia) estimated at 3.9 million hectares. Most of these species. Lowland forests are found in pastures are located in the hilly and floodplains and lowriver terraces, usually grows mountainous areas above 2,000 m. These on alluvial, swampy or wet soils. territories formed the basis of animal husbandry in Tajikistan and have been used for A few lowland forests have been centuries on a regular transhumance grazing preserved, though some stands are still system (see Table 1). remained. High mountain meadows, dominated In recent years, many pastures at lower by herbaceous species. In the alpine part is altitudes (<1,500 m) were used for year-round dominated the dense low-lying perennial plants. grazing of local communities, access to more Unique community of cliffs vegetation is distant grazing lands has been limited due to distributed across the high mountains. Wetland changes in the mechanisms of ownership as a ecosystems are everywhere, and include river result of the increase in population in most deltas, swamps, marshes, lakes and streams in places. There have also been changes in the the highlands. A variety of lakes scattered animal husbandry farms and the majority of throughout the territory of Tajikistan, from families, as a rule, now hold only 2-5 animals small alpine lakes to large bodies of water. per household. Biodiversity context 421,000 ha (or less than 3%) of the Most of Tajikistan is within the high country are covered by forests, currently mountains of Central Asia and is one of 34 Tajikistan has the lowest coverage of forests in global biodiversity hotspots (Conservation Central Asia. This is the result of a long process International) and one of the 200 priority of deforestation, especially in the plains and ecoregions (110-111 WWFs Global Ecoregions) foothill areas of Tajikistan, which fell by 25% of for global biodiversity conservation. Tajikistan the country during the 20th century. The has identified the five wetlands of International remaining forests are concentrated in the Importance of the Ramsar Convention (sites) mountainous areas in the western part of the and 18 Important Bird Areas (IBA). Flora and country. fauna is represented by more than 23,000 Almost all forests in Tajikistan belong to species of which about 1,900 are endemic. Flora Category 1 and classified as soil and water consists of 9,771 plant species, 1,132 of which conservation forest. Officially, cutting is are endemic species, 267 plant species have prohibited, permitted only - so called "sanitary been listed in the Red Book of Tajikistan. About cutting”. Natural forests are divided into five 1,000 species of vascular plants have a high types: deciduous mesophilic forests; deciduous level of endemism. forests, xerophilous forests (Shibliak); small- leaved mountain forests; walnut forests and riparian forests. 3 The Red Book of Tajikistan (second edition), , 2015 13 Protected areas d) Law on Air Protection (2012), which The Law on Protected Natural Areas establishes the general framework of the (2011) provides eight categories of protected protection and prevention of air pollution in areas (PAs) for Tajikistan - nature reserves / the country; biosphere reserves; national parks; historical e) Law on the Rational Use of Energy (2002), and natural park, natural monuments; forest which aims to create a legal framework for parks and botanical gardens; natural spa and the implementation of practical measures to natural recreational areas - only three of which improve energy efficiency and conservation are nature reserves (IUCN category I), a in the country; biosphere reserve, national park (IUCN Category II), historical and natural park (IUCN Category f) Law on Protection and Use of Wildlife II), thirteen reserves (IUCN Category IV). (2008), which regulates the relations in the field of protection and use of wild animals As of 2016, all protected areas totally that live in a state of natural freedom on occupy an area about 3.1 million ha (22% of the land, water, atmosphere and soil, country), they include the territory of 4 reserves permanently or temporarily inhabiting the -173, 418 hectares, 13 nature reserves – 313, territory of the Republic of Tajikistan; 260 hectares, 1 National Park - 2.6 million hectares, one historical and the natural park - g) Law on Protection and Use of Flora (2004), 3,000 ha and 1 nature park – 3,805 hectares. which regulates the principles of the state Tajik National park, covering 2.6 million policy of the Republic of Tajikistan in the hectares, almost all the Pamirs, is listed as a field of protection and rational use of flora, World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2013. defines the legal, economic and social framework in this area and is aimed at the preservation and reproduction of flora Existing legal terms resources; In Tajikistan, there is a fairly well h) Law on the production and safe handling of developed system of legal acts regulating the pesticides and agrochemicals (2003), which protection of the environment and use of regulates the legal basis of the production natural resources. The legal system consists of and safe handling of pesticides, including the Constitution of the Republic of Tajikistan, their exposure to the substance, as well as various laws, decrees of the Majlisi Oli, decrees agro-chemicals in order to protect human of the President, acts of ministries, state health and the environment. committees and departments, as well as the i) and many others decisions of public authorities in the field. The country has adopted such laws are: In addition to the existing national legal acts, Tajikistan signed a number of international a) Law on the Environmental Protection conventions and agreements in the field of the (2011), laying down the general legal environment. Tajikistan has signed and ratified framework for the protection and use of the the three Rio Conventions, for the execution of environmental and natural resources, which GEF is the financial mechanism: defines ownership to them, the rights and obligations of the authorities responsible for a) UN Framework Convention on Climate the protection and use of natural resources, Change (1998), the principles for determining the order and b) UN Convention on Biodiversity (1997) standards relating to environmental quality, environmental assessment and examination, c) UN Convention to Combat Desertification the responsibility for violation of and Land Degradation (1997) environmental legislation and other issues; In addition to that, Tajikistan is a part to a number of other international agreements on b) Forest Code (1999), which stipulates that the environment, including: forests belong to the State, and defines the general conditions for the use of the forest  Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (2001); and its protection;  Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic c) Law on Water and Water Use (2008), which Pollutants (POPs) (2002); establishes the requirement to all legal  Convention on the Conservation of entities and individuals of the country use Migratory Species of Wild Animals (2000); water resources efficiently regardless of the  Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, purpose, to protect them from pollution and Public Participation in Decision-making and depletion, to improve the condition of water Access to Justice in Environmental Matters bodies; relating to the environment (2001)

14  Convention on International Trade in Institutional context Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora In the process of management and (CITES, 2015); control over the use of natural resources a lot of By becoming a member state of the governance structures are involved. First of all, international environmental agreements, the duty to determine the main directions of Tajikistan has committed itself to take measures the state policy in the field of protection and to implement the international standards use of the environment and its resources outlined in these conventions. Although, in entrusted to the Committee on Environmental most cases, the conventions legally imply that Protection under the Government of Tajikistan. the country will (i.e. intends) carry out activities Maintaining the policy and state control for their implementation and do not impose over the compliance in the legislation field on explicit quantitative commitments, however, protection of land, mineral resources, waters, their role for the international authority and forests, flora and fauna, is assigned to the State internal policy of the country should be Committee for Environmental Protection under fundamental. the Government of Tajikistan, which monitors Currently, the process of creating and the implementation of the state policy in the modifying the national legal framework for the sphere of nature, adopted by the legislative implementation of the objectives / obligations branch and by the Government. of adopted conventions is going on, but there Economic and social development of are many gaps that need further elaboration. specific territorial units of the country, as well On the one hand, the GEF SGP in this case will as the responsibility for environmental act as a tool through which the GEF will fulfill protection on these units are entrusted to local the role of "assistant" in conventions’ execution authorities, headed by hukumat (region, process. On the other hand, the GEF SGP district, city, etc.). through field projects may assist the Government of Tajikistan to adjust the existing Currently, in the Republic of Tajikistan rules of natural resources use, by providing developed and implemented the National lessons derived from small projects and Programs and Action Plans on environmental recommendations. protection, land degradation and desertification, Programme for the Another important factor for the GEF SGP Development of Forestry, the State work in Tajikistan is generally accepted and Environmental Program and other policy approved by the Government frameworks of documents. In all areas, under the supervision Tajikistan development. In this context, the of the Committee of Environmental Protection adopted National Development Strategy until under the Government of Tajikistan, developed 2030 is a basic document. This Strategy defines and accepted the action plans on environmental the long-term direction of development as a top preservation. The documents noted that one of priority for the country, which have a potential the key tasks of the country's development is to relationship with the priorities of the GEF SGP in ensure the sustainable use of the environment Tajikistan. and natural resources of Tajikistan, their effective conservation in order to achieve economic and social prosperity of the country.

15 2. Programme niche of the GEF SGP Country Strategy

Table №1: A list of the relevant conventions, regional / national plans and / or programmes

Convention Rio + national planning framework Date of ratification /completion

UN Convention on Biological Diversity [CBD] 1997

The National Strategy for the Conservation of Biodiversity and Action Plan in 2003 the framework of (implementation) the CBD [NBSAPs] Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on 2013 Biological Diversity United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change [UNFCCC] 1998 First - 2002 National Communication to the UNFCCC (1, 2 and 3) Second -2008 Third - 2014 Appropriate National Action Plan on mitigation under the UNFCCC [NAMA] 2015

UN Convention to Combat Desertification [CCD] 12.08.1998

National Action Programme in the framework of the CCD (NAP) 2001

Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants [POPs] 6.12.2006

Ramsar Convention on Wetlands 2001

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and 2015 Flora (CITES)

National Plan for UKСК implementation [NDP] 01.10.2007

Poverty Reduction Strategy [PRS] 2002

Strategy of Water Sector Development in Tajikistan [SRVS] 2006

Self-assessment of National Capacity under the GEF [SANC] 2005

Concept on Environmental Protection of Tajikistan 2008 2010-2012, Implemantation Plan of the Concept of Environmental Protection in Tajikistan 2013-2015 Participation in activities to develop a National Portfolio of the Sixth 2015 Replenishment of the GEF (GEF 6) [PADNP]

Strategic Action Plan (SAP) for joint international authorities on water issues NA

Minamata Convention on [Minamata Mercury Convention] NA

Other Convention, if applicable

16 This section provides information on the Today, obviously - and as experience has national priorities in the field of environment shown in the past decade - that without the and implementation with respect to the implementation in agricultural sector the strategic objectives of the GEF-6. Particular modern methodologies in the field of attention is paid to the National Plan for environment, the natural resources Environmental Action in Tajikistan (NEAP RT, management in Tajikistan as a whole becomes 2006) and other national strategies for socially and environmentally unprofitable and environmental protection, which is a strategic damaging to the environment. document, whose main objective - the creation The country is particularly vulnerable to of a foundation for optimal environmental natural disasters, since Tajikistan is located in management measures and conservation of the heart of Eurasia - within the high mountain vulnerable and valuable ecosystems, that will ranges of the Hindu Kush, the Pamir-Alai, Tien contribute to the harmonious and sustainable Shan and Tibet and in the vast Asian deserts, ecological and economic development. and more than half of its territory is situated at Despite the current economic difficulties, an altitude of 3000 meters above the level of the Government of Tajikistan pays more seas; in this regard, taking place from year to attention to environmental issues. The country year, landslides, mudflows, avalanches and has implemented a lot of activities in the field of cause significant damage to protection of the environment, ensure agriculture, irrigation systems, transport and environmentally sound management, as well as communication infrastructure. national and local plans and environmental The population is about 8.8 million programmes implemented in cooperation with people; while the bulk of the population resides international organizations, which serves as a and operates in the foothill valleys in the south- good example of unity around the western and northern parts of the country. The environmental priorities of the efforts of the rural population accounts for about 70% of the Government, society as a whole and several total population. Rapid population growth and international organizations. intensive development of agriculture require Priority in awarding grants will be given upgraded principles of water management, to initiatives to address global environmental revision of the structure of arable land in issues in different regions of Tajikistan, and agriculture, as well as the appropriate measures national development priorities aimed at in the field of protection against pollution of the achieving the goals of sustainable development biosphere. of Tajikistan and the environment. Some environmental issues were caused The unique geography of Tajikistan by recently excessive use of land, surface water provides both opportunities and challenges for and groundwater. Unless some effective development. 93% of the territory is covered by measures will be taken, we can expect the mountains, providing considerable water expansion of environmental problems that will resources for Tajikistan. The tremendous concern regions outside of Tajikistan. Thus, it is importance for national development has a recommended that government economic huge potential. However, arable policy carried out in the framework of the land is scarce, and rapid population growth ecological potential of available water and land creates pressure on the environment. According resources. At the present time, despite the poor to the results of research on environmental socio-economic situation, the country, along sustainability Tajikistan ranked 72 out of 180 with other Central Asian countries, is in the countries4. process of transition to a market economy. It is noted that the mountainous regions, Environmental status in the country is mainly Tajikistan, serve as indicators of most often determined by the general sustainability of the global environment in economic processes taking place in the country relation to the geographical location of the in recent years. These processes have been country and its natural features. One of the exposed mostly negative economic trends in the peculiarities of the country is the vulnerability past, as well as some finance deficit arising in of its ecosystems, along with the lack of arable the period of transition to a market economy. land and arid climate poses some obstacles to socio-economic development.

4 The Environmental Performance Index,2016 17 The socio-political and economic scrapes awareness - which correspond to the strategic that have occurred over the past decade objectives of the GEF-6. directly affected on the current environment The territory of Tajikistan is situated at an status and led to its degradation in several key altitude of 300 m to 7, 495 m above sea level areas: (Somoni Peak). In the mountains, there is a high  natural disasters, -altitude zonation, similar to zonation in the  land degradation, plains. But in the plains zones are replaced for thousands of kilometers, and in the mountains  limited access to safe drinking water they are narrowed to hundreds of meters.  wildlife and protected areas, endangered,

 air pollution in urban areas and Biodiversity. According to the  pollution of water resources and waste parameters of the biological diversity, Tajikistan management. occupies an important place in the world, distinguished by a high concentration of plant Setting priorities and animal species, as well as the relatively undamaged state of natural landscapes and During conducting a baseline assessment ecosystems. This is due to the relatively high of landscapes and identifying priority issues concentration of flora and fauna species. On the used clear criteria such as (i) the impact on the territory of Tajikistan found a rich variety of environment, the number of affected people, landscapes, ecosystems, many species of flora (ii) the impact on human health, especially the and fauna (1.9% of global species diversity5). poorest, and (iii) economic performance. In The level of biodiversity biomes of Tajikistan is addition, take into account the national and determined by their high landscape diversity, political objectives, such as for example: (i) and represented ecosystems. support for environmental awareness; (ii) the Tajikistan's biodiversity has a great improvement of air quality; (iii) reduction of importance at the global, regional and national waste generation and waste management levels. To globally significant species include 11 issues; (iv) rational use and protection of species of global importance for the world groundwater and surface water bodies; (v) the selection: Aspicilia oxneriana, Hordeum conservation of landscapes and biodiversity; (vi) bulbosum, Fritillaria regelii, Tulipa improving the quality of the environment in subquinquefolia, Punica granatum, Ficus carica, urban areas; (vii) the rational use of local energy Juglans regia, Pistasio verae etc. In the IUCN Red sources and (viii) increasing access in remote List 2006 is recorded 2 type: svidina Darvoz areas and families with low income to energy (Swida darvasica) and Sivers apple (Malus services. sieversii). The animals: markhor goat (Capra In addition, were taken into account the falconeri), snow leopard (Uncia uncial) and urial national and political objectives, such as for (Ovis vignei) are of global importance. example: (i) support for environmental The main protected species in awareness; (ii) the improvement of air quality; composition of plant communities in different (iii) reduction of waste generation and waste landscapes are endemic of global importance. management issues; (iv) rational use and They are about 30 species of plants (Vavilov protection of groundwater and surface almond, walnut, pistachio, plum Darvoz, pear reservoirs; (v) the conservation of landscapes Cajon, onions Suvorov ferrule sumbul, bulbous and biodiversity; (vi) improving the quality of barley, onions Rosenbach, etc.), overall endemic the environment in urban areas; (vii) the species are 105. Valuable plant communities rational use of local energy sources and (viii) are: forest, meadow, tugai, juniper, semi- increasing access in remote areas and families savannoide vegetation, which included a with low income to energy services. considerable number of rare, endemic and relict This section provides an assessment of species. the major environmental problems facing Despite the relative prosperity of Tajikistan, and identifies some of the measures ecosystems, certain community experience in areas such as solid waste disposal, air significant anthropogenic pressures. Over the pollution, land degradation and desertification, past three years, growth of the population of biodiversity, energy, climate change, Tajikistan in mountainous areas with rich international waters, and the environmental natural biodiversity has increased by 2.5%, which is about 200 000 people of the total

5 Fifth national report on biodiversity Republic of Tajikistan, 2014 18 population (about 8 million.). Along with this alternative to the use of wood for heating and increased need of the population in biodiversity cooking; promotion of national handicrafts, products (collection of medicinal and food based on the sustainable use of local plants) several times at the expense of natural ecosystems components (wood and weaving forests, pastures, hunting, fishing and other reeds); promoting community eco-tourism activities. Thus, the load on natural pastures infrastructure, preventing the use of wetlands only by increasing animal husbandry, was as dumping. increased by 15-18%. Local agro-biodiversity: assistance in the Anthropogenic factors (caused by human development of small processing infrastructure activity) are shown in the direct withdrawal of (processing of dried fruits, solar dryers); support biomass through felling of trees and shrubs, in the creation of herds, flocks, nurseries for the collecting medical and aesthetically pleasing cultivation of adapted varieties of fruit crops. plants, hunting, fishing, grazing, haying. These actions are accompanied by pollution, habitat Using the aesthetic, recreational and destruction of arable land, the construction of informative, educational resources on roads, settlements, mining, artificial reservoirs, biodiversity: creation of school patrols, the etc. Thus, we can observe the separation and release of attractive teaching materials for reduction of habitats, reducing the number of children. species and their reproduction. The process of Changing of the climate. According to deforestation is particularly dangerous. Forest the latest inventory of greenhouse gas areas were halved in the last 50 years. emissions (2004-2010), the level of emissions in The unique natural and mountain-nut Tajikistan remains the lowest in the Central forests are of particular value. These forests are Asia, both in absolute terms and per capita, considered as one of the world centers of origin which is confirmed by international sources. of cultivated fruit trees. From this perspective, Despite the fact that the country has no forest is a great value as a pantry huge genetic numerical commitments for the UNFCCC to fund. reduce emissions, level of emissions decreased Trends in transformation of natural by one-third relative to the 1990. resources. Many ecosystems are destroyed as One of the recommendations ("Third a result of human activity in recent years. A National Communication of the Republic of sharp change in habitat, and direct removal of Tajikistan on climate change", Dushanbe, 2014) plants and animals from nature, as a result of to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the economic activity, led to the disappearance of energy sector envisages the development of some species and threatened the legal mechanisms to encourage consumers to disappearance of others. save energy and increase the share of Analysis of the causes of biodiversity loss renewable energy sources. In addition to the has shown that the impact of the GEF / SGP can lack of legislation, there is a number of be effective in the following areas: obstacles to the introduction of renewable energy sources: their high cost, long payback Forest ecosystems: the regulation of period, the complexity of the operation and livestock grazing; changes in the structure of construction; as well as the low level of public livestock numbers; the use of renewable energy awareness about the environmental and socio- sources; growing local fast-growing trees as an economic benefits of using renewable energy alternative to the use of firewood from the sources. forest; implementation of community forestry on land, owned by local governments. The share of buildings and homes heating is 10-15% of the total greenhouse gas emissions Herbaceous phytocoenoses: the in the country. Heating of homes and buildings regulation and control of livestock grazing; under construction at the moment, does not changes in the structure of livestock numbers; fully meet the requirements, and standards of introduction of pasture rotation schemes and energy conservation and efficiency in special measures for the rehabilitation of construction. Implementation barriers are the pasture productivity (microreserves, grass same as in the field of energy production. planting, partial haymaking); stimulate Almost 75% of the population living in rural cultivation of bulbous and medicinal plants as areas, consumes less than 10% of total an alternative to their uncontrolled collection. electricity. Every year, due to the limited Wetlands: grazing management; changes electricity supply in rural areas the agricultural in the structure of livestock numbers; planting losses amount to 30% and there is a stop for local species of fast-growing trees as a natural many small businesses.

19 The share of the transport sector, mainly This is often exacerbated by grazing (irrational road transport, is about a third of the total use of pastures), the collection of fuel wood by greenhouse gas emissions. The main local population, as well as by farmers, who recommendations to reduce greenhouse gases almost constantly use the land and do not allow relate to tightening standards and control their the land to recover even upon field crop replication, development of public transport, rotation. As a result, more than 90% of the use of hybrid vehicles. agricultural land area is affected by desertification. Implementation of good The share of production is about 4% of agricultural technology prevents dominant greenhouse gas emissions in Tajikistan and small-scale agriculture. recommendations on this area is not very significant. The share of agriculture in the The main causes of land degradation and emission of carbon dioxide is 20%. The main desertification in Tajikistan include: sources are the burning of agricultural waste  Misuse of hilly land, such as using of steep and agricultural waste (manure). The main slopes for cultivation of annual crops, recommendation to reduce emissions is the contour plowing, the failure to apply the introduction of biogas and composting methods and technologies to combat soil technologies. For the absorption of carbon erosion, and the failure to follow the crop dioxide is very important to plant trees and rotation and the use of cover crops for the restore forest areas. accumulation of organic matter; Analysis of the situation around  Inefficient management of livestock grazing greenhouse gas emissions and the introduction and the failure to invest in improved pasture of renewable energy sources shows that the and forage production systems; support of the GEF / SGP can have a positive  Poor land management associated with the impact on the following areas: lack of the best practices, funds, encouraging  increase the completeness of the growing measures for the conservation of land stock and the restoration of forest areas productivity; through regulation of livestock grazing,  Dilapidated spillway channel; changes in structures of livestock numbers, encouraging the collection and processing of  Felling of trees and shrubs, especially non-timber forest products firewood, there is a much faster pace than their recovery;  public awareness and promotion of energy- efficient construction standards and  Failure to invest in land preservation and standards of heating and heating devices; development;  experiments on the transition from the  Excessive irrigation and poor water furnace heating of public facilities, being on management; the balance of local authorities on heating combined with the use of biogas, helio, wind  Inefficiency and lack of drainage systems; installations; replacement of the existing  Do not functioning of deep well pumps practices on financing costs for the required to minimize flooding and flushing of introduction of energy-efficient building and salts from cropland; heating standards;  Inefficient regulation of deforestation and  support the innovation on use of renewable lack of investment in reforestation activities; energy sources such as small hydro, solar panels, energy efficient furnaces, water  Inefficient mowing regulation; heaters, insulation of social facilities and  Lack of funding for reforestation, cultivation households; of perennial crops and other methods of Land degradation. The main signs of saving resources. desertification in Tajikistan are reduction the Analysis of priority towards a situation of productivity of arable land, pastures and "land degradation" indicates that the form of forests. Desertification caused by unsustainable support of GEF / SGP may be the same as for human activities such as over-exploitation of the protection of forest and shrub ecosystems land, overgrazing, deforestation and inadequate and grassy formations: regulate livestock irrigation methods. Due to frequent droughts grazing, changes in the structure of livestock and torrential rains organic substances number, introduction of grazing and crop decompose more quickly. Soil productivity is rotation, planting fast-growing trees as an being decreased. Landslides and avalanches are alternative to natural forest resources and as a taking more and more frequent and large scale. means of reducing the groundwater level;

