Conservation Strategy Chitral he designation of geographical entities in this book, and the presentation of the material, do not imply T the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of IUCN concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

Published by: IUCN, Sarhad Programme.

Copyright: © 2004 International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, Pakistan and the Government of North West Frontier Province (NWFP).

Chitral – An Integrated Development Vision (Chitral Conservation Strategy) was prepared by the Government of NWFP(Planning and Development Department) in collaboration with IUCN-The World Conservation Union.

It was supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

Citation is encouraged. Reproduction and/or translation of this publication for educational or other non-commercial purposes is authorised without prior written permission from IUCN Pakistan, provided the source is fully acknowledged.

Reproduction of this publication for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without prior written permission from IUCN Pakistan.

The contents and the opinions expressed do not constitute an endorsement by the SDC.

Citation: NWFP and IUCN Pakistan (2004). Chitral – An Integrated Development Vision (Chitral Conservation Strategy). IUCN Pakistan and NWFP, Karachi, Pakistan. xiv+103 pp.

Editor: Firuza Pastakia

ISBN: 969-8141-58-8

Cover & layout design: Creative Unit (Pvt.) Ltd.

Printed by: xxxx

Available from: IUCN-The World Conservation Union IUCN Pakistan Sarhad Programme Office House No. 109, Sarhad Office Road Defence Officers Colony Khyber Road, Peshawar Tel: 091-271728/276032 Fax: 091-275093

IUCN-CCS Support Unit Judicial Council Building Chitral Tel & Fax: 0933-412079 Website: www.ccs.iucnp.org V Abbreviations

VII Acknowledgements

IX Executive Summary

XIII Reader’s Guide Co n t e n t s PART I 1 PART II 2 PART III 3 CONTEXT STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION

03 Chapter 1 53 Chapter 4 85 Chapter 8 Background Governance Implementing the Strategy 07 Chapter 2 55 Chapter 5 Overview of Human Resource 93 Chapter 9 Chitral District Development and Action Plan Economic Uplift 41 Chapter 3 97 References Major Past and 63 Chapter 6 Present Development of 99 Select Development Municipal Services Bibliography Initiatives and Infrastructure 101 CCS Sector 71 Chapter 7 Papers Natural Resource Management 102 Appendix A

103 Appendix B

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy III

Ab b r e v i a t i o n s

ADP EDO SAP Annual Development Executive District Officer Social Action Programme Programme FMB SDC AKES First MicroFinance Bank Swiss Agency for Aga Khan Education Development and Services GoNWFP Cooperation Government of the North- AKHS West Frontier Province SHYDO Aga Khan Health Services Sarhad Hydel Development GoP Organization AKPBS Government of Pakistan Aga Khan Planning and SPCS Building Services IFAD Sarhad Provincial International Fund for Conservation Strategy AKRSP Agricultural Development Aga Khan Rural Support TMA Programme IUCN Tehsil Municipal The World Conservation Administration CADP Union Chitral Area Development UNICEF Project KfW United Nations Children’s Kreditanstalt für Fund CBO Wiederaufbau Community-based WAPDA organisation NGO Water and Power Non-governmental Development Authority CCB organisation Citizen Community Board WWF NWFP World Wide Fund for CCS No r t h - W est Frontier Province Nature Chitral Conservation Strategy PHED Public Health Engineering CFSD Department Chitral Fund for Sustainable Development PHP Project for Horticultural DCO Promotion District Coordination Officer PNCS DFO Pakistan National Divisional Forest Officer Conservation Strategy

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy V

Ac k n o w l e d g e m e n t s

Credit for the formulation of the Chitral Conservation Strategy (CCS) goes first and foremost to the people of Chitral who flocked to the district, tehsil and village meetings held to elicit their views and assess their needs. These meetings shaped the strategy and served to determine its priorities. Our thanks are also due to members of government and non-govern- mental organisations working in the district. A long list of institutions and individuals helped to map out this strategic framework for integrated development at the district level in Chitral. The provincial government’s Planning and Development Department, the former district administration of Chitral, district line department partners, representatives of funded projects, the steering committee and Zilla Council CCS Committee played an active role in the development of the strategy. Participants of the multi-stakeholder District Roundtable delineated the broad outlines of the CCS document and monitored its progress. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and IUCN–The World Conservation Union provided financial and technical support. All deserve our gratitude for their contribution.

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy VII

Executive summary

Imposing mountains dominate the landscape of Chitral, forging a rugged terrain that is home to 162,000 males and 157,000 females. The topography of the area is varied, with 28.5% of the region covered in glaciers, snow-clad mountains, bare rock and barren ground, and 62% of the land supporting only pasture with sparse vegetation. The district’s most important productive resource is irrigated farmland totalling 45,017 ha, which feeds and provides employment to the majority of its people. Critical as a food source as well as a means to augment farm income are about 700,000 head of livestock (75% goats and sheep). Forests cover 70,045 ha, mainly in Chitral and Drosh tehsils. Of this area, 25,000 ha is suitable for commercial harvesting. Despite widespread hunting by the local people, the remote mountain valleys of Chitral are home to a considerable variety of wildlife.

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy IX Executive summary

Major Achievements Major Constraints to

The grit of the people, the efforts of provin- Further Development cial government departments, and donor Chitral is the only district in all of Pakistan assistance channelled through develop- to become cut off from the rest of the coun- ment initiatives such as the Aga Khan try for several months during the winter Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) and when the Lowari Pass (3,200 m) is blocked Chitral Area Development Project (CADP), with snow. Winter snow and summer floods have allowed Chitral’s inhabitants to main- also disrupt communications within Chitral. tain a precarious toehold on survival despite a threefold increase in population The area’s isolation during the winter casts since 1951. In addition to major roads to a shadow on every aspect of daily life, Garum Chashma, Gilgit, Mastuj and restricting the mobility of labour, disrupting P e s h a w a r, the district is traversed by 800 agricultural exports, and interfering with km of link roads which create access to imports of grain, livestock feed and agricul- widely scattered settlements. Meanwhile, tural inputs. Deficiencies in the internal voluntary social organisation and the appli- communications network, combined with a cation of gruelling labour have enabled short working season, impair the quality and water to be conveyed great distances over reach of health and education services, and rocky ground to irrigate farmland. hinder development work in general. Electricity is available to 67% of house- holds, and piped water to 88% and 41% of Chitral’s most important potential asset is urban and rural households, respectively. human capital. Yet recent statistics show Approximately 10% of the population has that some 24,000 men and 40 women from access to telephones. 15 to 64 years of age are unemployed (GoP, 1999). Human resource develop- Of individuals aged 10 years and above, ment is constrained by the fact that expan- 10% have received primary education, sion in certain key sectors has proven 7.5% have studied up to the middle level difficult. Primary health care, reproductive and 6.5% have completed matriculation, education, curative medicine, potable while 2% each have obtained secondary water supply, and quality education and and degree-level education. Some 12% training, especially among women, are of students drop out before completing areas that require urgent attention. In addi- primary school. Currently 51% of males tion, reliable communications both within and 31% of females between the ages of 5 the district, and between Chitral and the and 24 are engaged in education. rest of the country, are essential. Other constraining factors include lack of aware- Health care is provided through a district ness among the population and a scarcity headquarters and three tehsil headquar- of material resources required to initiate ters hospitals, as well as three rural health remedial measures on an effective scale. centres, 22 basic health units, 22 dispen- saries, three mother and child health cen- Agricultural activity in Chitral depends on tres, and three specialised centres, one irrigation. Since the overall area under irriga- each for immunisation, leprosy and tion is small, as are individual land holdings, malaria. an immediate increase in household farm income only becomes possible if both the The efforts of local farmers, agriculture and productivity and profitability of agriculture can forestry scientists, as well as the AKRSP be improved. This in turn requires that meas- and CADP, have brought about a consider- ures are taken to bolster the agriculture able increase in crop yields, as well as sector: protecting farmland from soil erosion, a decline in the incidence of livestock preventing the diversion of agricultural land disease. Close to 9 million forest trees to non-agricultural uses, maintaining have been planted since 1988, although irrigation channels and levelling ground for their survival has not been monitored. more effective irrigation. The government’s

X CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Executive summary current agricultural research and extension hydroelectric potential will considerably service must also respond more effectively to improve the quality of life for the majority of the requirements of local communities. the population. Work in this direction is already underway with the small-scale In the medium and long term, new land will Reshun and Shishi-II hydel projects need to be brought under irrigation—a fact currently under construction. Upon not lost on the people of Chitral themselves. completion, these schemes will increase The sector has already received consider- overall production. Supply to Chitral’s able attention and significant resource out- scattered habitations, however, will lays from the A K R S P and CADP. To depend on the speed with which a distribu- increase the area under irrigation, detailed tion grid can be set up. Communities to studies will be required to determine the whom supply cannot be extended cost- potential of remaining level land to support e ffectively will need to build their own agriculture. The adequacy of available microhydel power plants, relying on social water resources will also need to be inves- organisation. In addition to subsidies, the tigated, along with the cost-effectiveness success of these initiatives will require the of conveying water to the areas selected establishment of a fully equipped work- for irrigation. In addition, disputes over shop in Chitral where repairs may be ownership of land and water will need to be carried out, and training for village resolved. While the task of irrigating new residents in operation and maintenance. land is arduous, expensive and time consuming, its critical role in enabling A matter of critical concern for the people agricultural activity makes irrigation a critical of Chitral is reliable access to a year- part of any plan to alleviate poverty and round supply of potable water. A c c o r d i n g create employment in the long term. to the 1998 census, 88% of the urban population of Chitral receives piped Livestock rearing is a key component of w a t e r. But among rural inhabitants, who C h i t r a l ’s economy, providing food and comprise 90% of Chitral’s total popula- allowing local communities to supplement tion, only 41% receive water through their income by selling wool and hides. pipelines. The rugged terrain of the area, Since husbandry is managed primarily by coupled with its severe climate, create a women, income generation schemes major obstacle to expanding the supply of aimed specifically at women can be chan- potable water. During the winter, pipelines nelled through this sector. are known to freeze and eventually burst, cutting off supply to large segments of the Expansion in this sector is constrained p o p u l a t i o n . primarily by the shortage of animal feed in the winter. Animals are kept indoors from late Renewable resources in Chitral are under autumn to early spring, during which time heavy pressure from a forestry system they are fed crop residues and dry fodder. that does not take into account the needs Feed shortages not only affect the health of of the people. Meanwhile, fodder scarcity livestock, but also restrict the number of and domestic energy requirements con- animals a household is able to rear. In late tribute to the denudation of watersheds spring and early autumn, herds forage in and grazing lands. subtropical and temperate grazing lands cov- ering 57,600 ha, spending the summers in Ecotourism is a valuable potential asset for alpine and subalpine grazing lands extend- Chitral, bringing in its wake a number of ing over 316,000 ha. Many of these areas synergistic improvements in other sectors. are being rapidly denuded. Other constraints Development issues that are important in to the development of husbandry include and of themselves—facilitating access; parasites, disease and inadequate shelter. improving health care; increasing the sup- ply of potable water; protecting the envi- Besides advancements in the farming and ronment; upgrading areas of ecological livestock sectors, harnessing Chitral’s interest, such as forests, alpine grazing

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy XI Executive summary

lands and biodiversity areas; and conserv- the launching of a Chitral Fund for ing cultural heritage—are also likely to Sustainable Development. At the same make the area a more attractive tourist time, however, major investment will be destination. required from the federal and provincial governments in sectors that are the state’s Removing Constraints responsibility: providing infrastructure facilities for governance, communications, For the inhabitants of Chitral, to eke out a education, health, potable water, sanitation living is a challenge fraught with diff i c u l t y and electricity. at every turn. Generating meaningful development in the area will require the The time frame for implementation of the sustained involvement of both the govern- CCS is 10 years. A review is to be ment and the people. The Chitral conducted after the first five years, at which Conservation Strategy (CCS) endorses stage the strategy may be amended by the a bottom-up approach to development Zilla Council. The CCS will come into effect planning and expects local communities to upon approval by the Zilla Council. The make their contribution at every step of the Zilla Nazim will lead implementation and process, from planning and design to monitor progress, with the assistance of the operation and maintenance. To help District Coordination Officer and the district finance such initiatives, the CCS envisions Finance and Planning Office.

XII CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Re a d e r ’s guide

The Chitral Conservation Strategy (CCS) takes stock of the area’s resources and investigates ways in which to sustainably increase their productivity. Developed under a District Roundtable comprising local residents and government functionar- ies, the strategy formulation process was facilitated by the CCS Unit of IUCN–The World Conservation Union. Views of participants at district, tehsil and village consul- tations determined the content of this strategy. Additional information required for its preparation was obtained from specially commissioned sector papers, and from the concerned government and non-government agencies.

Chapter 1 sets the stage for the development of the CCS, providing brief overviews of the international context in which area-specific conservation strategies have been prepared in Pakistan and the consultation process that led to the formulation of a strategy for Chitral. Chapter 2 contains a sector-by-sector survey of the district, covering physical geography, demographics, climate, employment, natural resources, infrastructure and public-sector services, as well as social organisation, cultural heritage and tourism. The structure of the new local government system, introduced following the promulgation of the North-West Frontier Province Local Government Ordinance 2001, is also described. Chapter 3 outlines major development projects undertaken in the past, along with programmes currently in operation. Together, these chapters provide the context in which the CCS has been formulated.

The strategy itself is developed in chapters 4 to 7. Here, individual sectors discussed in the overview are grouped thematically into four chapters: governance, human resource development, municipal services and infrastructure, and natural resource management. Each chapter is devoted to a single theme and, where necessary, individual sectors are discussed separately. Issues affecting each sector are analysed and a strategy proposed for improvements in that sector.

The last two chapters focus on translating the CCS proposals into action. Chapter 8 discusses implementation mechanisms and suggests ways in which scarce resources can be utilised more efficiently. Chapter 9 synthesises the strategy into an easy-to-reference table, listing 38 initiatives grouped according to time frame, along with the actors expected to be involved in execution.

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy XIII

Part 1 Context

Ch a p t e r 1 Background

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 3 Background

1.1 Formulation of the Pakistan National Chitral Conservation Strategy Conservation Strategy (PNCS) got under- way in 1987. Approved by the Federal Since the merger of the former state of Cabinet in 1992, the PNCS recommends Chitral with Pakistan in 1969, sizeable the implementation of 14 programmes: resources have been expended by both n maintaining soils in croplands, government and donor agencies for the n increasing irrigation efficiency, development of the district. Growth has n protecting watersheds, nevertheless failed to keep pace with the n supporting forestry and plantations, p e o p l e ’s needs or reflect their rising n restoring rangelands and improving expectations. At the same time, the livestock, sustainability of gains achieved has not n protecting water bodies and sustaining been ensured. fisheries, n conserving biodiversity, The Chitral Conservation Strategy (CCS) n increasing energy efficiency, searches for ways in which to foster the n developing and deploying renewables, sustainable development of Chitral’s n preventing/abating pollution, meagre resource base. The strategy aims n managing urban wastes, to identify the capacity of the people, and to n supporting institutions for common increase their income by enhancing pro- resources, ductivity and optimising the use of natural n integrating population and environmental resources. In the light of past experience, programmes, and the CCS attempts to find new institutional n preserving the cultural heritage (GoP arrangements through which local commu- and IUCN, 1992). nities, supported by the government, can become the prime engine for development. In 1996, the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) approved the Sarhad Provincial 1.2 Conservation Strategy (SPCS) which Genesis of the CCS focuses implementation of the PNCS on development concerns specific to the International concern for sustainable devel- NWFP. The SPCS action plan identifies the opment emerged following the launch in following priority areas: 1980 of the World Conservation Strategy: n governance and capacity development; Living Resource Conservation for n poverty alleviation and population; Sustainable Development, prepared by n non-governmental organisations; IUCN–The World Conservation Union with n communication and education; n urban environments and sustainable The CCS attempts to find new cities; n sustainable industrial development; institutional arrangements through n natural resource management; which local communities, supported n biological diversity, parks and protected areas; and by the government, can become the n cultural heritage and sustainable tourism prime engine for development. (GoNWFP and IUCN, 1996).

Implemented by the provincial government’s the assistance of the United Nations Planning and Development Department, the Environment Programme, the World Wide SPCS is the principal strategic environmen- Fund for Nature and other agencies (IUCN, tal framework for the NWFP. 1980). Modelled on this international conservation document, a number of The province-wide public consultation countries began to prepare their own process leading up to the formulation of the natural resource conservation strategies SPCS identified governance as a sector that with IUCN assistance. required improvement. Decentralisation of

4 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Background

1

A CCS Roundtable in progress planning and decision making from the such as the depletion of natural resources provincial to district level emerged as an and the destruction of biodiversity. important prerequisite for improved gover- nance. In the SPCS, the provincial govern- The people of Chitral viewed these consul- ment makes a commitment to test the con- tations as the first serious attempt ever cept of district-level strategic planning. SPCS made by the provincial government to support projects include two such initiatives, solicit their views on development. While one each in Chitral and Abbottabad districts. appreciating the role of the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) and Chitral The CCS is funded by the Swiss Agency for Area Development Project in fostering self- Development and Cooperation. In January reliance and social organisation, they 1997, a CCS Unit was established within the insisted that Chitral’s development concerns IUCN to assist in the strategy formulation could only be tackled effectively if the process. Preparation of the CCS was spear- government were to become fully involved in headed by the then Deputy Commissioner the process as well. Local residents were of Chitral and the District Roundtable, a multi- the view that community participation could stakeholder advisory body. The process, help stem the misuse of development funds, facilitated by the CCS Unit, involved public and ensure maximum transparency in the meetings at district, tehsil and village level. execution of social sector programmes and development projects. The participatory 1.3 approach adopted in formulating the CCS Public Perception was also endorsed.

Atotal of 48 public consultations were held: During these consultations, participants one at district, 11 at tehsil and 36 at the highlighted more than 20 areas of concern, village level. Women and minority commu- some of which have been grouped together nities were consulted in separate meetings. for the purpose of this strategy. The follow- Environmental issues were mentioned ing are 10 major issues brought up during either directly or indirectly at all tehsil meet- the consultation process, ranked according ings. Concern over environmental degrada- to the number of times a topic was raised tion was voiced frequently, and participants and the number of meetings in which it was demonstrated a keen awareness of issues discussed:

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 5 Background

The CCS public consultation process

1. irrigation; expressed by participants at public consul- 2. potable water; tations, a draft strategy was prepared in 3. communications and infrastructure; December 1999. This draft took into 4. agriculture, floods and land erosion; account interviews with the AKRSP Chief 5. hydel power and alternate fuel sources; Executive Officer, and various heads of 6. deforestation; |line departments and non-governmental 7. education; organisations, as well as the deliberations 8. sanitation, drainage and sewerage; of the June 1999 workshop on institutional 9. poverty reduction and employment; and reform organised by the Planning and 10. cultural heritage and tourism. Development Department in Peshawar.

Based on these priorities, sector-specific In January 2002, the draft strategy was papers were commissioned on the follow- updated to reflect changes in the structure ing topics: of local government following the promul- n irrigation; gation of the NWFP Local Government n access to clean drinking water; Ordinance 2001. At this stage, the n infrastructure; comments of two special referees n agriculture; (Professor Israr and Miraj Ud Din) who n energy; reviewed the first draft were incorporated, n forests, grazing lands and watersheds; the District Coordination Officer and n biodiversity, parks and protected areas; Executive District Officers of various gov- n human resource development; ernment departments were consulted, and n sanitation and solid waste disposal; additional material was gleaned from a n microenterprise development; and special study (Cyan, 2001). n cultural heritage and ecotourism. The final draft, prepared in July 2002, Drawing on the detailed studies undertaken responds to five critical reviews of the in the CCS sector papers, guidelines pro- January draft by heads of partner organisa- vided by the District Roundtable and views tions.