6 Third National Report on Climate Change of the Republic of Tajikistan, 2014 20 implementation of community forestry on land Due to the use of water for irrigation and owned by the local government authorities industrial purposes almost all the rivers and Soil erosion. A serious problem is a soil water systems are degraded due to heavy erosion and landslides. Because of the country's pollution. Municipal and industrial waste water topography and climate erosion it is a common pollution is a troubling factor, requiring urgent natural phenomenon, but it is also aggravated intervention. More than 95% of wastewater is by inefficient land management practices such discharged directly into open channels and as tilling the soil on steep slopes, excessive ditches. Experts say that in Tajikistan's rivers in cutting of forests, shrubs and trees, including 40-45 times more bacteria entering there with windbreaks, pasture degradation and household waste than in the rivers of unqualified irrigation. According to estimates industrialized countries. This is the most serious 82.3% of all land and farmland in greater or environmental problem in the country. lesser extent are susceptible to erosion. A new Industrial wastes are discharged in excess of and potentially very complex problem of standards for ammonia nitrogen and suspended erosion is caused by the uncontrolled plowing solids. up to 100 thousand hectares of steeply sloping The main causes of poor water quality are: pastures that farmers practice as a way to  lack of capacity and an extremely poor increase the limited arable land. condition of sewage treatment International waters. Some rivers of infrastructure; Tajikistan can be regarded as international  lack of treatment systems in communities, waters (as international waters defined by the especially in rural areas; GEF) as their pools are located on the territory  unsystematic expansion (with violations of of several countries. The quality of international existing sanitary norms) of municipal waste and internal waters is far from perfect dumpsites as a result of the promotion of condition. Water is a vital resource in Tajikistan, unauthorized residential building near the both in the national and in the regional context. big cities; This is the main economic asset and source of livelihood of the people.  violation of the maintenance and operation norm for road transport, leading to the It is essential for irrigated agriculture spread of the pollution of rivers and water (mainly growing) and to produce bodies through irrigation systems; electricity, which are the two main sources of income for the . Tajikistan  violation of sanitary norms by the local is very rich in fresh water. Its territory is formed population, enterprises of local industry, by an average of 50.9 billion cubic meters of trade, public catering and consumer services; water per year. These resources are formed by  limited technical capacity of municipal precipitation and the melting of glaciers, which, services for the processing, handling and along with snowy expanses make a huge supply storage of industrial and household waste; of water, constituting, according to estimates,  insufficient state regulation on water 845 billion cubic meters of water, which protection. occupies 8% of the country. Analysis of the situation in the priority These waters flock to the basin, area of "international waters" shows that the which make up 55% of the total flow of the possibility of the GEF / SGP has a significant pool, making it the center of political debates in impact on the causes of deterioration in the Central Asia around the distribution of water quality of international waters are rather limited resources. They flow into the Amu Darya (50.2 due to physical deterioration of water billion cubic meters) and Syrdarya (0.7 billion treatment infrastructure. Infrastructure objects cubic meters) and pass through Afghanistan, do not fall into the GEF category of "additional , Kyrgyzstan, and costs" and can not be supported by the GEF / Uzbekistan. Thus, Tajikistan's water resources SGP. However, there are some activities in this have a clear cross-border perspective. In fact, area, which can be supported by the GEF / SGP Tajikistan uses about 20% of the volume of Tajikistan: water in the country, which corresponds to a  preservation and protection of wetlands as quota of 35% (18 billion cubic meters / year), natural filters, by prohibiting livestock agreed with neighboring countries within the grazing and the use of land as a dumpsites, framework of regional agreements on water the encouraging handicrafts based on the resources section. sustainable use of resources of these ecosystems:  infrastructure development of eco-tourism based on the resources of local communities. 21 POPs / chemicals Significant volume of soil contaminated with One of the priority environmental pesticides several hundred thousand cubic problems in Tajikistan remains the disposal of meters. waste, including of mining waste, industrial, The main objectives of the UNDP-GEF medical, household and other municipal waste. Small Grants Programme aimed at solving Tajikistan is rich in mineral resources, especially environmental problems. This programme rare metals, semi-precious and precious stones; strategy helps to improve national economic nonferrous metals such as tin, , antimony, performance, which, in turn, contribute to the mercury, and rocks used as building material. realization of the state program on poverty The bulk of the waste in the country, mainly reduction. Despite the fact that Tajikistan has hazardous and radioactive waste are generating rich and unique natural resources, their stocks in the mining industry. are extremely vulnerable and inadequate; so The economic recession which began even a small impact on the environment, immediately after independence and have been to a reduction of forests, degradation of worsened by the civil war has led to structural pastures and other natural resources. Some changes in the economy. Over the last 13 years environmental problems such as land there was a decline of industrial activity, but degradation (soil erosion, degradation of according to data provided by the Committee of pasture land and salinization) could be solved if Environmental Protection under the agricultural production and productivity is Government of Tajikistan to the Asian increased by: (i) improvement of the drainage Development Bank in 2000, the actual amount system, (ii) the proper irrigation, (iii) sustainable of accumulated industrial solid waste had been rainfed agriculture, (iv) the development of increased mainly due to the growing inefficiency environmentally sound land use and land use of industrial processes. practices change. Support for agriculture in achieving productivity growth means that the Household waste also constitutes a conservation of land and water resources, serious problem, mainly due to the lack of control over the use of nutrients, and integrated infrastructure for the collection and disposal of pest management will need to be addressed in waste. Intensive use of plant protection conjunction with each other. products (pesticides) in the country in the second half of the 20th century, determined the However, it will help to address level of environmental pollution by residual environmentally adverse effects of poverty only amounts of pesticides used. As a result of if the recipients of the benefits (increased agricultural restructuring and rebuilding the productivity) will serve the poor, and land-use country's economy significantly reduced the use practices will actually maintain the productivity of pesticides. However, a significant legacy of of land, and not include the commissioning of environmental load is saved on the local level unused but potentially arable land. up to the present time, especially in places of All these problems are exacerbated by storage and disposal (landfill) of obsolete and the geography of Tajikistan. It is a mountainous banned pesticides. country, vulnerable to natural disasters, Main cause for concern is not satisfactory including landslides, mudslides, , storage of pesticides, including those related to avalanches and earthquakes. Such natural POPs, which leads to large-scale contamination disasters threaten the places of mining waste of the environment. Tajikistan has not yet dumps, landfills for the disposal of radioactive carried out a risk assessment related to waste and toxic chemicals. The lack of stockpiles and wastes, especially those monitoring data on waste is one of the main related to POPs, and sites contaminated by obstacles to solving the problems of hazardous POPs. It requires improvement of monitoring waste management and mitigation of their programmes and the destruction of banned and negative impact on the environment and obsolete pesticides in order to prevent serious human health. environmental problems in the future. The impact on the environment. Due The total number of banned and obsolete to the lack of national system of monitoring of pesticides, including having POP characteristics, hazardous wastes and their storage and including mixtures thereof with soil and buried disposal in Tajikistan, there is no specific data on the Vakhsh and Kanibadam landfills, as well on the direct and indirect impacts of household as being in a mini-cemeteries, located on the waste, waste of mining and other industrial territories of settlements, is about 20,000 tons. waste, and toxic chemicals on the environment

7 The concept of rational use and protection of water resources in the Republic of Tajikistan, 2001. 22 and human health. However, given the is not separated from other types of waste, and composition of the waste and the fact that there are no incinerators for burning medical landfills operate without any control, we can and toxic waste. assume that these wastes have a complex effect 25% of which are highly toxic and 38% of on the environment and human health. This fact the average toxicity. Highly toxic pesticides leads to soil degradation and contamination include butifos, nitrofen, tiodan and phosalone. with heavy metals, pesticides, including those The use of fertilizers and pesticides in recent having POPs properties and hazardous organic years has been significantly decreased to about substances formed during their decomposition. 6-10% of the level of use in the period before The air is polluted as a result of decomposition independence - primarily due to the reduction and smoke from waste incineration, which is of chemical production. However, uncontrolled deliberately practiced in order to reduce the use of pesticides in agriculture that took place amount of waste to be disposed of in landfills. before led to significant pollution of soil, water In addition, landfills operated improperly, and other environmental components. In 1970- can lead to contamination of groundwater and 1980 years the concentration of pesticides in surface water, due to the fact that rainwater food was 7-10 times higher than the MPL. On carries hazardous organic substances in open the farms there are still piles mainly acutely waters, and penetrates into underground toxic pesticides. aquifers. The absence of fences around the They represent a direct threat to the waste dumps and protection helps to ensure environment. Currently some studies on the that the local population penetrates freely in effects of pesticides showed an increase in the the territory of landfills and grazing livestock, number of respiratory and rheumatic diseases, which leads to contamination of animal malignant tumors of the digestive system, products and its surrounding areas polygons, nephritis, ulcers of the stomach and nervous thereby having a negative impact on public diseases in areas with high concentrations of health. pesticides. Special danger is posed by the tailings. In the 1990s, the use of pesticides has For example, while rock falls, tailings are declined sharply, and limited access to liquefying. This can lead to the destruction of pesticides during the civil war led to significant tailings and environmental contamination by problems with pests and weeds. After the Civil heavy metals. Tailings also contain soluble and War, the use of pesticides was increased, but active salts formed from ore arrays for due to the poverty of farmers was stopped at a decomposing acid. Thus, they are easily washed low level - less than 2000 tons per year. The lack away by rain and penetrate into the ground of training and lack of awareness of farmers water. impedes the proper selection and proper use of When using contaminated groundwater pesticides. or rivers for drinking or irrigation chemicals Often used cheap but ineffective immediately get into the food chain. In the pesticides. Moreover, pesticide sprayers are riverbeds heavy metals and are outdated and - if they are at all - do not ensure deposited in the sludge. During heavy rains and uniform distribution of the active substance. floods, they spread and lead to the pollution of The same applies to fertilizers. Spraying rivers. In case of natural disasters such as pesticides, farmers do not use any personal floods, avalanches and landslides, waste protective equipment. It should be noted that in containing radioactive elements and heavy Tajikistan, even during the were metals, can be distributed in the vicinity of the used the latest biological and integrated tailings and contaminate the surrounding area. methods of pest control. The country soon abandoned the spray in the air. This helped to Contamination of water and soil. reduce the use of pesticides in comparison with Population growth, urbanization and industrial other states of the Soviet Union. Today, the production have led to the accumulation of official policy is aimed at the development of waste and contaminating soil. Due to the integrated and biological methods of pest absence of a special storage and equipment for control, however, the necessary information processing industrial wastes the enterprises service and production of biological means of accumulate and store the waste at their sites. pest control are absent. Landfills do not meet sanitary requirements; In many rural areas and small towns are and across the country there is no mechanism the prevalent traditional practice "tank to for sorting and separating waste. Medical waste burn." In some areas, they help to reduce the amount of garbage and collect a fee. Burning

23 plastic, rubber or other synthetic materials environmental awareness through public leads to entering dioxin and other dangerous campaigns, distribution of information materials toxins into the air, soil and groundwater. This and the Internet. poses a threat to people and biodiversity, Despite the fact that this sector is still leading to tumors, cancer, mental disabilities, quite young, it is dynamic and full of resources. infertility, immune system problems, asthma Unfortunately, not yet found effective ways of and other diseases. Those most at risk are carrying out measures for environmental children, adolescents and pregnant women. The education in the business sector. Between resulting ash is also toxic and can penetrate into businessmen and the government there is no the ground and spring water easily. dialogue on issues such as compliance with Dioxins and other chemicals are generally environmental legislation, economic incentives, invisible, and their impact on health is not law enforcement and governance. In recent immediately. years, being encouraged some discussion between local environmental authorities and Despite the fact that scientists and the main industrial enterprises, polluting the environmental experts have the necessary environment with respect to the scope of the information regarding the waste disposal obligations of these enterprises in the field of methods, they have no opportunity to learn environmental conservation. about relevant new developed methods of calculation. Thus, in this respect there is a great The public is still not adequately informed need for international support. about environmental issues. Aimed at disseminating environmental information news Large industrial waste generation sources media programmes are insufficient; there is include: Tajik aluminum plant, a cement plant very little analytical materials on environmental "Tajik Cement", Javanese chemical plant. issues that could be further used for the Classification of industrial waste includes more formation of public opinion and public debate than 400 items. Depending on the category of on environmental aspects of personal, local and waste, 5% -50% of waste c process. A very small national issues. amount of waste is recycled and used as a raw material in the secondary manufacturing In recent years significantly increased the process. role of civil society in the discussion and decision-making process on environmental There is no any waste recycling issues such as water quality and nature technology and infrastructure, while recycling, conservation. In 1998 Tajikistan signed the probably would have been profitable. Within Aarhus Convention "On Access to Information, the framework of the UNDP-GEF SGP will also Public Participation in Decision-making and be supported a gradual decline of POPs and Access to Justice in Environmental Issues of the chemical substances of global importance at the environment", and under the State Committee community level, such as through the of Environmental Protection under the introduction of substitutes for POPs and Government of Tajikistan, was established revitalization of environmentally friendly "Aarhus Centre". practices of pest control. The center is a potential source of reliable Environmental awareness. In 1996, information to citizens concerned about the Government of Tajikistan approved the environmental issues, but on its activities so far, State Programme on Environmental Education. little is known. The programme includes activities on environmental education, namely pre-school Lack of public awareness and and school ecological education programmes, participation is probably a contributing cause of as well as in secondary and higher educational the high rate of violations of environmental institutions, for the media and the general legislation. In particular, such violations became public, also training of civil servants. a problem among the inhabitants of villages located in the buffer zones of protected areas, At the regional level local authorities forests, as well as among indigenous and local actively support to environmental education communities, owners and managers of many and awareness. For example, educational companies that have been developed during programmes on ecology, chemistry, geography the period of transition to a market economy. and environmental protection were implemented in several universities in The annual growth rate of environmental Dushanbe, , Kulob and Khorog. In legislation violations is an indication of ignoring addition, about 90 environmental NGOs were environmental problems. Another limiting registered in Tajikistan, which actively supports factor of environmental education in Tajikistan

24 is underrepresented system of capacity building the strategic objectives and focal areas of the in the field of ecology teaching. Elements of GEF-5. UNDP-GEF Small Grants Programme in such capacity building should include: Tajikistan will focus on providing sustainable alternatives to existing cultural and economic  Comprehensive interagency planning to practices of communities, leading to over- achieve the goals of environmental exploitation of natural resources and education and awareness, including contributes to climate change. interdepartmental plans for the protection and sustainable use of natural resources. UNDP-GEF SGP main activities in Tajikistan will focus on the following:  Training of experts i) Improve conditions for biodiversity  Public access to the widespread and conservation, land degradation, mitigate the understandable source of factual effects of climate change and air pollution, information on environmental issues and POPs / chemicals, and international water policies. resources management;  Special research in the field of key ii) Improving the living conditions / livelihoods environmental issues such as biodiversity, and socio-economic conditions of the rural land degradation, climate change and community; chemicals in order to identify how teachers can link these issues with the existing public iii) Improving environmental education and interest. awareness, and increase local capacity to deal with environmental issues.  Monitoring system of knowledge, values and expected behavior of the public regarding Despite the fact that, as expected, these various aspects of the environment. events will impact on the economic situation and facilitate the resolution of issues of poverty  The main part of the Tajik population lives in and unemployment, the priority of the UNDP- rural villages and towns, those areas where GEF Small Grants Programme in Tajikistan are the need for environmental education is vulnerable groups that will be involved in particularly acute. Many rural people do not projects funded by the Programme. Thus, have access to printed ecological materials. through the support of the projects the UNDP- Thus, there is a need for the publication and GEF SGP in Tajikistan will also contribute to wide dissemination of conventional print environmental issues and the achievement of media publications, necessary for the the MDG country. provision of environmental information and the promotion of behavior based on the Environmental management and principles of environmental responsibility. economic benefits Such information should include the ecological literature in the form of The purpose of this Programme Strategy - brochures, posters, newspaper and practical support and additional measures for magazine articles, relevant school materials the protection of the environment in Tajikistan, and other common information publications. while supporting long-term sustainable economic development of the population. Taking into account the above, the UNDP- GEF Small Grants Program in Tajikistan will work UNDP-GEF SGP Country Strategy is the in accordance with national strategic priorities main strategy in the field of the environment, and action plans on the environment, and in supporting phased planning and accordance with the strategic directions and implementation of the GEF Small Grants guidelines of UNDP-GEF SGP, by supporting Programme in the context of the priority local initiatives and national priorities. The problems and rapid response to the qualitative programme is aimed at achieving global and quantitative improvement or degradation environmental benefits in the key thematic of natural resources, as well as providing a areas of the GEF while contributing to poverty response to the impact indicators. Relevant reduction, rebuilding the local economy and the existing guidelines and international standards, empowerment of the local population. the Country Strategy, the UNDP-GEF SGP were developed for 4 years in order to respond to the In connection with this programme niche critical issues. the UNDP-GEF SGP – intended to support community-based environmental / social Environmental problems requiring initiatives and activities that contribute to solutions include: improving the welfare and the economic  Mitigation and prevention of air, land and situation of the people, proposed by local water resources pollution; communities / MS and NGOs in the context of 25  Protection of forests, pastures and especially pasture productivity can stop the cycle of protected areas; desertification and even lead to the sustainable growth of the productivity of farm animals.  Preventing the degradation of biodiversity; The environment used in a sustainable  Improving the practice of recycling and way has a number of economic benefits. Forest waste treatment; conservation and sustainable forest  Improving the environmental education; management (SFM), for example, can help in monitoring air quality, water flow and climate  Improving the irrigation systems / promotion change: increase carbon stocks and reduce GHG of alternative irrigation emissions. Natural systems, in turn, can help to  schemes; prevent soil erosion and at the same time ensure the "natural shield" against natural  Provision of the population with energy- disasters such as landslides and erosion. saving technologies and technologies for renewable energy, and hydropower Agricultural lands, where the practices of resources; conservation tillage and sustainable agriculture take place to be can support the wellbeing of  Climate change mitigation and community people, who otherwise try to farm in areas that practices to adapt to climate change. result will be degraded. Intensive use of The main objectives of the UNDP-GEF pastures with the additional use of cultivated Small Grants Programme aimed at solving fodder can support farm animals, which environmental problems. This programme otherwise would be moved to other areas and strategy helps to improve national economic destroying land productivity. performance, which, in turn, contribute to the realization of the state program on poverty Possible sources of financing and reduction. Despite the fact that Tajikistan has the availability of resources. Under the rich and unique natural resources, their stocks UNDP-GEF SGP Strategy during the are extremely vulnerable and inadequate; so implementation of environmental measures are even a small impact on the environment, leads taken into account existing and potential to a reduction of forests, degradation of sources of funding at the national and pastures and other natural resources. Some international levels. Potential sources of funding environmental problems such as land at the national level include: state budget (SB), degradation (soil erosion, degradation of local budgets (LB) and environmental funds. pasture land and salinization) could be solved if Potential sources of financing at the agricultural production and productivity is international level include: international increased by: (i) improvement of the drainage investment funds, donor organizations, banks system, (ii) the proper irrigation, (iii) sustainable and environmental funds. Each year, as part of rainfed agriculture, (iv) the development of the state and local budgets, environmental environmentally sound land use and land use funds allocate resources for the implementation practices change. Support for agriculture in of priority actions for the environment under achieving productivity growth means that the the category of "measures for oversight." conservation of land and water resources, control over the use of nutrients, and integrated International assistance is needed to pest management will need to be addressed in implement measures for capacity building, conjunction with each other. modernization and improvement of the environmental policy as well as systems and However, it will help to address infrastructure. The country has rich origin environmentally adverse effects of poverty only (natural, technical and industrial use) resources if the recipients of the benefits (increased and manpower. The country has considerable productivity) will serve the poor, and land-use experience in the implementation of project practices will actually maintain the productivity activities. Currently, a variety of environmental of land, and not include the commissioning of projects are being implemented in the following unused but potentially arable land. sectors: water management, land irrigation, However, the repair and reconstruction water supply, disaster prevention and the of the drainage and pumping systems (the development of the energy sector. alternative irrigation schemes) will be advisable National GEF SGP programme also to help address the issue of sustainable use of contributes and complements other initiatives natural resources, provided that the repaired / and programmes, which are planned to be embedded systems are economically and implemented in Tajikistan, in particular: ecologically used to support agricultural systems. Similarly, investing in improving 26  Medium-term Development Program of the will also be eligible to participate in grant Republic of Tajikistan for the period 2016- programmes / projects; however, it will be 2020; subject to certain tasks and requirements as the UNDP-GEF SGP grants are not infinite. The  National Strategy for Development of the implementation of the pilot activities will be Republic of Tajikistan until 2030; carried out through local NGOs / POs selected,  State Environment Programme until 2019; among other things, in accordance with the specific priorities of the GEF thematic areas.  National Strategy and Action Plan on biodiversity up to 2020; Within the selected territory the UNDP- GEF SGP projects will cover the mountain forest As part of the GEF-6 in Tajikistan is also landscapes and savannoide ecosystems, which planned to implement the following projects: are located on the territory of Central Tajikistan,  Development of small and medium-sized and part of the Khatlon region. The southern enterprises for the promotion of Green part of Khatlon and fall under the Energy in Tajikistan; 30% allocation of the GEF SGP. Due to the uneven distribution of environmental problems  Protection of human health and the the Gorno-Badakhshan autonomous area environment from unintentional POPs and misses the thematic areas of the GEF SGP-6. mercury emissions due to unsustainable management of waste in Tajikistan; Based on an analysis of past program activities below is presented the following  Conservation and sustainable use of conclusions concerning the situation analysis, ecosystems of the Pamir-Alai and Tien Shan and the results of consultations with to protect the snow leopard and sustainable programme partners and national stakeholders livelihoods of communities on the key thematic areas of the GEF Small  Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on Grants Programme in Tajikistan within OP6: access to genetic resources and equitable  Conservation of biodiversity; sharing of benefits.  Climate change mitigation and adaptation;

 Combating land degradation and Geographical and thematic coverage desertification; In order to obtain the expressed impact and accumulative material benefit in the  Reducing POPs / chemicals and the safe priority areas of the GEF, activities of UNDP-GEF management of waste; Small Grants Programme in Tajikistan for the  Protection of international waters, and its period OP6 will be limited by geographic and sustainable management; thematic scope. Given that Tajikistan is a small country, which has no outlet to the seas and Indicators of implementation and oceans, where about 75% of the population is institutional arrangements of CS UNDP-GEF SGP concentrated in the rural highlands, under the aimed at achieving the following results: UNDP-GEF Small Grants Programme in improved management of natural resources; Tajikistan will be finance projects in rural providing the population with alternative communities. UNDP-GEF SGP will be closely energy-saving technologies and technologies involved in the implementation of grant using renewable energy sources; the practice of programmes that are particularly associated sustainable agriculture; conservation of with the work at the community level. UNDP- biodiversity, which is the source of livelihood for GEF SGP cooperation with government rural population; reduction of sanitary agencies, UNDP, donors, international NGOs environmental risks and GHG emissions; and the larger programmes / projects on the prevention of natural disasters and environment and energy will increase the desertification, as well as ensuring possibility of co-financing and joint initiatives, environmental safety of the population in the will enhance the impact of its limited whole. investment and allow to cover the most It is planned that activities in field of vulnerable groups. biodiversity, including the destruction of forest The main beneficiaries of the project are cover and desertification, will improve the rural communities (Jamoat), NGO / PO, dehkan management of natural resources and lead to a associations and local authorities. UNDP-GEF reduction of desertification effects. The ultimate SGP will work at the community level through goal is: to support sustainable level of community-based organizations (NGOs / POs). preservation of natural resources in the NGOs / POs at the regional and national levels country, in particular in the range of protected

27 areas and nature reserves; improving the Activities on waste management include, sustainable use of protected areas, and support inter alia, support and rehabilitation of tailings for its joint management; reforming land and disposal sites, used for recycling of administration systems; strengthening insecticides and pesticides; reduce the use of monitoring; restoration of degraded forests; POPs / chemicals in agriculture and farming; new planting of gardens and support for support local systems and waste treatment afforestation; inventory of country flora and installations into the energy in the social and fauna; increasing the productivity of forests and industrial infrastructure or incinerators in pastures, and an overall improvement in the large / small towns; reduction in outbreaks of economic situation of the country. infectious and respiratory diseases resulting from inappropriate waste incineration and It is planned that land use activities will waste management; improving monitoring and improve the management of natural resources accountability systems. and help in the fight against desertification and land degradation (erosion, overgrazing). These Implementation of these measures will activities are aimed at the prevention of soil be coordinated and agreed with the following degradation (salinization, flooding, etc.); state agencies: the Ministry of Water Resources, reduction of groundwater; strengthening the Unitary Enterprise "Khojagii manzili alternative and best practices of irrigation of komunali", the State Committee of arid lands; support best practices for Environmental Protection under the sustainable land management in rural areas; Government of Tajikistan,, the Academy of restoration of pastures and support to enhance Sciences, the Ministry of Health, Ministry of the productivity of land; improving drainage Agriculture, Ministry of Energy and Industry, the (biological and technical) system and waste National Center on five International UN management. Conventions, the State Committee on Land Management and Geodesy, local authorities, As for the water system, it is planned to international organizations and NGOs. improve water quality (drinking water supply and general water use) and water bodies, In addition, under the program will including reservoirs and lakes. Provided further probably be funded projects for strengthening improvement of the national irrigation and of capacity building, preservation of drainage systems, management efficiency of the ecosystems, as well as wider range of activities wastewater, as well as upgrading of water in the field of biodiversity conservation, land treatment facilities. These measures will help degradation, climate change, POPs / chemicals to: reduce the spread of infectious diseases, to and water than specified above. Such projects, reduce industrial and chemical contamination however, will only be maintained if within them and pollution of international watercourses / will be offered innovative approaches, provided rivers of regional or global significance; reduce an adequate start-up capital, and co-financing flooding of lands; soil productivity increase; to will be available, as well as the effectiveness provide the population with clean drinking and acceptability of lesson learned. In this water; improve the operation of water intakes regard, during review of such projects, and other water treatment plants, as well as preference will be given to those projects which mitigate the negative effects of poverty. cover specific national priorities in the field of environment and thematic areas of the GEF, as Activities on climate change include the well as interdisciplinary projects, in which linked introduction of practices to reduce the use of several thematic areas (such as sustainable energy from fossil fuels, as well as the forest management, biodiversity, degradation development of low carbon technologies, land, etc.). creation of mini hydroelectric power stations, use of hybrid energy systems and energy- The main objective of the UNDP-GEF efficient technologies (energy-efficient furnace, Small Grants Programme in Tajikistan is to work solar panels, wind turbines, and so on.), out a practical package of measures, which may Contributing mitigate the negative impact of be the basis of a comprehensive strategy for climate change on various sectors of the integrated environmental management in the economy, including agriculture. Reducing the country with a view to eliminating the causes of climate change impact of Tajikistan on global violations of environmental legislation at the environmental system is directly related to the local level. sustainable production and use of energy, as In order to obtain the expressed impact well as the use of improved land management and accumulative material benefit in the practices, including conservation agriculture and priority areas of the GEF activities of the UNDP- forestry practices.