6 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Ch a p t e r 2 Overview of Chitral District

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 7 Overview of Chitral District

2.1 main valley is 354 km long and varies in Physiography width from 4,800 m at some locations to barely 180 m, while the side valleys are Surrounded by some of the tallest moun- even narrower. Fan deposits may be found tains in the world, Chitral is Pakistan’s in open spaces along both the main and northern-most district, situated just across side valleys. Villages and cultivated areas the border from Afghanistan. The valley is are for the most part confined to these bounded on the north-west by the alluvial deposits which occur at the mouths Hindukush mountains, on the north-east by of streams and hill torrents. the Karakoram and on the south by the Hindu Raj range. With more than 40 peaks 2.2 over 6,100 m packed in an area of 14,850 People km2, altitudes in this rugged terrain range from 1,094 m at Arandu to 7,726 m at The area that is now Chitral has been Tirichmir. Land access beyond the valley is inhabited for at least 4,000 years. Its restricted to a few passes, all situated people belong to over a dozen different cul- above 3,500 m. tures and speak more than 14 languages. As a result of its unique location and The Chitral valley and some 30 subsidiary historical links with Central Asia and Europe, valleys are drained by the Chitral river, the material and non-material culture of which is known by different names along Chitral bears traces of Greek, Iranian, various stretches, and its tributaries. Mongolian, Tatar and Turk influences. Originating in the Chiantar glacier, the river enters Afghanistan at Arandu. Chitral’s According to the 1998 census, Chitral’s population stands at 318,689 (162,082 males and 156,607 females). These statis- tics show that the population has increased at an average rate of 2.5% annually since the 1981 census, as opposed to 3.3% growth during the period 1972–81 (Figure 1). Close to 90% of the population resides in 463 rural settle- ments, ranging in size from 20 to 3,573 inhabitants (Figure 2). Nearly 75% of these habitations are small, with a maximum population of 800 (Figure 3). Chitral town is the only urban settlement in the district, with a population of 20,622.

FIGURE 1 Population growth, 1951-2002

40 0 34 4 35 3 33 5 35 0 31 9 32 7

30 0

25 0 20 9 20 0 15 9

15 0 10 6 113 10 0

50

0 A Nomad with his child 1951 1961 1972 1981 1998 1999(E) 2000(E) 2001(E) 2002(E) E = estimated population Source: Government of Pakistan, 1999.

8 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Overview of Chitral District

2

A panoramic view of suburbs of Chitral Town

FIGURE 2 Chitral district urban/ FIGURE 3 Distribution of rural rural population ratio habitations by population

Population 18 0 16 3 16 0

14 0 13 4

12 0

10 0 84 80 66 60

40

20 16

0 <200 200-499 500-999 1,000-1,999 2,000-4,999 Source: Government of Pakistan, 1999.

Programme (AKRSP) project area reveals n 90 % Rural that average per capita income stands at Rs n 10% Urban 9,543 at current factor cost and Rs 4,939 at Source: Government of Pakistan, 1999. 1991 constant factor cost (AKRSP, 1997). This figure is about half the average per capi- 2.3 ta income for Pakistan as a whole. Moreover, Poverty 36% of households live below the poverty line of Rs 6,165 per capita, determined by a base- Compared to the rest of the country, the peo- line survey carried out in the area in 1998, ple of Chitral are poor. Asocio-economic study while 11% live below the halved poverty line. of 220 households (110 each from The Gini coefficient for the households sam- single- and double- cropping zones) distri- pled is 0.36 (on a scale of 0 to 1, the former buted throughout the Aga Khan Rural Support value indicating perfect equality and the latter

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 9 Overview of Chitral District

FIGURE 4 Population by age group, 1998

Age Group (years) 70 , 0 0 0 n Total 60 , 0 0 0 n Male 50 , 0 0 0 n Female 40 , 0 0 0

30 , 0 0 0

20 , 0 0 0

10 , 0 0 0

0-4 5-9 10-14 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60 + Source: Government of Pakistan, 1999. perfect inequality). Thus poverty is distributed re s p e c t i v e l y , occurring mainly in the spring and more evenly in Chitral, compared to the rest of winter (Table 1). Summer and autumn are dry, Pakistan with a Gini coefficient of 0.40. with the area receiving barely 10–25 mm of rain per month. In Upper Chitral, annual Contributing to poverty in the area is the age precipitation is as low as 200 mm, received distribution of the population (Figure 4). mostly as snow in the higher elevations. C h i t r a l ’s inhabitants are predominantly young, with the majority below the age of 19 2.4.2 Temperature years. As a result, the size of the workforce is limited, which in turn restricts the capacity Mean maximum and minimum monthly of local communities to generate resources. temperatures in Chitral and Drosh are Between the ages of 20 and 50, meanwhile, women make up more than half of the FIGURE 5 Mean maximum and population. However, women in Chitral do minimum temperature not participate equally in economic in Chitral

ac t i v i t y , further constraining socio-economic Month 40 development in the area. 37 35 36 35 32 30 27 2.4 25 25 22 21 20 20 Climate 19 18 15 16 14 12 11 12 10 8 2.4.1 Rainfall 9 8 5 5 3 0 0 0 -1 Since Chitral is surrounded by mountains, it -5 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec does not receive the monsoon rains. Mean rainfall in Drosh and Chitral towns (Lower Maximum temperature n Minimum temperature Chitral) is approximately 650 mm and 500 mm, Source: Pakistan Meteorological Department, 1998.

TABLE 1 Mean rainfall in Drosh and Chitral Month Drosh Chitral Total Share of Average Total Share of Average (mm) annual (mm) (mm) annual (mm) rainfall (%) rainfall (%) Jan-Feb 162 25 81 94 18 47 Mar-Apr 245 37 123 278 54 139 May 61 9 61 41 8 41 June-Nov 150 23 25 62 12 10 December 40 6 40 44 8 44 Total 658 519

Source: Pakistan Meteorological Department, 1998.

10 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Overview of Chitral District

FIGURE 6 Mean maximum and FIGURE 7 Land cover and minimum temperature land use in Drosh

Month 40 36 34 35 35 32 30 28 26 25 23 23 20 21 20 19 19 15 15 15 10 12 11 10 10 5 6 5 7 0 1 2 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Maximum temperature n Minimum temperature Source: Pakistan Meteorological Department, 1998. 2 TABLE 2 Mean maximum and n 3% Agriculture minimum temperature in n 4.7% Forest Drosh and Chitral (°C)* n 1.2% Shrubs and bushes n 62% Rangeland with sparse vegetation Month Drosh Chitral n 4.1% Rock Maximum Minimum Maximum Minimum n 24.39% Glaciers and snow n 0.46% Riverbeds January 7 0 9 -1 n 0.02% Lakes February 10 1 11 0 n 0.13% Main habitation March 15 5 16 5 Source: CCS Support Unit, IUCN. April 21 10 22 8 2.6 May 28 15 27 12 Gender June 34 20 35 19 July 36 23 37 21 Chitral is one of the country’s most deprived areas and massive resources will August 35 23 36 20 be required to improve the livelihood of its September 32 19 32 14 people. It is essential that these inputs are October 26 12 25 8 applied precisely and sensitively to meet the requirements of men as well as women. November 19 6 18 3 December 11 2 12 0 Traditionally, women have enjoyed a high *Temperatures rounded to the nearest degree. Source: Pakistan Meteorological Department, 1998. status in Chitrali society. Old proverbs like “Khowistan aurat abad” (“the land of Kho is shown in Table 2 and Figures 5 and 6. prosperous owing to the ability and skills of As is the case with rainfall, no its women”) and “har chamoto tan hunar” temperature records are maintained for (“each finger has a skill”) are a clear reflec- Upper Chitral. tion of this fact. Financial and resource utilisation discipline, known as madiri, is 2.5 considered to be the exclusive domain of Land Cover women. Historically, women have inherited property and managed large estates. According to the 2001 land cover map of During the reign of Chitral’s former rulers, Chitral District developed by the CCS the Mehtars, the women of the ruling Support Unit of IUCN–The Wo r l d family played a significant role in statecraft. Conservation Union using satellite images, the percentage of total land area Chitrali society is comprised of two distinct under various cover classes is shown in social and cultural groups, the Kalash and Figure 7. the Khow, each with its own norms and tra-

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 11 Overview of Chitral District

and women are for the most part expected to adhere to gender-specific roles that have been developed over generations. Oc c a s i o n a l l y , a departure from tradition is forced by a dramatic change in social, economic or ecological circumstances.

2.6.4 Changes in Traditional Gender Roles

In response to changing socio-economic realities, traditional gender roles are begin- ning to change (Tables 3 and 4). With the departure of men from the fields in order to pursue education or employment, women are left with the responsibility of managing farmland. Relatively affluent households are able to employ labour and here women take on managerial roles. In families that cannot afford to employ l a b o u r, women perform many of these Kalash children tasks themselves.

ditions governing gender roles. An analysis TABLE 3 Changes in traditional of their lifestyles serves as a useful indicator gender roles among of the state of gender equity in the region. the Kalash Gender Traditional roles Emerging roles 2.6.1 Kalash Female Farming, embroidery, Increasing child rearing, music, education The Kalash are confined to three valleys in dancing is likely to change southern Chitral and, to this day, live traditional roles according to ancient traditions. The women Male Hunting, herding, Employment in do not observe pardah (the veil), work spinning, knitting, business and mostly on family farmland, and do not gen- carpentry, masonry trade, weaving erally participate in decision making related weaving, farming and farming

to inheritance and other family matters. Source: Hemani and Warrington, 1996.

2.6.2 Khow TABLE 4 Changes in traditional gender roles among The Khow population is predominant in the the Khow district. In Khow areas, pardah is strictly Gender Traditional roles Emerging roles observed. Although the mobility of women Female Cooking, knitting, Small-scale here is for the most part restricted, they spinning, embroidery, business, farm engage in farm-related activities. Kitchen child rearing, kitchen management in gardens, dairy products, and the produc- gardening, poultry, addition to tion of silk and woollen handicrafts are the livestock husbandry traditional roles, herding by elder exclusive domain of women. Under Muslim women to spare family law, which the Khow follow, women children for are permitted to inherit property. education Male Farming, weaving, Business and 2.6.3 Women and Work herding, carpentry, trade, employment, masonry, music, farming, cottage dancing, sports industry Across Chitral, the gender division of labour is evident in every sphere of activity. Men Source: Hemani and Warrington, 1996.

12 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Overview of Chitral District

2

Traditional farming being practiced

As education opens up new avenues of supplemented with fruits and nuts, grown employment for both men and women, as single trees in marginal land on field some traditional practices are being aban- boundaries. doned. For instance, in households where men are employed off-farm, grazing is now 2.7.1 Farming either entrusted to Gujars or the number of livestock kept is reduced, depending on the Chitral’s rugged terrain limits the amount of circumstances of each household. land that may be brought under cultivation, Increasing female education, meanwhile, while freezing temperatures over about half has raised the workload of women who its area prevent the production of more stay at home, since school-going girls are than one crop a year. Some 22,552 ha was exempt from household and farming cultivated in 1999–2000 (Agricultural chores. Statistics Wing, 2001). Approximately half of this land is located in the single-cropping With the assistance of rural support pro- zone comprising Lotkuh, Mastuj, Mulkhow grammes, women in Chitral have also and Torkhow tehsils. The remainder lies in begun to participate in microenterprise the double-cropping zone of Chitral and activities, setting up shops in towns and Drosh tehsils. The net area under cultiva- villages. These shops are managed tion is 20,999 ha with 6,187 ha sown more individually as well as collectively through than once, bringing the total cultivated area women’s organisations. to 27,186 ha.

2.7 With annual evapotranspiration at more Agriculture than 2,500 mm, agriculture depends on irri- gation. This is demonstrated by the fact The people of Chitral have traditionally that in 1999–2000, the per-hectare yield of practised subsistence agriculture focused rain-fed wheat was one fifth that of wheat on grain production and livestock rearing. grown on irrigated land. Not surprisingly, a Their diet of cereals and dairy products is mere 1.6% of the cropped area was under

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 13 Overview of Chitral District

rain-fed agriculture (340 ha wheat, 94 ha used for grazing; less than 125 mm of moong and maash pulses) during the same rain annually. period. Irrigation is carried out by means of water channels, one fourth of which have Each of the above zones may in turn be been constructed by the government and divided according to patterns of agricultural the remainder by local communities. production and climatological characteris- tics: Agricultural production is dominated by (a) areas dependent mainly on crops; may cereals which are sown over 82% of the be further divided into single- and cropped area and yield 47,796 t of food double-crop areas; grain. An additional 30,000 t of wheat is (b) areas with a mixed economy; single- brought in from outside the region each crop areas depending partly on crops year in order to meet local needs. and partly on livestock; and (c) areas dependent mainly on livestock. 2. 7 . 1 . 1 Land Holdings and Tenure 2.7.1.3 Cereal Crops

With a 1998 population of 42,533 house- C h i t r a l ’s cereal production compares holds and a cultivated area of 22,552 ha, favourably with the rest of the North-West average land holdings stand at 0.53 ha Frontier Province (NWFP). The maize yield (GoP, 1999; Agricultural Statistics Wing, (2,790 kg/ha) is the highest in the province, 2001). Close to 80% of all holdings are while rice production (2,399 kg/ha) ranks small, ranging in size from 0.2 to 2.0 ha, third and barley (1,513 kg/ha) ranks sixth. while 15% range from 2 to 4 ha and 4% C h i t r a l ’s wheat yield (1,956 kg/ha), from 4 to 6 ha. A mere 1% of holdings h o w e v e r, ranks fourteenth for irrigated exceeds 6 ha. For the 220 households it wheat (Agricultural Statistics Wing, 2001). sampled, the AKRSP estimates a reduction Cereal crops grown during 1999–2000, the in the size of average holdings from 0.66 area under cultivation and crop yields are ha in 1991 to 0.46 ha in 1997, owing to the shown in Table 5. failure of new land development to keep pace with population growth (AKRSP, 2.7.1.4 Fodder Crops 1997). This may well be the case for the whole of Chitral. Livestock rearing is an essential component of Chitral’s subsistence economy. Milk and 2.7.1.2 Ecological Zones and meat are a valuable food source, and Farming animal dung helps to maintain the physical structure of the soil, while wool, hair and In Chitral the following ecological zones hides serve as raw materials for cottage have been identified: in d u s t r y . Despite its importance, the live- i. subhumid zone (1,150–3,900 m); stock husbandry sector is seriously con- includes low-lying parts of Chitral strained by a shortage of animal feed, espe- between Arandu and Madaklasht, as cially during the late winter and early spring. well as the Golain valley; annual rainfall This period of scarcity sets a ceiling on the 500–1,000 mm; ii. subarid zone (1,500–4,900 m); includes TABLE 5 Cereal production, the area between the Kesu and Kuh 19 9 9 - 2 0 0 0 valleys up to Barenis; 300–600 mm of Crop Area under Yield (t) rainfall; cultivation (ha) iii. dry zone (1,650–3,800 m); includes the Wheat 9,050 17,176 whole of the Lotkuh–Ojor region as well Maize 6,337 17,681 as the lower areas of Upper Chitral; 250 Barley 4,168 6,306 mm to less than 500 mm of rain; and Rice 2,720 6,524 iv. arid high mountains (above 3,800 m); no settlements; summer pastures are Source: Agricultural Statistics Wing, 2001.

14 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Overview of Chitral District

2

Traditional harvesting

number of animals each household is able and here Chitral’s yields are far higher than to rear, since livestock survival through the average yields in the rest of the province. harsh winter depends on the amount of Potatoes are grown over 480 ha, onions crop residues and fodder crops the house- and chillies over 52 ha, other vegetables hold has been able to store. Compared to over 1,702 ha and pulses over 430 ha. crop residues, fodder crops are more palat- Except for potatoes, however, yields for able, easier to digest and richer in protein. other vegetables and pulses are consider- ably below the average for the NWFP. For the year 1999–2000, fodder was planted over 5.5% of the cropped area, producing Each of the 220 households sampled by 17,300 t of r a b b i (spring) and k h a r i f the AKRSP grew an average of 78 fruit (autumn) crops—about half the average trees in 1991. By 1997, this figure fell to 63. per-hectare yield for the NWFP as a whole Mulberry declined from 15 to 3 trees and (Agricultural Statistics Wing, 2001). Th e apricot from 38 to 31, while the number of A K R S P socio-economic study, however, apple trees increased from 11 to 17. The indicates a dramatic shift in cropping pat- number of other trees—almond, peach, terns, from 7% of cropped area under fodder pear, pomegranate and walnut—remained in 1991 to 23% in 1997 (AKRSP, 1997). Th i s constant at 12. The increase in apple culti- has taken place largely at the cost of wheat vation seen here may well be a reflection of cultivation, which declined from 55% of the efforts made by the AKRSP, Chitral cropped area in 1991 to 41% in 1997. Area Development Project (CADP) and Project for Horticultural Promotion (PHP). 2.7.1.5 Fruits and Vegetables 2.7.1.6 Gender Roles in Fruit and The commercial fruit, nut and vegetable cul- Vegetable Production tivation sector is in its infancy. Fruit is grown over 519 ha, yielding 4,541 t annually. Vegetable cultivation and marketing is pri- Apples and apricots are the main fruit crops marily the responsibility of women, who and yields compare favourably with rarely interact with traders directly and are average yields for the whole of the NWFP. assisted by their male relatives. In fruit and Almond, grape, peach, persimmon and grain production, work is divided. Men carry pomegranate is also grown in small areas, manure from livestock sheds to the fields

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 15 Overview of Chitral District

atures are conducive to fruit and vegetable cultivation. The three winter months provide the “chilling conditions [necessary] for all deciduous fruits, followed by warm spring and hot summer, which combined with high light intensities prevailing at these high altitudes with minimal cloud cover . . . produce near ideal conditions for the culture of deciduous fruit crops and summer vegetables” (Doolan, 1996).

Although the area currently under fruit and vegetable cultivation is small, the region’s comparative advantage in fruit and off - season vegetable production has been the focus of a number of research and development initiatives. The principal engine for this work has been the PHP, with cooperation from the A K R S P and the N W F P g o v e r n m e n t ’s now defunct Fruit and Vegetable Development Board. T h e P H P, however, has wound up its opera- tions in Chitral.

To make a successful transition from sub- Carding wool sistence-oriented cereal crops to the culti- vation of high-value fruit and off - s e a s o n vegetables will require that efficient trans- where the women spread it. Men plough portation and marketing facilities are made and level the land, and harvest crops. available. Progress in this direction has Women make sheaves of the harvest, sep- been uneven. The construction of a road arate maize cobs from stover and clean between Chitral and Booni that is naviga- grain. While the various tasks involved in ble by truck, and lifting the ban on agricul- fruit collection are shared between men tural exports have been steps in the right and women, the latter are solely responsi- direction. However, an all-weather year- ble for processing the harvest, including round truckable road link to the rest of the drying fruit, shelling nuts and removing country is required if the full potential of kernels. Whether in cereal production or high-value agricultural production is to be fruit and vegetable cultivation, weeding is t a p p e d . carried out by women. This arduous work, taking up most of the day during the grow- 2.7.2 Livestock ing reason, is essential to ensure adequate yields. Some weed varieties are also used The combined livestock population of as animal feed, while others are cooked Chitral in 1996 was estimated at 173,262 and consumed by the people. head of cattle, 188,822 sheep and 335,782 goats, while domestic poultry 2.7.1.7 Horticultural Research numbered 590,022. In addition, an and Development Work unknown number of animals belonging to in Progress Afghan refugees is also found in the area. Households keep livestock in small herds The arid and semi-arid climate of Chitral is of 4 to 10, depending on the household’s ideally suited to horticulture, since it inhibits capacity to store crop residues, fodder the proliferation of crop diseases. In areas and hay to feed animals during the winter capable of sustaining plant growth, temper- and spring months. Chitrali cattle are not

16 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Overview of Chitral District robust, weighing only 150–200 kg, and include vaccination and treatment pro- generally frail owing to poor nutrition. grammes; artificial insemination facilities; Cows are kept for milk, calves for milk and training for village veterinary workers, let-down and oxen for draught purposes. doctors and technicians in prevention, The peak milk yield is 5 litres a day, all of diagnosis and treatment of common live- which is consumed by the household. stock diseases. In addition, the AKRSP is This is partly because production is attempting to introduce commercial poultry comparatively low but also because of the farming to the area. absence of village-level marketing facili- ties for the surplus. Goats are kept for 2.7.2.3 Gender Roles in meat, milk and hides. In Chitral, sheep’s Livestock Husbandry milk is thought to be injurious to the health. Sheep are kept primarily for wool, Except for the Kalash, who entrust the care which is woven into a fabric known as s h u of their goats to men, livestock and poultry (called p a t t i in Urdu). Wool worth approx- management is the domain of women. This 2 imately Rs 47 is converted into fabric includes feeding and health care as well as valued at Rs 325, with most of this value processing animal products. added by skilled women. Cash derived from the sale of s h u during the late winter 2.7.3 Income From Agriculture is a crucial part of household income. Ownership of the industry provides According to the A K R S P, an average women with self-esteem as well as real household derives 58% of its income from economic benefits. on-farm sources and the remainder from o ff-farm activities (AKRSP, 1997). T h e 2.7.2.1 Major Constraints to proportion of a household’s off - f a r m Livestock Husbandry income is directly related to its income bracket, with poorer households earning a Livestock productivity is constrained by a greater share of their total income from number of factors, including feed short- on-farm sources (Figure 8). On average, ages, inadequate veterinary cover, poor 45% of household farm income is derived genetic potential and poorly developed from cereal, fruit and vegetable produc- marketing facilities. Malnourished animals tion, and 32% from livestock rearing. produce low yields and are more suscepti- While households from all income brack- ble to parasites and disease. Besides the ets earn about the same proportion of obvious financial losses resulting from fatal their farm income from cereals, fruit and diseases, chronic disease induces debility vegetables, richer households earn a and lowers productivity. Nutritional defi- greater share of their farm income from ciency also prevents livestock from attain- livestock (Figure 9). ing its full genetic potential, while inade- quate veterinary cover hampers disease FIGURE 8 On-farm and off-farm control. The overall health and genetic income as a percentage potential of livestock may be enhanced by of total household income means of adequate nutrition, suitable Income Bracket 90 82 shelter and the control of disease and 80 72 parasites. Improved marketing facilities, 70 63 60 60 meanwhile, will enhance profits which in 54 50 turn could serve as an incentive to increase 40 46 40 37 production. 30 28 20 18 2.7.2.2 Current Activities in 10 0 Livestock Husbandry Bottom Lowermiddle Middle Upper middle Top 20% 20% 20% 20% 20% Current activities in the husbandry sector Off-farm income % n On-farm income % under government and AKRSP initiatives Source: AKRSP, 1997.

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 17 Overview of Chitral District

FIGURE 9 Household income from ag r o f o r e s t r y , livestock and More affluent households employ labour to farming as a percentage perform tasks formerly carried out by the of total farm income men. In less affluent families, women take Income Bracket on additional responsibilities. 60

48 50 45 45 44 45 2.8 43 40 39 40 39 Forests 36 30

20 2.8.1 Area and Tree Stocks 20 17 15 14 12 10 According to the land cover map of the dis- 0 Bottom Lowermiddle Middle Upper middle Top trict, Chitral’s wooded area extends over 20% 20% 20% 20% 20% 70,045 ha. Of this, oak (Quercus baloot) Agro forestry n Livestock Crops, vegetable and fruits woodlands cover 24,300 ha (Mukhtar and Source: AKRSP, 1997. Rehman, 1999). Meanwhile, the standing volume of round wood is estimated at 13 2.7.4 Off-farm Employment million m3 (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau [KfW], 2000). Few households can subsist entirely on their small land holdings. As a result, boys Coniferous forests extend from Lowari to and men from many families work off-farm Golain Gol, some 23 km north of Chitral in Chitral town or down-country during the town. The distribution of coniferous forests winter. They leave in October, after the in the district and the standing volume of grain harvest has been threshed, and fire- various species are shown in Tables 6 and wood and fodder collected, returning in 7. Oak forests grow in the same areas at April or May in time for the sowing season. lower elevations. Degraded broadleaved During their absence, traditional male forests stand in parts of Upper Chitral, responsibilities, such as clearing snow from which is extremely denuded. Remnants of roof tops and livestock sheds, managing land and attending to social obligations, are TABLE 6 Distribution of coniferous assumed by the women. forests (ha) Range Commercial No n - c o m m e r c i a l Total In several families, some members are per- Chitral (Ayu n ) 3,688 8,592 12,280 manently employed off-farm, working in Drosh (North) 4,964 5,723 10,687 Pakistan’s urban centres or overseas. The Drosh (South) 16,809 22,298 39,107 trend towards increasing off-farm employ- Total 25,461 36,613 62,074 ment has caused the gender distribution of agricultural labour to shift dramatically. Source: Forest Department, 1997.

TABLE 7 Area and standing volume of coniferous forests Selection working circle Protection working circle Species Area Volume Volume/ha Area Volume Volume/ha (ha) (m3) (m3) (ha) (m3) (m3) Deodar 17,152 1,399,746 82 7,359 208,675 28 (Cedrus deodara) Kail (Pinus 1,698 114,630 68 247 17,089 69 wallichiana) Fir (Abies pindrow) 4,368 715,936 164 1,637 106,732 65 Spruce (Picea smithiana) Chilghoza 1,193 54,866 46 1,674 8,179 5 (Pinus gerardiana) Blanks – – – 1,189 – – Total 24,411 2,285,178 94 12,106 340,675 28

Source: Grosenic, Phillips and Pleines, 1991.

18 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Overview of Chitral District juniper forests are scattered across Upper rather increase in density, eventually attain- Chitral all the way to the Laspur valley. ing an optimal level. Another assumption is Protection from illegal felling is the respon- that the space vacated by felled mature sibility of the Forest Department, which trees will be quickly filled by seedlings and also regulates the removal of trees for local saplings from natural seed fall. However, the needs and commercial purposes. cycle of natural regeneration is disrupted in areas where the forest floor is under heavy 2.8.2 Timber Harvesting pressure from continuous grazing.

Some 25,000 ha of forest is suffi c i e n t l y 2.8.3 Distribution of Timber to dense to sustain timber harvesting, contain- Meet the Needs of Local ing 2.5 million trees with a standing timber Rightsholders volume of 3.1 million m3. Of this quantity, only 0.75% is harvested each year. Th e No formal timber markets operate in number of trees that may be cut annually is Chitral. Rightsholders meet their timber 2 determined according to the following requirements by obtaining permits from the formula: estimate annual growth and deduct Forest Department and cutting trees free of the volume of trees that will die or be stolen; charge, in accordance with the provisions after these deductions, keep back more of the NWFP Management of Protected trees from cutting so that the remaining crop Forests Rules 1975. It is up to the Range may become denser, reaching the desired Forest Officer to verify the applicants’ density in 100 years (Ayaz, 1964). entitlement and need, and to recommend deserving cases to the Divisional Forest Commercial forest area is divided into Officer (DFO). On receipt of the DFO’s equiproductive harvesting units. From approval, permits are issued to individuals each, within the prescribed timeframe and to cut a specific number of trees from the in accordance with an approved manage- nearest forest, provided it contains a suffi- ment plan, mature trees at breast height cient number of mature trees. Timber grant- (1.37 m above ground level) and with a ed in this manner cannot be sold or gifted diameter of 71 cm or more are harvested to a third party, or taken out of the village up to the limit of prescribed yield, as per limits, and may only be used for construc- silvicultural requirements. If necessary, tion. The recipient is also required to plant sub-mature trees are also removed along five new trees and tend to the saplings. The with dead, dying and diseased trees. location where saplings are to be planted and the duration for which they must be The forest management plan currently in tended are both determined by the Forest force permits the removal of 15,576 m3 of Officer. No data is available on the survival timber annually. Of this, 4,248 m 3 is issued rate of saplings planted in this manner. Any each year on permits to area residents for breach of these rules is punishable with the purpose of construction. Rightsholders imprisonment for up to two years and/or a are granted access to forests to collect fire- maximum fine of Rs 50,000. wood, lop oak branches for fodder, graze animals, and gather mushrooms and medic- 2.8.4 Rightsholders’ Share in the inal plants. Data are not available on the Sale Proceeds of Timber volume of timber removed by rightsholders. Until the ban on commercial harvesting, Rightsholders in Chitral’s commercial imposed in 1997 by the NWFP go v e r n m e n t forests are entitled to 60% of the income and in force to this day, an estimated 11, 3 2 8 derived from the sale of timber, with the m3 of timber was sold annually. remaining revenue going to the govern- ment. Between 1988 and 1997, the amount In theory, this forest management plan is paid each year by the Forest Department to thought to be sustainable. By limiting the the Deputy Commissioner for onward dis- annual cut, it is assumed that forest bursement is shown in Table 8. (Following resources will not be exhausted but will the promulgation of the NWFP L o c a l

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 19 Overview of Chitral District

TABLE 8 Local people’s share in the sale proceeds numerous disputes arose. The people of of timber Upper Chitral lodged claims to ownership Year Amount of forest land. In Lower Chitral, disputes (million rupees) exist to this day between members of the 1988 12.54 former ruling family, notables and people 1989 23.44 residing around the forests. According to 1990 30.17 the views expressed during public consul- 1991 32.36 tations held for the preparation of the Chitral Conservation Strategy (CCS), influ- 1992 53.24 ential segments of society receive the bulk 1993 30.61 of the benefits intended for the people. 1994 19.71 Partly for this reason, poorer residents 1995 93.71 living around the forests resort to illegal 1996 90.40 felling and sell this timber surreptitiously. 1997 46.33 2.8.6 Income to the Government Source: Khattak, G. M. 1998. Forest, Grazing Lands and Watersheds. CCS sector paper. From its share of the income derived from Government Ordinance 2001, under which the sale of timber prior to 1976, the govern- the post of Deputy Commissioner has been ment spent 32% on forest protection, 9% on abolished, this disbursement is now made af forestation, and 5% on maintenance of through the District Officer Revenue and buildings, roads and paths, saving 54%. In Estate, Chitral.) These figures are mislead- 1976, the NWFP Cabinet under the chair- ing, however, since most rightsholders have manship of the then Prime Minister of sold their rights to a handful of forest Pakistan decided that the government’s contractors. As a result, payments are share of the proceeds would be spent on passed on to contractors. Partly for this the maintenance and development of reason, and because mature trees are forests. From 1972–73 to 1997–98 the gov- felled in any particular area only once every ernment earned Rs 319 million from the 20 years, it is difficult to estimate the forests of Chitral, spent Rs 147 million on economic benefits of timber harvesting for protection and held back Rs 172 million. the local people. It is likely that the bulk of the profits accrues to forest contractors. An 2.8.7 Forest Development in-depth investigation is needed to deter- Initiatives mine the extent to which commercial timber harvesting benefits local communities. From 1987 to 1997, the government’s Forest Development Corporation spent a sum of Rs 2.8.5 Problems With the 29 million on forest nurseries, affo r e s t a t i o n Equitable Distribution of and soil conservation. An Integrated the People’s Share A fforestation Scheme for Wa t e r s h e d Planting has been under implementation Until 1969, the forests of Chitral were since July 1994 at an expected cost of Rs owned by Chitral state. The local people 47.7 million until June 1999. Other projects were only permitted to use the forests to aimed at forest development include Income graze animals, and collect firewood and Generating Projects for Refugees from fodder. After the merger of Chitral state with Afghanistan II and III (funded by the United Pakistan, ownership of these forests Nations High Commission for Refugees), the passed to the provincial government. In CA D P (supported by the International Fund 1976, the NWFP government allotted to for Agricultural Development) and the gov- rightsholders a 60% share in the proceeds er n m e n t ’ s Annual Development Programme from the sale of timber. Following this deci- (ADP). In addition to these initiatives, the sion, a scramble ensued to establish titles AK R S P has taken a commendable step by to such shares. In the absence of land making forest tree planting an essential settlement and records of ownership rights, component of all new irrigation projects

20 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Overview of Chitral District undertaken by rural communities under AK R S P physical infrastructure ventures.

The results of such efforts remain unclear, since no surveys have been carried out to determine the survival rate of planted trees. In the case of planting by organised local communities on irrigated land, survival is thought to be good. However, in the absence of community participation, survival on rain-fed land is likely to be poor.

2.8.8 Gender Roles in Forestry Men collect firewood and timber from high 2 pastures and remote forests, while women collect scraps of wood and thorny shrubs when they take livestock to graze in areas surrounding village lands.

2.8.9 Responsibility

Responsibility for the protection and man- Livestock grazing in upper Chitral agement of forests in Chitral rests with the DFO Chitral, assisted by Range Forest Officers and ancillary forest protection per- Chitral, ailanthus is preferred by 44%, sonnel in each of the Chitral (Ayun), Drosh robinia by 25%, chinar and sea buckthorn (North), and Drosh (South) forest ranges. by 20% and mulberry by 11% of house- The forestry sector has not been devolved holds. According to the same survey, an under the new local government system, average household earns roughly 16% of and remains under the jurisdiction of the its farm income from farm forestry, with provincial government. Although stationed households in the lowest income bracket in Chitral, the DFO reports to the provincial earning a greater proportion from farm administrative hierarchy. forestry (20%) compared to those in the highest income bracket (12%). Responsibility for the agriculture sector, meanwhile, has been devolved to the dis- 2.10 trict level. Under the new system, farm Grazing land forestry personnel working under the Executive District Officer (EDO) Agriculture According to the 2001 land cover map of are to assist in tree planting on agricultural the district developed by the IUCN-CCS land. Their responsibilities also include the Support Unit Chitral, rangelands with promotion of forest tree nurseries, soil con- sparse vegetation cover 919,636 ha. servation and watershed management. H o w e v e r, the KfW categorises grazing land into three main classes. According to 2.9 this inventory, grazing land covers some Agroforestry 373,600 ha, comprising 269,400 ha of alpine and subalpine scrub, 46,600 ha of Households sampled by the AKRSP in alpine pastures, and 57,600 ha of low-yield 1997 owned an average of 772 farm forest subtropical and temperate grazing land. trees each, down from 828 in 1991. In The entire area under forests (70,045 ha) Upper Chitral, poplar and willow are pre- is also grazed. Grazing lands in Chitral are ferred by about 56% of households, and the degradation stages of forest types Russian olive and robinia by 44%. In lower shown in Table 9.

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 21 Overview of Chitral District

2.10.1 Grazing System vide protection from predators. They are milked, and dairy products are prepared. Farm animals spend the winter in sheds, Bulls and cows not in milk are left unattend- feeding on wheat and millet straw, maize ed, and a male from the household journeys stover, dried alfalfa and clover, and grass to the grazing lands at regular intervals to hay. These supplies of stored fodder run check on them and offer them salt. out towards the early spring. Animals weaken or die during this period unless Since livestock rearing forms only a part of owners are able to buy feed either from the farm economy, entire families cannot within the village or from other villages. The leave with their animals to spend the sum- only exception to this pattern are goats mer in high-elevation grazing lands. Where belonging to the Kalash, which graze the household is large, a few men along with outdoors throughout the year. their close female relatives may accompany livestock, leaving the rest of the family to When the snow melts, animals are taken to tend to the crops. Households that are graze on the vegetation that has begun to unable to spare any of their members for the sprout on village land. Herds gradually entire summer entrust their livestock to oth- work their way up to low-elevation grazing ers (Sections 2.10.1.1– 2.10.1.4 below). lands. By about mid-June, animals belong- ing to villages entitled to graze in subalpine 2.10.1.1 Nomadic Herdsmen and alpine grazing lands begin moving towards these areas. The nomadic livestock owners, originally settled in Chitral at the invitation of its former In high-elevation grazing lands, goats and rulers. During the summer entire Gujar sheep are accompanied at all times, to pro- households, and occasionally the men

TABLE 9 Types of grazing land

Type Elevation Main species Comments

Moist alpine pastures Above 3,500 m Astragalus, Corydalis, Occurring on floors of Oxytropis, Polygonum, U-shaped valleys with Potentilla, Primula, deep loamy soils receiving Saxifraga glacial melt water Subalpine birch 3,500–3,800 m Birch, willow, juniper Scattered shrubs Moist deciduous 2500 –3500 m Birch, honeysuckle, alpine scrub juniper, wild rose Berberis, Ephedra, Heracleum, Prunus, Rhamnus, Ribes Dry temperate 1,835–3,500 m Artemisia, Capparis, These grazing lands have coniferous scrub Delphinium, stunted replaced destroyed dry Fraxinus xanthoxyloides, fir and dry deodar forests Haloxylon, Hyoscyamus niger, Rheum, Tamararix Dry oak (Quercus 1,200–1,800 m Dry oak, wild almond, Heavily lopped dry oak baloot) scrub willow; scattered shrubs struggling for survival with ground vegetation comprising Artemisia, Caragana, Cotoneaster, Cymbopogon, Daphne, Ephedra, Heteropogon, Lonicera, Periploca, Plectranthus, Rumex, Sophora, Spiraea

Source: KfW, 2000.

22 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Overview of Chitral District alone, take to high-elevation grazing lands often even from household to household. with their own livestock as well as animals In village lands and low-elevation grazing belonging to others. Besides grazing the lands, men are responsible for goats and animals and providing protection from sheep, and women for cattle. As a rule, predators, they milk the goats and prepare young women do not travel alone to high- bu t t e r , gh e e (clarified butter), cheese and elevation grazing lands and are accompa- buttermilk. A portion of this produce is nied by either a close male relative or returned to the owners while the remainder is elderly women. Grazing is generally the either consumed or sold. The herdsmen are responsibility of the men, although in paid for their services mostly in kind, with some cases women carry out this task. commodities such as flour, tea and sugar. When women are present, milking and Their main source of cash income is from the dairy products are almost always their sale of the gh e e they are allowed to retain. r e s p o n s i b i l i t y. The Kalash are the excep- tion since, for religious reasons, their 2.10.1.2 Pazhals women are not permitted to milk goats. 2 Women are also responsible for feeding Pazhals are local men or boys who work as livestock during the winter and treating shepherds in high-elevation grazing lands. sick animals. They provide protection from predators, milk goats and prepare dairy products. If they are 2.10.3 Responsibility for accompanied by a female member of their Sustainable Management of household, she takes over some of these Grazing Lands tasks. They are paid in cash per head of live- stock or in the form of commodities such as The sustainable management of grazing fl o u r , wheat, salt, sugar, soap and shoes. In lands is a challenge even under the most most cases, they are expected to surrender favourable of circumstances. Under all the gh e e they make to the owners. C h i t r a l ’s harsh climatic, ecological and socio-economic conditions, however, this 2.10.1.3 Sothsiri System task is all the more difficult. As such, it is perhaps not surprising that little by way of This is an arrangement whereby several sustainable management has been accom- households pool their livestock. The animals plished so far. are then grazed in rotation for specific periods of time by one or two men from each Watershed and range management is the of the households. responsibility of the Forest Department, and is one of its functions at the provincial level. 2.10.1.4 Mestoo Meanwhile the EDO Ag r i c u l t u r e ’ s functions include soil conservation and watershed Mestoos, or traditional housekeepers, are management. The EDO is also responsible elderly women who spend the summer in for the livestock sector, which is of course a high-elevation grazing lands with their own critical component of any meaningful attempt livestock as well as animals belonging to four at grazing land management. As such, graz- or five other households. These women are ing land management may be treated as a accompanied by a male relative who grazes function devolved by the Forest Department the livestock and protects the animals from to the EDO Ag r i c u l t u r e . predators. Mestoos generally receive flour, tea, sugar and soap in payment, and are Large-scale, cost-effective grazing land allowed to retain part of the gh e e they make. management can only be carried out with the participation of local communities. For 2.10.2 Gender Division of this reason, devolution of grazing land Labour in Grazing Lands management to the district level is essen- tial. Promoting community participation in The gender division of labour in grazing management projects is the responsibility lands varies from village to village, and of the district government.

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 23 Overview of Chitral District

TABLE 10 Endangered mammal 2.11 species recorded in Biodiversity Ch i t r a l Common Name Scientific Name Nestled between the Hindukush and Hindu Common Red Fox Vulpes vulpes Raj mountains, the Chitral valley provides Brown Bear Ursus arctos ideal growing conditions for at least 64 Asiatic or Himalayan Ursus thibetanus endemic plant species. Chitral’s flora is sim- Black Bear ilar to that of Central Asia, and comprises Stone Marten Martes foina forest types listed in Table 9. The fauna, Yellow-throated Marten Martes flavigula meanwhile, resembles that of the Wes t e r n Himalayan Palm Civet Paguma larvata Palaearctic Faunal Region, with a slight oriental mix from the south. Wide variations Stoat or Ermine Mustela erminea in altitude, from 1,094 m at Arandu in the Common Otter Lutra lutra south to 7,726 m at Tirichmir in the north, Stiped Hyaena Hyaena hyaena compensate for the arid climate, making the Pallas’Cat Felis manul area an ideal habitat for a variety of plants Lynx Felis lynx and animals. Chitral also serves as a Leopard Cat Prionailurus bengalensis corridor for the seasonal migration of birds. Leopard or Panther Panthera pardus 2.11.1 Mammals Snow Leopard Panthera uncia Musk Deer Moschus chrysogaster The number of mammal species recorded Urial or Shapu Ovis vignei in Chitral to date is 45, which accounts for Woolly Flying Squirrel Eupetaurus cinereus about half of all mammals recorded in the Source: Malik, Mumtaz. 1998. Biodiversity, Parks NWFP as a whole. Wild animals typically and Protected Areas. CCS sector paper. found in the region include the Himalayan ibex, markhor, Pallas’ cat, Royle’s pika, stoat and wolf, as well as two species of TABLE 11 Endangered bird bat. Chitral is also home to a number of species recorded in endangered species (Table 10). Ch i t r a l 2.11.2 Birds Common Name Scientific Name Egyptian or Scavenger Neophron percnopetrus Vulture So far, 195 species of resident and migra- Eurasian Woodcock Scolopax rusticola tory birds have been recorded in Chitral, Himalayan Griffon Vulture Gyps himalayensis several of them endangered (Table 11). Th e Himalayan Monal Lophophorus impejanus chukar (rock partridge), Himalayan snow- Koklass Pheasant Pucrasia macrolopha cock, lammergeier, monal pheasant and biddulphi snow partridge are resident species. Birds Lammergeier or Gypaetus barbatus of prey, particularly the peregrine falcon and Bearded Vulture saker falcon, inhabit the northern reaches Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea of the valley and are vulnerable to trapping Saker Falcon Falco cherrug for trade, while the oriental turtle dove and Snow Pigeon Columba leuconota Chinese dove are favoured game birds. Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus Greylag Goose Anser anser Several species of waterfowl, some of which Marbled Teal Marmaronetta angustirostris are endangered, migrate along the Chitral Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula river in the autumn and spring, providing Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus hunting opportunities to local residents. A Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus number of raptors and aquatic birds pass Red-capped Falcon Falco pelegrinoides through the valley in the course of their Barbary Falcon Falco peregrinus migration between breeding grounds in babylonicus Siberia and Central Asia, and wintering Source: Malik, Mumtaz. 1998. Biodiversity, areas in southern Pakistan and India. Th e Parks and Protected Areas. CCS sector paper.