28 GEF Small Grants Programme in Tajikistan In case of additional allocation from other within 6th operating period will be limited to sources, 30% of the funds will be used outside the geographic and thematic scope. The main of a selected landscape. Under these categories work of the GEF SGP will focus on selected fall landscape of Prisyrdarin zone (Khujand), landscapes, covering the mountain forest Zeravshan zone (Penjikent, Ayni), and the landscapes and savannoide ecosystems. This southern part of the Kurgan-Tube, are of landscape covers the administrative districts of Khatlon region. republican subordination and part of southern Tajikistan. The map shows the priority landscapes and targeted geographical areas.

Picture 2: Map of landscape distribution in Tajikistan according to the SGP areas

29 2.1. Strategic priorities of the GEF SGP thematic areas in Tajikistan under the OP-6*

Biodiversity  Promote awareness and capacity building of  Mountain horticulture and forestry as an local people to conserve the natural effective tool for biodiversity conservation. mountain and forest ecosystems; Creating a community nursery of rare and  Implementation and development of endangered plant species, followed by ecological tourism in the buffer zones of transplanting seedlings into natural habitats protected areas, belonging to the category of to restore the cut sections of the forest tourist and historical areas, with involvement ecosystem; of local community under the system  Restoration of mountain forests to reduce "Payment for ecosystem services" for the erosion of hillsides and introduction of biodiversity conservation, having national community-based system for forest and global significance; management;  Contribute to preserve and increase the  Conduct awareness campaigns for the number of Red Book flora (collective conservation of biodiversity and agro- nursery), with the active involvement of local technologies, creating nurseries of forest and communities and stakeholders, both at local fruit trees and care for them; and national levels.  Promote the conservation of forest resources through the introduction of Climate change innovative and effectiveness of traditional  Development and implementation of technologies for energy conservation in the technologies that contribute to climate villages; changes adaptation in the field of agriculture  Biodiversity Conservation through and forestry; development of beekeeping;  Contribute to implementation of energy  Conservation of rare, valuable and local saving and construction of energy-efficient varieties of global significance, especially in buildings and installations; protected areas; strengthen and improve the  Introduction of traditional ecological co-management of protected areas methods of heat conservation in rural homes resources (forests, non-wood variety) by the and schools, promote the reduction of heat local community in the surrounding areas of loss; protected areas;  Reducing the influence of local population in  Training of local communities using pasture remote mountain areas on natural forage, its production and livestock ecosystems, through the use of solar energy management; for needs of his farm, including dried fruits  Promote conservation and sustainable use of and herbs; natural resources through the creation of  Introduction of new technologies that small industrial community agro shops contribute to saving natural resources, save processing of local (traditional) crops with energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions the use of innovative market-based approaches;  Introduction of renewable energy sources in the autonomous communities, social  Promote development of local markets - institutions and settlements (biogas exhibitions \ local fairs of environmentally installing); friendly products;  Promotion of solar energy using (solar  Support initiatives / activities income- panels, solar power plants, etc.) in return for generating, through the establishment of the use of wood for heating, hot water, greenhouses (nurseries) for cultivation and cooking, lighting; production of early-spring food (vegetables), fast-growing commercial timber (poplar,  Adaptation to climate change at the etc.), seedlings of wild fruit and nut crops community level through the new (apple, walnut, almonds, pistachio and knowledge / best practices, innovative others.); methods and technologies that contribute to

30 the conservation of water and land  Contribute to creation of the Advisory resources; services center for local farmers, and  Introduction of alternative energy sources: demonstration of best practices HPP, solar collectors, solar power plants, (demonstration sites) on preparation and biomass, methane production from waste use of land, on alternative irrigation system (light and heat), processing of biomass into (hydronic) to improve water use efficiency solid and liquid bio-fuels instead of fossil fuel per unit area, on the correct use of raw materials (fuel, gas, etc.); fertilizers, and sowing calendar (time frame  Increasing the sequestration of carbon of farming); dioxide gas (carbon) by increasing the forest  Promote awareness and capacity building of area, forest cover and plantation local population, through distribution and (development of agro / forestry, forest- retrieval of the best lessons (show-cases) for restoration, community nurseries); alternative and sustainable land  Support development of sustainable and management to prevent land degradation ecological urban transport, and construction and desertification; (transport / equipment is not equipped with  Improve the use and sustainable land a motor / engine); management (SLM) (change of land use  To promote awareness and strengthen the practices, combating desertification, erosion: capacity of local population, through water, wind, etc); under the land use, land dissemination and training best practices and forest use change; based on lessons learned (show-cases and  Promote an increase of forest area, forest demonstration areas) for alternative and cover and plantation (development of agro / renewable energy sources, energy-saving forestry, forest-restoration, community and energy-efficient technologies, nurseries) to prevent erosion and land adaptation measures in the field of degradation, disaster risk reduction; agriculture and forestry as well.  Rehabilitation and rangeland management (improved pasture rotations, reducing the load on the pastures, etc), as well as the Land degradation / Sustainable Land introduction of productive livestock breeds, Management its diversity, improving the quality of forage  Introduction of alternative irrigation systems on degraded sites; and water supply in rural areas.  Promote sustainable land management (Examples: * gidrotaran, collected rainwater through the introduction of alternative from the roofs of houses, rational use of methods and technologies for agriculture in springs, drip irrigation system, etc.) * dryland or rainfed landscapes (organic gidrotaran - water pump working by the farming, drip irrigation (the rational use of water flow energy; springs)), conservation of soil moisture,  Implementation of alternative and advanced introduction of drought-resistant crops, systems for production and use of biological fertilizer (komposting) and environmentally friendly biological fertilizer. biological methods of protecting plants. Promoting biological crop protection methods; Persistent organic pollutants and  Introduction of technologies for the pesticides production of organic fertilizers to reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and  Conducting information campaigns (on the herbicides; level of local jamoat and district communities) about the dangers of  Restoration and creation of windbreaks and persistent organic pollutants, and methods plantations in order to reduce and prevent to reduce their impact on the environment, water and wind erosion; ecosystems and human health;  Promote integrating of biological drainage  Support the recovery of storage and burial systems to prevent salinization of the soil sites of industrial and chemical waste; make and restore the productivity of irrigated land; an inventory of storage and burial sites  Restoration of irrigated agricultural lands, (statistics, etc); creating new jobs, improving food security;  Promote reducing of production and use of  Grafting seedlings and seeds in degraded chemical and toxic substances / drugs (PVC, slopes to prevent landslides, formation of DDT) and persistent organic pollutants gullies and slope stabilization; (POPs) in agriculture and introduce organic farming;

31  Contribute implementation and  Contribute to improving the quality of water development of efficient available resources (drinking water supply, irrigation, technologies and agricultural practices that etc.), including rivers and lakes, reservoirs contribute to environmental protection; and reservoir;  Introduction of environmentally friendly  Promote the efficient management of waste technologies and equipment for the that fall into the rivers and lakes of destruction / elimination of medical waste international value, through restoration of (chemical waste, thermometer, etc); the old and construction of new small-scale  Promote broad public awareness and sewage treatment plants and introduction of dissemination of information and modern water treatment technologies; experiences among the local community  Develop and conduct information campaigns about the dangers and consequences of and dissemination of information to civil chemical and toxic agents use (PVC, DDT, society on modern approaches and etc), as well as persistent organic pollutants international conservation water resources. (POPs); (Strategic Approach in International Chemicals Management «SAICM»); * GEF SGP priorities can changed for the next 2- 3 years with the identification of new priority International waters areas.  Exchange best practices and experience of The GEF SGP National Programme niche water resources management, use of new can be summarized in Table 2 below. water-saving technologies in the field of cross-border rivers, and promotion of dialogue with neighboring countries;

Table 2. SGP Contribution to national priorities / corporate results of the GEF-6

1 2 3 4 Strategic initiatives of Corporate results of the Describe briefly SGP National Briefly describe the global SGP for OP 6 GEF-6 on the main Programme niche7 relating to complementarity between the directions national priorities / priorities of National Programme of the GEF SGP other agencies 8 and UNDP CO Saving of terrestrial Conservation of Inject at the community level and SGP complements the UNDAF and marine biodiversity of to disseminate widely the practice output 6 "By 2020, people in landscapes / international of conservation and sustainable Tajikistan are more resistant to ecosystems by importance, as well as use of natural resources derived natural and man-made disasters communities products and services from mountain forest landscape, as a result of improving policy provided by which can ensure the long-term and operational framework for ecosystems to society. interests of biodiversity environmental protection and conservation and provide rational use of natural economic benefits to communities resources" in Tajikistan.  Improving the sustainability of Education of specialists, skills protected areas; training on protected areas  Support the relevant individual management. and institutional capacity for Improving forest and specially the effective management of protected areas management protected areas and local systems. communities;; The implementation of  Support of joint and biotechnical measures, community management of to improve the habitat of animals protected areas, carried out by and environmental management. the government, indigenous and local communities Public education and encouraging in the following areas: (i) the value of natural flora, fauna and ecosystems, (ii) threats to ecosystems and (iii) the measures to be taken by citizens in order to preserve the flora, fauna and ecosystem productivity

7 “Niche” refers to the role and contribution that the most appropriate way to implement the national program, and about which all parties concerned have given their consent 8 Describe only those strategic initiatives for OP6, which includes the national program SGP 32 Table continuation

1 2 3 4 Innovative Sustainable land Implement community-based and Promoting improved water agroecology, taking management in widely disseminate agroecology management technologies and into account climate producing ecosystems practices, including the the use of other agricultural change issues; (agriculture, pasture restoration of forest genetic fruit technologies that can increase and forest landscapes) resources, creation of nurseries, the organic content of the soil in carrying out of biotechnical order to mitigate the effects of actions in degraded winter climate change in the agricultural pasture lands that contribute to sector. reducing CO² emission, and  Forests and rangelands increasing resilience to climate conservation; change in protected areas, buffer zones and corridors of forest  Use of adaptive management ecosystems migration. tools in SLM; Development of rainfed  Support community-based horticulture and nursery practices for sustainable land cultivation of forest resources. management in rainfed slopes Enhanced anti-erosion zones and irrigated landscapes; plantations. Develop the  Reducing the burning of fossil programme on restoration of the fuels and deforestation, which forest belt, rehabilitation of lead to increased carbon degraded forest plantations and dioxide expansion of plantation area.

Saving of terrestrial Promotion of Creating of required terms so  Increase forest cover and tree and marine collective that farmers and ranchers - both vegetation on industrial landscapes / management of large households and small landscapes (agroforestry); ecosystems by transboundary water independent families – adopt  Reduction of the vulnerability of communities systems, promote the resource-saving methods of soil agro-ecosystems and forest implementation of the cultivation, use of water ecosystems to climate change full range of policy, resources. The development of and other anthropogenic legal and institutional new agricultural technologies, influences; reforms and which contribute to climate  investments change mitigation. Improve provision of agro and forest ecosystem goods and contributing to services; sustainable use and maintenance of  Sustainable forest management: ecosystem services sustainable use of forests and trees outside as timber and non- timber forest products;  Development and implementation of policies and regulatory acts aimed at preventing deforestation

Mutual benefit from Community support in  Support for recycling in order GEF SGP activities will access to low-carb the transition to low- to reduce waste generation and complement the final UNDAF energy resources carbon development to reduce net emissions of the output 6 "By 2020, the and resilience to gases causing the climate population in rural areas benefit changing climatic change; from the sustainable factors  Creation of small hydro power management of natural plants, and energy efficient resources and resilience to technologies in order to disasters and climate change" prevent increase in the use of under the area "Environmental fossil fuels or fuels derived protection for sustainable from biomass. development": Area 3. Introduction of climate  Support the development and sustainability principles and use of agricultural technologies, green economy into the national is expected to maintain the development frameworks. biomass, water and organic content of the soil in order to  The transition to a low-carbon reduce vulnerability to climate path of development through change. support of environmentally sound technologies;

33 Table continuation

1 2 3 4  Support access to energy produced from renewable energy sources (hybrid technologies for energy production (solar panels, wind generators).

From the local to the Increasing the phased Implement affordable practices UNDAF outcome 6: "By 2020, global coalition on refusal, recycling and to reduce the use of POPs and people in Tajikistan are more chemicals reducing emissions of their isolation, demonstrated at resistant to natural and man- POPs, mercury and the local level on the project made disasters caused by other chemicals of sites. improving policy and operational international concern The local population in the framework for environmental project areas is aware of existing protection and rational use of POPs sources, as well as practices natural resources” to reduce the use of POPs in  Introduction of practices that agriculture and enhance the use "zero" and a minimum security of the local landfill at level of pesticides in local level. agricultural activities and in everyday work  Projects on organic farming technology;  Enclosure of burial places of POPs residues;  Locally appropriate medical waste processing technology (chemical waste);  Creation of facilities for the temporary storage of waste;  Building the capacity of public institutions for the proper monitoring and control of waste storage facilities and waste management;  Awareness campaign.

Platform for dialogue Strengthening the Improving and capacity building Promoting dialogue between the between civil society capacity of civil of civil society organizations (in community organizations, NGOs organizations and society to contribute particular local communities and and state authorities to government to the implementation non-governmental organizations) participate in environmental of MEAs (multilateral to participate in consultative activities and decision-making environmental process, use of knowledge process. agreements), national management practices in order and sub-national to ensure proper informative policy documents, flows, implementation of plans and legal conventions’ guidelines, providing monitoring and frameworks evaluation of the impact on the environment.

Social integration GEF policies and Promote greater participation of Coherence with measures of (gender, youth, action plans on youth and provide gender sustainable forest management, indigenous peoples) gender equality at all equality in the dialogues, biodiversity, land degradation stages, and GEF practices and sharing of benefits and reduce the vulnerability of principles on derived from the SGP activities. forest and non-forest lands to involvement of climate change in order to obtain indigenous peoples global environmental benefits, including poverty reduction and improving the economic situation;

34 Table continuation

1 2 3 4  Support for projects aimed at the maintenance of several subjects of the GEF and linking issues such as forest management, biodiversity, land degradation, climate change, international waters, POPs; in synergy with the environmental conventions; Contribution to the Provide assistance to Development and support of the  Under the UNDP-GEF SGP global knowledge the GEF efforts in interdepartmental strategy on projects develop educational management knowledge environmental education. materials such as books, platform management process  Targeting effective initiatives manuals, posters, leaflets; on environmental education in  Strengthening systems of the business sector. environmental centres in rural  Strengthen the capacity of and urban areas (information school teachers, employees of and advisory business centers, government agencies and centers for knowledge NGOs on environmental issues. dissemination, etc.), including:  Promoting media support, governmental and non- especially the print media, governmental organizations which can cover people in rural (NGOs); areas.  Improved understanding of conditions for the project success and lessons learned from the experience in order to increase the GEF impact.

35 3. GEF SGP Action Strategy for the OP 6

3.1. Comprehensive strategy of grants provision under the OP6

In response to a reduction of resources Following thematic areas that will be for the GEF SGP in the framework of the GEF-6, subjected to major changes and improvements, as well as to promote the advancement and are activities in the area of climate change - expansion of the results achieved by the GEF reducing the use of energy from fossil fuels, as SGP, it was agreed that the GEF SGP in each well as mitigating the negative impact of country will focus only on one landscape, with a climate change on various sectors of the variety of ecosystems, which will obtain a large economy, including agriculture. The main proportion of the programme resources (70- prerequisites for determining the GEF SGP 80%). The programme can still use up to 30% of activities for OP6 are: (1) experience of what GEF SGP grant allocations in 6 operational has already been done by the Programme to period (fixed assets and STAR funds) for projects date; (2) existing partnership relations; and (3) on other thematic areas, outside of the selected demand / interest from potential beneficiaries. landscape / ecosystem. All three components are strongly coupled to each other and their aspects have already been In the case of Tajikistan, where only mentioned above. limited basic resources from headquarters have been allocated to the GEF SGP. STAR resources Summarizing above stated information, allocated to Tajikistan by the GEF are not so that to obtain more effect from the limited available for the programme in the current GEF funds allocated for the implementation of period, the GEF-6. Other thematic areas that the GEF SGP in 6th operating cycle, the were identified in the Strategy, implies possible programme plans to concentrate its activities future involvement of third-party funding, as on the preservation, improvement and they are considered as important for the restoration of mountain-landscape and sustainable development of Tajikistan, as well savannoide ecosystems. The programme selects as selected mountain forest landscape. the landscape and ecosystem based on the following assumptions: In addition to target focus on preservation of the mountain-ecosystems /  Programme SGP accumulated a lot of landscape during consultations at the national experience of different technologies and level, assessment and determination of possible practices on conservation farming / topics for the GEF SGP activities, was defined agriculture, forestry and agro-forestry that sustainable energy production and practices, sustainable use and management consumption, energy efficiency are also of biodiversity resources and efficient energy presented as the most important factors for production and use in agriculture. Most of sustainable development of the country. the projects were made specifically for mountain-improvement and agricultural On the issue of biodiversity conservation, landscapes / ecosystems. The programme the situation analysis shows that over the last was able to bring the spread of certain century due to intensive nature, many species technologies and practices (cultivation of of plants and animals in Tajikistan continue to pistachios, bio-drainage) to a new level - be subjected to human impacts, and therefore national level. As mentioned earlier, so reduced their range and numbers. Some species widespread it would be impossible without are endangered or have disappeared adequate prior successful demonstrations completely. The number of other continues to that serve as a visible example for the steadily decline. Among the direct threats are Government and the direct users. The such as (a) direct use of biological resources in programme has a sufficient reserve of other excess of limits of the natural potential for technologies that are at a focal attention can recovery; (B) seizure and destruction of natural obtain wider dissemination and habitats of wild plants and animals by humans implementation across the country. This is a and human activities; (C) fragmentation; and (g) different practice and technology of environmental pollution conservation agriculture and agroforestry, as 36 well as the practice of obtaining energy from GEF SGP in Tajikistan continues to follow water resources in rural areas; a model that has proven in practice to be  The programme has a direct and successful effective: to demonstrate practices sustainable cooperation with many organizations from point of view of nature conservation and working in various fields of management of cost-effective → economic analysis of cost- mountain forest landscape / ecosystem, benefit → dissemination of learned lessons and including UNDP projects, the World Bank knowledge → playback experience, if possible → projects, FAO, the Council of farmers’ event, allowing to expand the scale of use initiatives, international donors and local technology. Past and current projects of the authorities; Programme act as an integral part of the scheme and assumed to be preparation for  One of the GEF SGP strengths is that the further scaling the individual tested best programme provides a point-targeted practices, which will be held in the framework of assistance in response to demand and is valid the sixth operational period and its outside. only if there is a direct interest / demand from beneficiaries. The programme During the national workshop were promotes and tries to advertise the best discussed the results of landscape baseline technologies and practices, disseminates assessment, according to achieved results and knowledge and experience, sharing them identified indicators, it was decided to consider with all possible partners. The principle of as priority landscapes the mountain forest operation is that the SGP only determines landscapes and savannoide ecosystems, the direction of the work, the general attributable to the territory of the Central framework, and then only responds to Tajikistan (RRS). Choosing the landscape was reasoned requests from communities for based on several criteria and indicators (see the specific types of practices, rather than by the table of Annex 2). imposition of certain preferences of the Gorno-Badakhshan autonomous area Programme. (GBAO) does not fall under the category of The reduction of land areas affected by priority landscapes in the framework of the GEF degradation, as well as improving soil fertility to SGP-6 as in this area the lowest population increase production from 1 ha, using the density in the country, 8 people per 1km², and smallest amount of water is also a priority, there is no necessary capacity to implement the which sets the various state agencies. There are directions of the GEF SGP. Moreover, on this many partners in the field of combating land territory there is no industrial and building degradation, who have extensive experience environmental load. With regard to other types and numerous initiatives, which the GEF SGP of environmental problems, they are being could contribute, but not duplicate. For solved optimally due to various national and example, FAO, ICARDA, IFAD, the World Bank international funds. International organizations are actively working on agriculture conservation and donors as the Aga Khan Foundation in Tajikistan. GEF SGP has the potential to (MSDSP), German Society for Technical contribute to a repetition of the experience and Cooperation (GIZ) are investing heavily on this expand its scope, including work in other areas area for the conservation and restoration of of the country. forests, pastures and adaptation to climate change. In the area of climate change, the UNDP launches a new project to promote green energy in rural areas. GEF SGP could contribute to the achievement of energy efficiency in rural areas engaged in energy efficiency in the forestry and agricultural sectors.

37 3.2. Strategy of grants provision under the OP6 based on a landscape approach

Defining the landscape on which the GEF already been described in various national SGP work will be done – mountain forest programmes such as the NBSAP, NAPEP, the landscape and savannoide ecosystem - has been National Environmental Programme and project estimated at several stages. Firstly, NGO documents of international donor initiatives "Noosphere", leading the process of preparing (including UNDP, UNEP, ICARDA, German the strategy, has produced an independent Society for Technical Cooperation (GIZ), the analysis of the previous experience of the GEF World Bank, and others.). Advanced experience SGP grants in Tajikistan. The analysis showed of other countries in landscape planning were that the majority of requests from local studied. The findings also confirm that the communities and farmers under the GEF SGP fall mountain forest landscape are being used in the on mountain forest landscapes, savannoide greatest extent, and requirde urgent ecosystems and agro-ecosystems. Interest in the conservation measures, to further ensure the various energy efficiency measures to reduce environmental and food security and CO² emissions, also comes from the rural areas sustainable development of the country. Most and is closely linked to forestry and agro- of Tajikistan population lives in mountain areas, ecological landscapes. In addition, government where it is possible to engage in agriculture. The investments focus primarily on large high density of population in some areas of the infrastructural projects. At the same time there country leads to a high load on the existing is a need for the introduction of forest resources, water and biodiversity. transformational change in routine agricultural The various processes of land practices. Most agricultural practices continue degradation worsen the situation in relation to to copy and use those techniques that were the stability of mountain forest and savannoide prevalent 50 years ago. ecosystems for the future biodiversity Thus, conventional farmers are not giving conservation. The deterioration of the available the priority to the long-term development of arable land, in turn, forces the population to use agriculture - on the basis of soil conservation to the land more valuable, more taking territory improve food security. Change of old practices from the wildlife habitats. can be achieved by increasing the The GEF SGP-6 National Programme will demonstration projects, followed by the concentrate on conservation of mountain forest expansion of its scale. This is the strong point of landscapes and savannoide ecosystems by 70% the GEF SGP – to demonstrate to local (see landscape map Annex 2). Defined population the practices, the most attractive in landscape area is 1,687,800 ha, including terms of sustainable environmental and 120,000 ha of forests, 200,000 ha of irrigated economic benefits, and further expansion of land, 167,800 ha of rainfed land, 1.2 million ha such practices by initiating dialogue ona of pastures, for a total of 12% of the country. "bottom-up" - from the community to the government. Over 4,872 thousand people are living on this territory. This landscape is found in the Proposal on defined landscape was open central and southern parts of the country. and accessible to the public, repeatedly was Emphasis will be placed on building a discussed at seminars and meetings with harmonious relationship between humans and representatives of government, civil society and nature, in which social and economic human local communities. Partners are being invited to activity in rural communities and beyond, an open discussion of the proposed strategy including agriculture and forestry, will be during national roundtables and meetings. The correlated with the natural processes in the whole process of purposeful selection of the most sustainable manner. The resources and landscape ensures that the voices of all partners services provided by mountain forest will be heard to ensure the widest possible landscapes, and savannoide ecosystems participation and transparency. include: During identification process, the basic a. Unique biodiversity in protected areas and assessment process included an analysis of the adjacent areas; environment situation in the country, which had

38 b. Plant genetic resources and agro-biodiversity including the community of farmers and in the conditions of in situ ex situ; individual households. The national programme may take community involvement from all areas c. Pastures provide the basis for cattle feed and of the country, and therefore geographically, other crops; the programme has the scale of the whole d. Maintenance of the water cycle for all socio- country. economic and ecological functions; In order to derive maximum benefit from e. Formation of the soil and ensuring its the limited resources the programme in agricultural production, including the Tajikistan will pursue targeted, identical events production of various food products, animal in different regions of the country, trying to use feed and other crops - the most important the zoom effect. Thus knowledge from one function; project can be used and disseminated through a variety of channels in other parts of the country. f. Providing habitat for biodiversity, which In addition, some of the elements or performs a number of functions: pollination components of projects in different areas of the of crops, gene bank of various kinds that are country may complement each other, saving important to the welfare of society, programme resources. For example, the draft weakening of extreme risk of various conclusions on soil protection to agriculture in biological phenomena, production of food one region, which has a component for green for the population, etc.; manuring can complement the findings of Sustainable co-existence of human another project in which there is no such a communities with nature, where different types component. Different project efforts in process of land use, such as the use of land for of knowledge dissemination can be combined to agricultural plantations, forests, pastures and conserve resources in those cases in which this meadows, lakes, rivers and irrigation canals, is possible. connected with nature in a way that does not If the project essence will allow, it could go beyond the capabilities of nature to heal be launched the strategic project, in order to itself, are paramount objectives of the achieve greater results across the country. It Programme. The program aims to support should be noted that the focus on defined innovative community initiatives [in cases landscape is strongly associated with other when] strategic GEF SGP initiative - "Innovative  Use of mountain forest ecosystems is aimed agroecology, taking into account the climate at soil conservation and sustainable use of issues", which will involve resources from other ecosystem goods and services in the long sources, and so they will complement and term; overlap with each other.  Water resources are used given needs, The programme also identified the including environmental; following strategic initiatives for the GEF-6 as a possible area for 30% of the available financial  Wood is grown in addition to naturally resources and additional attracted resources: growing, and only own planted forest could be harvested. Planting should be done in  Production of alternative ecological forms of order to maintain healthy vegetation cover, energy for the needs of local communities; water purification and turnover, capture  Efficient use of energy (energy efficiency) at carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, etc., the community level; and to meet human needs for wood fuel;  Saving other ecosystems for biodiversity  Vegetation is used to maintain soil fertility conservation, which has national and global and as animal feed; significance;  Area of natural biodiversity habitats is  Preservation of local plant genetic resources; supported to save and reduce fragmentation;  Restoration of mountain pastures;  And other initiatives that help to maintain a  Preservation and development of agro- healthy environment and meet the needs of biodiversity; the population in rural areas.  The development of low carbon technologies and waste management; The nature of the chosen landscape requires that the main stakeholders for the  Development of eco-tourism; programme will be the rural population,

10 The data on the basis of the statistical collection "Regions of Tajikistan", Dushanbe, 2015 39 These strategic initiatives will also be The National Steering Committee of the offered to potential donors for additional Programme will be treated very carefully to the resources and the subsequent receipt of decision-making process with respect to the benefits to local communities. In case of finding strategic importance of allocating funds to additional financial resources, these areas will those or other design ideas to ensure that the also be added as the objectives of the program limited resources of the Programme will be strategy. spent with the greatest benefit.

3.3. "Donor +"10 Strategy

3.3.1. Platform for dialogue between civil technologies. Due to various reasons, the society organizations (CSOs) and number of women farmers in Tajikistan is government limited. However, additional efforts will be made to ensure that women have the The country programme will also act as a opportunity during the project implementation mediator and participant of a platform for process. The same special attention will be paid dialogue between civil society organizations to the integration of young people in the (CSOs) and the government for the promotion activities of the country program. of best practices and knowledge gained in the GEF SGP projects of OP 6 and other Tajikistan is an agrarian country and, environmental projects and initiatives. accordingly, more than half of the employed population find work in the agricultural sector. Tajikistan has a system of CSOs Development of private and dehkan farms, as interaction with the government, and they are well as the state allocation of 75,000 ha of land actively involved in decision-making process. (presidential) for the development of these The programme will help to bind communities- farms, contribute to the growth of total partners voices with representatives of national employment in the countryside. The executive and legislative authorities of a higher development of the agricultural sector in the level. This will take the form of various round context of human development goals is a key tables, conferences, seminars, meetings, etc. factor in ensuring the economic empowerment Knowledge management component of the of people. programme will also complement the efforts of the GEF SGP in creating a "bridge" between In connection with the majority men communities and government agencies. departure in labor migration, women began to play significant role in the economic survival of

their families, this situation is common for rural 3.3.2. Impact on decision-making areas. Therefore, women's priority concerns Besides the initiative to create a platform include issues relating to agricultural for dialogue between civil society organizations development and access to land, as well as (CSOs) and the government, the GEF SGP loans for business development. Country Programme will use the experience and As for women, compared with men, they lessons learned from previous activities of the have less land, do not have equal access to GEF SGP, to inform the country's politicians and decision-making processes in field of influence on policy as part of its role under the agriculture, to distribution of financial benefits "Donor + " at the local, regional and national from the harvest, to credit, etc. Among the levels. This function will be carried out through farms managers the proportion of women 6.5 distribution of information products and times lower in comparison to men. 87.7% of participate in the various processes of dehkan farms leaders in Tajikistan are men. discussion on implementation of the global environmental agreements. The number of dehkan farms (DF) headed by women has increased over the period from 2008 to 2014, from 2695 to 5700. However, 3.3.3. Promoting social and gender attention is drawn to the fact that the specific integration weight of the DFs, headed by women, over the GEF SGP will continue to focus on years has decreased from 13.9% to 12.3%. This attracting and supporting women in the use and is due to the fact that in recent years, from the promotion of innovative methods and previously established collective DFs separated

11 Grants + strategy under the OP 6, relating to this measures, will promote the building of partnerships, establishment of contacts and strategies development in key SGP areas 40 a considerable number of shareholders-men,  Organization and participation in knowledge and the new family and individual DFs were exchange process "from equal to equal", for established headed by men. example, from a farmer to farmer; At the same time, farms headed by  Organization and participation in national women, working in many cases better than fairs, round tables, seminars, etc. farms headed by men. Official statistic records All available information products and higher rates on agricultural products yields in guidlines, as well as existing analytical DF, in which women are a leader. documents will be uploaded to the global UNDP GEF SGP will be targeted to involve electronic library “South-South” on experience and support the participation of women and exchange. Also, the GEF SGP in Tajikistan youth, as well as NGOs and POs in all initiatives, website continues to run - https:// programmes and projects being implemented in sgp.undp.org/ , which is a source of open access the model areas. to all available information accumulated buy the GEF SGP, during his work in Tajikistan. All project activities are strategically focused on capacity-building - at the systemic, institutional and individual level - in order to 3.3.5. Communication strategy ensure the sustainability of the initial Effectiveness of the communication investment for the project. Wherever possible, strategy is based entirely on demonstration of the GEF SGP will also seek to build the capacity successful examples of how the environment of neighboring communities (for example, can be maintained while benefiting local groups of local communities and vulnerable communities. Demonstrations and articulate groups), to enable them to participate more description of the advantages and benefits of actively in the implementation of the SGP each technology for the economy and the initiatives. nature of the country will serve as a key tool to inform about the GEF SGP results to all possible 3.3.4. Knowledge Management Plan partners and beneficiaries, and to involve key stakeholders in further distribution, Knowledge Management Plan will be reproduction and expansion of the practices / unchanged borrowed from the previous country technologies. Willness to have similar results programme strategies of the GEF SGP, since it will serve as a basis for the further build has proved its effectiveness. Each project or a partnerships with civil society organizations and group of similar projects will capture the results state institutions. The GEF SGP will also inform and experience gained in the course of their UNDP about the results of the demonstrations activities on the ground. Much attention will be for the possible start of political dialogue with paid to the analysis of economic costs and state partners to advance the practices / benefits of each proposed practice, as ordinary technologies. people are concerned, primarily in the financial attractiveness of the practice. The Aspiration to have similar results will environmental aspect in itself can not serve as serve as a basis for further build partnerships an incentive to move to the proposed with civil society organizations and government technology, without a clearly defined economic institutions. UNDP GEF SGP will also inform incentives. The results are then widely shared about the results of demonstrations for possible with other resource users, civil society, start of political dialogue with partners to government and other relevant stakeholders to advance the practices / technologies. Success of promote the reproduction and expansion of practices and effectiveness of the implementing community-based innovation. SGP projects in the process of enhancing individual and institutional capacity in many The strategy will use the following tools respects depends on awareness of rural and approaches: communities, local and national government as well as other stakeholders.  Creation of guides on practices and technologies; Communication and awareness-raising will be one of the main activities of UNDP-GEF  News bulletins and analytical articles SGP. The knowledge and experience acquired in providing economic assessment practices / the framework of the UNDP-GEF SGP projects technologies; will be collected and consolidated in the form of  Organization and participation in days of manuals, newsletters, analysis of success field practice, during which will be a direct stories, films and videos. Then, this information demonstration of the practice / technology; will be disseminated to practitioners to identify good / best practices and strategies, as well as

41 to compare and share experiences. Sharing programming. SES require that all UNDP knowledge and experience will also take place programmes and projects enhance the positive at the workshops, meetings, public social and environmental opportunities and presentations, as well as - if necessary - through benefits, as well as to ensure that the adverse different networks and electronic information social and environmental risks and impacts can media. be avoided, minimized, mitigated and managed. Particular importance in communication Social and environmental sustainability and knowledge management aspects has are fundamental to achieving development conducted training programmes and seminars results and should be systematically taken into under the UNDP-GEF SGP projects. UNDP-GEF account in the management of the UNDP Small Grants Programme in Tajikistan will programmes and project cycles. Opportunities include a requirement for a continuous to strengthen the social and environmental exchange of knowledge between the current sustainability should be identified at an early and previous recipients of grants for the stage of the programme and project exchange of best practices and lessons learned; development, implemented through the documenting the sharing of best practices; introduction, monitoring and evaluation. Social creating among the grant recipients a and environmental impact assessment is carried "experience directory", so that they can access out for all programmes and projects. each other for advice; creation of websites and UNDP programmes and projects adhere e-groups for the purpose of regional grouping to the purposes and requirements of social and and sub-coordinators. environmental standards. SES objectives are: (I) UNDP-GEF Small Grants Programme in strengthening the social and environmental Tajikistan will urge grant applicants to include in outcomes of programmes and projects; (II) in proposed project components for knowledge order to avoid negative consequences for demonstration and dissemination. In order to people and the environment; (III) to minimize, inform the public about the past (success, mitigate and manage the adverse effects where awards, recognition, etc.), present and future prevention is not possible; (IV) strengthening activities, grantees will be regularly prepare and the UNDP and partner capacity to manage distribute electronic and / or printed form of social and environmental risks; and (v) ensuring small "press releases". Grantees will be required full and effective stakeholder engagement, to provide a continuous and open exchange of including through the mechanism of response knowledge, experiences and lessons learned. to complaints from project and affected people. The best results and achievements of the UNDP is committed to support GEF SGP in Tajikistan will be put on the website: governments to adhere to their commitments https://sgp.undp.org/, which is the source of in the field of human rights and opportunities open access to all available information for individuals and groups, especially the most collected during the implementation of marginalized, to realize their rights and to programme in Tajikistan. ensure that they are fully involved throughout UNDP programming cycle. Experience and practice the previous SGP 3.3.6. UNDP Social and Environmental projects showed that provided small grants are Standards bringing a particularly noticeable effect in field Social and environmental sustainability is of expansion of protected areas and improving a cornerstone of human development and their management, development of alternative poverty reduction. UNDP strategic plan and sustainable livelihoods in production policy framework clearly formulate the landscapes, environmental education, building organization's strategic commitment to awareness and capacity, as well as accelerate promote sustainable development in all its the development of communities and poverty activities in cooperation for development. UNDP reduction. At the same time, one of the major Social and Environmental Standards (SES) factors causing the success of such initiatives is underlie the commitment of UNDP to the main involvement of local people in environmental social and environmental sustainability in its activities. Directly participating in solving the programs and projects in support of sustainable problem, the local people are able to ensure development. the sustainability of measures to conserve their natural and cultural heritage. SES activates UNDP efforts to achieve social and environmentally friendly Practical measures of the GEF SGP in development results and present a landscape and targeted areas will contribute to comprehensive framework to achieve the the creation of a stable and productive platform appropriate level of quality in UNDP for further market development and improve 42 the living standards of local communities. The At the same time, sustainable knowledge, skills and best practices that management of natural resources, measures to farmers receive in the course of implementation improve access to renewable energy and the of the program, aimed at long-term and implementation of climate proofing practices sustainable benefits for local households on the will reduce the negative human pressures on rational use and conservation of local agro- natural ecosystems and landscapes, contribute biodiversity. to communities adaptation to climate change and will harmoniously complement the efforts Through the implementation of SGP of environmental agencies in relation to activities and through additional financial environmental protection. support the farmers will be have opportunities for the effective and efficient use of local Another GEF SGP achievement is that genetic resources, which in turn will serve not people have learned to independently only for development of agribusiness, local participate in the SGP initiatives, to involve markets, and benefit, but also to preserve and small grants and micro-credits for the purpose increase the unique local genetic resources. In of development of horticulture and agri- particular, the SGP initiatives on building plants business, conservation of genetic resources, use for the processing and preservation of products of energy-saving technologies, etc. For the will create new jobs and promote economic stable implementation of the SGP and better growth, reduce poverty and improve the socio- understanding and perception of the economic situation of the vulnerable groups, programme from the local population, in all empower women and young people living on target areas is systematically being conducted tardeted areas. trainings and seminars for wider community involvement and expanding GEF SGP experience.

12 Changing with the World: UNDP Strategic Plan, 2014-2017: at http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/ librarypage/ corporate/Changing_with_the_World_UNDP_Strategic_Plan_2014_17.html 43 4. List of the expected results

Table 3 shows the expected results of the GEF SGP National Programme Strategy in Tajikistan, and programme indicators which will subsequently be evaluated.

Table 3. Accordance with the Global Programme Components of the GEF SGP OP 6

1 2 3 4 5 Components of the National Strategy Activities Indicator Test method global SGP for OP6 objectives Objective Component 1 of the Implementation of Initiation and Indicator: Number of Report of individual SGP GEF SGP OP 6: sustainable land use implementation of pilot hectares of mountain projects Conservation of practices and projects for the forest landscapes, conservation, sustainable terrestrial and aquatic management of forest where improved land Baseline assessment and landscapes and their resources in the use and management of comparison of variable use ecosystems by mountain forest mountain forest dimensions (use of landscapes and their communities landscapes, and Initial data: conceptual models and savannoide ecosystems by rural data provided by 1.1 National ecosystems, involving communities or civil 200 hectares of partners, if applicable) society. programmes of the local communities. mountain forest GEF SGP contribute to  Mountain horticulture Annual report on and forestry as an landscapes under conservation, improved land use monitoring (ARM) sustainable use and effective tool for biodiversity practices using GEF SGP management of conservation. Creating a before GEF-6 launch important terrestrial community nursery of and coastal / aquatic rare and endangered Objective: Improved ecosystems through plant species, followed land use at least on 200 the application of by transplanting hectares of mountain practices / seedlings into natural forest landscapes and technologies for habitats to restore the their ecosystems terrestrial and aquatic cut sections of the landscapes at the forest ecosystem. (Sustainable land and community level in  Restoration of mountain water management about 50 countries forests to reduce the practices are applied on erosion of hillsides and the area of 200 ha (of introduction of which 70 ha will be community-based directly covered, and system for forest 130 ha - indirectly) of management; mountain- forest  Conduct awareness landscapes and campaigns for the savannah ecosystems). conservation of biodiversity and agro- technologies, creating nurseries of forest and fruit trees and care for them;  Promote the conservation of forest resources through the introduction of innovative and effectiveness of traditional technologies for energy conservation in the villages;  Biodiversity Conservation through development of beekeeping;

44 Table continuation 1 2 3 4 5  Conservation of rare, valuable and local varieties of global significance, especially in protected areas; strengthen and improve the co-management of protected areas resources (forests, non- wood variety) by the local community in the surrounding areas of protected areas;  Training of local communities using pasture forage, its production and livestock management;  Promote conservation and sustainable use of natural resources through the creation of small industrial community agro shops processing of local (traditional) crops with the use of innovative market-based approaches;  Promote development of local markets - exhibitions \ local fairs of environmentally friendly products;  Support initiatives / activities income- generating, through the establishment of greenhouses (nurseries) for cultivation and production of early- spring food (vegetables), fast- growing commercial timber (poplar, etc.), seedlings of wild fruit and nut crops (apple, walnut, almonds, pistachio and others.);  Promote awareness and capacity building of local people to conserve the natural mountain and forest ecosystems;  Implementation and development of ecological tourism in the buffer zones of protected areas, belonging to the category of tourist and historical areas, with involvement of local community under the system "Payment for ecosystem services" for biodiversity conservation, having national and global significance;

45 Table continuation 1 2 3 4 5  Contribute to preserve and increase the number of Red Book flora (collective nursery), with the active involvement of local communities and stakeholders, both at local and national levels.  Exchange best practices and experience of water resources management, use of new water-saving technologies in the field of cross-border rivers, and promotion of dialogue with neighboring countries;  Contribute to improving the quality of water resources (drinking water supply, irrigation, etc.), including rivers and lakes, reservoirs and reservoir  Promote the efficient management of waste that fall into the rivers and lakes of international value, through restoration of the old and construction of new small-scale sewage treatment plants and introduction of modern water treatment technologies;  Develop and conduct information campaigns and dissemination of information to civil society on modern approaches and international conservation water resources. Component 2 of the Introduction of agro- Development and Indicator: the number of Report individual SGP GEF SGP OP 6: ecological practices implementation of the hectares of land under projects Innovative include measures to projects initiated by rural agri-environmental communities and agroecology, given the reduce CO² practices that reduce Indicators of social and climate situation: institutions of civil society environmental emissions and CO² emissions and aimed on growing climate sustainability for the 2.1 Agri-environmental increase resilience to adapted crop varieties, promoting the increased production of landscapes practices, including climate change in water-saving and soil resilience to climate (SEPLs) measures to reduce forestry, conservation change CO² emissions and agroforestry and technologies and Baseline: 10 hectares Annual report on development of organic increase resilience to monitoring (ARM) agricultural farming. Target: At least + 200 climate change, tested 11 landscapes  Introduction of hectares in protected areas, alternative irrigation (Agro-ecological buffer zones and forest systems and water practices and measures corridors, and widely supply in rural areas. on reducing CO2 distributed in at least (Examples: * gidrotaran, 30 priority countries. emissions are collected rainwater from introduced and the roofs of houses, rational use of springs, successfully drip irrigation system, implemented in forest, etc.) * gidrotaran - water agroforest and pump working by the agricultural landscapes water flow energy; on the area of 200 ha.) 13 Subject to raise additional funds and funds available from other resources, not including fixed assets of the Programme allocated to the GEF SGP. This also applies to project objectives and number of hectares. Exclusions - projects within the 30% of the funds allocated to other subjects. 46 Table continuation 1 2 3 4 5

 Implementation of alternative and advanced systems for production and use of environmentally friendly biological fertilizer. Promoting biological crop protection methods;  Introduction of technologies for the production of organic fertilizers to reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides;  Restoration and creation of windbreaks and plantations in order to reduce and prevent water and wind erosion;  Promote integrating of biological drainage systems to prevent salinization of the soil and restore the productivity of irrigated land;  Restoration of irrigated agricultural lands, creating new jobs, improving food security;  Grafting seedlings and seeds in degraded slopes to prevent landslides, formation of gullies and slope stabilization;  Contribute to creation of the Advisory services center for local farmers, and demonstration of best practices (demonstration sites) on preparation and use of land, on alternative irrigation system (hydronic) to improve water use efficiency per unit area, on the correct use of fertilizers, and sowing calendar (time frame of farming);  Promote awareness and capacity building of local population, through distribution and retrieval of the best lessons (show-cases) for alternative and sustainable land management to prevent land degradation and desertification;  Improve the use and sustainable land management (SLM) (change of land use practices, combating desertification, erosion: water, wind, etc); under the land use, land and forest use change;

47 Table continuation 1 2 3 4 5  Promote an increase of forest area, forest cover and plantation (development of agro / forestry, forest- restoration, community nurseries) to prevent erosion and land degradation, disaster risk reduction;  Rehabilitation and rangeland management (improved pasture rotations, reducing the load on the pastures, etc), as well as the introduction of productive livestock breeds, its diversity, improving the quality of forage on degraded sites;  Promote sustainable land management through the introduction of alternative methods and technologies for agriculture in dryland or rainfed landscapes (organic farming, drip irrigation (the rational use of springs)), conservation of soil moisture, introduction of drought-resistant crops, biological fertilizer (komposting) and biological methods of protecting plants.