24 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Overview of Chitral District golden oriole, which visits the orchards of Chitral in the autumn and spring, is tradition- ally considered to be a good omen.

2.11.3 Reptiles

Of the 42 reptile species recorded by the Zoological Survey Department throughout the NWFP, 28 are found in Chitral. Th i s includes two turtle species, 12 types of lizard and 14 snake varieties. The Himalayan pit vi p e r , Indian krait, Indian monitor, Indian softshell turtle, Oxus cobra and saw scaled viper and are also found in Chitral. 2 2.11.4 Fish

Owing to the frequent occurrence of mud- laden flash floods, the variety of fish found in the valley is comparatively sparse. High altitude lakes and streams which do not become flooded may support a greater abundance of fish species but the Material collected for fuel purposes resources in these areas remain to be documented systematically. Surveys in lower Chitral waters have found 11 including grazing, firewood collection and species, two exotic and nine indigenous. timber harvesting. The exotics (brown trout and rainbow trout), introduced for sport in the cold water 2.12 streams of Bumburet, Golain, Lotkuh and Energy Shishi, are stocked annually with hatchery- reared fingerlings. Most of the indigenous The cooking and heating requirements of species belong to the genus S c h i z o t h o r a x. Chitral’s households are for the most part met by biomass energy in the form of Under the NWFP Local Government wood, with close to 97% of households Ordinance 2001, the Fisheries Department using wood stoves. Of the remainder, 2% has been devolved and merged with the use kerosene and a mere 0.07% have Agriculture Department at the district level. access to natural gas (GoP, 1999). A District Officer Fisheries, reporting to the EDO Agriculture, oversees the protection 2.12.1 Biomass and propagation of fish resources. At the provincial level, the Director Fisheries is The annual consumption of firewood in responsible for policies and regulatory Chitral district is estimated to be 299,000 measures to develop, conserve and man- m3 ( K f W, 2000). A little over one third of age fisheries, as well as for research and the district’s fuel wood needs is met by the training in this sector. annual increment in wooded growth on farmland (15%) and grazing land (22%). 2.11.5 Parks and Protected Areas But the bulk of the firewood used, amount- ing to 63% (182,000 m3), is taken from the Chitral’s protected areas consist of one forest, accounting for nearly 60% of the national park and seven game reserves, annual growth of all forests in Chitral. covering 1,804 km2. Of these, only the Chitral Gol National Park, spread over 77.5 The removal of large quantities of firewood km2, is protected from consumptive use, is the dominant cause of rapid denudation

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 25 Overview of Chitral District

in southern Chitral, which would otherwise for use in some 1,500 vehicles. In addition, support a fair cover of wooded vegetation. 3 million l of kerosene was provided for To counter this drain, the AKRSP, CADP, domestic use and 4,550 cylinders of lique- Environmental Rehabilitation Project, fied petroleum gas were circulated among Forest Department and Forest hotels and affluent households. Natural gas Development Corporation have all has not been supplied to the district, partly launched ambitious forest tree plantation because the area’s rugged terrain makes programmes. Since 1991, the A K R S P it difficult and expensive to build pipelines alone has overseen the plantation of some to reach the area’s widely scattered popu- 6.5 million trees through village organisa- lation. Solar energy is utilised in the tradi- tions. During the currency of the CADP, tional way to dehydrate fruits and vegeta- community based organisations (CBOs) bles, and for heating. Hot water springs at received 2 million saplings from the Forest Garum Chashma and Shah Salim are used Department. for bathing and laundry.

2.12.2 Electricity From 1980 to 1984, the government con- structed several biogas plants in various The power supply currently available to parts of Chitral. These failed to take off for a Chitral is shown in Table 12. For hydel number of reasons, including the scarcity of power generation in the future, the Wa t e r cow dung, sharp temperature variations, and Power Development Authority has and the labour intensive processes involved identified a potential of 100 MW, while the in making these plants operational. Sarhad Hydel Development Organization (SHYDO) has identified a further potential 2.13 of 190 MW. SHYDO has indicated 10 Roads feasible sites in Upper Chitral where a generating capacity of 100,000 kW can be Hemmed in by towering mountains, Chitral created at costs ranging from $ 1,400 to is accessible from Dir district via the Lowari 3,000 per kW, and another 12 sites in Pass, from Gilgit via the Shandur Pass and Lower Chitral where 84,000 kW can be from Mohmand Agency via the Nawa Pass. generated at costs ranging from $ 1,100 to The Lowari and Shandur passes remain 2,000 per kW. closed for several months during the winter owing to heavy snowfall. Although the 2.12.3 Other Forms of Energy Nawa Pass is open throughout the year, the road to Arandu traverses war-torn During 1997, 11.8 million l of diesel and 1.2 Afghanistan and has not been used since million l of petrol were supplied to Chitral the latest Afghan imbroglio. The Chitral

TABLE 12 Electricity supplied to Chitral Agency Diesel Hydel Total Population (kVA) (kVA) (kVA) served (%) WAP D A (locally generated) 1,592 1,000 2,592 12.9 WAPDA (national grid) 4,500 – 4,500 9.9 CADP (microhydel) – 1,334 1,334 2.1 SHYDO 300 3,200 3,500 17.5 AKRSP(microhydel) – 3,800 3,800 24.6 Total 6,392 9,334 15,726 67.0

AKRSP Aga Khan Rural Support Programme CADP Chitral Area Development Project kVA kilovolt-ampere SHYDO Sarhad Hydel Development Organization WAPDA Water and Power Development Authority

Source: District Government Chitral and IUCN, 2001.

26 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Overview of Chitral District

2

An irrigation channel under construction valley is therefore isolated for several 2001, this department has been devolved to months each year. Travel within Chitral the district level and renamed the Works and itself is made difficult by the poor quality Services Department. Meanwhile, building and limited reach of the roads network. and maintaining link roads and suspension bridges connecting small settlements with The 366 km Peshawar–Dir–Chitral road is the main road to Chitral town was the the shortest land route between Chitral and responsibility of the former Chitral District the rest of Pakistan. It is blacktopped Council, which constructed 390 km of link throughout, except for a 24 km shingle roads and blacktopped 2 km of shingle roads stretch in the Lowari Pass. The main road in annually with funds from the Community Ziarat is connected to Arandu by a 32 km Uplift Programme. Under the new local gov- shingle road, linking Chitral to the border of ernment system, the District Council has also Af g h a n i s t a n ’ s Kunar province. A146 km road been abolished and its responsibilities now via the Shandur pass, connecting Chitral with fall on the Chitral and Mastuj Tehsil Municipal Gilgit, is blacktopped for 75 km and shingled Administrations (TMAs). the rest of the way. These roads were con- structed by the former Communication and In the non-government sector, the CADP Works Department, which also built the 40 constructed 222 km of farm-to-market roads, km Chitral–Garum Chashma road (19 km of besides providing funds to widen and black- which is blacktopped) and, with CADP top the 76 km Chitral–Booni road. For its funding, widened and blacktopped the 76 km part, the AK R S P has built 165 km of farm-to- Chitral–Booni road. market roads through village organisations.

Prior to the devolution of local government, According to recent statistics, Chitral’s major roads and bridges were the responsi- internal roads network now consists of 177 bility of the provincial government’s km of blacktop and 503 km of unmetalled Communication and Works Department roads (District Government Chitral and using funds provided through the AD P as IUCN, 2001). The recently completed Mir well as occasional donor assistance, as in Khani bridge connects Drosh with Arandu the case of the Chitral–Booni road. Under and serves as an alternate road through the NWFP Local Government Ordinance Afghanistan in the winter.

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 27 Overview of Chitral District

2.14 schemes and is working on two more Irrigation schemes expected to irrigate another 1,500 ha by 1999. Since 1983, the AKRSP and Even in the dry season, water flows through CADP have spent Rs 139 million on irriga- the Chitral river and its tributaries at the rate tion schemes expected to cover 8,700 ha of 100 m3/sec, swelling to 500 m3/sec in the for agriculture, forestry and fodder produc- su m m e r . Direct use of this water is limited to tion. The AKRSP in particular has invested a few areas because most of Chitral’s culti- heavily in irrigation, with projects to vated land is located at higher elevations improve 115 existing water channels and than the river beds. For the majority of habi- build 138 new channels, 20 storage reser- tations, glacier and snow melt from nearby voirs and one sedimentation tank. T h e mountains is the main source of water for AKRSP is also executing four lift irrigation, drinking as well as irrigation, meeting 90% six pipe irrigation and nine siphon irrigation of current needs. Small-scale hydroelectric schemes. The CADP, meanwhile, wound power plants, including the Reshun project, up operations in December 1997. also rely on snow melt. The construction of water channels has Almost every village in Chitral is served by always been the exclusive domain of men, a catchment area from where water is because of the physical labour involved. carried to the village through a network of Men are also solely responsible for water- small irrigation channels, most of which ing fields in the summer, since the quantity have been constructed by local communi- of water needed at this time of year ties. In some places, water from glacier and requires that irrigation be carried out at snow melt exceeds current needs, whereas night-time as well as during the day. In the other villages experience a shortfall. Water autumn, when night irrigation is not neces- flows fluctuate with the seasons, as well as sary, women are known to water fields. with annual variations in snowfall. 2.15 For centuries, local farmers have irrigated Drinking Water their land with the help of winding channels built along steep mountain slopes. Besides Close to 90% of Chitral’s population lives in the gruelling labour involved, the task of rural settlements and only 41% of this popu- constructing channels also requires that lation has access to piped drinking water labour and resources be pooled. (G o P , 1999). Such communities depend on Tr a d i t i o n a l l y, this was accomplished other sources of water, such as springs, through voluntary social organisation. As streams, lakes, rivers, melting snow and gla- powerful rulers emerged in the area, they ciers. In the towns, 88% of the urban popu- provided administrative, legal and financial lation is supplied with drinking water. support to many such cooperative endeav- ours. At the same time, Chitral’s former Harsh climactic conditions and rugged rulers used forced labour to irrigate land terrain make fetching water for domestic which was then distributed to their hench- use a punishing task. In many villages, men. The system of irrigation in place prior women and children cover long distances to the 1960s was built by local community d a i l y, travelling on foot over mountain networks as well as the state, the latter tracks in rain and snow. Arduous even at employing forced labour. the best of times, the chore becomes haz- ardous when tracks and bridges spanning Since the abolition of Chitral state in 1969, raging torrents are washed away—a three organisations have played a promi- frequent occurrence in Chitral. nent role in developing irrigation in the area: the provincial government’s Irrigation Recognising the critical role of potable Department, A K R S P and CADP. T h e water in safeguarding public health, the Irrigation Department has brought 1,900 ha NWFP government and donor agencies under irrigation through 13 separate have attempted to improve the efficiency of

28 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Overview of Chitral District

Chitral’s water supply. Typically, setting up local government system, the Municipal a drinking water supply scheme involves Committee has been dissolved and locating a source on high ground and replaced by two TMAs: Chitral and Mastuj. conveying the water to habitations at Operation and maintenance of the system lower elevations. The distribution network is now the responsibility of an autonomous operates on the principle of gravity, and unit within the TM A s . consists of underground or overground pipelines and storage tanks constructed at Since 1993, 11 drinking water schemes various elevations to ensure smooth flow. have been completed under the first phase of the Social Action Programme (SAP). Before devolution, the Public Health Under the five-year SAP Phase 2, Engineering Department (PHED) was the launched in July 1998, supply will be fur- principal government agency responsible ther extended, with CBOs participating in for supplying potable water to the area. By project identification, planning, design and 2001, the PHED had completed 160 implementation. 2 schemes costing Rs 194 million. Under the C A D P, the PHED completed 70 more drinking water schemes with the participa- Harsh climactic conditions and tion of village organisations. Of these, 20 rugged terrain make fetching water were handed over to village communities for operation and maintenance. In the case for domestic use a punishing task. In of schemes that are currently in a state of many villages, women and d i s r e p a i r, funding needs to be secured for their rehabilitation before local communi- children cover long distances daily, ties will be willing to take over operation. travelling on foot over mountain

Until 1988, all of Chitral district was treated tracks in rain and snow. as a rural area, with the now-defunct District Council responsible for supplying drinking wa t e r . The Council completed 500 small 2.16 village-level schemes with financial and Sanitation and Solid Waste technical assistance from the United Disposal Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the participation of village organisations created Sanitation and solid waste disposal facilities by the AK R S P and CADP. On completion, in Chitral are deplorable. Rural area resi- these schemes were handed over to village dents defecate in the countryside, or in a organisations for operation and maintenance. corner of their homes from where the exc- Since the dissolution of elected councils, reta is removed by women and dumped on UNICEF assistance has come to a halt. rubbish heaps. The situation in the towns is as bad if not worse, because vacant spaces In 1988, when Chitral town was declared an that may be used as latrines are not avail- urban area, a Municipal Committee was able around the houses. The Chitral TM A established. With financial assistance from of fers a semblance of solid waste removal the KfW and technical help from the PHED, services, collecting 2 of the 9 t of waste in 1994 the Municipal Committee completed generated daily. In the absence of incinera- the Chitral Town Drinking Water Supply tors, landfill sites or other means of Project at a cost of Rs 10.6 million, convey- disposal, the TM A simply burns the refuse ing water from the Angarghoon spring in the open air along river banks. Individual through a 32 km pipeline. This scheme households burn or bury their waste, or supplies 1.5 million gal of water daily to 60% throw garbage into rivers or side streets. of the population of Chitral town along with While 75–85% of the homes in Chitral town nine surrounding villages. Supply metres are equipped with soakage pits, some have been installed in households receiving households discharge their sewage into water through this network. Under the new drains which carry the untreated effl u e n t

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 29 Overview of Chitral District

FIGURE 10 Percentage of population directly into the Chitral river. In 1990, the enrolled in education

PHED constructed a shallow sewerage Age Group (years) 90 system in Rehan Kot, but this has ceased to n Male 80 77 function owing to poor maintenance. n Female 70

60 54 The problem of sanitation and solid waste 52 disposal in Chitral stems from the topogra- 50 46 phy of the area and the haphazard manner 40 37

in which habitations have sprung up. 30 24

Because of the mountainous terrain, settle- 20 ments are widely scattered. Since level land 11 10 4 1. 3 0. 4 with soil cover is pre-empted for agriculture, 0 habitations are squeezed into narrow 5 to 9 10 to 14 15 to 19 20 to 24 25 to 44 valleys. As a result, towns in the area have Source: Government of Pakistan, 1999. developed as warrens with cramped streets which hamper waste removal. At the same Higher education is provided by a degree time, the rocky ground on which houses are college in Chitral and an intermediate built precludes the construction of an under- college in Booni, both of which are for men. ground sewerage system. As long as the A degree college for women began func- population of the valley was sparse, such tioning in Chitral town in 1996 with an initial conditions were tolerable. But population enrolment of 31 students. The Chitral growth has exacerbated the scale of the Commerce College, established in 1986, problem, rendering the current situation has so far granted more than 100 un a c c e p t a b l e . B a c h e l o r’s degrees. The Elementary Education College of Chitral has seen 835 Under the new local government system, students completing courses at various the PHED has been merged with the levels since its inception in 1988. By 1997, district government’s Works and Services the College had awarded certificates to 159 Department. Responsibility for sanitation secondary teachers, 649 primary teachers and waste removal now falls on the Water and 27 drawing instructors. Through the Supply and Sanitation Unit of this depart- electronic media, meanwhile, the Allama ment, headed by a Deputy District Officer Iqbal Open University offers courses in who oversees the activities of one Assistant general and technical education, as well as District Officer and three sub-engineers teacher training. each in Chitral and Mastuj. Sewerage, sewage treatment and disposal is also the 2.17.1 Village-level Training responsibility of the TMAs. Capacity building is an essential component 2.17 of the work of the AK R S P and CADP. Th e Education and Training AK R S P has provided natural resource man- agement and vocational training to 844 Close to 51% of males and 31% of females village and women’s organisations and from 5 to 24 years of age are enrolled in managers, as well as 9,343 village special- some form of education (Figure 10). The dis- ists and village accountants (AKRSP, trict government’s Education Department 2001). The CADP has trained 2,300 vil- runs 608 primary, 54 middle and 49 high lagers in various aspects of agriculture, hor- schools. Aga Khan Education Services ticulture, livestock rearing, forestry and (AKES), the leading non-government poultry farming, in addition to training agency involved in this sector, has estab- women in sewing and embroidery. The Ag a lished 34 primary, 14 middle and three high Khan Planning and Building Services has schools for girls with a combined enrolment trained 1,619 individuals in basic engineer- of more than 6,000. Also operating in the ing, carpentry, plumbing and electrical work, area are 36 private schools, four of which while the AKES has trained 200 villagers in are high schools. school management and organisation.

30 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Overview of Chitral District

2.17.2 Skills Training nected to the nationwide dialling network through a microwave satellite station. Over The Chitral Wood Working Centre, estab- the last three decades, Chitral has been lished in 1989 by the provincial govern- linked via digital exchanges to the world- m e n t ’s Small Industries Development wide dialling system. Board, has trained 16 local men, none of whom has managed to set up a business. The main digital exchange in Chitral with a Instead, carpentry is dominated by artisans capacity of 1,800 lines is connected to a from outside Chitral, who provide on-the-job network of digital exchanges at Ay u n training to local residents. In other sectors, (9,300 lines), Booni (300 lines), Drosh (900 two privately-owned computer centres lines), Garum Chashma (102 lines), Mastuj impart basic computer literacy skills; some (500 lines) and Reshun (200 lines). Two 37 vehicle maintenance and repair shops, Mega Tag exchanges with a capacity of employing 46 skilled and 49 semi-skilled 100 lines each at Gahiret and Oveer are workers, provide apprenticeships to local also linked to this network. Similar facilities 2 youth; and over 1,500 vehicle drivers will be extended to Mulkhow and Torkhow employ trainees as cleaners. in the near future. 2.18 2.20 Health Environment

2.18.1 Public Sector Environmental protection is the responsi- bility of the TMAs. Their functions in this Three hospitals, three rural health centres, regard, as detailed in the NWFP L o c a l 22 basic health units, 22 dispensaries and Government Ordinance 2001, include: (i) three maternity care health centres operate controlling land use, land subdivision, land in the public sector. These facilities are development and zoning in both the public staffed by 33 male doctors, four female and private sector; and (ii) providing, man- doctors, 23 female health visitors, three aging, operating, maintaining and improv- female and 180 male technicians, three ing water supply, sewerage, sanitation and nurses and 290 trained birth attendants. solid waste disposal; traffic planning; Health services are also provided by six parks, playgrounds, open spaces and family planning centres with a combined arboriculture (GoNWFP, 2001). staff of seven women (one doctor and six health visitors). In 1988, two hospitals, 30 In addition, the provincial government has dispensaries, four rural health centres and set up a District Environmental Protection 13 basic health units were operating in the Committee in Chitral with the following area. members: EDOs of the concerned devolved departments; the DFO Chitral; the 2.18.2 Private Sector Executive Engineer Irrigation Chitral; and representatives of the AK R S P , CCS Unit The Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS) and CBOs working at the grassroots level. provides medical treatment at 29 health centres, staffed by 17 male and four female 2.21 doctors, as well as 383 community health Social Organisation workers. In addition, the AKHS has trained 366 women as birth attendants. Hi s t o r i c a l l y , Chitral’s tradition of voluntary social organisation was provided legal 2.19 cover and administrative support by the Telecommunications ar e a ’ s princely rulers. With the end of their rule, the system they fostered fell into disar- The British colonial administration first ra y . Tod a y , the non-government sector has installed telephone and telegraph facilities taken up the task of creating grassroots in Chitral in 1904. In 1978, Chitral was con- organisations. From December 1982 to

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 31 Overview of Chitral District

December 2000, the AK R S P set up 758 vil- Seasonal migration is a unique feature of lage organisations with a total membership C h i t r a l ’s employment landscape. During of 29,116 as well as 382 women’s organisa- the winter, young men without a local tions with a combined membership of source of off-farm income migrate to the 10,590. During its involvement in Chitral cities in search of work. Most are hired as from 1989 to 1997, the CADP worked to unskilled labour in the construction indus- establish grassroots organisations as well. try. Similarly, students forced to terminate As a result, community organisation their education owing to financial hardship appears once again to be thriving across accompany their relatives to the cities in Chitral, with the exception of a few uncoop- search of employment in factories and erative areas or households. households. Most such migrants return to their villages in the summer to participate in 2.22 agricultural activities. Relatively fewer men Employment work in the Middle East, mostly as unskilled labour. According to the 1998 census, 33,778 males and 2,550 females aged 10 years 2.22.1 Formal Sector and above are employed (GoP, 1999). Of this group, 160 boys and 33 girls are aged The government is the major formal-sector between 10 and 14 years. The majority of employer in Chitral, with 14,000 individuals men are engaged in public or private working in various organisations and service (41%) and agriculture (28%), with departments. Among non-governmental fewer individuals employed in trade (9%), organisations (NGOs), Aga Khan transport (6%) and construction (5%). Development Network institutions are the Women are for the most part employed in largest employers in the area, with a com- public and private service (50%), cottage bined staff of close to 700. Until recently, industries (44%) and agriculture (3%) women in Chitral, as in other rural areas of ( Table 13). The census also shows that the country, worked primarily in the educa- 24,846 males aged 10 to 64 (23,986 aged tion or health sectors. NGOs have expand- 15 to 64) are facing unemployment (look- ed employment opportunities in recent ing for work and/or laid off). Only 42 years, creating jobs for women in a variety females (aged 15 to 24 years) are looking of fields, including social organisation, for work and two girls between 10 and 14 fo r e s t r y , agriculture and animal husbandry. years of age have been laid off. A l t h o u g h In the health care sector, the AKHS staff of a substantial 97,982 women are engaged 179 already includes 51 women. in domestic labour in their own homes, Employment prospects for women have they are not taken into account in the further improved with the establishment of c e n s u s . private schools.