Component 3 of the At least one Increasing local public Indicator: the number of ARM, the national GEF SGP OP 6: documented and awareness on energy- demonstrated innovative report Mutual benefit from demonstrated efficient building typologies ARM, the international access to low-carb innovative typology12, standards and standards database, national energy resources including solutions of heating systems and Baseline: 2 typologies, reports applicable to the devices. demonstrated by the GEF 3.1 Decisions to terrain13  Development and SGP before the beginning Certain national provide communities implementation of of the GEF-6, including: research14 access to low-carbon technologies that mini hydroelectric power energy sources are contribute to climate station to produce successfully changes adaptation in electricity and energy- implemented in 50 the field of agriculture efficient technologies countries, bringing into and forestry; (energy-efficient furnace on line and integrate these  Contribute to biogas and compost) approaches into larger implementation of Target: At least two energy saving and programmes, such as projects on energy and construction of energy- SE4ALL, which started energy efficiency. efficient buildings and its activity in at least in installations; 12 countries  Introduction of traditional ecological methods of heat conservation in rural homes and schools, promote the reduction of heat loss;

14 Typology in this case refers to the demonstrated practices / technologies (solar, minigidro, wind energy, biogas, environmentally friendly and energy-efficient cooking stoves) in the field of access to energy, mutual benefit, organic agriculture, forest pasture, agroforestry, etc. 15 Subject to raise additional funds and funds available from other resources, not including basic (CORE) Programme funds allocated for the implementation of the SGP. This also applies to objectives in number of projects and typologies. Exclusions - projects within 30% of the funds, allocated to other subjects. 16 It applies only to the leading countries in this strategic initiative 48 Table continuation 1 2 3 4 5  Reducing the influence (More than 2,000 people of local population in (approximately 294 remote mountain areas households) from local on natural ecosystems, communities gained access through the use of solar to energy efficient energy for needs of his technologies and farm, including dried renewable energy sources fruits and herbs (RES); and greenhouse gas  Introduction of new emissions into the technologies that atmosphere and loads on contribute to saving mountain ecosystems are natural resources, save reduced as well). energy and reduce greenhouse gas 294 households emit emissions approximately 294х15 ton  Introduction of (approximate level of renewable energy emissions of all categories) sources in the = 4410 ton per year. autonomous communities, social institutions and settlements (biogas installing);  Promotion of solar energy using (solar panels, solar power plants, etc.) in return for the use of wood for heating, hot water, cooking, lighting.  Adaptation to climate change at the community level through the new knowledge / best practices, innovative methods and technologies that contribute to the conservation of water and land resources;  Introduction of alternative energy sources: HPP, solar collectors, solar power plants, biomass, methane production from waste (light and heat), processing of biomass into solid and liquid bio-fuels instead of fossil fuel raw materials (fuel, gas, etc.);  Increasing the sequestration of carbon dioxide gas (carbon) by increasing the forest area, forest cover and plantation (development of agro / forestry, forest- restoration, community nurseries);  Support development of sustainable and ecological urban transport, and construction (transport / equipment is not equipped with a motor / engine);

49 Table continuation 1 2 3 4 5  To promote awareness and strengthen the capacity of local population, through dissemination and training best practices based on lessons learned (show-cases and demonstration areas) for alternative and renewable energy sources, energy-saving and energy-efficient technologies, adaptation measures in the field of agriculture and forestry as well. Component 4 of the Available practices of  Conducting information Indicator: the number of Individual reports on GEF SGP OP 6: POPs use reduction campaigns (on the level demonstrated projects the project in the of local jamoat and From the local to the and their isolation are and innovative framework of country global coalition on shown locally on the district communities) SGP teams project sites. about the dangers of typologies chemicals: persistent organic pollutants, and methods Baseline: 1 typology, Annual report on 4.1 Demonstrated to reduce their impact demonstrated by the projects monitoring innovative tools and on the environment, GEF SGP before the (AMR) approaches at the ecosystems and human beginning of the GEF-6: community level, health. Review of the country deployed and  Support the recovery of Target: At least two programme strategy transferred storage and burial sites of industrial and projects of innovative appropriately, with the typologies for pesticides support of new or chemical waste; make an inventory of storage and waste management existing coalitions in at and burial sites and neutralization; least 20 countries, to (statistics, etc); awareness raising of at manage hazardous  Promote reducing of chemicals and wastes production and use of least 5,000 people on chemical and toxic this topic. substances / drugs (PVC, DDT) and persistent (At least 0.5 ton of POPs organic pollutants is not incinerated and (POPs) in agriculture and 0.5 ton of unusable introduce organic pesticides is properly farming; disposed. Projects,  Contribute initiated by UNDP-GEF- implementation and SGP, assist in development of efficient implementing national available technologies plans and policies and agricultural against POPs, including practices that contribute medical wastes, to environmental chemicals/ pesticides protection; and e-waste).  Introduction of environmentally friendly technologies and equipment for the destruction / elimination of medical waste (chemical waste, thermometer, etc);  Promote broad public awareness and dissemination of information and experiences among the local community about the dangers and consequences of chemical and toxic agents use (PVC, DDT, etc), as well as persistent organic pollutants (POPs); (Strategic Approach in International Chemicals Management «SAICM»).

50 Table continuation 1 2 3 4 5 Component 5 of the GEF SGP supports the Implementation of the Indicator: the number of Report individual SGP GEF SGP OP 6: creation of at least national round tables and platforms for dialogue projects meetings of NGOs, CSOs Platform for dialogue one platform for between civil society between civil society dialogue between and government to discuss International SGP the development and and the government is organizations and the CSOs and the database government to discuss planning of politically initiated government (Donor +): important decisions to at least one practice promote the Baseline: 0 Annual report on 5.1. SGP supports the demonstrated practices / monitoring (ARM) creation of a "platform technologies Target: To initiate the for dialogue between creation of at least 2 civil society platforms for dialogue organizations and the between civil society government", and government at local strengthening existing level and/or on the area and potential partnership relations in of selected landscape. at least 50 countries (NGOs network and a platform for dialogue with the Government are established in order to demonstrate and promote relevant practices/technologies and making important policy decisions). Component 6 of the Promotion of gender Involvement of youth and Indicator: number of Report individual SGP GEF SGP OP 6: and youth involvement women in programme women / young people projects implementation and are applied to all have benefited from Social integration projects SGP providing gender equality International SGP in the dialogues, practices participating in the SGP (gender, youth, database and sharing of benefits projects indigenous peoples) derived from the SGP (Donor +): activities. Baseline: 3 women and Annual report on 1 representative of monitoring (ARM) 6.1 Promotion of youth (2016) gender issues is included in all SGP Target: At least 100 programmes; women and 100 young education gender people have benefited issues for staff, from participating in the grantees, NCC GEF SGP initiatives members, partners (More than 100 women 6.2 Fellowship and 100 young people programme for are involved in the indigenous people held implementation of to enhance the projects and have capacity of at least 12 benefited from scholarships. participating in GEF SGP). In the respective countries provided support of project implementation by indigenous peoples 6.3 Involvement of youth and disabled people is supported by further SGP projects and recommendations, and sharing best practices and experience with other countries

51 Table continuation 1 2 3 4 5 Component 7 of the SGP in Tajikistan, Sharing experiences and Indicator: the number of International SGP GEF SGP OP 6: international digital lessons learned on products and knowledge database innovative SGP initiatives Global spread of library and South- relating to the country's knowledge on practices South platform are with the international Annual report on community through the innovation is extended (Donor +): connected for the monitoring (ARM) electronic library, South- on the international exchange of views on South platform and the level 7.1 Electronic library of issues of innovation at GEF SGP website Review of the country the community level. innovation is opened at Baseline: 1 typology programme strategy the community level These sources are and provides access to interconnected for mutual exchange of Target: *Share at least 2 information for information knowledge products communities in at least related to the 50 countries innovations of the 7.2 South-South country and distribute platform for exchange of views on innovation them to the at the community level, international level discusses global issues (2 and more innovative related to the environment in at least knowledge products and 20 countries relevant practices (including monthly or quarterly issued information bulletins, projects newsletters, brochures on implemented best practices, guidance on implementing special technologies and other promo materials) are disseminated at regional/local level through the experience- sharing electronic platform or SGP GEF website)

* Examples can be given from OP 6 and earlier GEF operating periods.

52 5. Monitoring and evaluation plan

Monitoring and evaluation plan will be National Coordinator conducts visits to based on indicators and targets presented in monitor at least once a year. The frequency of the Table 3 of the National Programme and these visits depends on the degree of includes 2 levels: the implementation of complexity of the project and determined in individual projects and the National accordance with the NC the main expected Programme. results. NC also conducts unscheduled visits to randomly selected projects at the end of the Monitoring and evaluation of individual project and after its completion in order to GEF SGP projects begin when a plan is focused ascertain that project objectives are achieved. on the project results, with clear SMART indicators. Community members who are Once a year, the NCC members visit a initiators of the projects, formulate goals number of selected projects to inform the NCC together with the National Coordination members of the progress and results of the Committee (NCC) and SGP National Coordinator projects. (NC). Indicators at the national level are NC provides verification that the results monitored and recorded through annual of a separate project complements the GEF national reports (ANR). Annual reports are objectives related to the global environment. transferred to the central team management of Developed together in this way the project the programme in New York for further scope becomes a basis for monitoring and generalizations. Progress in achieving the evaluating, and the project is evaluated respect objectives of the National Programme is to indicators and targets. Objectives and evaluated annually by collecting the results of indicators for each project are formulated in individual projects, and the relevant adaptation accordance with the objectives and indicators of measures on project management can be the national programmes. The scope of each defined as needed. project becomes a source of baseline Detailed plan for monitoring and information for monitoring and evaluating the evaluation at the country programme level is project by NC and NCC during its presented in Table 4. implementation.

Table 4. Monitoring and evaluation plan at the level of the National Programme Activities on Goals Responsible parties Budget Terms monitoring and resources evaluation National Framework for NC, NCC and Provided a At the beginning of the Programme the identification stakeholders at the means of operating period Development of individual country level, preparatory community grantees grant projects goals

Annual review of Training; NC, NCC Provided at the Review will be conducted on the National adaptive control expense of an annual basis to ensure Programme national that the national programme programme has not deviated from the running costs outputs and goals, and to make decisions with respect to any amendment or need to change in management

53 Table continuation 1 2 3 4 5 NCC meetings for Evaluate the NC, NCC, UNDP Provided at the At least 2 times a year, one constant review projects portfolio expense of of which is dedicated to of project results effectiveness, national monitoring and evaluation, and their analysis approaches, as well programme and changes in management as acquisition of running costs new knowledge, changes in management Annual report on Submit report to NC transmits to Provided at the Once a year, in July, monitoring (ARM) the PMCC and the the PMCC for expense of

GEF; result consideration national Overview (based presentation to programme on ARM) donors running costs Visit of project Assess the NC, NCC, UNDP Provided at the NC regularly visits the sites effectiveness of expense of project areas, NCC has at projects, national least one annual visit to approaches, programme selected project sites. acquisition of new running costs knowledge, changes in management Strategic Review Training, adaptive NCC Provided at the Once in the operating period of Country control for the expense of Projects Portfolio strategic national development of the programme National running costs Programme

54 6. Resources mobilization plan

Resources mobilization is a key element  Studying of complementary capabilities and in the UNDP GEF SGP strategy in Tajikistan and, cost-sharing with the state funded projects therefore, is a priority for the country team and and initiatives at the local level. NCC. UNDP GEF SGP has an obligation to the UNDP-GEF Small Grants Programme in GEF Council to ensure that the minimum rate of Tajikistan will examine all possible sources of co co-financing UNDP-GEF SGP projects was 1: 1, -financing in kind and cash both at the so that funds of co-financed parts would be programme, and project levels. To this end, the uniformly expressed in cash and in kind. programme intends to establish and maintain Co-financing is also important to increase close partnerships with existing projects and the the number, scope and impact of funded UNDP- UNDP Environment and Energy Programmes, in GEF SGP projects. Mobilize resources and particular Community Development Programme cooperation are vital to strengthen the and full-scale UNDP/GEF projects, including generation of income and other project donors, UN agencies, charitable organizations, components related to life support that the private sector and the government as well. contribute to the project "ownership" and Given the commitments of UN agencies "superintendence"by community, thus and larger GEF projects and programmes, providing sustainability. cooperation with them is important to i) The amount currently available for the improving management system in rural areas; ii) implementation of the GEF SGP in Tajikistan on increasing the rural population's access to OP6 does not provide sufficient funds for the financial resources, infrastructure and jobs; iii) full-scale and effective grants for all comers. strengthening the existing policy and regulatory Thus, there is a need to raise funds from other framework in support of agro-biodiversity sources. conservation and adaptation to climate change, capacity development of communities, The GEF within the framework of the institutional and systemic capacity which will UNDP-GEF SGP in Tajikistan will consider a allow local communities and NGOs to address possibility of cooperation and co-financing from issues related to climate risk, through the both traditional and non-traditional sources. conservation and use of agricultural biodiversity Resources mobilization activities will be and land resources and iv) support of secure conducted in the following areas: waste management, water conservation, agro-  Evaluation of interests and priorities of biodiversity and ensure local farmers and international donor organizations and communities with alternative sources of organizations on development, as well as income. identifying of opportunities for partnership Mutually beneficial partnership of UNDP- and co-financing; GEF SGP, UN agencies and larger projects / programmes of the GEF will improve the impact  Private sector involvement for co-financing of all programmes in the GEF focal areas. UNDP-GEF SGP projects as part of corporate Production resources and technical supervision social responsibility; provided for programmes / projects will  Involving non-governmental and charitable strengthen the focus of UNDP-GEF SGP on organizations for co-financing UNDP-GEF securing global environmental benefits while SGP projects; generating sustainable livelihoods and expanding the successful intervention by co-  Inclusion of the UNDP-GEF SGP projects into financing and co-operation with existing larger projects funded by the GEF and UN projects agencies; GEF SGP is also considering collaboration  Inclusion the UNDP-GEF SGP projects into and synergies with international organizations programmes on MDGs achievement, poverty implementing small grants such as Oxfam, the reduction programmes, projects / Embassy of Japan (JAICA), the US Embassy programme on environment and energy in (USAID), the Norwegian Council for Nature order to increase co-financing; Conservation, Central Asia Act, OSCE, UNDP. EBRD, the World Bank. 55 At the project level, UNDP-GEF Small of food in the 12 target districts of the western Grants Programme in Tajikistan established and Khatlon, and focuses on five areas of is maintaining partnerships with UNDP agriculture, affecting food, including agricultural projects / programmes on Energy and extension, horticulture, gardening, dairy Environment, international and national NGOs production and irrigation. network, state agencies and national The project on agriculture and water stakeholders. under the "Food for the Future" in Tajikistan With regard to the development of supports the initiative of the Tajik Higher partnerships and co-financing at programme Education Institutions, private companies and level, the UNDP-GEF Small Grants Programme in NGOs that provide services to households and Tajikistan, with the National Coordinating small farmers through the provision of advisory Committee support will be able to establish services on agriculture, access to quality inputs, cooperation with national and regional the provision of services related to initiatives, and to attract additional funds to transportation, processing and storage of the support local communities on project areas crop, as well as product marketing services. through extra small grants for the conservation The programme activity also includes of biodiversity, land degradation and the funding and training for private entrepreneurs introduction of adapted to climate change engaged in processing of foods, which are practices at the community level. interested in improving the processing and Within this coperation, about 10% of the storage of fruits, vegetables and dairy products. total allocation will be used to cover the In addition, the programme will assist private operating expenses of UNDP-GEF Small Grants suppliers of agricultural equipment to increase Programme in Tajikistan related to the provision the quantity and improve the quality of of grants to local communities. At the date the delivered agricultural products, equipment and UNDP-GEF Small Grants Program in Tajikistan services in the Khatlon region. has already established and will cooperate with Activity of initiatives is aimed at donors, international and national NGOs (i.e. supporting small-scale farmers, especially OXFAM, the Swiss Agency for Development and women, and "Food for the Future" assists Cooperation (SDC), the UK Department for partners in developing their agriculture in order international development (DFID), the German to stimulate economic development and society for international cooperation (GIZ), and improvement of trade, leading to an increase in others.), which could potentially be partners for income and decrease hunger, levels of poverty co-financing in the framework of joint projects and malnutrition. at the community level, in accordance with the strategic objectives of the GEF-6. Oxfam in Tajikistan is working with several development programmes, the purpose All prospective and ongoing projects, of each is to support poverty reducing in the which are currently being implemented on the country, together with the Government of the territory of selected landscapes make up Republic of Tajikistan. The main programme of approximately 70-80% of SGP funding and are Oxfam is Sustainable livelihoods, which includes effective financial resources to implement this two components: livelihood and food security in strategy. The SGP implementation is an the Khatlon region. The aim of Oxfam in experimental pilot-action in attracting and Tajikistan is to improve the lives of vulnerable expanding the financial contributions from rural households, particularly women farmers donors. and small-scale farming and potential women US Government through the US Agency entrepreneurs through empowerment, for International Development (USAID), under increased revenue, improved tools and the "Food for the Future" initiative is resources to adapt to climate change. Oxfam implementing the programme on agriculture invests in household and farming system, to and water in Khatlon area, which aimed at increase the ability of women and men to ensuring food security and improving the diet of produce and develop businesses, that can be of children and women of childbearing age in the great value and opportunities within the market western Khatlon. system. The "Food for the Future" aimed to fight The main directions of Oxfam aimed at hunger and provide food security, as well as will protection against the consequences of climate help households and small farms to increase change and adaptive approaches to wider issues yields, diversify and improve the value of their related to climate change; disaster risk agricultural products. The programme aims to reduction, support for communities to identify improve the diversity of the diet and the quality the risks they face, and to work to reduce these

56 risks, together with the Emergency Committee; to help communities and civil society sustainable water supply, capacity building of organizations to make requests for assistance stakeholders and aquatic trust fonds. Oxfam is from other donors or from other sources of an active organization and implement an funding. While money may not go directly to innovative and effective programming that the GEF SGP, this activity can be considered as really support the poor people in the provision part of the resource mobilization strategy, as it of clean water to remote villages, construction helps to increase the flow of resources to GEF of greenhouses for farmers and training centers SGP partners through not financial assistance. for communities to avoid flash floods, Tajikistan remains a country with a destruction of their homes and the loss of relatively high level of donor activities in crops. relation to the environmental sector initiatives. The World Bank has a number of projects During GEF SGP there is possible to involve the in Tajikistan, the results of which are associated international donors and partners for the with increased food security and the project implementation, and directly across the strengthening of the agricultural sector of the GEF SGP programme. UNDP remains the main country. To support the emergency food and most active supporter of programmes in situation of the poorest farmers and female- the country. Representatives of international headed households, the additional revenue organizations and embassies of some developed which declined sharply due to makrosituation countries also provide significant support to the caused by the global crisis, the World Bank has individual project initiatives in the framework of allocated additional funding for food security the programme. project and import of seed which is intended to Below are the projects implemented by help social groups in the restoration of international organizations and donors in production losses and ensure the factors Tajikistan: required for the production of agricultural products and animal husbandry. Regional Programme for the Sustainable Use of Natural Resources in Central Asia (up to The project concerns the involvement of 2016) aimed at a more sustainable pasture local community groups in monitoring the management, forest and wildlife resources in distribution of winter wheat and maize seeds Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and fertilizers to poor households. Ultimately, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan). the project aims at the rehabilitation of rural infrastructure, the creation of a social As part of a comprehensive concept of environment conducive to business the regional programme, GIZ in partnership development, the improvement of the private with the Forestry Agency implements a project sector in rural areas. worth 2.8 million euros: "Adapting to climate change through sustainable forest European Bank for Reconstruction and management" (until 2018). This project Development launched the implementation of promotes discussion and conclusion of the already signed water supply projects with agreements on joint forest management with simultaneous deployment of other projects of local communities. During the first year of the water supply in the southern and northern parts project (2014-2015) it was signed about 60 of the country together with international agreements on joint forest management. donors. The Bank is also considering the implementation of wastewater projects, solid In cooperation and with further financial waste management and urban transport in support from the Bank of development «KfW», smaller cities. In the energy sector, the Bank, by 2018 is scheduled to sign a total of 1,500 together with the EIB and IFCA, signed a power agreements on joint forest management. The loss reduction project in Sogd and began project will also strengthen the capacity of preparing for the project on recovery Kairakkum forestry agencies, forestry enterprises and their hydroelectric power. The latter will be financed staff to improve planning, implementation and under the pilot programme on resilience to monitoring of forest management activities climate change with the analysis of the climate (including agreements on joint forest vulnerability of the hydropower sector. Since management). The project will be aimed at private investors will be considered small promoting the development and hydropower projects in Badakhshan. implementation of foresters training. As a result, this will ensure the creation of seed and In the context of an insufficient number seedling production systems of climate-resilient of funds within the GEF SGP, the programme species and varieties of trees. will support local communities and partners at their request, as the role of "Donor +" in order

57 As part of the co-financing of the regional Under the PPCR, the Asian Development programme, GIZ continues to stimulate the Bank (ADB) funded project "Strengthening the creation and interaction of local associations of capacity for adaptation to climate change" in pasture users, and enhances the dialogue the amount of $ 6.7 million US$, which is between the pasture users, staff of local implemented by the Committee of authorities and relevant ministries («Network Environmental Protection under the platform for pasture management in Government of Tajikistan (2009-2015). This Tajikistan»). Today, registered 177 associations project includes the provision of support in five of pasture users, of which 62 in Shuroabad, 32 areas: (1) improving access to information on in Muminobade, 39 in Temurmalik, 22 in climate change, (2) managing the risks of Baldzhuvane, 9 in Khovaling, 2 in Jirgatal, 2 in climate change in the planning and Tavildara, 2 in , 2 in Rogun, 2 in Vahdat, 2 implementation of development, (3) in Faizabad and 1 in Rudaki. strengthening of knowledge management systems, (4) reporting on monitoring and Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience management, and (5) the establishment of links (PPCR) in Tajikistan is implemented in two between the secretariat of the PPCR and phases: Phase 1, implemented from 2010 to national organizations. 2012 under a grant of $ 1.5 million, included the holding of six measures to provide technical Under the PPCR, the World Bank funded assistance to strengthen Tajikistan's capacity project on "Increasing employment for and analytical evidence base, as well as the sustainable development of agriculture and development of the second phase of projects. water management" in the amount of 18 Based on activities of Phase 1, the Strategic million US$, which is implemented by the Programme for Climate Resilience (SPCR) Ministry of Energy and Water Resources (2012- identified six potential measures on investment 2020.). The project aims to: (1) provide and capacity development, which are employment, food-deficit, by restoring performed in the second phase (see table irrigation and drainage infrastructure, (2) below). increase resulting from improved irrigation and infrastructure, crop production, and (3) Initially committees of targeted climate maintain the development of improved policies investment funds have approved for funding of and institutions for water management 50 million. US $, which, with the co-financing of resources so that to provide greater access to three multilateral development banks (MDBs), food for people with low incomes in poor rural needed to support the implementation of a areas, supported the project. pilot programme. Subsequently, the contribution of climate investment funds has The International Development been increased to 60 million US$. Association of the World Bank provided the grant (10 million US$) to Tajikistan for The PPCR, through a grant from the implementation of the project "Creation of the World Bank (9.45 mlillion US$) and the grant system of land and cadastre registration in from the Global Environment Facility Trust Fund agriculture" (up to 2015), supported by the (5.4 mln. US $) funded project on efforts of the Government of Tajikistan, to "Environmental management of lands and enhance the restructuring of agricultural land in improve the economic situation of rural the framework of "Farms privatization support areas" (2014-2018.). The project aims at project", and efforts to ensure that more than enabling the rural population to increase their rural residents could become independent productive assets in ways that improve the farmers and take management decisions in management of natural resources and increase response to market challenges. resilience to climate change in selected climate- sensitive areas. This project (1) supports the integration of the registration and cadastre data in selected The project implemented by the areas, (2) expanding the restructuring of Committee of the Environment, will be in agricultural land and the issuance of right to use particular: (1) provide funding and grant certificates for households and other types of support initiatives at the village level and property, and (3) support activities that broader initiatives in the field of sustainable complement the efforts to restructure the rural production and land management, and (2) agricultural land and issuing certificates. provide technical and organizational support to the rural population in the planning, Existing micro-finance institutions (MFIs), implementation and management of which are based in the project area include: (1) investments in agriculture. "Imdodi Hutal" in Kulyab; (2) "Rushdie Vodii

58 Phase Direction Donor Review of institutional arrangements and needs to capacity building for climate change in 1 WB Tajikistan Tajikistan Partnership on climate science and modeling of climate change impacts ADB Raising of awareness on climate change in Tajikistan WB Identifying opportunities to improve the sustainability of the energy sector of Tajikistan to climate EBRD change Analysis of approaches for sustainable land management under climate change in Tajikistan ВБ Analysis of approaches to river basin management for climate resilience ADB 2 Strengthening the capacity to adapt to climate change ADB Improving the provision of weather, climate and water WB Climate science and modeling programe ADB Strengthening Climate Resilience in the energy sector EBRD Agriculture and sustainable land management WB Strengthening Climate Resilience in the basin of Panj river ADB

Zarafshon" in Zarafshan; and (3) "Faizi Surkhob" business associations and farmers' associations; in Rasht. These institutions are self-resistant capacity building of producer organizations to (self-sustaining) and operate in more than 8 take advantage of the capabilities of existing years. Micro-finance UNDP scheme has existed and new markets; strengthening the capacity of since 2000. The reason for the recent changes relevant government institutions to build a and creation of new MFIs was in legislative working environment for agro-enterprises in changes related to the new law: "Law on micro- Tajikistan (e.g., through certification of organic financial activities" approved in 2004. material, and according to international quality standards); and work with the Ministry of MFI portfolio created by the UNDP is now Economy and Commerce to attract foreign and more than 4 million US$. All MFIs are stable and private investment in order to support have shown good profits in 2007 - more than emerging markets. 400,000 US$; and in 2008 (January-September) - more than 250,000 US$. Micro loan fund (MLF) Until today, the loan repayment rate is distribute resources for the projects on 100%. These institutions operate stably and community development in accordance with established relationship as the UNDP clear criterias and policy priorities, established Communities Programme is the foundation by public consultation with local communities. (fund) of the United Nations technical assistance to Tajikistan in support of They also support the initiatives of implementation of the Strategy for Poverty farmers and communities to develop business Reduction, and all UNDP projects in the country skills, the regional advisory councils on business, are aligned (aligned) with this programme.