TABLE 13 Employment in Chitral district, 1998 (%) Employment Status All areas Rural Areas Urban Areas Species Both Male Female Both Male Female Both Male Female Sexes Sexes Sexes Self-employment 45.85 45.95 44.60 48.58 48.55 48.85 29.47 30.67 8.13 Employee (government) 38.98 38.73 42.17 35.81 35.68 37.41 58.08 56.68 83.04 Employee (auto) 2.17 2.17 2.21 2.17 2.18 2.10 2.15 2.09 3.18 Employee (private) 9.94 10.44 3.54 10.18 10.74 3.33 8.53 8.71 5.30 Employer 0.38 0.38 0.37 0.24 0.23 0.41 1.19 1.25 – Unpaid family helper 2.68 2.33 7.11 3.02 2.62 7.90 0.58 0.60 0.35 Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Source: Government of Pakistan, 1999.

32 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Overview of Chitral District

2.22.2 Informal Sector neurial training, facilitate the acquisition of credit, supply market information, create The informal sector provides jobs in small market linkages and encourage the businesses, village shops, grocery stores, formation of marketing associations. cloth retail shops, food stores, flour shops, Although the Division has a long way to go transport operations and repair, and fruit and in launching an effective microenterprise vegetable vending. Meanwhile, the operation programme, it has managed to raise the of hotels, ta n d o o r s (bread ovens) and butcher farmgate price of apples, pears and pota- shops is dominated by Afghan refugees. toes. Another noteworthy AKRSP initiative has been the recent establishment of North- 2.23 South Seeds, which operates mainly in Microenterprise Gilgit and runs a production office in Hunza as well as a production unit in Chitral. Before its merger with Pakistan in 1969, Chitral state was by and large a self-suffi c i e n t , Although its own mandate was confined to 2 isolated mountain valley. Its artisans manu- horticulture, the PHP recognised the impor- factured a variety of handicrafts that were tance of an integrated approach to sold locally or presented as souvenirs to microenterprise development. During its visitors who ventured into the region. currency, it provided assistance to farmers Traditional craftwork is still practised in certain at each step of the production cycle from areas: woollen sh u (or pa t t i ) in Mogh; carpets pre-production to post-marketing. in Booni; pe l a s k (goat-hair rugs) in Bumburet; wood carving in Jughore; traditional women’s 2.24 dresses and capes in the Kalash valley; Cultural Heritage woollen gowns in Khorkashandeh and Torkhow; and embroidered belts, caps, Chitral’s unique culture has developed over cushion covers, tea cosies, tea mats and many millennia, with more than a dozen waistcoats in Yurjogh. Besides traditional ethnic groups speaking as many languages cottage industry, the AK R S P , CADP and PHP scattered across isolated mountain valleys. have initiated a number of ventures in new Many of the ancestors of Chitral’s present- sectors involving the production, packaging day inhabitants fled to these valleys to and marketing of dried apricots, apricot escape the turmoil of surrounding coun- kernels and kernel oil; fruits, vegetables and tries. As a result, the culture of the people potatoes; and commercial poultry farming. of Chitral is more closely linked to the cul- tures of Central Asia and China, rather than Entrepreneurial training, investment and the rest of South Asia. aggressive marketing at both the national and international level will be required to 2.24.1 Architecture make such ventures viable and profitable in the long term. Improving communications The royal palace in Chitral and the forts in with the outside world, particularly during the Birmoghlasht, Chitral, Drasun, Drosh, Mastuj, winter months when the snowbound Lowari Na g h a r , Shagram and Shoghore are now pri- and Shandur passes cut off road transport, vately owned and in varying stages of decay. is also crucial to ensure the sustainable In addition to the ruins of forts dating back to growth of the microenterprise sector. the fourth and fifth centuries BC, Chitral is home to several preserved forts, fortresses Of all the agencies working in Chitral, the and towers from a more recent era. Also of AKRSP and PHP alone have taken a seri- interest are single- and double- storied ous interest in developing microenterprise, houses built in typical Khow and Kalash style. albeit on a small scale. Building on its initial The Khow house, or ba i p a s h , is an integral success in promoting apricot production part of a fort complex, providing several and marketing, the AKRSP in 1998 created facilities under one roof (bedroom, drawing an Enterprise Development Division which room and kitchen). Traditional Chitrali build- aims to provide vocational and entrepre- ings are embellished with wood carvings.

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 33 Overview of Chitral District

2.24.2 Arts and Crafts and souz, are part of the folk heritage of Central Asia. C h i t r a l ’s artisans manufacture a wide range of elegant and delicately crafted 2.24.7 Folk Songs products, including pottery, weaponry and jewellery; woodwork; and embroidered, Folk songs serve as a repository of regional woven and knitted textiles. Clay, wood, hi s t o r y . The folk poets of Chitral sing war stone, bone, animal skin and copper are songs as well as love ballads. Epics are the materials most commonly used. popular among the Kalash, while Khowar C h i t r a l ’s woollen fabric, s h u (or p a t t i) , poets prefer romantic verse. Elements of embroidered cloth and walnut-wood furni- nature and the environment are also ture are popular in handicraft markets depicted in song. throughout the country. 2.24.8 Folklore 2.24.3 Traditional Costumes and Dresses The folklore of Dameli, Kalash, Khowar, Wakhi and other languages of Chitral is Traditional Khow and Kalash clothing is vast and varied. A vibrant tradition of folk made from wool and silk, decorated with stories, some as long as novels, has been beads and shells. The traditional cap passed down from generation to genera- (pakol) and gown (chugha) are popular tion. These narratives are richly populated items in major cities throughout the country, with superhuman characters participating as are typical Chitrali shoes (khone) which in metaphysical events. Chitral’s story- resemble long riding boots. tellers employ a unique style where every tale begins and ends in the same way. The 2.24.4 Local Food and storyteller starts with the incantation: “Day Beverages and night lie to each other; you and I lie to each other; a curse be on the one who first The area’s vast culinary repertoire of foods told a lie. I know not if it was thus, I know and beverages is unique in terms of both not if it was so, but it is said there was a flavour and presentation. Chitrali cuisine is still king. . .” Every story closes with the words: prepared and served in a traditional fashion. “It was an interesting event; I was awarded a lame horse which could not reach my 2.24.5 Local Games and Sports destination.”

Polo and falconry are the most popular 2.24.9 Legendary Sites recreational pursuits in Chitral, while proto- types of cricket, football and hockey are Among the many locations immortalised in also played. The people hunt for sport as legend and folklore are Braro-khongor well as to supplement their diet. (near Shandur), Khongor-diru-bokht (Barenis), Khow-bokht (Mulkhow), 2.24.6 Music and Dance Khudayo-rash (Rizhun), Qalandar-botiru- bokht (Rayeen) and Rakhun, a mountain Music and dance are at the heart of Chitrali visible from Garum Chashma. culture. The performance of music is not considered to be a profession confined to a 2.24.10 Historic Military Sites few families, as is the case in the rest of the sub-continent. Rather, Chitral’s rich and Chitral is home to a number of heritage varied musical tradition is part of the fabric sites where important battles were fought in of everyday life. Every occasion calls for a the past. Chokul Waht, Darband, Gasht, different rhythm, while certain beats are Jutilasht, Khandan, Khorkashandeh, Nisur served for particular individuals. T h e Gole and Rabat are among the dozens of Chitrali sitar is famous throughout the world such areas of historical interest. The ruins and traditional dances, such as the dani of ancient forts dating as far back as the

34 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Overview of Chitral District

2

A view of Chitral Town third century BC are located in Ashret, times, when trade caravans traversed the Brep, Muzhgol and Uchusht (Ghufran, region from Kashgar and Bukhara to Kabul 1962; Stein, 1921). and Peshawar. Kalash and Khow culture was first introduced to anthropologists, 2.24.11 Indigenous Tribes— ethnologists, linguists and mountaineers the Kalash through the writings of British colonial officers and explorers. Tourism was devel- With its origins lost in the mists of antiquity, oped as an industry after Chitral state this ancient tribe is a unique cultural merged with Pakistan in 1969. Until only resource. Four festivals mark the highlights recently, close to 16,000 tourists visited of the Kalash calendar. Joshi, the spring Chitral annually, 2,000 of whom were festival, when girls pick the first flowers of foreign nationals (AKRSP, 2000b). the year, is held on May 14–15. It is cele- brated with dancing, social visits and the C h i t r a l ’s main tourist attractions are moun- exchange of milk and dairy products. taineering, a pleasant summer climate and Utchal is observed for two days in mid-July the unique culture of the Kalash people. to mark the wheat and barley harvest, and With its rugged landscape and rich biodi- involves song, dance and feasting. Pul, on v e r s i t y, the area is also an ideal destination December 20–21, marks the grape and for ecotourism. However, picnic spots, walnut harvest, while C h o w m a s s, from trekking routes and other areas of cultural December 18 to 21, welcomes the new significance are yet to be identified and year with feasting, drinking, dancing and opened to visitors. At present, the absence the sacrifice of goats (GoP, 1999). of an all-weather road link with the rest of the country is the single most important 2.25 constraint to the development of tourism. Tourism Meanwhile, local communities lack interest in developing this sector perhaps because The area that is now Chitral has been its potential importance is not widely exposed to foreign influences since ancient recognised.

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 35 Overview of Chitral District

Rather than destroying natural habitat or 2.27 diluting the unique culture of the area, sus- Governance Structure tainable and environment-friendly tourism can help preserve the cultural heritage of Good governance is critical to the promotion Chitral and protect the ecosystem. of sustainable development. Following the Carefully planned and monitored initiatives promulgation of the NWFP L o c a l will serve to promote indigenous cultures Government Ordinance 2001, implementa- and traditions, while ensuring that a bal- tion of a devolved system of local govern- ance is maintained between the interests of ment is underway. With planning, develop- various groups and the conservation of ment and monitoring transferred to the local nature. At the same time, income from level, it is expected that an environment tourism can be channelled to fund environ- conducive to sustainable development will mental protection as well as development be created. In order for the system to attain in other sectors. its full potential, it will be necessary to build the capacity of each individual in the system. 2.26 Mineral Resources Local government in Chitral district now com- prises a District Government and Zilla The area’s rugged topography and inacces- Council, as well as TMAs, Tehsil Councils, sibility make mineral exploration a labour- Union Administrations, and Union and Vil l a g e and resource-intensive task. As a result, Councils. The organisation of the new system Ch i t r a l ’ s mineral reserves have not been sys- and progress made so far in implementation tematically explored. Known deposits based are discussed in Sections 2. 2 7 . 1 – 2 . 2 7 . 1 1 be l o w . on fragmentary surveys are shown in Tab l e 14. Since mining activities are notorious for 2.27.1 District Government the environmental damage they cause, proposals for large-scale mining in Chitral Heading Chitral’s district government is the must be examined with extreme caution. Zilla Nazim, who provides leadership and

TABLE 14 Mineral resources Location Mineral Deposit Awiret Gol Fine grained lead-antimony sulphide ore, also containing gold, silver, tin and vanadium (estimated at 290 t) Krinj, Partsan Antimony ore mined on a small scale (estimated at 8,617 t) Damel Nisar Good quality magnetite ore (estimated at 7.3 million t) Reshun Marble and dolomite, inter-bedded with limestone and shale Gahiret, Kalash valleys, Shoghore Large quantities of fine quality marble Gahiret, Koghuzi Large quantities of granite Lonkuh, Mirghash Arsenic minerals such as orpiment and realgar occur in large deposits some 4,000 m above sea level in Terich valley Kaldam Gol (Drosh) Galena, pyrite and copper minerals such as chalkopyrite reported Pakhtori (Oveer) Quartz veins containing lead-zinc ore and copper Melp gol (Rayeen) Antimony Kushum Antimony in large quantity Koghuzi, Reshun, Shoghore Granite, marble and dolomite Golain Soapstone Tar (Shishikuh) Talc Munoorgol (Garum Chashma) Gemstones such as aquamarine and topaz Madashil Dolomite, galene and pyrite

Source: Geological Survey of Pakistan, 2000; Aslam and Khan, 2002.

36 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Overview of Chitral District vision for development initiatives, and is work of Tehsil Officers responsible for responsible for ensuring effective and effi- municipal regulations, infrastructure, cient administration. The Nazim’s specific services, finance and planning. functions are detailed in the NWFP Local Government Ordinance 2001. The TMA performs the following functions: n preparing plans for land use and zoning The District Administration consists of in collaboration with Union Councils; district offices, including the sub-offices of obtaining Tehsil Council approval for those departments now devolved to the plans; and implementation; district level, as well as other offices set n controlling land use, subdivision, up and grouped under the EDOs. T h e development and zoning in the public work of these departments is coordinated and private sector; by the District Coordination Off i c e r n enforcing municipal laws, rules and by- (DCO), appointed by the provincial laws; and g o v e r n m e n t . n operating, maintaining and improving the 2 municipal infrastructure, providing The DCO Chitral is the Coordinating Head services in a number of sectors, of the District Administration, which including water supply, waste disposal includes the magistracy, finance and plan- and communications. ning, education and literacy, health, com- munity development, agriculture, revenue, 2.27.4 Tehsil Council and works and services. Since responsibil- ity for forests, wildlife, electricity and irriga- Members of the Tehsil Council include the tion has not been devolved to the district Naib Nazims of all Union Councils, as well level, these sectors continue to operate as representatives of women, peasants, under provincial hierarchies. workers and minority communities elected on reserved seats. The Tehsil Council The district government performs its func- considers for approval the Municipal tions in accordance with the provisions of the Administration’s proposals on taxes, by- NW F P Local Government Ordinance 2001 laws, annual budgets, land use zoning, and and the rules made pursuant to this law. development master plans. The Council also elects tehsil-level monitoring, justice 2.27.2 Zilla Council and accounts committees.

The Zilla Council comprises all Union 2.27.5 Union Administration Nazims, except for women, peasant, worker and minority community represen- The Union Administration is headed by a tatives elected on reserved seats. T h e Union Nazim, and comprises a Naib Union Council considers for approval by-laws, tax Nazim and up to three secretaries. The and budget proposals as well as develop- Union Nazim provides leadership for union- ment plans. Besides other functions speci- level development, oversees preparation of fied in the Local Government Ordinance, it the budget and annual development plans, also elects committees to administer a organises management of inter-village range of matters from justice and code of infrastructure and constitutes the conduct to sports and culture. Musalihati Jarga (reconciliation council). The Union A d m i n i s t r a t i o n ’s functions 2.27.3 Tehsil Municipal include: Administration n collecting and updating socio-economic data; The TM A is headed by the Tehsil Nazim, n consolidating and prioritising village who oversees development at the tehsil development needs, formulating propos- level and is responsible for municipal serv- als, securing Union Council approval, ices. ATehsil Municipal Officer appointed by and recommending these schemes to the provincial government coordinates the the district government or TMA;

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 37 Overview of Chitral District

n providing and maintaining drinking water n forming stakeholders’ associations to supply; secure community involvement in the n regulating grazing areas; and maintenance of specific facilities; and n executing union-level ADP projects n catalysing bottom-up planning and through contractors in the private sector. ownership incentives.

2.27.6 Village Council A CCB is a non-profit organisation regis- tered with the provincial Social Welfare The Village Council may consist of Department. In carrying out its purposes, it anything from 5 to 11 members, and is may interact with voluntary community headed by the individual securing the high- welfare organisations and raise funds est number of votes from village residents. through voluntary contributions, gifts, Its responsibilities include developing and donations, grants and endowments. In improving water supply sources, making accordance with the provisions of the arrangements for sanitation and waste dis- NWFP Local Government Ordinance 2001, posal, organising watch and ward, mobilis- CCBs may also receive project-based cost- ing voluntary resources for municipal work, sharing support from any local government, facilitating the formation of cooperatives, including matching grants of up to 80% of and fostering community involvement in the budgeted amount of an approved irrigation and tree plantation initiatives. development scheme. These grants are to be disbursed from the district government’s development budget, half of which is Good governance, decentralised reserved for this purpose. planning, and the empowerment 2.27.8 Musalihati Jarga of marginalised groups and local Within 30 days of its election, the Insaf communities with a bottom-up (justice) Committee of each Union is to approach to service delivery are select for the duration of its tenure three conciliators from amongst the local priority issues for natural residents. The individuals selected must command respect in the community for resource management and their integrity and good judgement, and are to serve on the Musalihati Jarga sustainable development under (reconciliation council). The Union Nazim, the CCS. members of the Insaf Committee and the Conciliators are to use their good offices to achieve an amicable settlement of disputes amongst Union residents through 2.27.7 Citizen Community Board mediation, conciliation and arbitration. Settlements are to be attempted if all A group of non-elected citizens may set up parties agree to this process, and the a Citizen Community Board (CCB) in a service is to be provided free of charge. local area for the purpose of undertaking Any court of competent jurisdiction may the following voluntary self-help initiatives: refer a matter to the Musalihati Jarga for n improving the delivery of services by a s e t t l e m e n t . pubic facility; n developing and managing a new public 2.27.9 Provincial Local facility; Government Commission n welfare of handicapped or destitute individuals, widows and impoverished The provincial government is to appoint a families; Provincial Local Government Commission n establishing farming, marketing and comprising two members from civil consumer cooperatives; society (one each nominated by the

38 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Overview of Chitral District

Leader of the House and the Leader of the n agriculture (agriculture extension, Opposition in the provincial assembly), livestock, fisheries, farm forestry, two qualified and experienced technocrats sericulture, agriculture engineering, soil selected by the government, and the conservation, watershed management Secretary Local Government and Rural and cooperatives); Development. The Commission performs n works and services (district roads and the following functions: bridges, water supply and sanitation); n conducting annual and special inspec- n community development (social welfare, tions of local governments, and submit- rural community development, centre for ting reports on their performance to the handicapped children); and provincial chief executive; n revenue and estates. n undertaking special audits; n resolving disputes between district The following sectors remain under the governments; and control of the provincial government: n inquiring into matters brought up by the n higher education, 2 DCO where the DCO considers the n district headquarters hospital, orders of the Zilla Nazim unlawful, or n irrigation, the Zilla Nazim complains against the n forests and wildlife, D C O . n district accounts office, The Commission is appointed for a four- n police, and year term and reports to the chief executive n judiciary. of the province. 2.28 2.27.10 Zilla Mohtasib Nexus Between Devolution and the Chitral The government is to appoint a Zilla Conservation Strategy Mohtasib (ombudsman) for the district to redress citizen’s complaints against district Good governance, decentralised planning, government officials. and the empowerment of marginalised groups and local communities with a 2.27.11 Progress Made in bottom-up approach to service delivery are Implementation priority issues for natural resource management and sustainable development The local government system has begun under the CCS. For its part, the new local functioning in Chitral. The following government system emphasises the need departments have been devolved from the for decentralised planning and participatory provincial level and merged with the district development. The CCS and the new local government: government share common concerns n finance, planning and development; regarding poverty alleviation and environ- n education (primary, secondary and mental conservation. literacy); n health (civil hospitals, dispensaries, rural The nexus between the CCS and the new health clinics, basic health units, local government system is embodied in maternity and child health care, malaria Section 140(4)(a) of the Local Government and tuberculosis control, vaccination and Ordinance, which provides for a crystallised drug control); vision for integrated development of the dis- n industries (commerce colleges, trict, to be formulated and presented by the vocational institutes, skill development Zilla Mushavirat (consultation) Committee c e n t r e s ) ; on behalf of the district government.

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 39

For development initiatives to be successful as well as sustainable, coordinated efforts are required in a number of sectors with the full involvement of the government. Chitral is no exception to this rule. In addition to the work of non-governmental organisations, support will be necessary from the judiciary, executive and police, as well as government departments responsible for health, education, water and other amenities, to ensure long-term sustainable development. Ch a p t e r 3 Major Past and Present Development Initiatives

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 41 Major Past and Present Development Initiatives

TABLE 15 Human resource 3. 1 de v e l o p m e n t Government Departments Type of training Number Village organisation managers 690 The Public Health Engineering Women’s organisation managers 156 Department has played a role in stemming water-borne diseases by providing potable Village organisation managers (conferences/workshops) 1,709 water to 63% of the population. The Wa t e r Women’s organisation managers and Power Development A u t h o r i t y (conferences/workshops) 577 ( WAPDA) supplies 25% of the area’s elec- Valley specialists/master trainers 140 t r i c i t y. The Irrigation Department serves the needs of 15% of Chitral’s irrigated Village accountants 47 area. The Agriculture Department’s Individual specialists (natural resource research and extension unit seeks to apply management/other technical sectors) 8,461 new knowledge to local conditions. T h e Male villagers (vocational skills) 46 Forest and Wildlife Department is respon- Female villagers (vocational skills) 119

sible for the protection of biodiversity. T h e Source: AKRSP2000a. former Communication and Wo r k s Department created arteries for trade and tice and the development of physical commerce by building and maintaining i n f r a s t r u c t u r e . main roads, while the now-defunct District Council expanded the network with link 3.2.1 Social Organisation roads and bridges. The major thrust of the AKRSP’s develop- ment policy has been to improve agricul- Public perception about the ture, livestock husbandry and forestry by effectiveness of public-sector providing inputs and training village workers in improved technologies. By development remains negative, December 2000, the AKRSP had formed largely because such initiatives 758 village organisations and 382 women’s lack vigour and continuity. organisations, with 29,116 and 13,590 members, respectively, and combined savings of Rs 95 million. The AKRSP has also created 79 cluster organisations. Its From 1997–98 to 1999–2000, education, achievements in human resource develop- health, public health engineering, social ment until December 2000 are summarised welfare, transport, communications, irriga- in Table 15. tion and regional development have received major funding from the govern- 3.2.2 Physical Infrastructure ment. Public perception about the effe c t i v e - ness of public-sector development remains The A K R S P ’s most important achieve- negative, largely because such initiatives ments in the development of physical infra- lack vigour and continuity. structure have been to extend irrigation to 8,837 ha of previously unirrigated land and 3. 2 improve the existing irrigation system over Aga Khan Rural Support 12,933 ha. Its outstanding contribution, Pr o g r a m m e h o w e v e r, has been to pioneer siphon irrigation, which allows water to be Launched in 1984, the Aga Khan Rural conveyed to land that cannot be irrigated Support Programme (AKRSP) experi- by open channels. This system has been mental project in Chitral was regularised successfully replicated by the Chitral Area in January 1986. Its aim is to enhance the Development Project (CADP). quality of life of the people of Chitral through social organisation, self-reliance, Microhydels established by the AK R S P ge n - skills training, improved agricultural prac- erate 3,800 kVA of electricity, the second-

42 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Major Past and Present Development Initiatives

3

Tapping the water for community needs largest single contribution to Chitral’s power To d a y, 575 village organisations are supply after WAPDA. To facilitate operation engaged in cooperative marketing, assisted and maintenance, the AK R S P has trained by loans and training. So far 1,087 male and 254 plant operators. This initiative is doubly 841 female entrepreneurs have been important because microhydels are likely to trained in enterprise development, improved be the main source of electricity for a large woollen cloth making (women), post-harvest number of small scattered habitations that management, fresh fruit marketing, fruit pro- cannot cost-effectively be connected to the cessing and drying,potato and vegetable national grid or other local projects. In the marketing, poultry farming, operation and communications sector, the AK R S P ha s management of retail business, and constructed farm-to-market roads. business plan preparation.

3.2.3 Enterprise Development 3.2.4 Shubinak House

The AK R S P ’ s entry into the field of enter- Guilds of spinners and weavers brought prise development is driven by a recognition together under the A K R S P ’s Shubinak of the fact that increasing agricultural pro- House Project have played a significant role duction alone will not serve to materially in promoting sh u (also known as pa t t i ), the enhance the quality of life of the population. traditional woollen fabric of the area. Th e s e Since only a small area is under agriculture guilds produce woollen products and supply and most land holdings are small, simply value-added clothing to the market. Funded increasing crop yields will not make the by the Swiss Agency for Development and desired impact on agricultural income. Cooperation (SDC), Shubinak House has Ra t h e r , it is essential to teach farmers to been able to introduce high-grade woollen improve the processing and marketing of pa t t i to various outlets in the urban centres their produce in order to increase earnings. of Pakistan as well as abroad. Over the past Methods employed in this connection five years (1997–2002), Shubinak House include cooperative marketing ventures and has proved itself to be a self-reliant and skills training to enable value addition. profitable entity.

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 43 Major Past and Present Development Initiatives

Spinning of wool – the traditional way

3.2.5 North-South Seeds The most exciting aspect of this enterprise is that it is much more than an agricultural North-South Seeds is the A K R S P ’s latest project. It fulfils a whole array of A K R S P initiative, aimed at generating employment objectives and does so in a sustainable— opportunities in areas with scarce natural and, ultimately, financially profitable— resources. Managed as a seed company m a n n e r. and earning a profit, the project aims to produce and market high-quality local vari- More than half of the company’s contract eties of vegetable seeds which are in great seed growers are women. Nearly all grow- demand among vegetable growers in the ers, and especially the women, belong to area who are expanding operations at an either poor or poverty-stricken households annual rate of 4%. The enterprise employs with an annual per capita income of less the services of contract growers to pro- than Rs 12,000. On average, these grow- duce raw seeds in accordance with strin- ers are able to earn more per unit area from gent quality standards, a process which their North-South Seeds crop than any requires continuous training and supervi- other crop currently under cultivation in sion by A K R S P seed technologists. At the Chitral and the Northern Areas. other end of the production chain are farmers, who are averse to taking risks. Although North-South Seeds operates a Frequently duped by dubious seed production unit in Chitral, its main merchants, farmers need to develop physical plant, including a greenhouse confidence in North-South Seeds sales and seed processing and packaging personnel. Once this has been accom- plant, as well as most of its staff and vehi- plished, farmers are able to benefit from cles, are located in Gilgit. This is perhaps the company’s improved seed production its only drawback. Similar small technology which ensures uniform enterprises need to be developed in germination, high germination percent- Chitral to make a major impact in the field ages and increased disease resistance. of poverty reduction.

44 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Major Past and Present Development Initiatives

3.2.6 Credit and Banking

Providing agricultural credit is the corner- stone of the A K R S P ’s programme to invigorate the economy of Chitral. T h e A K R S P has so far disbursed 5,391 loans totalling Rs 199 million to 118,800 house- holds. The First MicroFinance Bank (FMB), an extension of the microcredit facilities already provided by the A K R S P, has been established to promote enter- prise and alleviate poverty by facilitating small loans to individuals. The FMB’s total capital investment amounts to Rs 600 million, of which 60% comes from the 3 A K R S P, and the remainder from the A g a Khan Fund for Economic Development (20%) and International Finance Corporation (20%). 3.3 Aga Khan Health Services

Established in Chitral in 1964, the A g a Khan Health Services (AKHS) plays a crucial role in providing medical treatment to women and children in remote areas. The AKHS operates one main office with three field units and runs 29 health A rural medical facility centres, including a full-fledged hospital (Aga Khan Medical Centre) and a tertiary service (Aga Khan Extended Family Health Centre). The AKHS has also 3. 5 established family health centres, three Aga Khan Education dispensaries, and 19 mother and child Se r v i c e s health centres. Extension health workers of the AKHS provide immunisation cover- Established in Chitral in 1980, the Aga Khan age and family planning services to the Education Services (AKES) focuses on two rural population. areas: (i) formal education through fully-fund- ed Aga Khan schools and self-financed com- 3. 4 munity-based schools; and (ii) support for Aga Khan Planning and higher and professional education through Building Services counselling, career development, grants and stipends. The AKES supports female educa- The Aga Khan Planning and Building tion, emphasising quality rather than Services (AKPBS) was established in 1987, qu a n t i t y , and operates 51 funded and 27 then known as the Aga Khan Housing community-based schools in the district. Board. This institution provides training as well as architectural and engineering 3. 6 services for the construction of schools, Chitral Area Development hospitals, houses and hostels. The AK P B S Pr o j e c t has designed model houses and building materials for use in the highly seismic zone Funded by the Asian Development Bank of the Hindukush range. and the International Fund for Ag r i c u l t u r a l

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 45 Major Past and Present Development Initiatives

Development (IFAD), the CADP ran from 3.6.3 Chitral–Booni Road 1989 to 1997 and covered Chitral, Drosh and Lotkuh tehsils as well as Upper Chitral. According to the CADP completion report, The CADP aimed to increase household the “76 km Chitral–Booni road is one of the income mainly through the farming and live- major claimants of CADP’s total outlays. It stock sectors. It also provided essential is at the same time the most visible, the ancillary services such as widening and most widely known, and the most applaud- blacktopping the Chitral–Booni road, ed achievement of CADP as perceived by extending the potable water supply, con- the people and as also ascertained empiri- structing microhydel power plants and fos- cally” (IFAD, 1997). The impact of the tering social organisation. Project imple- Chitral–Booni road is estimated as follows: mentation was the responsibility of the n passenger fares and freight charges have Planning and Development Department, been cut by 50%, while a 52% reduction in with the support of the following agencies vehicle operating costs has been and line departments: agriculture, achieved, totalling Rs 109 million for 1997; Agricultural Development Au t h o r i t y , animal n fruit from the Booni area is now marketed h u s b a n d r y, communication and works, in Chitral and down-country; fo r e s t r y , Fruit and Vegetable Development n convenient and economical transportation Board, North-West Frontier Province of heavy equipment on the road has (NWFP) Agricultural University, and public raised the tempo of public and private health engineering. sector development in Upper Chitral; n habitations connected to the road have The CADP completion report estimates gained access to improved medical its achievements up to the end of 1997 as facilities in Chitral; and fo l l o w s : n tourism has increased, benefiting the apple growers of Booni. 3.6.1 Farm Sector 3.6.4 Potable Water Supply n cropping intensity increased by 7%; Sc h e m e s n crop yields increased: wheat (61%), maize (13%), barley (37%), rice (78%), In addition to improving Chitral town’s vegetables (37%), pulses (83%), fodder potable water supply, the CADP also (40%), fruit (11%); constructed and assisted in the completion of n land allocated to high-paying crops such 81 rural water supply schemes. as vegetables, fruits, pulses and fodder, as well as forest trees, increased by 3.6.5 Microhydel Power Plants 25%; and n gross value of crop production increased The CADP established 37 microhydel by 63% (to Rs 11,960/ha). power plants which generate 1.33 MW of electricity—about 12% of the hydel power 3.6.2 Livestock Sector that will be generated by the Reshun and Shishi-II projects once they are completed. n general improvements in livestock The CADP’s microhydel plants benefit health, as well as milk and meat some 3% of households in the district. productivity; According to the completion report, all the n good progress in the poultry sector; plants are running satisfactorily under the n goat rearing in disfavour, being gradually management of village organisations and replaced by cows of better quality in consumers pay their bills regularly. areas where the fodder situation is favourable; and 3.6.6 Village Organisations n farm household income from the sale of livestock and animal products The CADP established 681 male communi- comprises 21% of the gross value of ty-based organisations (CBOs), 508 with crops. productive physical infrastructure. Their per-

46 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Major Past and Present Development Initiatives

3

A cantilever bridge

formance has been satisfactory, with com- Nations Development Programme and bined savings of Rs 19 million. The CADP Global Environment Facility-assisted pilot also set up 229 women’s organisations with project, Maintaining Biodiversity in savings of Rs 2 million. Pakistan with Rural Community Development, which was implemented 3. 7 during the period 1995–1998 in the Arkari, Project for Horticultural Begusht, Golain, Madaklasht and Manur Promotion valleys of Chitral. Following the success of this pilot project, the full-scale Mountain This initiative, assisted by the SDC, was Areas Conservancy Project has been launched in 1988. Its first phase initiated. In addition, the Protected Areas (1988–1990) was devoted to the preparation Management Project, which includes of a master plan for horticulture in the NWFP. improving management of the Chitral Gol The PHP was implemented with the active National Park, commenced in October collaboration of the Agriculture Department’s 2002 with the signing of an agreement research and extension unit as well as farm- between the World Bank and the er s ’ interest groups. In Chitral, the project Government of Pakistan. was facilitated by the AK R S P . Following its final phase (2000–2003), the PHP h a s Meanwhile, the Gahiret Conservation wound up operations but its work is to be Area and Tooshi–Shasha Conservancy, taken forward by partner organisations. together covering 46,500 ha, are community initiatives facilitated by the 3. 8 Wildlife Department and managed as Maintaining Biodiversity in community game reserves. Local residents Pakistan With Rural develop and implement plans for the Community Development sustainable management of biological resources in their areas. They are empow- The most important recent initiative in bio- ered to enforce wildlife laws and permitted diversity conservation has been the United to retain 75% of the income derived from

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 47 Major Past and Present Development Initiatives

A Hindu Kush Markhor

wildlife management. As an additional To ensure their safe passage through the incentive, the project provides funds for v a l l e y, the World Wide Fund for Nature minor productive physical infrastructure (WWF)–Pakistan launched the Migratory development, where projects are identified Birds Conservation Project, which ran in by the communities themselves. Chitral from 1993 to 1999. The project focused on education, awareness raising 3. 9 and capacity building among local Environmental Rehabilitation communities in order to check the trend of Pr o j e c t seasonal hunting. Links between CBOs and village organisations were established The short-lived Dutch-assisted Environ- to create bird refuge parks, and environ- mental Rehabilitation Project was a chal- mental clubs were set up to ensure the lenging initiative which sought to address continuity and sustainability of the the problem of sustainable development of i n t e r v e n t i o n . grazing lands. Groaning under the pres- sure of local, nomadic and Afghan-owned The natural resources of Chitral are on the livestock, such areas are being rapidly verge of extinction. In an attempt to slow depleted. The duration of the project was the pace of resource degradation, WWF– too brief to allow any appreciable headway Pakistan in 2001 launched another inter- to be made. vention, Capacity Building for Conservation of Natural Resources. T h i s 3. 1 0 ongoing project establishes networks of World Wide Fund for Nature village organisations in select localities and involves training, workshops, Every year, an estimated 1 million seminars and pilot projects for the migratory birds fly across Chitral district. conservation of flora and fauna.

48 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Major Past and Present Development Initiatives

Large predators such as the snow leopard Leopard Conservation Project to create are an important indicator of the health of an awareness among model communities. ecosystem. In Chitral, the survival of the Along with capacity development and envi- snow leopard is threatened by human pop- ronmental education, the project provides ulation growth and the resulting expansion incentives to agro-pastoral communities of settlements to the uplands. In 2001, and herders to protect this endangered WWF–Pakistan launched the Snow sp e c i e s . 3

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 49

Part 2 Strategy

The challenge for the Chitral Conservation Strategy (CCS) is to sustainably improve the livelihood of local communities, while protecting the environment and enabling improvements to be made in physical and social capital. The strategy envisions federal and provincial government support will be provided in sectors that are the state’s responsibility, such as economic growth, poverty eradication and infrastructure. Ch a p t e r 4 Governance

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 53 Governance

To date, government spending on develop- electricity and women’s development, with ment in Chitral district amounts to more only 10% set aside for other purposes. than Rs 1 billion, yet this investment is not Sectors such as forestry, grazing land man- reflected in the standard of living of the agement and biodiversity are not provided people. Nor has it altered negative public for in either of these government initiatives. perception regarding the work of govern- ment departments. The reasons for this are In the face of limited public-sector myriad and include the pressure of a bur- resources, implementing CCS proposals is geoning population, the vagaries of nature not necessarily an expensive undertaking. and significant cutbacks in development In fact, more than 60% of the CCS objec- outlays in recent years. Dissatisfaction with tives can be attained simply by introducing the government also results from the self-reliance, community participation and centralised planning and implementation of good governance while utilising existing development programmes carried out development allocations. A d d i t i o n a l without public participation. With the resources will however be needed for large- introduction of the new local government scale projects advocated in the CCS, such system, locally monitored participatory as construction of the Lowari tunnel and a development is expected to become the road to Tajikistan, as well as for medium- norm rather than the exception. An sized schemes such as those aimed at har- important function of the Zilla Nazim under nessing Chitral’s hydroelectric potential. the new system is to provide vision for These funds will have to be sought from the development in the district. provincial and federal governments, and their assistance will be required to obtain The North-West Frontier Province Local additional support from donors. Government Ordinance 2001 lays the groundwork for more effective, locally The new local government system aims to accountable administration. However, a develop mechanisms to ensure fair and number of issues remain to be addressed locally responsible governance. However, before the system can be considered a effective functioning of the councils and good model for people-centred governance. committees set up at various levels will To begin with, the new system is represen- require vigilance and commitment from all tative for the most part rather than fully those involved in the process of planning, pa r t i c i p a t o r y , even though avenues have implementation and monitoring. been provided for public involvement in local government through provisions allow- Strategy ing for the creation of Citizen Community The CCS proposes the following measures Boards. While the system is still evolving, it to improve governance: is necessary to create a mechanism to draw n awarding the highest priority to building community-based organisations more the technical capacity of district govern- closely into the process of planning, ment functionaries as well as elected implementation and monitoring. members of various councils and committees; As far as resources are concerned, current n making transparency and accountability public sector outlays for development an integral feature of all development include a small Annual Development interventions; Programme (ADP) allocation and a larger n generating internal as well as external grant from the Khushhal Pakistan funding; Programme. ADP funds for 2001–02 are n ensuring that natural resources are used assigned mainly for communications and wisely by improving management education (the latter under the Social practices; and Action Programme), while Khushhal n seeking the involvement of organised Pakistan Programme outlays are local communities in the identification, earmarked for farm-to-market roads (40%), planning, implementation and monitoring drinking water supply schemes, sanitation, of development initiatives.