59 7. Risk management plan

As with any strategy and plan, there are risks that must be considered during the preparation of the Strategy. The following risks have been identified in the framework of the Programme:

Table 5. Description of the risks identified for the implementation of OP6

Risk level Risk probability Measures provided for risk Describe identified risks (low, medium, high) (low, medium, high) reduction Lack of financial Medium Medium Search for additional funds from resources for project international and other donors implementation in OP6

Control and monitoring Low Low Transparency in GEF SGP project implementation

Stability and support of Medium Low Building links between the existing initiatives beneficiaries, donors, local communities; improving the capacity of local communities and beneficiaries.

NCC will be closely monitoring and discuss the risks and their extent.

60 8. Approval of the National Coordination Committee

Note: The supporting signature at this point is indicative of the fact that this version of the National Programme is full and final, it was duly considered and approved by the members of the NCC as a guide for the implementation of the SGP National Programme on OP6.

NCC members included in the development, review and approval of Signature the National Programme on OP6

Khurshed Kholov- GEF/SGP Coordinator in Tajikistan

Neimatullo Safarov - NCC member, the National Coordinator of the UN Convention on Biodiversity in Tajikistan

Tatyana Novikova – Deputy Head of the National Center for Biodiversity and Biosafety

Svetlana Djumaeva – Director of the Center for Climate Change and dis- aster risk reduction in Tajikistan

Madvaliev Umarkhon – President of the Association of Renewable Ener- gy of Tajikistan

Kurbonali Partoev - Research specialist of the Institute of Botany, Physi- ology and Plants Genetic, Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajiki- stan

Malika Babadjanova – Consultant on environmental and protection measures of the ADB Representative Office in Tajikistan

Nargizakhon Usmanova – UNDP Programme Analyst

61 Annex 1. Estimated baseline of defined landscapes for the GEF SGP Strategy within the OP6

Basic analysis of defined landscapes The basic assessment of country Based on landscape assessment and landscapes include multilateral consultations ecological zoning prepared new typological with CSOs, NGOs, international organizations landscape characteristics. 10 classes, 26 types and donors working in the country to identify and 87 species of landscapes have been GEF priorities and develop Country Programme allocated to Tajikistan. Mountain forest Strategy (SGP CPS) based on landscape planning landscapes and savannoide ecosystem were for GEF OP6. defined as priority for GEF SGP implementation activities, and will be under the focus of 70% of Landscape evaluation was conducted GEF SGP allocation. based on the analysis of strategic programmes and country documents on environmental These landscapes are covering the central protection, biodiversity, land degradation and Tajikistan, Regions of Republican Subordination, climate change. There were studied and part of the southern Khatlon region. The international best practices and experiences in remaining 30% of the GEF SGP funds will be landscape planning and ecosystem approaches. directed to other landscapes and SGP areas in northern and southern Tajikistan. Gorno- As as base for analysis, identifying the Badakhshan Autonomous Area was not included existing environmental challenges, gaps and in the priority landscapes due to the uneven opportunities for the preservation of landscapes distribution of socio-economic and in Tajikistan were the existing methodologies environmental problems. for environmental zoning; natural and economic zoning; and zoning on the degree of soil Selection and justification of the degradation. landscapes were carried out on the basis of indicators definition which, in turn, include: the Priorities for a landscape approach in the optimum conditions for human activities, implementation of the GEF SGP will be mainly availability of valuable ecosystems, plant focused on the coverage of such issues as the communities, water resources and watersheds, preservation of the landscape (including water) rare and endangered species of plants and plant at the community level, the use of climate- genetic resources, presence of protected areas friendly "smart" innovative agro-ecological and ecological network categories, vulnerability mechanisms in the use and implementation of to climate change, waste and pollution, the SGP, receiving parallel benefits that population density and human pressure on promote access to low-carbon energy and its natural resources and project experience of optimal distribution, management of chemicals projects, implemented by the SGP or by donors through the approach according to the principle (see table of indicators in Annex 2). "from the local (local) global associations", to create a platform of dialogue between CSOs and Below is a description of the selected the Government on issues of landscape administrative districts and landscapes. planning policy, promoting social integration i.e. account of gender, youth involvement, scholarships or internships for representatives of the local population, the global reach of knowledge, based on citizens' practice, the use of innovative approaches at the community level and the exchange of best practices, knowledge and lessons learned between communities.

62 Regions of Republican The average annual temperature is + 11° C, Subordination (RRS) are located in Central precipitation - 500-1500 mm per year. There are Tajikistan, stretching to the border with formed the largest rivers of Tajikistan - Surkhob, Kyrgyzstan on the north-east and to Uzbekistan Hingob, Vakhsh, Yaksu, in the upper reaches of – on the west. This region occupies the central which are the highest peaks and largest glaciers, part of the country and includes the capital of including the Pamir glaciation knot, which is Tajikistan, Dushanbe, located on the west. In concentrated 40% of Central Asian glaciers. the capital the population density is the highest There are stained lakes. 17 and is 8559 people/km , which promotes the The region is inhabited by almost all the highest level of human impact on the species of mammals and birds of Tajikistan, environment. there are about 50% of rare and endemic According to data for 2016 on territory of species of plants and animals. The most the RRS reside 3099.3 thousand persons. 86.7% valuable plant communities and endemic of them are rural residents and 13.3% are species are confined to this territory. urban. As the population density of the region is The main environmental problems of the the third in the country (after Khatlon and region include: pollution of surface and Sughd areas) and is 63 people per 1km². The groundwater; deforestation and soil erosion; population growth rate for 2000-2014 was the poor state of the waste management 22.4%. system, as well as the degradation of The total area of RRS is over 29 thousand agricultural drainage and irrigation systems. km², including 14% of all irrigated land in Apart from the capital, Dushanbe, on the Tajikistan. territory of the RRS are still 3 cities: Tursunzade, Hissar and Vahdat with the surrounding agricultural areas. In Tursunzode there is one of the largest industrial enterprises in Central Asia - Tajik aluminum plant. The main environmental problems of this industrial enterprise are disposal and storage of industrial waste and air pollution. Among ecological problems of Gissar and Vahdat could be mentioned the deforestation, land degradation, increasing the level of groundwater, lowering the productivity of agricultural land, as well as threat to biodiversity in the territory of southern slopes of Hissar Mountains. Central-Tajik zone occupies the central Predominantly mountainous area covers part of Tajikistan, including the Karategin, southern slopes of Hissar and Karategin ridges Vakhsh, Darvaz and Alai ridges, ridge of Peter I in the range of heights from 1200 to 5099 m. and Hazratishoh, as well as Karategin, Surkhob The highest point is the upper Dubarsa river and Obihingou intermountain valleys. basin (5099 meters above sea level). In this area, along with the paleogene- The vegetation cover is rich and varied, neogene-quaternary sediments found here represented mainly the following types of precambrian formations and rocks. The average vegetation: Shibliak, semisavannas, blackwood, annual temperature is + 14 -16 ° C, precipitation mountain steppes. At the top of the border 800-1500 mm per year. There are many found alpine and subalpine meadows. In this snowfields. The main waterway is Kafernigan, zone, mentioned more than 1,200 species of , Varzob, Surkhob and Hingob rivers. flowering plants are more than 10 species were In terms of vegetation composition the included in Red Book: Fritillaria Edurda, area is considered as the most rich and (Petilium eduardii), stalked onion (Allium represented by juniper, deciduous, xerophytic stipitatum), Suvorov onion (Allium suvorowii) forests, woodlands, alpine and subalpine bunium Persian (Bunium persicum) and many meadows, semi-savannoide and mountain others. steppe plants. Flora is at least 3500 species of There are special value forests on this flowering and spore plants. The climate is area: kserofilnye (bodomchovniki, karkasniki, relatively diverse, mainly continental and cool. regeloklenovniki, shulyashniki), broad-leaved

17 Data from the Statistics Agency RT, 2016 http:stat.tj 63 (hazels, maples, hawthorns, ekzohordniki), Ecological features juniper (juniper Zeravshan, mozhzhevelnik The zone has diverse landscapes and hemispherical). It noted a lot of wild fruit and ecosystems, here are semi-savannoide (more valuable genetic resources (apple, pear, than 62.5 thousand ha), shiblyak (about 50 hawthorn, walnut, hackberry Caucasian, thousand ha.), broad-leaved forests (about 85 babaris, plum, rose, almond and many others). thousand ha), juniper (approximately 62.5 The fauna is typical for Hissar-Darwaz, thousand ha.), meadow-steppe ecosystems this region is inhabitated by rock ptarmigan (about 122.5 thousand ha). (Alektoris kakelik), quail (Coturnix coturnix), State of these ecosystems in recent years oriental turtle dove (Streptopelia orientalis), has been deteriorated. There felling trees and wood pigeon (Columba palumbus), the golden shrubs, mastering of areas with unique eagle (Aquilla chyrasaetus), marten (Martes ecosystems, unsystematic cattle grazing, foina), ermine (Mustela erminea), weasel collecting wild fruit, roads and reservoirs (Mustela nivalis), badger (Meles meles), wolf construction (Rogun hydro-electric station), (Sanis lupus), fox (Vulpes vulpes), wild boar (Sus affecting the state of flora and fauna and the scrofa), siberian goat (Capra sibirica), hare tolai overall biodiversity on the area. (Lepus tolai), longtail marmot (Marmota caudata), and others. Among reptiles found viper (Vipera lebetina), copperhead snake Especially valuable and protected objects (Ancistrodon halys), multicolored snake This area is a habitat for rare and (Coluber ravergieri), patterned snake (Elaphe endemic animals and plant species. Among the dione), sand boa (Exyx sp.). In the rivers plants mentioned date-plum (Diospyros lotus), inhabited by such species as marinka Hissar grapes (Vitis gissarica), Ostrovsky (Schizothorax intermedius), trout (Salmo trutta magnificent (Ostrowskia magnifica), Fritillaria oxianus) and Turkestan catfish (Glyptosternum Edward (petillium eduardii), Rosenbach onion reticulatum). (Allium rosebachianum), Suvorov onion (Allium suworovii) and many others. Among the animals marked stone marten (Martes foina), stoats Physical Geographical characteristics (Mustela erminea), weasel (Mustela nivalis), (topography, climate, soils) badger (Meles meles), the wolf (Sanis lupus), The area is mostly mountainous, the fox (Vulpes vulpes), wild boar (Sus scrofa), prevailing absolute elevation (ridges Gissar, the Siberian goat (Capra sibirica), snow leopard Karategin with spurs). The crests of ridges are (Unciauncia), hare tolai (Lepus tolai), long-tailed narrow rocky, spiky peaks, steep slopes (30- marmot (Marmota caudata), and others. Among 600), in some places with rocky cliffs, at the foot the birds are stone kuropaka (Alektoris kakelik), of which are widespread scree. quail (Coturnix coturnix), Oriental turtle Dove (Streptopelia orientalis), wood pigeon (Columba Hydrography. The main rivers are the palumbus), golden eagle (Aquilla chyrasaetus). Kafernigan, Sorbo, Mudzhiharf, Sangikar and From fish found Marinka (Schizothorax Surkhob. intermedius), trout (Salmo trutta oxianus) and The width of the river is from 10 to 40 m., Turkestan catfish (Glyptosternum reticulatum). the depth is up to 2 m and more. Floods in the In this area are created: rivers are from April to September, the low-flow period is from October to March. In winter, the  Ramit Nature Reserve Area (16,162 ha.) rivers do not not freeze. The climate is  Komarovski Wild life Sanctuary Area (9, 000 continental in the mountainous part, harsh ha.) winter in the midlands, cold cloudy in the low cool. The prevailing daily temperature in the valleys is 25-31° C (absolute maximum - 38° C), Nature management and threats 9-12° C in the night, high in the mountains, The area covers 30 settlements of Varzob, respectively 11-14° C (maximum 24° C). Average Vahdat, Nurabad and Rasht districts, with a annual precipitation is 600 to 1000 mm per population of about 131 thousand people. The year. Soil is alpine steppe, desert steppe gray- population is mostly rural, they are engaged in brown, non-irrigated gray soils, brown leached agricultural production, mainly in animal and typical mountain brown, hayfields and husbandry. Also developed horticulture, pastures. vegetable growing and beekeeping. Anthropogenic factors affecting biodiversity are development of territories, cutting, mowing, pasture degradation, construction of large

64 industrial facilities such as Rogun hydro-electric Socio-economic characteristics station and construction of roads. Summer Social standards of living are closely livestock pasture is causing serious harm by the linked to natural resources. The population is irrational use of meadow pastures, one more mainly engaged in rainfed agriculture, factors of land degradation is collection of wild horticulture, animal husbandry and beekeeping. fruit plants. Natural factors influencing the state More than 50% of local incomes is based on of biodiversity are erosion, mudslides, floods, forestry and agriculture products. Because of landslides, avalanches, etc. A large part of the the high unemployment working population territory is used for rainfed agriculture and migrates to neighboring countries to work. horticulture.

Landscapes of central Tajikistan (RRS) In central Tajikistan highlighted 2 classes, 6 types and 17 species of landscapes. On landscape map this area is highlighted by contours, from 3.1. to 4.3.4. points (see the landscape map). Landscape class №3. 3.High-midland humid alpine savannoide, mesophyllic forest populous Surkhob (Rasht) mak- rolandscape, requiring environmental management regulation. (1300-5000 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 800-1000 mm. Landscape type 3.1. High mountain alpine, subalpine meadow steppefied mean population landscape, requiring regulation of grazing and agro-industry (2300-3200 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 900-1000 mm. Landscape species 3.1.1. High mountain subarid steppe cryophytic-forest Pitoukul Lyahsh micro landscape, requir- ing regulation of grazing (2800-3700 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 900 mm. 3.1.2. High mountain cryophytic-juniper-subarid densely populated upper Karategin micro land- scape, requiring regulation of grazing and land management (2600-3200 m. above sea level). The average annual precipitation is 750-850 mm. 3.1.3. Mid-sub-humid floodplain semisteppe shrub densely populated Surkhob landscape, requir- ing environmental management (2200-2700 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 850- 950 mm. Landscape type 3.2. High mountain glacial-nival subarid seasonally populated Mux-Sauksoy mezolandscape with fragments of ringed forests, it requires tourism development and conservation activities (Kyzyl Muk- su Dzhylandy, Gardani Kaftar), (3000-4800-5500 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 850-950 mm. Landscape species 3.2.1. High mountain ice node; subarid spotted by cryophytic vegetation seasonally populated Sauksoy-Altynmazarsky micro landscape, requiring strengthening eco-tourism infrastructure (3000- 4500 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 600-650 mm. 3.2.2. High mountain steppe sub-humid underpopulated Djilandy-Gardani-Kaftar micro land- scape requiring grazing and potato growing regulation (3000-4500 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 750-850 mm. Landscape type 3.3. High mountain alpine and sub-alpine meadow-steppe sub-humid sparsely populated mezo landscape, requiring grazing regulation (2800-3600 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 800-900 mm. Landscape species 3.3.1. High mountain alpine meadow-steppe humid seasonally populated landscape, requiring grazing regulation (3000-4600 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is1000-1200 mm. 3.3.2. Mid-humid woodland shrub seasonally populated landscape, requiring environmental management (2000-2600 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 1000-1100 mm. 3.3.3. Foothill-floodplain-urbanized sub-humid shrub-steppefied landscape of middle reaches of the river Surkhob, requiring environmental management (1300-2200 m. above sea level). The aver- age annual rainfall is 700-750 mm.

65 Landscape class № 4. 4. High mountain midland humid glacial mesophyllic forest, meadow steppefied sparsely populated Vahiyo makro landscape, requiring environmental protection (2000-7400 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 1500-1800 mm. Landscape type 4.1. High mountain ice cryophytic-humid forest seasonally popoulated upper Vahiyo mezo landscape, requiring environmental protection (3200-7400 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 1600-1800 mm. Landscape species 4.1.1. Alpine humid ice Kyrgyzob-Garmoi micro landscape, requiring development of eco- tourism infrastructure (3500-7400 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 1900 mm. 4.1.2. High mountain mezokriofit meadow sparsely populated Rogues-Pashmgar landscape, requiring environmental management (2600-3000 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 1900-2000 mm. 4.1.3. Mid-small-leaved humid sparsely populated upper Hingob landscape, requiring grazing regulation. (2500-2800 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 800-1900 mm. Landscape type 4.2. High mountain ice kriofit alpine humid seasonally populated Mazar mega landscape, requiring development of ecological tourism (2800-4500 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 1900-2000 mm. Landscape species 4.2.1. High mountain ice cryophytic-sub-humid rocky seasonally populated micro landscape, requiring creation of environmental infrastructure (3200-6000 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 1800-1900 mm. 4.2.2. Subalpine mountain mesophyllic forest and meadow steppefied humid sparsely populated landscape, requiring environmental protection (2800-3200 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 1900 mm. 4.2.3. Mid-meadow-steppe, broad-leaved forest humid sparsely populated microlandscape, requiring grazing regulation (2400-2600 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 2000- 2100 mm. Landscape type 4.3. Alpine mesophyllic forest, meadow-steppe humid mid populated Middle-Vahiyo mezo landscape, requiring grazing regulation (2900-3600 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 1800-1900 mm. Landscape species 4.3.1. Alpine, subalpine meadow-ring-mesophyllic humid forest sparsely populated Ragna- Miyonaduy landscape, requiring grazing regulation (2600-3800 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 1800-1900 mm. 4.3.2. Mid mesophyllic humid forest mid populated Langar-Kalahuseyn landscape, requiring grazing regulation (1800-2500 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 1900-2000 mm. 4.3.3. Mid mesophyllic humid forest heavily populated Tavildara micro landscape, requiring ecotourism development (1300-2600 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 2000-2300 mm. 4.3.4. High mountain cryophytic-sub-humid plateau-like heavily populated Sagirdashtsky micro landscape, requiring environmental management (, 2900-3300 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 1900-2000 mm.

66 Southern Tajikistan, Khatlon area The vegetation cover is diverse and Khatlon area is located in the southern represented by fragments of desert sand and part of the country and is bordered on the tugai communities. The fauna is rich by reptiles, south and southeast by Afghanistan and on the mammals, birds, including many rare and west by Uzbekistan. It covers an area of 24.8 endemic species. thousand km². The are population amounted to The main environmental issues are: 3065.1 thousand people (on January 1, 2016), deforestation, degradation of pasture, arable and holds first place among the other regions. and irrigated land, as well as the poor state of By density the area concedes just to the capital. collection and disposal of household waste, The population density is 118 persons per tailings, pesticides, water pollution and rising 1 km², population growth (2000-2015) - 20%, groundwater levels. which is approximately 1/3 of the country population. As in the Sughd region, a large part of the population - about 82% live in rural areas; I. Vakhsh zone (Southern Tajikistan) and 18% are urban residents. This mountainous area runs along the Vakhsh ridge (up to 2000-2200 m. above sea In Khatlon region there is a significant level). Vakhsh ridge limit is 3,000 m. above sea part of irrigated land, representing level. approximately 45% of the total area of irrigated lands in the country, herewith 34% of these The area covers a part of the South Tajik lands are located around the administrative and Hissar-Darvoz provinces. Location on the capital of the area - Kurgan-Tube, and 11% in border between two biogeographic provinces the Kulyab zone. causes a wide variety of ecosystems, which are presented here in its purest form, in transition In Khatlon region there are several large options. Vegetation stands by juniper industrial facilities: Vakhsh nitrogen fertilizer ecosystem and fescue steppes. The flora of the plant, Yavan chemical plant, and Vakhsh landfill area is rich and varied, here found about 800 dumping of pesticides and toxic chemicals. species of vascular plants, 400 species South-Tajik zone occupies the southern belonging to 80 families. It is dominated by part of the Pamir-Alai, consisting of small ridges: xerophytic forests and juniper, and by prickly Babatag, Aktau, Tuyuntau, Teraklitau, Choltau grass closer to the watershed. and Djilantau. Gradually, they go to Parkhar- Above the slopes there are dominating Panj, Vakhsh, and Beshkent Shaartuz oases that Regel maples and kalofaki grandiflora. In many are relatively known as the South-Tajik places there are dominating yugannik depression provided cretaceous, quaternary community. Here distribution is received by and neogene sediments. such endemic species as exochorda Albert, Here, in the lower reaches of the river Alberta restelly, mountaineer baldzhuan, Panj, Vakhsh and Kafirnigan there is forming the arenaria brilliant and many others. In this area most abounding and the major river in Central there are transitional forms of trees and shrubs Asia - the Amu Darya. The soils are made up of deciduous ecosystem, but closer to the light and dark gray soils. watershed there are subalpine prickly grass ecosystems. The climate is dry and hot. The average annual temperature is + 15 +17° C, precipitation There are spread such endemic species of is 150 - 200 mm per year. The significant part of plants such as: exochorda (Exochorda Albertii), the land is used for agriculture. Dominated by rastelli (Restella Albertii), tree climber, arenaria anthropogenic ecosystem. (Cousinis sp.). From the woody vegetation in the lower zone there are almonds (Amugdalus sp), hawthorn (Crategus heterobotrys), pistachio (Pistasia vera), and others. Also territory is a habitat and a migration path for many wild animals included in the Red Book list of the Republic of Tajikistan: himalayan brown bear (Ursus arctos), Central Asian otter (Lutra lutra), turkestan lynx (Felix lynx), snow leopard (Uncia uncia), urial (Ovis vignei) bird vulture (Neophron percnopterus), golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetus), bearded vulture (Gypsaetus barbatus), saker falcon (Falco cherrug coasti) partridge (Alectoris kakelik) and others. From