54 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Subsistence agriculture has been practised in Chitral for many generations. Tod a y , traditional farming activities alone are no longer able to sustain the population. One way to address this problem is to diversify economic activity in the area. For this purpose, human resources will need to be developed. Ch a p t e r 5 Human Resource Development and Economic Uplift

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 55 Human Resource Development and Economic Uplift

5.1 5.2 Education Health

Widening the availability of education and Access to health care is an important improving standards are key to upgrading measure of development. Only four human capital. Currently, the standard of female and 33 male doctors work in basic education on offer is unsatisfactory, C h i t r a l ’s public health system, rendering while flaws exist in the focus of higher edu- the state of medical facilities abysmal. cation. Growth that has taken place in the With a single district headquarters education sector to date does not ade- hospital, two tehsil hospitals, three rural quately reflect the needs of the people. In health centres and 22 basic health units addition to factors specific to each locality, serving 463 rural habitations, access to the quality of education suffers because medical treatment is restricted even at the schools are ill-equipped, teachers are not best of times. When roads and bridges are motivated and supervision is ineffective. washed away by floods or blocked with heavy snow, however, some communities Low enrolment figures, meanwhile, may be are left with no access whatsoever to attributed in part to a lack of awareness health care. about the importance of education but this is not the only reason why few individuals Ch i t r a l ’ s widely scattered population and dif- pursue academics. In the case of young ficulties of access hinder the timely delivery men, poverty forces even those already of health services. Inadequate waste man- enrolled in school or college to drop out and agement, improper hygiene practices and instead seek employment. Without the contaminated water contribute to poor benefit of vocational skills or technical train- health, putting additional pressure on ing, men are forced to take up low-paying medical facilities which are already short- unskilled work which only serves to trap st a f fed and ill-equipped. Public health is also them deeper in a cycle of poverty. Am o n g undermined by the fact that local communi- women, the most serious constraint to ties lack basic health education. expanding education is the insufficient number of middle and high schools for girls. Strategy The strategy to improve public health will Strategy focus on the following areas: The Chitral Conservation Strategy (CCS) n emphasising primary and preventive proposes the following measures to improve health care; both the quality and reach of education: n expanding the supply of potable water; n adopting a two-track approach to focus n providing for the safe disposal of on mass education as well as profes- sewage and solid waste; sional training; n adopting innovative methods to improve n seeking policy, administrative, moral and health care; learning from the efforts of material support from stakeholders to organisations such as the Aga Khan improve educational institutions; Health Services, which employs trained stakeholder participation will also help community health workers in conjunction overcome site-specific obstacles; with qualified medical practitioners; n establishing a quality facility for technical n creating a mobile extension unit within education with a curriculum geared the Health Department to motivate and towards employment opportunities educate both ordinary citizens as well as available in Pakistan and abroad; local government functionaries in pri- n obtaining policy support at the national mary and preventive health care prac- level to enable students from Chitral to tices; and gain admission to professional institu- n extending district government support to tions elsewhere in the country; and health care initiatives taken up by non- n instituting a student scholarship governmental organisations (NGOs) and programme. the private sector.

56 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Human Resource Development and Economic Uplift

5

A government school

Several other CCS initiatives will synergis- their households. Besides being ineffe c t i v e , tically impact the health sector. T h e s e this indirect approach is also inequitable. include: Knowledge is power and transferring it n improving governance, selectively through men is likely to further n upgrading roads and bridges, increase their dominance over women. n alleviating poverty, n encouraging social organisation, Development projects also assume that n focusing on gender concerns, and income earned by male members of the n increasing agricultural productivity. household will automatically be spent on the needs of all members of the family. 5.3 This seldom happens. Rather, men Gender Mainstreaming consider it their prerogative to spend their earnings as they wish, generally favouring Until recently, development planning has social activities and luxury expenses. T h e focused on households rather than individ- priorities of women within the household, uals. The underlying assumption has been and basic needs such as education and that all members of a family share similar child nutrition, are often considered needs, perform the same functions and s e c o n d a r y. The major gender concern in enjoy equal access to opportunities and development is to provide men and women resources. In reality, however, significant with equal access to nutrition, health and disparities exist within a household education, and to create earning opportu- between its male and female members, nities for women in socially acceptable with the latter in a disadvantaged position. occupations. Moreover, men and women perform differ- ent functions in various spheres of activity. Strategy The CCS gender strategy will focus on the Most government research and extension following initiatives: programmes target men in the hope that n persuading line departments, Citizen knowledge will trickle down to the women of Community Boards and community-

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 57 Human Resource Development and Economic Uplift

Chitrali rugs at display

based organisations to work towards ing popular rather than traditional cuisine. levelling the field for development; Similarly, young people are losing interest n providing men and women with equal in traditional local games and sports. As a access to nutrition, health care and result, the cultural heritage of Chitral is in education; danger of being lost forever. n enhancing women’s skills in income generating activities by establishing Strategy training programmes; and The strategy to preserve and promote n providing incentives and creating the cultural heritage of Chitral calls for employment opportunities for women. the district government to focus on the following areas: 5.4 n liaising with national agencies to Cultural Heritage promote Chitral’s traditional arts and crafts in order to establish a market for Chitral’s architectural and archaeological these products and provide incentives to heritage has suffered from the neglect of craftsmen and women; public-sector agencies as well as local n facilitating the efforts of local NGOs to communities. Preserving ancient architec- promote traditional arts, crafts and ture and protecting sites of archaeological sports; and importance is a capital-intensive undertak- n seeking assistance from the provincial ing which neither the government nor ordi- and federal governments to prepare nary citizens have been able to fund. projects for the preservation of architec- Market forces, meanwhile, have compelled ture and archaeological remains. traditional artisans to abandon handicraft manufacture, which brings in only limited 5.5 earnings, and switch to more lucrative Enterprise forms of income generation. In the case of traditional foods and beverages, commer- Chitral is a semi-arid region with a small cial outlets aim to increase profits by serv- area of land under cultivation and some

58 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Human Resource Development and Economic Uplift

24,000 males between the ages of 15 and 64 facing unemployment. The people are poor, with average per capita income about half that of Pakistan as a whole. Tr a d i t i o n a l l y, local communities have managed to subsist on agricultural activi- ties involving cereal production and livestock rearing. This precarious balance has been grossly disturbed in recent years by an increasing population and rising aspirations. What is needed today is to diversify the economy by accelerating the installation of hydel plants and promoting local resource-based microenterprise initiatives in sectors such as horticulture, 5 husbandry and tourism.

Chitral’s enterprise sector covers both farm and non-farm activities. On-farm enterpris- es include retail and wholesale activities in horticultural and livestock products. Off- farm enterprises include retail and whole- sale businesses, hotels and restaurants, Making value added woolen products bread making ovens, fruit dehydration, shu weaving, embroidery and carpentry. These enterprises operate for the most part in a making local entrepreneurs reluctant to suboptimal business and infrastructure risk marketing their products outside environment. Chitral; and n food insecurity in winter, impeding the Significant recent initiatives that will serve transition from cereal production to horti- to boost microenterprise in the area culture, and requiring restrictions on the include the construction of the export of agricultural products. Chitral–Booni road, the withdrawal of the ban on exports of farm products and the A number of these issues are already the establishment of the Aga Khan Rural focus of government and NGO initiatives, Support Programme’s Enterprise and more areas will receive attention once Development Division. However, a number the CCS is implemented. of major obstacles continue to hamper the development of enterprise in Chitral. Strategy These include: The strategy for enterprise development will involve: n small, scattered farm and non-farm n making sustainable use of the region’s production; comparative advantages; n inadequate physical and institutional n providing intensive training in production infrastructure; techniques, marketing and entrepreneurial n insufficient social development; sk i l l s ; n inaccessibility to modern inputs and n supplying guidance and inputs, such as technology; technical expertise, packaging materials n inadequate training facilities; and storage facilities; n high transportation costs; n providing marketing support; and n inefficient backward and forward n ensuring that enterprise development linkages with markets; interventions are made on a scale that n isolated economy; will enable a breakthrough in this largely n historical and geographical isolation, static sector.

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 59 Human Resource Development and Economic Uplift

district itself or in other parts of the country. Ch i t r a l ’ s remote location and isolation also restrict access to information about employment opportunities abroad.

The Khushhal Pakistan Programme, for- merly known as the Integrated Urban and Rural Development Programme for Poverty Alleviation, offers a ray of hope for local communities. Some progress is expected to be made in the area of poverty allevia- tion, since the programme aims to develop infrastructure facilities which should in turn create employment. Strategy The strategy for poverty alleviation will require the district government to focus on the following: n ensuring that funds from the Khushhal Pakistan Programme are spent judiciously, and monitoring the impact of A local blacksmith in Chitral bazaar the programme on poverty as well as the environment; n reviewing allocations to various sectors 5.6 in the light of past experience in order to Poverty Reduction maximise the impact on poverty alleviation; Along with a sense of powerlessness, n working closely with the federal poverty generates apathy among the peo- government to provide up-to-date ple, leaving individuals fatalistic about their information about overseas employment own lives and indifferent to environmental opportunities; and concerns. It goes without saying that n facilitating private sector investment in poverty also hinders access to nutrition, mining, tourism, enterprise development education, health care, potable water and and cottage industry. other basic human needs. Poverty in Chitral is the result of a number of factors 5.7 specific to the area, including the shortage Tourism of irrigated cultivable land, difficulties of external and internal communications, the The aim of promoting tourism in Chitral is to scarcity of institutions offering high quality increase the income of local communities education and marketable skills training, and provide funds for environmental and undeveloped potential in sectors such rehabilitation. Developing the area’s as tourism and mining. considerable potential as a destination for tourism will also provide incentives to the Di f ficulties of access make Chitral less local government to undertake initiatives in attractive to private-sector investment, other sectors, such as reducing air particularly in enterprise, cottage industry pollution, providing sewage and solid waste and small-scale trade development. As a disposal facilities, improving communica- result, employment opportunities are tions, conserving biodiversity and diversify- limited. A small percentage of the ing agriculture. population is employed in the formal sector, while the majority of the workforce seeks The current law and order situation in the seasonal employment either within the country has not only brought international

60 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Human Resource Development and Economic Uplift tourism to a grinding halt but also discour- Strategy aged domestic travel. A quantum improve- Planning for tourism development ment in security must occur to encourage envisages the following: tourism in Pakistan in general and Chitral in n mapping and documenting cultural pa r t i c u l a r . Besides security concerns, diffi - resources, strengthening the resource culties of external and internal access serve where necessary, and marketing the as serious deterrents to the expansion of the resource to ensure that local se c t o r . Construction of the proposed Lowari communities are the prime beneficiaries; tunnel, increasing the frequency of air serv- n providing control mechanisms to protect ices, and improving and extending the inter- both cultural heritage and the nal roads network will encourage tourism. environment; n developing infrastructure facilities, To protect the cultural heritage and envi- including an all-weather road to Chitral ronment of Chitral, it is essential that the across the Lowari Pass; expansion of tourism be guided by ecolog- n constructing metalled roads to sites of 5 ical and environmental concerns, and that cultural interest, side valleys and picnic the process be carefully monitored. The spots; undesirable impact of uncontrolled tourism n opening up areas hitherto closed to is evident in the Kalash valleys. Tourism in tourists, such as Baroghil, Begusht, Chitral must be culturally sensitive as well Madaklasht and Urtsun; as ecologically sustainable. Individual com- n imposing an environmental levy on munities must be allowed to decide which tourists to generate resources for type of tourist activities they wish to conservation; encourage—if at all—and in which areas. Tourism in Chitral must be Tourism should be organised in a manner culturally sensitive as well as that ensures its primary beneficiaries are the local people. Towards this end, it is ecologically sustainable. Individual essential to train tourist guides for trekking, communities must be allowed to mountaineering and wildlife observation. decide which type of tourist Other necessary measures include devel- oping and maintaining fully equipped camp- activities they wish to encourage— sites; providing potable water and sanitation if at all—and in which areas. facilities; and ensuring that visitors have access to hygienically prepared food. Teh s i l n motivating local communities to develop Municipal Administrations in the new local sustainable tourism in areas of cultural government have a major role to play in this or ecological interest; regard, since it is their responsibility to n initiating a training programme for tourist ensure a clean environment, arrange for the guides; disposal of sewage and solid waste, and n developing a code of conduct for devise ways to reduce air pollution. tourists; and n evolving financial procedures for sharing Implementation of other sector strategies the income from tourism among will have a synergistic impact on the individuals and local communities. promotion of tourism. Improvements in communications, education, health, 5.8 sanitation, potable water supply, electricity Mineral Resources and agriculture will complement each other to create an environment conducive to If properly exploited, Chitral’s mineral tourist activity. Measures to preserve the deposits could open up an additional area’s cultural heritage will also serve to sector of economic activity in the area. attract visitors. In addition, trophy hunting H o w e v e r, development in this sector is at can be encouraged, as long as measures present constrained by a number of are taken to protect biodiversity. factors. The most important of these is the

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 61 Human Resource Development and Economic Uplift

Polo at Shandur

lack of a properly developed infrastructure. government will be required to take the Existing shingle roads leading to mineral following measures: deposit sites are only navigable by jeep, n approaching the provincial government making access inconvenient. Chitral’s to conduct geophysical surveys, geo- distance from the urban centres of the chemical investigations and large-scale country raises transportation costs, with mapping of reported and unreported the result that the area’s minerals become mineral deposits; uncompetitive in the market. With the n prioritising the supply of electricity, and limited availability of electricity, meanwhile, improving roads and tracks leading to no value adding process can be carried mine sites; out on site, requiring raw minerals to be n seeking the support of lending institu- transported to other parts of the province tions and donor agencies to provide for processing. financial incentives for private-sector investment; Mining projects involve considerable risk n taking measures to ensure that the and long gestation periods, and exploration environment is protected in areas requires substantial investment outlays. where mining and mineral development The absence of incentives for private- activities are carried out; such sector investment and the limited capacity measures will include the use of safe of public-sector organisations responsible explosives and the safe disposal of for minerals and mines further restrict the waste and eff l u e n t ; development of mining in Chitral. In n encouraging and facilitating private- addition, financial institutions do not offer sector investment in mining and mineral sector-specific loans for private investment development; and in the mining sector. n providing support for the development of a partnership mechanism between Strategy private-sector investors and local To bring mining activities into the main- communities to avoid conflicts involving stream of Chitral’s economy, the district rights and royalties.

62 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy The efficient delivery of municipal services is an important indicator of social development and plays a crucial role in safeguarding public health. In Chitral, the municipal service delivery system functions far below desirable levels. Ch a p t e r 6 Development of Municipal Services and Infrastructure

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 63 Development of Municipal Services and Infrastructure

Eroded land – a disturbingly common feature

6.1 the people. At all tehsil and village consulta- Potable Water tions held during the preparation of this st r a t e g y , the topic of water invariably came Since more than 80% of diseases afflicting up for discussion. Judging by the partici- the local population are water-borne, the pa n t s ’ views, current data on supply are state of public health depends on the based on the assessment of the concerned supply of clean water. Expansion of supply government departments and are at odds alone is not sufficient; the water must also with the reality on the ground. Participants be fit for human consumption. also identified the shortcomings of water supply schemes implemented so far. Ch i t r a l ’ s traditional system of securing drink- ing water for use in the winter involved Anumber of technical problems need to be storing summer run-off in household or addressed in order to improve the community wells. For this purpose, e ffectiveness of the system. These include seasonal watercourses in the vicinity of the bursting of water pipes in winter and habitations were kept clear and their flow the inadequacy of the water sources was diverted to wells during the rainy selected, particularly in years of subnormal season. With the introduction of piped water, precipitation. The problem of water source local communities have neglected to keep selection can be remedied by employing natural watercourses free of dirt and debris. hydrogeologists as well as by drawing on As a result, they are no longer able to utilise local knowledge. To arrive at cost-eff e c t i v e well water when pipes burst in the winter. solutions to the problem of bursting pipelines, methods used in other countries Although considerable work has been car- with a similar climate and terrain will need ried out over the past two decades, to be studied. mainly by the former Public Health Engineering Department, to expand water Logistical difficulties are the principal cause s u p p l y, access to clean drinking water of another problem identified by local remains one of the most urgent needs of communities: the tendency of contractors

64 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Development of Municipal Services and Infrastructure to abandon water supply schemes before 6.2 completion. One solution would be to Sewage and Solid Waste entrust the task to organised rural commu- Disposal nities, with technical support provided by the Water Supply and Sanitation Unit of the Improving sanitation is one of the most Works and Services Department. ef fective ways to safeguard public health. At present, nowhere in Chitral have adequate Besides technical difficulties, the system of arrangements been made to dispose of administration also needs to be examined. sewage and solid waste. Consequently, With a widely scattered population residing night soil and animal excreta pollute food in so rugged a terrain that barely 30% of and drinking water, creating ideal conditions habitations are linked even by unmetalled for the proliferation of disease vectors. roads, the centralised system of monitoring water supply has proved to be ineffective. Critical problems in the sanitation sector Infrequent inspections, difficulties in report- include congested construction and the 6 ing faults and delays in taking remedial rocky ground on which most habitations are action render the system far from efficient. built, coupled with a lack of awareness Centralised control is likely to hinder any about proper hygiene among local commu- large-scale effort to expand water supply in nities. In the villages, most residents defe- the area. cate in the fields or a corner of the home, from where the excrement is removed and Two important lessons have been learned dumped in the open. Drying in the sun is from water supply schemes completed in thought to be sufficient to render this waste the past. First, the participation of local harmless. Although the urban population is communities in planning and implementa- increasingly becoming aware of the impor- tion must be ensured. Second, the opera- tance of sanitation, current efforts are tion of completed projects should be confined to the construction of latrines from handed over to them for operation and where sewage is allowed to collect in open maintenance under the technical guidance spaces. Part of this waste is then removed of the Water Supply and Sanitation Wing of and burned in the open. Clearly, this the district Works and Services Department. method of waste disposal cannot by any means be considered sanitary. Strategy The strategy to expand the supply of Nowhere in Chitral have adequate potable water will involve: n securing the participation of organised arrangements been made to communities in the planning, implemen- dispose of sewage and solid waste. tation, monitoring and operation of water supply schemes; Co n s e q u e n t l y , night soil and animal n seeking technical guidance from the excreta pollute food and drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Wing of the district Works and Services Department; wa t e r , creating ideal conditions for n motivating area residents to maintain and the proliferation of disease vectors. improve the traditional system of collect- ing water for use in the winter, making this system both reliable and hygienic; training Under the devolved local government village activists to serve as facilitators; system, the newly-established Te h s i l n requiring the Works and Services Municipal Administrations (TMAs) are now Department to take stock of technical responsible for the disposal of solid, liquid, difficulties and evolve solutions; and industrial and hospital waste. n ensuring that the water supplied is safe for human consumption by preventing Strategy contamination at source as well as The strategy to improve the disposal of during transit. sewage and solid waste will involve:

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 65 Development of Municipal Services and Infrastructure

Unplanned growth, Chitral Town

n sensitising local communities to the Reliable, year-round access to the rest of the importance of proper sanitation; country is high on the list of priorities of the n seeking cost-effective alternative meth- intelligentsia and business community, as ods of waste disposal that are appropri- well as those who seek employment outside ate to the specific circumstances of Chitral. The problem of access is exacerbat- Chitral; and ed at the moment because the road to n generating resources to execute new Arandu via Mohmand Agency and the Kunar waste disposal schemes with the help of province of Afghanistan, the only route that the local government, Citizen remains passable during the winter, is closed Community Boards and community- owing to the current geopolitical situation. based organisations. The matter engages the attention of the 6.3 government about once every decade, Roads and Bridges when the question of excavating a tunnel below the Lowari Pass comes up for Year-round access within the district, as discussion and is invariably dropped well between Chitral and the rest of the because of the high costs involved. co u n t r y , is essential if employment, trade Frustrated by the repeated abandonment of and tourism are to be promoted. Attempts to the Lowari tunnel proposal, in 1998 local introduce high-value fruit and off- s e a s o n communities themselves began building an vegetable cultivation, and to promote local all-weather road from Damel to Panakot handicrafts, will only yield satisfactory (Dir) over Zakhani Kandao. Eventually, they dividends if goods can be transported to were forced to abandon construction markets with ease. It is not just in economic because the highest stretch turned out to be terms, however, that properly maintained at an elevation of 4,260 m compared to roads and bridges are crucial. By providing 3,200 m for the Lowari Pass. access to information and outside expertise, they are also essential for the For its part, the government has studied optimal functioning of other sectors, such as several other options, including clearing education, health and family planning. snow from the Lowari Pass, constructing

66 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Development of Municipal Services and Infrastructure snow galleries at various stretches to protect advocating them forcefully through politi- roads from snow slides, exploring alternative cal and administrative channels, in order routes less susceptible to snow build-up and to acquire additional funding from the acquiring aircraft to overfly the Lowari Pass provincial and federal governments; and in the winter. However, the Lowari tunnel n seeking the active participation and eco- has now been identified as the best solution nomic contribution of local communities. to Chitral’s land access problems and the National Highway Authority is examining the 6.4 proposal. Another means of access to the Physical Planning and outside world which merits consideration is Housing a road to Tajikistan. The scarcity of flat land in this mountainous The Aga Khan Rural Support Programme region has forced settlements to develop (AKRSP) and Chitral Area Development h a p h a z a r d l y. Unregulated land develop- Project (CADP), as well as the former District ment in Chitral, Booni and Drosh, as well 6 Council, have done commendable work to as rural areas of the district, has created a expand the network of roads and bridges in narrow winding circulation pattern and dis- the area. It is essential to evaluate these persed housing. Unplanned construction ef forts in order to draw lessons for the future. has also led to incompatible land uses and unhygienic living conditions. The steep mountain terrain of Chitral poses an environmental hazard, with torrential Uncontrolled land development in the towns floods in the summer and avalanches in the is partly a result of the apathy of public-sec- wi n t e r , which must be countered in the tor organisations and local municipal bodies design, implementation and monitoring of which have failed to prepare a land use mas- projects. Requirements for the proper main- ter plan. To make matters worse, many gov- tenance of roads must be strictly enforced ernment departments and organisations and it must be ensured that all new projects have themselves occupied pockets of flat meet modern environmental standards. land for their offices, facilities and employee housing. Developed in a horizontal pattern, Funds to improve internal communications such construction has further limited the will always fall short of actual needs. The availability of flat land for the local population. challenge for the local government is to Building has also been carried out without streamline governance in order to utilise recourse to technical expertise, such as town available resources eff e c t i v e l y. All new and urban planning services. As a result, communications projects must be sustain- area residents are forced to build wherever able, and local communities must be land is available, using whatever materials invited to participate in planning, construc- they are able to afford. The situation in the tion and maintenance. towns is further aggravated by private-sector investment in commercial buildings. Strategy The strategy to improve physical communi- To d a y, whatever unoccupied flat land cations between Chitral and the rest of the remains in Chitral town, Booni and Drosh is country involves: under immense pressure for development n pursuing the Lowari tunnel proposal with from both the public and private sector. the federal government (the newly Land development needs to be regulated elected Zilla Nazim has already and all future construction must be brought taken up the issue); under a planning framework. n preparing a proposal for the construction of a road to Tajikistan; Strategy n developing a network of environmentally In order to rationalise land use, the sustainable roads with available following steps will be necessary: resources; n ensuring that all new construction in the n preparing convincing projects and district follows a strict scrutiny and

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 67 Development of Municipal Services and Infrastructure

for domestic use. In areas like Chitral, Booni, Drosh and Lotkuh, electricity is supplied to small industries, such as saw mills, marble factories, weaving looms and automobile engineering works.