67 reptiles there is quite common Central Asian bat, golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetus), bearded cobra (Naja oxiana), from hunting target species vulture (Gypsaetus barbatus), saker falcon - wild boar (Sus scrofa), fox (Vulpes vulpes), (Falco cherrug coasti), partridge (Ammoperdix marten (Martes foina), and others. Nurek griseogularis). From hunting trading species reservoir is an environment for many species of here are living: the wild boar (Sus scrofa), fish. Siberian Ibex (Carpa sibirica), vauquelin (Canus felix), dark belly ular, 30 species of waterbirds. Physical Geographical characteristics From the plant communities here found (relief, hydrography, climate, soils) valuable juniper and small-leaved forests. The relief is mountainous. Here it is the absolute height ranges 1500-3000 m. (Vakhsh, In this zone there are Nurek wildlife Surkh ridges), their crests are narrow and rocky, sanctuary (30 thousand ha) and Sari-Khosor there are steep slopes 25-45° C, which are Natural Park (3 805 ha). greatly cut by rocky ravines and narrow gullies. Nature management and threats Mountain valleys are narrow. The main In this area entered 12 settlements of the waterways are the Vakhsh River, , Nurek, Rogun, Baldzhuan districts of Khatlon Shurabdarya, Obimazor, they have a highly region, with mostly rural population more than branched channel, the width of which reaches 60 thousand people. The population is mainly from 100 to 600 m., depth of 0.6-1.6 m. Nurek engaged in agriculture. Anthropogenic stress on reservoir located here has a length of 70 km, natural ecosystems is clearly manifested in the maximum width 30 km, average depth of 107 season of summer pasture livestock. The local m., the area of 97 km. population during the summer period are The area with insufficient humid climate, harming environment by irrational use of with warm summers and moderately mild pastures, felling of trees and shrubs, collection winters. Average annual air temperature does of useful plants and poaching. In the vicinity of not exceed 11° C, minus temperature is being settlements being conducted intensive grazing observed during 2-3 months, from late and plowing, the land areas are constricting November to early March. The average monthly from year to year, noted a declining of pastures temperature in January is from -4 to -70, and medicinal plants productivity. absolute minimum -340. average July The presence of natural objects and some temperature reaches 22-240S, absolute places of pilgrimage has certain recreational maximum is 40° C. Precipitation is evenly. In load for the area. winter, it is formed a stable snowpack. Average number of days with snow cover is about 100. Socio-economic characteristics The soil is alpine-meadow steppe, typical The main characteristics of social anxiety brown, sometimes leached, typical mountain are considered to be high unemployment and brown, rain-fed fields. lack of the land. The population is mainly rural, Ecological features engaged in grain growing, horticulture, animal husbandry and beekeeping partially. This zone enters into Hulbek, Hissar and Sarikhosor-Pridarvaz ecological areas. 2-3% work in education and health sectors. The main source of incomes for the The area is rich by a variety of landscapes residents is collection and sale of agricultural and ecosystems. There are mainly dominated by resources and livestock. xerophytic forest (about 40 thousand ha), juniper (97 thousand ha), broad-leaved forests (approximately 210 thousand ha). There are II. Kurgan-Tube region (Southern anthropogenically disturbed ecosystems, as well as it is observed the development of trees and Tajikistan) shrubs cutting, grazing, and collection of useful Lowland plain area (from 300 to 700 m. plants. above sea level). Tugai and sandy deserts of the Vakhsh River. Especially valuable and protected objects The area is located along the Vakhsh In the highlands of this area there are River basin and is the habitat of valuable sand habitats of animals and birds that are included and tugai species of animals and plants. From in the Red Book list of Tajikistan, such as: Red book animals found striped hyena (Hyaena tyanshan brown white-clawed bear (Ursus hyaena), gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa), arctos), Turkestan lynx (Felix lynx), snow Bukhara deer (Cervus elaphus), jungle cat (Felis leopard (Uncia uncia), urial (Ovis vignei), tailed chaus), gray monitor lizard (Varanus griseus), cat, Central Asian otter (Lutra lutra), Indian cobra (Naja oxiana), boiga (Boiga trigenatum), porcupine (Hustrix indica), European free-tailed striated volkozub (Lucodon striatus), pheasant 68 (Phasianus colchicus), partridge (Ammoperdix anthropogenic factors. Anthropogenic factors griseogularis), serpent eagle (Circaetus ferox), affecting the biodiversity of this territory bustard (Otis undulata), spoonbill (Platalea include partial unauthorized land development, leucorodia), stone curlew (Buchrinus poaching and fires. In connection with the aedicnemus) Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanii) violation of water level it is observed secondary and others. Existing lakes serves as habitat for salinization and waterlogging. many species of fish, like chub-lisach (Aspiolusius esocinus), large Amudarya Especially valuable and protected objects lopatanos (Pseudoscaphirhynchus kaufmanii) In this area live animals and plants listed and waterbirds. in the Red Book of Tajikistan such as pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), striped hyena (Hyaena Here are growing such plants as turanga, hyaena), gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa), (Populus pruinosa), loch (Elaegnus angustifolia), Bukhara deer (Cervus elaphus), gray monitor cattail (Typha angustifolia), poplar Pamir lizard (Varanus griseus), and waterbirds. From (Populus pamirca), tamarisk much branched plants could be mentioned: Asiatic poplar (Tamarix ramossisima), liquorice (Glycyrrchiza (Populus pruinosa), cherkez (Salsolia richterii), glabra), saxaul (Haloxylon persicum), salsola white saxaul (Haloxylon persicum), cousin Richter (Salsola richterii), zygophyllum capitatum (Cousinia agelocephala), solyanka Amudarya (Zygophyllum) and others. Drobov (Salsola drobovii), galoharis hlopkovidny Physical Geographical characteristics (Halocharis gossypina) and others. The flora is (relief, hydrography, climate, soils) marked by the presence of more than 645 species. Particularly valuable communities are The relief of floodplain part of the turangovniki, saksaulniki, dzhuzgunniki, «Tigrovaya balka» reserve is flat with little tamarisk. Herbaceous plants are presented by increase and decrease. In places of lowering cattail, imperative, cane, sugar, cane usually are located lakes (about 20). The main communities and others. role of existing topography formation belongs to neotectonics and processes of erosion and Nature management and threats accumulation. Distinctive orographic elements Observed heavily tugai forests cutting and of the area are hills Karadum, Kashka-Kum, poaching. Due to the geographical location, Storm-Tau, plains of the Vakhsh River valley and irrigation water from the settlements, livestock partially of the Panj River. The main waterway is farms and other economic facilities, flowing the river Vakhsh. By the climatic characteristics, freely, are strongly polluting domestic water. In the area belongs to the subtropical dry climate. recent years, the groundwater in the district is The temperature terms and precipitation heavily polluted by pesticides. The territories of distribution allows us to compare it with the groundwater reach the level of complete Mediterranean. The winter is resistant. Cold disrepair, even in industrial needs. cyclonic invasion causes a temporary drop in Due to the natural instability of Vakhsh temperature to - 20° C, but the influx of tropical river, shores are periodically washed off and air masses leads to the establishment of, riparian systems are dried, thereby causing sometimes, rather dry warm weather. The great damage to the habitat of fish and aquatic highest level is observed in some days of July animals. Natural factors influencing the (45-46° C), the lowest in December and January ecosystem of this area are frequent fires, (-24, -25° C). Here distribution is received gray- salinization and waterlogging. brown, sandy and takyr soil. In addition, a wide range of soils azonal are being formed on the Socio-economic characteristics floodplain terrace within the reserve: alluvial- As main characteristics of social anxiety meadow, tugai-floodplain, meadow-bog varying are considered high unemployment and land degrees and salt marshes. development. Partially observed unauthorized development of the territory in order to use the Ecological features tugai forests for different crops planting (maize, The district has one reserve, two rice). botanical gardens, there are a number of unique natural formations, like Bukhara colorful flowers, combined with forests Babatag and III. Kulyab zone (Southern Tajikistan) Aktau. There are mainly dominated riparian It is a mountainous area runs along the forests, which account for about 27.5 thousand ridge Hazratisho (3000 m above sea level). High- ha. A small part of the territory is occupied by rise range limits up to 4000 m above sea level. psammophilous vegetation, it is around 15 thousand ha. The state of riparian forests are The area is unique: the unique xerophytic being degraded under the influence of juniper, hazel and wild fruit forests are

69 mentioned as special value. Thanks to them, the dominated. Wind intensified along the riverbed territory is considered as one of the key of the Panj and submeridional valley of Iol river, environmental areas with great importance for marked aeolian sand formation in inflating of the biodiversity conservation and maintenance the Panj river floodplain, and wind erosion on of ecological stability. The area enters in Hulbek denuded slopes. Soils are gray-brown and light and Sarikhosor-Pridarvaz environmental areas. gray, high mountain-meadow steppe, typical mountain brown, alluvial riparian meadow used The flora and fauna of the region is for grazing. characterized by high diversity and concentration in a relatively limited area. Ecological features The zone is unique by species diversity, The zone is characterized by significant and serves as habitat for a number of wild fruit, landscape diversity. There are middle and high food and medicinal plants, and also endemic mountain landscapes of xerophytic juniper plants and animals. There are marked more woodland, about 26.5 thousand ha, broad- than 700 vascular plant species of which 39 leaved forests about 91.25 thousand ha, species are included in Red Book, such as cumin meadows and steppes about 15 thousand ha, (Bunium persicum), Ostrovsky magnificent mainly used for livestock grazing. Observed an (Ostorwskia magnifica), Sophora, fisidens average degree of degradation and karatusky (Fissidens karataviensis), saffron contamination of pastures. Area is rich in Korol'kova (Crocus korolkovii), tulip almost minerals. Large deposits of coal, pickling are spotted (Tulipa praestans), almonds Vavilov concentrated in this area. (Amugdalus vavilovii), in range of medicinal Especially valuable and protected objects plants found ferrule kuhistanskaya (Ferula Valuable xerophytic juniper and maple kuchistanica), onions Rosenbach (Allium woods are growing in mountainous areas of this rosenbachianum), liquorice (Glycurhysa glabra), zone. The area serves as habitat for wild sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides), animals and birds included in the Red Book of dandelion (Taraxacum offisinalis) and others. Tajikistan: screw-horned goat (Capra falconeri), From animals listed in the Red Book of urial (Ovis vignei), wild boar (Sus scrofa), Tajikistan here live such kinds as markhor Siberian Ibex (Carpa sibirica), Tibetan snow cock (Capra falconeri heptnerii), urial (Ovis vignei), (Tetraogalus tibetanus), blue-gray doves wild boar (Sus scrofa), badger (Meles meles), (Coluba palumbus), partridges (Alektoris fox (Vulpes vulpes), lynx (Haus felix), viper kakelik), viper (Vipera lebetina), cobra (Naja (Vipera lebetina), cobra (Naja oxiana) oxiana). Among the plants could be mentioned tyanshansky brown bear (Ursus arctos), Central pistachio (Pistasia vera), walnut (Juglans regia), Asian otter (Lutra lutra), blue-gray doves Turkestan maple (Acer turkestanicum), Bukhara (Coluba palumbus), partridges (Alektoris pear (Pyrus bucharica), etc. kakelik) and many others. In rivers live trout (Salmo trutta morfa fario) and ordinary marinka In this area, there are: (Schizothorax intermedius).  Dashtidzhum Reserve (19,700 ha) Physical Geographical characteristics  Dashtidzhum Wildlife Sanctuary (50,100 ha) (relief, hydrography, climate, soils)  Childuhtaron Wildlife Sanctuary (14.600 ha) Absolute heights of the area range from Nature management 450 m., in the vicinity of the village God, to Social standard of population living on 4,576 m., top of the Kugifurush mountain. The this zone is associated with the natural relief is diverse, due to the complexity of the resources. The population is mainly engaged in geological structure. There are deposits of agriculture (grain growing, animal husbandry, permian and carboniferous to neogene- horticulture and beekeeping). Pastures are used quaternary period, and many of them are very for grazing. There are deposits of coal, salt hills powerful and full of cuts. The climate is and other minerals. subtropical continental, with hot summers and cold winters. Average daily temperature in Threats January is minus. Rainfall does not exceed 500 This area covers 25 settlements of Vose, mm per year, at that the main part falls in the Moscow, Muminabad and Shurabad districts of spring in form of showers. Summer is dry, Khatlon region. It is a densely populated area of sediments are practically absent. The nature of the country. The population is mostly rural and rainfall causes widespread development of is engaged in agriculture, horticulture, grain processes, manifested annually across all growing and cattle breeding. Among the man- channels of area watercourses. The wind regime made factors affecting the quality and quantity is moderate, due to the highly dissected of biodiversity, the main ones are poaching topography mountain-valley winds are 70 (unregulated hunting) and degradation of Socio-economic characteristics natural ecosystems (plowing, deforestation, The selected zone included 25 grazing, construction and others.). settlements. The population density in the plain Unsystematic livestock grazing and hay- is high and in the mountainous part is low. The making has led to degradation and reduced population is mostly rural, and their main productivity of pastures. Mentioned felling trees activity is agriculture. There developed rainfed and shrubs as fuel. Irrational use of mineral and agriculture, animal husbandry, horticulture and medicinal plants has led to the disappearance of beekeeping. As in other areas of the country, many species listed in the Red Book of the population has a very low incomes. Tajikistan. Also, construction of roads affects Unemployment rate is high, the working the state of fauna of the area. There is a threat population leave in neighboring countries to of significant reduction of markhor population, work. On the map the landscape of the territory as well as morhura, urial and other species is marked by contours from 5.1.1. to 8.4.3. living in this area. Conducted mining of coal and other minerals. Bowels of the earth are being intensively exploited by both private and public enterprises.

Landscapes of Southern Tajikistan Khatlon region For Southern Tajikistan, Khatlon region, identified 3 classes, 11 types and 34 species of landscape: Landscape class №5. 5. Mid-mountain sub-humid forest mesophyllic densely populated Vakhsh makro landscape, requiring environmental management and practices (2700-3200 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 1000-1600 mm. Landscape type 5.1. High mountain meadow mesophyllic humid forest seasonally populated upper Vakhsh mezo landscape, requiring grazing regulation (1200-3900 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 1500-1800 mm. Landscape species 5.1.1. High mountain tall-meadow-steppe humid seasonally populated microl andscape, requiring grazing regulation (2600-3300 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 1600- 1900 mm. 5.1.2. Mid mesophyllic humid forest mid populated micro landscape, requiring environmental protection activities (2000-2800 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 2000 mm. 5.1.3. Sub-humid floodplain-midland-xerophytic shrub densely populated micro landscape, requiring creating a sustainable environmental infrastructure (1200-2500 m. above sea level). Precipitation 800-9500 mm. per year. Landscape type 5.2. Rocky forest and water humid mid populated Nurek mezo landscape, requiring reforestation and water conservation activities (800-1800 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 800-900 mm. 5.2.1. Xerophytic-forest and meadow sub-humid savannoide densely populated Rogun micro landscape, requiring regulation of grazing and conservation activities (900-1200 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 800-900 mm. 5.2.2. Savannoide-woodland subarid densely populated Sebiston-Kulisufiyon-Sarsarak micro landscape, requiring reforestation and creation of environmental infrastructure (800-2200 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 800-850 mm.

71 Landscape class №6. 6. Peak, mid-mesophyllic humid forest mid populated Surkhob-Yakhsu-Obiniouv makro landscape, requiring reforestation and grazing management (2000-4000 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 2000-2300 mm. Landscape type 6.1. Mid mesophyllic humid forest mid populated Shurabdarya-Yahsuy mega landscape, requiring reforestation, management and utilization of the mining industry (1000-2500 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 1800-2100 mm. Landscape species 6.1.1. Mid mesophyllic humid forest mid populated Sarikhosor micro landscape, requiring reforestation, regulation of grazing and conservation activities (1400-3200 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 2000-2200 mm. 6.1.2. Mid rocky conglomerate-humid woodland-savannoide mid populated Yahsuy micro landscape, requiring regulation of grazing and wildlife (1300-4000 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 1900-2000 mm. 6.1.3. Mid large herb meadow and forest humid scarcely populated Obiniou micro landscape, requiring conservation and regulation of grazing (1200-4500 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 1800-1900 mm. 6.2. Lowland and hilly woodland, shrub, sub-humid, mid populated Baljuan-Hodzhamumin mezo landscape, requiring pasture regulating and environmental activities (800-1500 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 900-1000 mm. 6.2.1. Lowland and hilly woodland xerophyte-subarid densely populated Baldzhuan micro landscape, requiring grazing and haying regulation, nature management (700-1400 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 800-1000 mm. 6.2.2. Mid mountain savannoide-woodland-xerophytic sub-humid mid populated Hodzhamumin micro landscape, requiring regulation of grazing and wildlife (600-1300 m. above sea level). Average annual precipitation is 750-850 mm.

Landscape class №7. 7. Mid and high mountain steppe, meadow, forest humid mesophyllic densely populated Hissar makro landscape, requiring regulation of grazing and wildlife management, as well as conservation activities (800-4500 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 1800-2000 mm. Landscape type 7.1. High mountain midland mesophyllic forest, subalpine-alpine humid densely populated Varzob mezo landscape, requiring regulation of grazing and wildlife (1600-3000 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 800-1800 mm. Landscape species 7.1.1. Alpine, subalpine, meadows, savannoide, humid, densely populated micro landscape, requiring regulation of grazing, nature management and environmental infrastructure (2800-3500 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 1900-2000 mm. 7.1.2. Mid mesophyllic humid forest densely populated micro landscape, requiring reforestation and recycling of mining waste (1800-2700 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 2000 mm. 7.1.3. Lowland floodplain-urbanized-xerophytic woodland densely populated micro landscape, requiring regulation of urbanization, implementation of sanitary and sewage treatment, environmental protection and water conservation measures (800-1200 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 800-1000 mm. Landscape type 7.2. High mountain juniper-midland mesophyllic forest and meadow savannoide humid relatively densely populated Almas Karatag-Shirkent mezo landscape, requiring environmental management and processing of industrial wastes (1100- 3600 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 1600-1900 mm.

72 Landscape species 7.2.1. High mountain alpine and sub-alpine meadow steppe humid sparsely populated Hissar micro landscape, requiring regulation of grazing, infrastructure development, and ecological tourism (2800-3900 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 1800-2000 mm. 7.2.2. Mid mountain juniper-mesophyllic humid forest mid populated microlandscape, requiring conservation and development of eco-tourism (1800-2900 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 1600-1800 mm. 7.2.3. Lowland-sub-humid savannoide densely populated micro landscape, requiring regulation of wildlife management and disposal of industrial and domestic waste (800-1200 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 1000-1100 mm. Landscape type 7.3. High mountain midland, alpine and subalpine forest-mesophyllic humid densely populated upper Kafirnigan mezo landscape, requiring regulation of grazing and development of ecotourism (2300-4000 m. above sea level). Precipitation is 1800-2100 mm. per year. 7.3.1. Alpine, subalpine meadow of tall humid scarcely populated micro landscape, requiring regulation of grazing (2000-32 000m. above sea level). Precipitation is 1700-1900 mm. per year. 7.3.2. Mid mesophyllic forest, meadow large herb humid densely populated micro landscape, requiring environmental governance and organization of ecological tourism infrastructure (1600- 2500 m. above sea level). Average annual precipitation is 800-850 mm. 7.3.3. Lowland shrubs and sub-humid savannoide densely populated micro landscape, requiring water conservation and recycling (1100-1300 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 600-800 mm. Landscape type 7.4. Distilleries-cultivated oasis and sub-humid residential mezo landscape, requiring waste disposal and water supply (800-1000 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 900-1000 mm. Landscape species 7.4.1. Agro-industrial and sub-humid residential densely populated Kafirnigan-Dushanbe micro landscape, requiring disposal of municipal, construction and industrial waste, water supply and implementation of protection measures (700-1000 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 850-1000 mm. 7.4.2. Residential and agricultural and industrial subarid densely populated Hissar-Karatag micro landscape, requiring waste disposal, water supply and water protection activities (600-800 m. above sea level). Average annual precipitation is 900-950 mm.

Landscape class №8. 8. Arid and low-mid mountain xerophytic-woodland-savannoide-desert severely degraded densely populated makro landscape of Southern-Tajik type, requiring environmental governance and activities (600-2400 m. above sea level). Precipitation is 600-850 mm. per year. Landscape type 8.1. Arid lowland-xerophyte-woodland-savannoide mid populated mezo landscape (between the rivers Surkhob (Baldzhuan) and Vakhsh); They need to regulate grazing and reforestation. (700- 900m. above sea level). Average annual precipitation is 600-750 mm. Landscape species 8.1.1. Extra arid deeply dissected by steep rocky slopes sometimes small ridges xerophyte- woodland savannoide mid populated Djilantau-Karatau micro landscapes, requiring regulation of grazing, forest restoration and implementation of environmental measures (700-1800 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 500-600 mm. 8.1.2. Subarid elongated trough-intermountain valleys with desert-savannoide vegetation on forest gray soils, heavily populated micro landscapes, requiring conservation and utilization of industrial and domestic waste (Dangara, Alimtay, Sargazon, Javan, Isanbay on the road). (600-650 m. above sea level). Average annual precipitation is 550-650 mm.

73 Landscape type 8.2. Subarid, places xerophyte arid-woodland-savannoide mid mountain mid populated mezo landscape interfluve in lower reaches of the Vakhsh and Kafirnigan rivers, requiring regulation of nature use activities. (700-1900 m. above sea level). Average annual precipitation is 500-550 mm. Landscape species 8.2.1. Subarid, sometimes sub-humid mid mountain deeply dissected, sometimes rocky slopes of small ridges with thermophilic juniper, rose gardens, sometimes by maples and grass-forb savannoide xerophytic woodlands on typical gray soils; micro landscapes sparsely populated; in need of regulate grazing and water supply (ridges Babatag, Hodzhamastona, Hodzhakaziana, Gazimalika). (1000-1500 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall 550-600 mm. 8.2.2. Sub-humid steeply sloping and hilly foothills to the short grass-savannoide communities, sometimes with an admixture of ephemeroid elymus with pistachios and rose hips on typical and dark gray soils; mid populated micro landscapes; in need of reforestation and implementation of environmental measures (Gazimalik, Daganakiik). (1000-2000 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 650-700 mm. 8.2.3. Arid gently undulating lowlands with semidesert-savannoide vegetation (less gammadovymi deserts); micro landscapes densely populated of lower reaches of the Vakhsh and Kafirnigan rivers; in need of regulate grazing and wildlife. (500-680 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 400-500 mm. Landscape type 8.3. Extra arid aeolian-hilly plain with sand-desert vegetation on light gray soils; sparsely populated mezo landscape in floodplains of the Panj, Vakhsh and Kafirniganrivers; in needof regulating environmental management and activities (400-570 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 300-350 mm. Landscape species 8.3.1. Arid desert sand-plain, aeolian-hilly with belosaksaulnikami and dzhuzgunnikami on light gray soils; micro landscapes uninhabited; young floodplain terraces of Amu Darya river, in need of shore protection measures (300-500 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 300 mm. 8.3.2. Arid desert sand and denuded hills with sparse xerophytic shrub communities on the light desert sand uninhabited black earth microlandscapes, in need of environmental protection (400- 500 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 250-350 mm. 8.3.3. Arid salt marshes in the alluvial plains proluvial annual and perennial halophytes on light sandy gray soils, stains among the sand and clay sites in oases of the sparsely populated micro landscapes (Parkhar, Vose, Jilikul, Bishkent), (350-600 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 350-400 mm. Landscape type 8.4. Extra-arid - floodplain lowland landscapes with tugai vegetation in the meadow-bog soils; sparsely populated micro landscapes, in need of environmental protection (300-350 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 250-300 mm. Landscape species 8.4.1. (19) Extra-arid young floodplain terraces with cultivated vegetation on irrigated alluvial meadow gray soils; mid popoulated micro landscapes, requiring environmental governance and implementation of soil protection measures (550-650 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 200-300 mm. 8.4.2. Extra-arid strongly meandering river valleys with an abundance of lakes, the elders, trostnikovnikami overgrown with sparse shrubs and single trees; rarely infested microlandscapes, in need of environmental protection. (Vakhsh river receiving the most extensive development to the south of Jilikul, rises over the river up to 8 m), (300-350 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 300 mm. 8.4.3. Extra-arid cultivated irrigated densely populated micro landscapes of Kulyab-Vakhsh oases; requiring drainage and waste management activities (400-600 m. above sea level). The average annual rainfall is 350-400 mm.

74 Annex 2: Table of indicators for the selection and justification of the priority combined makrolandscape classes to implement the SGP

implementation

6

11 30 20 10 10

Score*

1 3 1 0 0 0

ce and ce

partners

Experien

1 1 1 0 0 0

populati

territory

onof the

1 2 2 1 0 2

and

Waste

Pollution

1 5 2 1 1 1

change

climate climate

bility to bility

Vulnera

1 4 2 1 1 0

for for

and

e of e

Econet

dareas

Coverag

protecte

Category Category

1 2 3 2 2 0

red

Rare Rare

species

endange

1 3 3 1 2 0

Indicators for the selection of priority landscapes of the selection for Indicators

genetic genetic

Valuable Valuable

resources

1 2 3 1 2 1

ntbasin

Catchme

1 5 2 2 2 2

of of

ms

valuable valuable

ecosyste

Presence Presence

2 3 1 1 0 0

for for

Optimu

activities

m height height m

-

humid,

-

mountain mountain

-

-

ephemeral ephemeral

-

mid

low mountain,

mountain

-

- - -

arid,steppe

humidxerophyte -

-

High mountain High Mid Mid Lowlandarid desert High

macro landscapes macro

Combined regional regional Combined

2. 2. 3. landscape. ephemeral 1. 1. humid subalpine forest,mountain savannoidelandscape alpine midland humid andsubalpine steppefied forest mesophyllic landscape(Garm, Vahiyo). sub woodland landscape. 4. 5. submountain andlake ice, rocky, forestconiferous landscape steppefied Mid 6. cryo formation, ruderal, landscape. mining

-

-

-

and and

-

mountain mountain

regions

-

humid,

-

Ecological Ecological

2. South Tajik South 2. steppefied 1. Central Tajik Central1.Tajik mountain mid forest humid province subarid lowland woodland province Zarafshan 3. Surkhob medium high sub forest juniper province 75

Table continuation

7 6 5 5 5 5

Score*

0 0 0 0 0 0

ce and ce

partners

Experien

0 0 0 0 0 0

populati

territory

onof the

0 2 0 0 0 0

and

Waste

Pollution

1 1 1 0 0 0

ility to ility

change

climate climate

Vulnerab

2 0 1 0 2 1

for for

and

e of e

Econet

dareas

Coverag

protecte

Category Category

2 0 1 0 2 1

red

Rare Rare

species

endange

Indicators for the selection of priority landscapes of the selection for Indicators

2 0 0 1 0 1

genetic genetic

Valuable Valuable

resources

2 1 1 1 1 1

ent ent

basin

Catchm

2 2 1 2 1 1

of of

ms

valuable valuable

ecosyste

Presence Presence

0 0 0 1 0 0

for for

Optimu

activities

m height height m

-

-

humid

forest

-

alpine

-

humid

-

-

mountain

arid

marsh

-

-

-

mid

mountain

-

-

humid, sparsely sparsely humid,

-

macro landscapes macro

Combined regional regional Combined

desert steppefieddesert

sub Kuraminsub sub uninhabited andtussock 7. High 7. populated Turkestan forestconiferous landscape steppefied Mid 8. populated semi heavily - landscape rocky glacial Alpine 9. landscape sub Alpine 10. ring density low steppefieddesert landscape mountain High 11. ice cryophyticcold landscapedesertof density low mountain High 12. lake landscape cryophytic

-

arid arid

-

-

-

-

low

regions

-

Ecological Ecological

Score landscapes and indicators evaluation includes from the less priority 0 to 30 highest priority. to priority0 highest 30 less from the includes evaluation Scoreandlandscapes indicators

Pre Syr Darya Darya PreSyr

* *

arid steppefied arid forest ring

mid sub Badakhshan 4. sub mountain semi arid steppe woodland province Gorno 5. - - province high Pamir6. mountain desertprovince 76 Annex 3. Satellite image of Tajikistan with the landscape distribution and area directions for the GEF SGP

77 Annex 4: Description table of the SGP priorities by administrative and

geographical areas

biodiversity

-

biodiversity biodiversity

-

biodiversity biodiversity

-

Activities

Organicfarming; and toxic ofwaste solid Disposal Creating rainfed gardens of fruit ofCreating fruit rainfedgardens genetic Organizationnurseries; of ecosystems;Restorationforest of Restorationpastures; of Creatingthe shopsof mini for Creating forshop of mini the andOrganizingof production of beekeeping Development gardensCreating genetic of Conservation of agro Restorationpastures of Ecotourismdevelopment and ofenergy energy Development and of Prevention natural disasters basins river of the andCleaning Disposalandof industrial and efficiency development Energy Restorationpastures of Ecotourismdevelopment

- products; - water resources of prevention - crops; - resources - - - agroprocessing of products; - productionof dryers; solar - conservation of agro - - resources - - - chemicals - efficiency - emergencies; - pollution - waste radioactive - - -

forest,

-

ecosystems ecosystems

- -

Savannoide Savannoide

Ecosystems

ecosystems andecosystems andecosystems

agroecosystems

and savannoide, andsavannoide,

agro agro

Mountain coniferous forestconiferous

-

-

-

-

-

mid

arid

-

-

humid

sub

andhigh

High

Mountain

Landscape

mountain submountain

piedmont, mid piedmont,

Middle and high Middle

mountain humid mountain

mountain,and arid

ridges

Hissar,Vakhsh,

Karategin ridges Karategin

Zeravshanridges

Kurama, Turkestan,

Hazrat and Darvazsky andHazratDarvazsky

Geographical position Geographical

-

-

Yakhsu

-

Panj

- Yagnobi

-

Hissar,

Surkhob

-

Kairakkum

Kafirnigan,

Kyzylsu

Zeravshan

SurkhobHingob and

Catchment basin Catchment

Vakhsh

Tube,

-

Kulyab)

Region

(Zarafshan)

(Kurgan

SouthernTajikistan Northern Tajikistan

Central TajikistanCentral (RRS)

78

Annex 5: Table of the SGP distribution by the GEF priorities

² ²

2

efficient efficient

-

Results

biodiversity products biodiversity

-

Created energy Created and Improving protecting Created 20hectaresCreated of gardens plants of Savedrare 10species shops formini Created developmentand local Market hydropower mini 1Created Expandedenergy to access deforestation Reduced andCO Communities got accessclean to ofstate ecology, the Improving land; Restoration grazing of pastures Improving productivity; degradation andReducing

processing, drying and canning of canning and drying processing, - - - resources genetic with - andresources genetic - agro - benefits communities receiving - plants (biogas technologies stoves) - technologies for efficient communities - emissions - water drinking - and healthpublicCO hygiene - biodiversity; - - desertification

Tube,

-

Areas

SariKhosor, Kulyab Shurabad, Baldzhuvan, Hovaling Nurabad, Tojikobod Shurobod, Baldzhuvan, Hovaling SariKhosor Zarafshan Karatag, Kurgan Khujand Shurobod, Baldzhuvan, Hovaling Rasht

steppe, steppe,

-

-

ecosystems ecosystems ecosystem ecosystem

- -

Ecosystems

agro Mountain forest and savannoide ecosystems Mountainforest, forestconiferous andagro ecosystems Savannoideand Mountain and savannoide, agro

dam

-

-

Activities

Conducting line of line Conducting Restoration of Restorationforest of gardensCreating of Organization of mini / Creating a small Creationenergy of ofStrengthening the Restorationdrainage of of Prevention

- - ecosystems - fruitcrops - rare nurseriesplant of species - plants hydropower - furnaces efficient on the basisandcompost of biogas - riverbanksantiand - systems supply water and water drinking provide - emergencies demonstration2 Create for restorationsites the ofpasturesmountain

USD

75,000 60,000

350,000 150,000

Amount of Amount

funding

4 3 2 2

projects

Numberof

Projectname

resources Sanitation Conservation of genetic Conservation genetic of andDevelopment Energy Efficiency SupplyWater and Restorationpastures of

79

Table continuation

economic

-

emissions andemissions

² ²

being being

-

Results

Constructed landfill for solid and and solid for landfill Constructed Reduction ofCO pes- forEnnobledspaces storage householdandsolid Disposed conditions ecological Improved of Pollination andimprovement socio the Improving andimprove Increasing benefits

- environment ofthe andsafety - climateto resilience increase change householdwaste - ticides - waste - - biodiversity - localcommunities situationof - communitywell

Areas

Shurobod, Faizabad Faizabad, Tavildara, Baldzhuvan, Rasht Dushanbe, Khujand, Kairakkum, Vakhsh, Kulyab, Shurobod, Baldzhuan, Hovaling Rasht Shurabad, Baldzhuvan, Rasht, Zarafshan

-

ecosystems ecosystems

- -

Ecosystems

Savannoide and Savannoide andsavannoide andmeadow agro Savannoideand agro Coniferousforest, steppemountain Coniferousforest steppe

Activities

Creation of 2 Creationdemon- of 2 andRefining disposal of of do-solid Recycling Creation ecotourism of of tradi- Development Creationnature of

green- of Creationhelio

water saving and soil soil and saving water - strationfor growing sites species, resilient climate protection technologies - cli- the housesave to rare spe- resilient mate and cies fruit crops - pesticides - mestic andindustrial waste families ofProvision bee communities local to - infrastructure - crafts tional and species - eco- trailsand conduct tours andlogical in areas around protected

USD

50,000 55,000 35,000 25,000

ing

800,000

Amount of fund-of Amount

2 2 1 2

18

projects

Numberof

Project nameProject

TOTAL: Climate and innovative Climate smart agroecology smartagroecology Disposaloftoxic and waste chemicals of beekeep- Development ing of ecotour- Development areasprotected in ism

80 Annex 6. Applications of donor-partners strategies under OP 6

Please attach a detailed application SCP in Due to the fact that these initiatives have the context of partnerships with donor-partners a wealth of experience in landscape planning at (i.e. the Australian Government, which funds the international level and the financial ability the Central Bank of REDD + (CBR +); the to provide funds in the implementation of the Japanese government supported the Satoyama small grants, need to consider mechanisms for initiative - COMDEKS, Good NGOs Management the involvement of funds for grant projects Programme (financed at the expense of the EU) implementation in Tajikistan. It is also advisable and the Global initiative BMUB ICCA). to establish local funds to involve funds from these global initiatives and the implementation Principles and methods of landscape of grant projects with the participation of CSOs planning should be considered in the context of and local communities. Below is a brief environmental aspects in the Republic of description of these initiatives. Tajikistan. One of the important directions of modern landscape studies allowing to obtain Initiative Stoyama (COMDEKS) In new scientific and practical results in the field of 2011, the Ministry of the Environment of Japan nature using and the environment potection, is and the Secretariat of the Convention on development the issue of the landscape Biological Diversity (CBD), jointly with United approach and landscape diversity. Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Located in different areas the natural and United Nations University (UNU) launched the cultural landscapes are a reflection of Initiative on Knowledge Management Satoyama traditional knowledge and land use systems of (COMDEKS), under the agreement on local communities, and understanding the encouraging practices of natural resources relationships between nature and culture are management for the biodiversity benefit and important for the conservation of biodiversity human well-being. as well as cultural integrity. Increasing attention COMDEKS, implemented by UNDP and is being paid to the role and importance of the supported by the Government of Japan, SCBD, various land use within a certain landscape, for UNU has two components. One focuses on example, to combat land degradation, increase community development based on grants to agricultural productivity, water management communities in developing countries through and ecosystem conservation of wetlands, as the use of existing small grants delivery well as for recreational purposes and aesthetic mechanism, implemented by UNDP. Another purposes. focuses on knowledge management, capacity In order to be successful and achieve building, replicating and scaling. lasting results, collaboration in mountain areas In support of the Satoyama Initiative, the should be directed to the solution of many Government of Japan initially allocate $ 2 interrelated issues, from agriculture and million for the first year of the 5-year forestry to energy and transport, landscape programme, through the Japan Fund for planning and river basin management, Biodiversity, set in SCBD. Small grants will be sustainable tourism and biodiversity allocated to public organizations through UNDP conservation. implemented schemes, including the Small In the world there are a number of global Grants Programme of the Global Environment initiatives aimed at preserving productive Facility. landscapes and principles, and harmonious Expected that COMDEKS implementation governance mechanisms on marine and will help in slowing the biodiversity loss process terrestrial landscapes, such as the Satoyama in the world, with two consequences of Initiative, UN Programme on reduction biodiversity conservation, in natural human emissions caused by deforestation and environments under the influence and promote degradation of forests, initiative RDD + (CBR +), the sustainable use of natural resources, while Programme «Good NGO governance», funded improving human well-being. by the European Union, the International Working under the GEF SFP COMDEKS Council of chemical associations (ICCA). provides small grants to local NGOs to develop sustainable use and management of 81 biodiversity, sustainable activities of livelihood inform national and international REDD + for the conservation, restoration and policies and practices. revitalization of the socio-ecological production  Supporting the protection of forests, as well of landscapes and seascapes. "Societies in as the empowerment of communities that harmony with nature" is defined as a vision of live and depend on them, CBR + aims to the Satoyama Initiative. contribute to the achievement of broader COMDEKS project seeks to provide environmental and social objectives, community development, learning and including biodiversity conservation, knowledge sharing, making small grants enhancing food security, improving the available to community organizations to help rights and livelihoods of indigenous and local them maintain a more sustainable production, communities, as well as adaptation to social and environmental landscape. Types of climate change. community-based projects that will be REDD+ CBR + co-financed jointly by the supported by the initiative COMDEKS include UNDP SGP, which operates in more than 120 restoration of degraded land in the coastal zone countries for more than 20 years. Its of the lake, revegetation in arid areas, contribution under the pilot phase CBR + (2014- restoration of wetlands surrounding the lake, 2017) includes US$ 400 000 for public grants in and the establishment of nurseries of wild plant each of the six pilot countries. Grants of up to endemic species. US$ 50 000 support a range of activities at the In addition, other types of projects may community level, such as the elimination of include the promotion of innovative practices of deforestation and forest degradation, increasing pond, farming to alleviate the burden on the the capacity of communities to participate in naturally occurring fish species of the lake, as REDD + readiness processes, clarifying and well as the cultivation of medicinal herbs, use of improving the definition of land use rights, renewable energy, to reduce the impact of exploring mechanisms of benefit sharing. logging and carbon emissions in atmosphere. More information can be found following http://satoyama-initiative.org/ . EU Programme «Good NGOs Governance» «Good NGOs Governance» programme, implemented by the European Union, is aimed Initiative RЕDD+(CBR+) to institutionalize reforms and best practices of United Nations Programme on Reducing good governance at all levels of government Emissions as result of Deforestation and Forest and civil society organizations for poverty Degradation, Initiative RDD + (CBR +), is a reduction, protection of the rights and partnership between UNDP-RDD + and the GEF promotion of sustainable human development. Small Grants Programme, which provide grants The project goal is to improve and to ensure directly to indigenous peoples and communities equitable access to state services through the to enable them to participate fully in redeployment of the relevant goods in favor of development, implementation and monitoring vulnerable segments of the target groups of REDD + readiness activities, and to develop (women, youth and children - with a particular experience, lessons and recommendations at focus on minority representatives) in rural the local level that can be included into the areas, by improving processes of good national processes. governance at the local and national levels. RDD+CBR+ goals:  Support the full and effective participation of ICCA Global Initiative (BMUB ICCA) indigenous peoples, communities and civil The International Council of Chemical society in the processes at the national level, Associations (ICCA) is one of the leading relating to reducing emissions caused by chemical industry associations in the world, deforestation and forest degradation; representing chemical manufacturers and  Capacity building and raising community producers all over the world. awareness to participate in REDD + activities ICCA aims to strengthen the existing and processes; cooperation with a number of global  Promoting the integration of community- organizations, including UNEP, UNITAR, OECD based activities, knowledge and ideas in the and other intergovernmental and non- national REDD + processes; and governmental organizations to strengthen and  Development and exchange of knowledge improve the management of chemicals and experiences at the community level to throughout the world, and to achieve sustainable development goals.

82 ICCA is the world leader in the chemical regarding responsible product care and industry, in 2010 with a turnover of more than management aimed at reduction of chemical 2.3 trillion (excluding pharmaceuticals). More risks. Vision and mission of the ICCA is to than 20 million people worldwide are engaged, eliminate unacceptable or unreasonable risks directly or indirectly, in chemical industry. The and extent economically feasible, to reduce the ICCA accounts for more than 60 % of global risks posed by chemicals by applying a chemical sales. ICCA is focused on the key issues comprehensive approach, involving a wide for the chemical industry, such as the range of possible measures to reduce the promotion and coordination of the responsible degree of danger and precautionary measures and safe management of chemicals in the global based on a comprehensive analysis of the "life product strategy. cycle" of chemical substances. More The International Council of Chemical information can be found at the link http:// Associations (ICCA) has introduced initiatives www.icca-chem.org/.

83 Addition 1. Table of donor projects and programmes in Tajikistan

Date of Project № Project name Subject area Donor Executing agency completion amount 1 Project on adaptation to Climate change, US$ Ministry of Water climate change in the Panj 2020 ADB Water resources 21,550 Resources river basin 2 Water management in the US$ Ministry of Water Water resources 2016 ADB Panj river basin 25 million Resources 3 Capacity building on climate US $ Agency of Climate change 2018 ADB change adaptation/APIC 16,877,000 Hydrometeorology

4 Promotion of local decision- making process among the non-governmental Degradation of US $ Ministry of 2017 EU organizations for sustainable pastures 481 602.00 Agriculture of RT pasture management in a decentralized Murghab 5 US $ Ministry of Rehabilitation of water Water supply 2017 EU 7 200 irrigation and water supply in Central Tajikistan 000.00 resources 6 Forestry Agency Adaptation to climate US $ under the change through sustainable Reforestation 2018 GIZ 10,8 million. Government of forest management Tajikistan

7 Forestry Agency Programme for the EUR under the sustainable use of natural Reforestation 2016 GIZ 4,4 million Government of resources in Central Asia Tajikistan

8 International Fund for Project on animal husbandry Agriculture and US $ Ministry of 2017 Reconstructio and pasture development animal husbandry 15,8 million Agriculture of RT n and Development 9 Improved access of small FAO fund, US$ Ministry of farmers to quality seeds in 2017 State Agriculture 925,131 Agriculture of RT Tajikistan Programme

10 Increase of population US$ Ministry of employment for sustainable Agriculture, 2020 World Bank 45,90 irrigation and water agriculture and water water resources million resources management

84 Table continuation

Date of Project Executing № Project name Subject area Donor completion amount agency Environmental management US$ Land usage and 2018 11 of land resources and rural World Bank 16,88 CEP agriculture livelihoods million Interpretation and reconstruction of the US$ 12 National Action Plan for the POP, waste 2016 GEF/UNIDO CEP 180,000 Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollution Creating a system of land US$ Ministry of 13 registration and cadastre in Land usage 2017 World Bank 6,700,000 Agriculture of RT agriculture Project on animal husbandry US$ Ministry of 14 Pastures degradation 2017 IFAD and pasture development 15,8 million Agriculture of RT Life cycle management of pesticides and disposal of Ministry of US$ 15 pesticide waste, containing POPs 2017 FAO Agriculture of RT 8,136,986 POPs , in Central Asian countries and Turkey Improvement of water supply systems and hygiene Aga Khan 16 Water supply 2016 MSDSP practices in the mountain Foundation regions of Tajikistan Switzerland Project on creation of Government, the 17 opportunities in a safe Environment 2015-2016 FOCUS Aga Khan environment (COSE) Foundation Promoting stability of induced threat to climate Ministry of 18 change, such as flooding Climate change 2017 FOCUS Emergency glacial lakes and lakes Situations breakthrough Ministry of US$ 19 “Food for the Future" Project Agriculture 2014-2018 USAID Agriculture of RT 5.5 million SLC of RT The FOCUS, Building resilient the European communities to natural Union, the Aga US$ 20 disasters in the highland Climate change 2016-2017 Khan 1,149,168 isolated areas of Tajikistan Development and Kyrgyzstan - Phase IX Network Project on environmentally- sustainable land Climate change, land US$ 21 2014-2017 World Bank CEP management and improve degradation 54, 788.00 livelihoods in rural areas Reducing the risk of natural disasters and integrated Water resources, TJS 22 2014-2016 CARITAS watershed management in Emergencies 3,814.000 Tajikistan

85 Table continuation

Date of Project Executing № Project name Subject area Donor completion amount agency Sustainable production and implementation of new TJS 23 Energy efficiency 2014-2016 CARITAS technologies of heating and 1,051.789 cooking Project on animal US$ 24 husbandry and pasture Land degradation 2012-2017 IFAD 9,300.000 development Project on management of US$ 25 solid waste of Kurgan-Tube Waste 2013-2017 EBRD 4,940.000 city Adaptation to climate Development change through sustainable US$ 26 Climate change 2015-2018 bank KfW / forest management in 8,812.000 CARITAS climatic catchment area

Project for wells Global 27 Water supply 2010-2016 US$ 42,000 construction Partners, UK

Ensuring sustainable food security through the implementation of locally German Agro EUR 28 Agriculture 2014-2017 adapted conservation Action 689,127 agriculture in arid areas of Northern Tajikistan

Islamic Project on US$ 29 2013-2019 Development Dangara Valley irrigation Water supply 30,540.000 Bank

Japanese Project aimed to restore the International 30 drinking water supply Water supply 2014-2018 Cooperation US$ systems in the Panj district Agency 16,280.000

Christensen Development of incentives Fund

for youth to sustainable Programme

31 food supply and livelihoods Mountain US$

in biocultural landscapes of Societies 154,596.00 Food security 2014-2016 highlands areas in Tajikistan Development Support Project on ensuring public employment for Agriculture and US$ 32 development of sustainable 2013-2018 World Bank water supply 45,900.000 agriculture and water management Project on US$ 33 commercialization of Agriculture 2015-2020 World Bank 12,163.016 agriculture

86 Addition 2. A list of terminology used on the landscape

Landscapes with a dry climate and high air temperatures, experiencing large daily Arid fluctuations, and a small amount of precipitation, or their complete absence.

Landscapes with excess moisture climate in which precipitation is more that contributes Gumid to the prosperity of moisture-loving forms of vegetation. Sub arid Landscape with a semi-arid climate type Semi gumid The landscape provided the most rainfall, the species of steppe climate Landscape with a cold climate regions, characterized by very cold winters with average Krio arid temperatures below 0 ° C. Extra arid Landscape with extremely arid and semi-arid climate type Cryophytic Landscapes with the presence of cold-loving and cold-resistant types of ecosystems Sparsely populated Area with small density, up to 100 people per 1m² Areas where there is a large number of population per 1m² more than 1 thousand Heavily populated people Densely populated Territory, where observed the big density of the population (cities and towns). Seasonally populated Areas where people are living seasonally Territory, with the average number of people, sparsely populated mountainous areas Mid populated with small settlements of up to 10 families.

Not populated Areas that do not show signs of economic and human activity

Type of serried grass vegetation, in which, along with the ruling mesophilic grasses and Steppefied forbs, an important role played by turf steppe grasses (such as fescue), small steppe bushes, shrubs and grasses.

87 References

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88 32. National Poverty Reduction Strategy of Tajikistan for the period 2010-2012. Dushanbe, 2009 33. Safarov N.S., Monography "Flora and vegetation of the Southern Pamir-Alai", 2015 34. Decisions of the COP Rio Conventions (CBD, UNFCCC, UNCCD) 35. Republic of Tajikistan - the World Bank report, "Priorities for sustainable growth: strategy of agricultural development", Dushanbe, 2006 36. Third National Communication of the Republic of Tajikistan to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, 2014 37. Fifth National Report on biodiversity of the Republic of Tajikistan, 2014 38. Concept of energy sector development in Tajikistan for the period 2003-2015. 39. Strategy of development of the water sector in Tajikistan, Dushanbe, 2006 40. Strategy for Sustainable Development of Tajikistan for the period 2005-2015. 41. Strategy of Tajikistan on the improvement of living standards for the period 2013-2015. 42. Satoyama Initiative, http://satoyama-initiative.org/en/about 43. Report Landscape diversity and biodiversity of Tajikistan, p.388-390, 2013 г. 44. Evaluation Report UNFPA Tajikistan Country Programme, Dushanbe, 2014 45. Web site RЕDD+(CBR+) 46. Report United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) for Tajikistan, 2016-2020 47. The GEF and sustainable development goals, 2015 www.thegef.org 48. GEF 2020 Strategy for the GEF, 2015

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