At present, 15,726 kVA of electricity is avail- able for Chitral, meeting the needs of 67% of the district’s population. Some 27% of this supply comes from microhydels facilitated by the AK R S P and CADP, 23% from the Wat e r and Power Development Authority (WAP D A ) and 17% from the Sarhad Hydel Development Organization (SHYDO), while work is in progress on the Reshun and Shishi hydel schemes. In addition, SHYDO has identified 22 feasible sites in Chitral for the generation of 184,000 KW of electricity, and it is essential to vigorously pursue this option.

Local communities are keenly aware of the benefits of increasing electricity supply to the area. Particularly at tehsil meetings, participants were of the view that increas- ing supply would promoting microenter- A typical Kalash house prise and allow more land to be brought under irrigation. It is also recognised that access to electricity will help conserve approval process with the involvement forest resources, once villagers are not of the TMAs; forced to depend as heavily on firewood n developing available wasteland to build as they do at the moment. Meanwhile, an housing colonies in fast-growing towns incidental but key benefit of introducing such as Chitral, Booni and Drosh; microhydel power plants has been that n seeking provincial government irrigation channels, which are also used to assistance to prepare land use and generate electricity, are being diligently building regulations for Chitral, and maintained. zoning plans for Chitral, Booni and Drosh; n implementing a capacity development Even though power from WAP D A ’s national plan to train TMA staff in the formulation grid will eventually be supplied to all parts and design of a physical planning of Chitral where distribution is cost-effec- framework; and tive, this will still leave large segments of n enlisting the assistance of the provincial the population without electricity. Such Environment Protection Agency to communities will need to set up microhy- initiate a campaign forcing owners of dels with assistance from the AKRSP and commercial entities to adopt proper envi- other support organisations. ronmental and waste disposal practices. Despite their many benefits, microhydel 6.5 plants have several serious shortcomings: Electricity initial set-up costs are high, requiring sub- sidies; they break down frequently and Chitral’s potential for hydroelectric power components must be taken to Peshawar for generation has never been properly repair, while the plant remains at a stand- exploited. As a result, electricity is available still; and trained technicians capable of only to a section of the population, mainly operation and maintenance are in short

68 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Development of Municipal Services and Infrastructure

6

A potential resource for generating electricity

s u p p l y. These drawbacks need to be n providing assistance to rural communi- addressed before microhydels can be ties through the AKRSP and other considered a viable option to provide organisations to establish and operate electricity to outlying settlements. microhydels; n training microhydel plant operators and Strategy establishing a repair workshop in Chitral; The strategy for the sustainable supply of and electricity will include: n advocating to the federal government n completing the Reshun and Shishi the need to harness the district’s full schemes and distribution systems; hydroelectricity generating potential.

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 69

Besides its obvious value in terms of food production, agricultural activity also creates employment and provides households with disposable income. Ch a p t e r 7 Natural Resource Ma n a g e m e n t

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 71 Natural Resource Management

Cropland in Chitral

7. 1 vaccination, apricot drying, and fruit and Ag r i c u l t u r e vegetable preservation.

Recent initiatives to vitalise the agricultural Given the scarcity of high quality agricultural sector include projects to improve shu mak- land and the exorbitant cost of extending ing, introduce more efficient apricot dehy- irrigation to new areas, it is of crucial impor- dration, increase production of fruits and tance to conserve land already under off-season vegetables, and promote mar- cultivation and maintain existing irrigation keting. The government’s agriculture channels. Yet such measures have been research and extension unit, in conjunction neglected by the concerned government with the Aga Khan Rural Support departments. Agricultural land is often pre- Programme (AKRSP), is attempting to empted for other uses, such as construction increase the productivity of agricultural and even graveyards, while farmers have no crops grown in the region. It is also working access to technical assistance for soil con- to reduce disease-induced mortality in servation. The renovation of water channels livestock and poultry. and precision land levelling initiatives carried out by the provincial government with Wor l d At tehsil and village consultations held Bank funding from 1992–93 to 1996–97 during the preparation of this strategy, under the On-Farm Water Management participants assigned the highest priority to Programme have since been abandoned. extending the area under irrigation. This was followed closely by the need to protect Considering the many difficulties that farm- agricultural land from flood and river ers face, the quality of Chitral’s agricultural erosion, and to improve land levelling. produce is surprisingly good. Where irriga- Issues such as agricultural inputs, market- tion is possible, Chitral’s semi-arid climate ing facilities and veterinary care for is ideal for growing fruits and off-season livestock were mentioned occasionally, vegetables. Cereal yields are on the whole while women in particular appreciated the s a t i s f a c t o r y, except for wheat. training provided by the AKRSP in poultry Considerable improvements in wheat,

72 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Natural Resource Management vegetable and fodder yields will become prevent upgrading to higher-yielding but possible with the cultivation of suitable more nutritionally demanding genotypes. seed varieties, the application of balanced Livestock extension and research must nutrients and improved management. address this problem, and find cost-effe c t i v e ways to improve livestock and poultry hous- In the mean time, income from existing irri- ing. In terms of veterinary care, disease pre- gated land can be optimised by transform- vention programmes sponsored by govern- ing input supply, research and extension. ment agencies, donors, the AK R S P and the The focus of current agronomic research in CA D P , have been well-received by local Chitral revolves around improved crop vari- communities. A daunting challenge in this eties and the use of fertilisers. Compared to regard is to prevent disease transmission indigenous varieties, the so-called from Afghan-owned livestock. With the ongo- improved varieties of wheat currently avail- ing repatriation of Afghan refugees and the able in the North-West Frontier Province introduction of a quarantine system for live- (NWFP) are more susceptible to disease. At stock entering the area from adjacent coun- 7 the same time, they yield less fodder and tries, the incidence of disease can be are less palatable to local livestock—impor- reduced considerably. tant drawbacks in the context of Chitral’s mixed farming/livestock subsistence It is of crucial importance to ec o n o m y , where animal fodder crops are as important as grain for human consumption. conserve land already under Although farmers place a high value on cultivation and maintain existing fe r t i l i s e r , it is expensive and not easily avail- able. Agronomists also tend to favour the irrigation channels. Yet such demonstration plot type of research, where measures have been neglected by the the concern is generally to show a statisti- cally significant increase in yields. What is concerned government departments. perhaps more relevant to the farmer, ho w e v e r , is the value of the additional yield, both in monetary terms as well as in terms St r a t e g y of the effort involved and risks entailed. The sustainable development of the agricul- ture sector will require that a number of In addition to increasing farm household measures are taken: income, improving horticulture and expand- n extending the area under irrigation; ing marketing will generate considerable n designing a comprehensive, cost-effe c t i v e employment in the sales and transportation and responsive agricultural system for sectors. Several initiatives have already Chitral, incorporating soil conservation been undertaken in this regard by the techniques, improved irrigation, and AKRSP, Chitral Area Development Project adaptive research and extension; (CADP) and Project for Horticultural n providing agricultural inputs, credit Promotion (PHP). These include widening facilities and marketing support; the and blacktopping the Chitral–Booni road, system will operate through organised advocating the withdrawal of the ban on local communities with guidance from fruit and vegetable exports, and establish- experts and the support of local councils; ing North-South Seeds to promote potato n ensuring sustainability by framing and and vegetable seed production. An all- enforcing laws for land use planning and weather road link to the rest of the country zo n i n g ; is now needed to help increase the n encouraging the use of soil conservation profitability of Chitral’s horticulture sector. techniques to prevent the loss of agricul- tural land through soil erosion; In the livestock sector, scarcity of livestock n curtailing the diversion of prime feed is the single most important constraint agricultural land to non-agricultural uses to expansion. Fodder shortages not only limit by enforcing existing legislation and the productivity of existing stock, but also framing new laws where necessary;

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 73 Natural Resource Management

An under construction irrigation channel

n advocating the extension for another five Chitral’s traditional system of irrigation is years of the work undertaken by the PHP, gravity based. Before engineers came on to be taken up by the AK R S P and other the scene, water channels were aligned by or g a n i s a t i o n s ; trial and error. Today, levelling instruments n balancing food security concerns with the are widely used for this purpose, and need to increase agricultural income by drilling and blasting have considerably promoting cereal and fodder production facilitated the work. as well as fruit and vegetable cultivation; n strengthening quarantine measures to Hi s t o r i c a l l y , local communities built thou- control the influx of livestock diseases sands of water channels along steep unsta- from neighbouring countries; and ble hill slopes and maintained them collec- n stepping up the pace of livestock disease ti v e l y . More recently, the AK R S P and CADP prevention programmes. have relied on voluntary social organisation to extend and maintain irrigation works. In 7. 2 many such cases, irrigation projects are Irrigation and Flood Control identified by the communities themselves. The AK R S P provides grants to cover materi- Agriculture is currently the single most impor- al costs and a portion of labour costs, while tant economic activity in Chitral. As the maintenance is the responsibility of the sector expands, it is likely to become a major communities. In the future, too, community source of cash income for a significant per- organisation will be the cornerstone of centage of the population. Since farming in sustainable irrigation initiatives. This endeav- Chitral is not viable without irrigation, the our will benefit considerably from the bottom- overwhelming desire of local communities to up planning envisaged under the NWFP increase the area under irrigation is under- Local Government Ordinance 2001. standable. Although considerable attention has been given to the subject, an optimum At present, local communities manage and sustainable system of irrigation has yet irrigation over some 19,000 ha. Since 1973, to be developed. the provincial Irrigation Department has

74 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Natural Resource Management

7

A pasture in upper Chitral completed 13 irrigation schemes covering This acute awareness of the need to 1,916 ha. It is currently working on two more increase the area under irrigation is accom- schemes which are expected to irrigate an panied by a widely held perception that additional 1,498 ha. This work has been large tracts of barren land exist which, once executed through contractors and, upon irrigated, are capable of sustaining cultiva- completion, the schemes are maintained by tion. At almost all meetings, participants list- the Zilla Council/TMAs at an annual cost of ed the names of such la s h t s and the water Rs 25 million. sources that could be tapped to irrigate them. International agencies have also At tehsil and village consultations held during found that a significant amount of land in the preparation of this strategy, the need to the area is fit for irrigation. The 1984 expand and improve irrigation came up for International Fund for A g r i c u l t u r a l discussion most frequently. Participants were Development mission to Chitral compiled a unanimous in their view that, in addition to list of cultivable wasteland totalling at least increasing food supply and income, extend- 30,000 ha, while Kreditanstalt für ing irrigation would also allow them to grow Wiederaufbau lists 26,000 ha which may be more forest trees and fodder. In the village of developed for agriculture. Harchin (Mastuj), Mir Niat summed up the general consensus on irrigation eloquently: “I Bringing new land under irrigation in Chitral don’t know how to make a speech. We want is time consuming and exorbitantly expen- a canal from Sorlaspur to Bedi Dok, and noth- sive. Irrigation projects cost millions of ing short of this from the AK R S P , CADP an d rupees and take years to complete, during IUCN. If you rain gold coins on our houses which time costs escalate while community instead, we will not accept them. This canal is interest begins to wane. Unstable geological the total solution to all our problems.” formations and the rugged terrain also entail Si m i l a r l y , Muhammad Zia Shah of Broz said high running costs. The per-hectare opera- at the Mori Lasht Tehsil meeting: “Arrange tion and maintenance cost of the system set siphon irrigation for Broz and Ghoch, and up by the provincial government’s Irrigation even the insects of the area will bless you.” Department varies from Rs 570 (Green

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 75 Natural Resource Management

Lasht Scheme) to Rs 5,357 (Batrik uses simple structures to divert water from Scheme)—much higher than in other moun- channels on to hill slopes, will increase the tainous areas of the NWFP. availability of firewood and fodder, improve watershed protection and conserve Expanding the irrigation network is made all biodiversity in planted areas. the more difficult by the fact that no land settlement has been carried out in the In determining the course of future expan- Chitral area, rendering current data on sion in the sector, it is imperative to evaluate irrigated land unreliable. The absence of the work done so far. In particular, it is impor- clear titles to land causes difficulties in the tant to determine how much of the current assessment of revenue as well as the irrigated area is under grain cultivation and implementation of technically feasible horticultural crops, and what percentage projects. To create an optimum and sustain- supports forest trees and pasture. The able irrigation system, land settlement is vulnerability of newly-irrigated areas and therefore a prerequisite. No new irrigation water channels to flood damage will also scheme should be executed until titles to need to be evaluated. At the same time, soil land proposed for irrigation, water sources surveys must be carried out to establish and land traversed by water channels, have areas fit for grain, horticultural crops, forests been clearly established and all potential for and pasture, and to assess the technical future disputes eliminated. feasibility of bringing them under irrigation.

Expanding the irrigation network is In the mean time, it is far more cost-effec- tive to protect existing agricultural land from made all the more difficult by the fact being lost to construction and erosion, than that no land settlement has been it is to bring under irrigation new land with carried out in the Chitral area, poor potential for crop production. In this connection, soil conservation and flood rendering current data on irrigated protection are essential, along with strictly land unreliable. The absence of clear enforced legislation to prevent prime agri- titles to land causes difficulties in the cultural land from being diverted to other assessment of revenue as well uses. It is also of critical importance to improve management, introducing a as the implementation of technically decentralised, participatory system feasible projects. involving all stakeholders in the planning, implementation and maintenance of irriga- tion schemes. Given the high cost of bringing new land under irrigation, it is necessary to find more St r a t e g y ef ficient systems of water conveyance. Th e The sustainable development of irrigation in most important technological innovation in Chitral will require the following initiatives: this regard has been siphon irrigation, n improving management of the system to introduced by the AK R S P in Parwak in the include stakeholders; mid-1980s. The system, allowing water to be n ensuring the conservation and productive carried from river beds to considerably agricultural use of irrigated land; higher elevations, has been successfully n carrying out land settlement; replicated by the CADP in Barghuzi, Koghuzi n conducting detailed surveys of areas and Mori. Increasing the availability of hydro- being considered for irrigation to ensure electricity will facilitate the task of pumping that they are suitable for agriculture, that water to cultivable land situated at higher no land ownership disputes exist and that elevations than water sources. co s t - e f fective and sustainable technology is employed; and Another alternative worth exploring is water n encouraging the use of water harvesting harvesting, particularly to raise forests and to grow forests and pasture as a means to pastures. Employing this technique, which increase the supply of firewood and

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7

A forest nursery

fo d d e r , protect watersheds and conserve Mogh and Thengshen (Chitral Te h s i l ) , the biodiversity of the area. forestry issues were raised on two occasions. The women of Booni 7. 3 complained of flood damage caused by Forestry excessive run-off from mountains, which they correctly attributed to denudation. Besides serving as a source of timber and They also complained of the high price of firewood to meet local subsistence needs, firewood which was selling for Rs 100 per Ch i t r a l ’ s forests carry the potential to fulfil maund (40 kg). The women of Drosh, important economic and ecological functions. meanwhile, asked why technical assistance Sanitary commercial felling, for instance, can and resources had not been provided for generate resources to prime development, the wide-scale application of biogas while the area’s rich variety of flora and fauna technology in Chitral. can provide a basis for ecotourism. Forestry was the most frequently discussed Particularly for the more remote habitations topic at the Lotkuh tehsil consultation, of Chitral, oak woodlands serve an extreme- second in the Chitral and Mastuj meetings, ly important function as a source of fuel and third in Drosh and Mulkhow, and fourth in fodder reserves. Under heavy pressure from To r k h o w. In the Kalash valley, forestry grazing, winter fodder requirements and the overshadowed all other concerns. Although need for firewood, oak woodlands and scat- the topic was discussed in two thirds of all tered wooded growth are on the verge of village consultations, participants awarded extinction. Meanwhile, the protection, man- higher priority to other concerns such as agement and use of coniferous forests, irrigation, potable water, electricity, flood which is the responsibility of the Forest protection, roads, health, education, sanita- Department, needs urgent improvement. tion, female embroidery centres, veterinary hospitals, children’s playgrounds, At meetings held with women’s organisa- telephones, agricultural markets and pur- tions in Booni, Bumburet, Drosh, Mastuj, chase points for inputs.

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 77 Natural Resource Management

Fuel wood in the local market

Whenever the issue came up for discus- in order to meet local needs for timber and sion, participants pointed out the need for firewood. At the same time, forests are not more forest trees to increase the supply of regenerating under heavy pressure from firewood and fodder, and to serve as a uncontrolled grazing. As a result, forest cover means of flood protection. In areas with continues to decline despite the ban on com- abundant forest cover, the emphasis was mercial timber harvesting. on improved protection, although partici- pants agreed that protection from felling Local communities do not gain from the and grazing would depend on the availabil- exploitation of Chitral’s forest resources. ity of alternative sources of fuel and fodder. Forest contractors, most of whom do not Several speakers also emphasised the futil- belong to the area, have purchased from ity of trying to grow forest trees without the local rightsholders their share in the sale pro- aid of irrigation. ceeds of timber. These purchases, made in advance and at heavy discount, allow con- Regeneration is an essential prerequisite tractors to secure a windfall by illegally cutting for sustainable forestry. Harvested trees more trees than permissible. Consequently, a must be replaced by new growth. few contractors receive the majority of the Restricting the removal of trees alone will benefits from timber harvesting, both by legal not serve to perpetuate forests. In fact, the means and through illegal practices. entire annual growth of a forest can safely be removed in the form of defective, dis- St r a t e g y eased, mature and overmature trees, pro- The strategy to conserve coniferous forests vided regeneration is ensured. Far from will entail the following measures: being depleted, the forest would improve in n focusing management on meeting local quality and value with each cut. needs for forest produce, as well as pro- tecting landscapes and biodiversity in Although a ban on commercial timber har- order to promote tourism; vesting in Chitral has been in place since n carrying out sanitary timber harvesting 1992, trees continue to be removed illegally where appropriate;

78 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Natural Resource Management

n enlisting the participation of local communities in sustainable management initiatives; n ensuring natural regeneration takes place in areas from which mature and overma- ture trees are removed; n marking trees for felling with the participa- tion of community-based organisations; n implementing effective grazing control, as demonstrated in Kaghan in the 1980s by the Kaghan Intensive Forest Management Project; n evaluating the success rate of artificial regeneration without the aid of irrigation, and discontinuing all such programmes 7 until the success of past efforts has been es t a b l i s h e d ; n initiating research under the guidance of the Divisional Forest Officer to determine appropriate, cost-effective methods for natural regeneration and replantation; n creating opportunities for local communi- ties to benefit from forest resources by Planting saplings exploring new sectors in agroforestry and making distribution of the benefits more equitable; and this pressure. Trees can be also be grown n paying particular attention to non-consump- in combination with fodder crops, using tive forest uses, including promoting water spreading, or planted along with ecotourism and harvesting non-wood forest farm crops by selecting the appropriate products such as ch i l g h o z a s (pine nuts). species and employing suitable farming methods. The conservation of oak woodlands will require adaptive research with the participa- St r a t e g y tion of organised rural communities to The strategy to promote agroforestry will develop methods for sustainable manage- involve favouring those poverty reduction, ment and regeneration. agriculture and integrated rural develop- ment projects which include agroforestry 7. 4 initiatives. Agroforestry 7. 5 Promoting agroforestry is essential to ease Grazing land management the pressure of firewood removal from forests and the countryside. Since the In the cereals/livestock economy of Chitral, poorest farm households derive 20% of animals are essential for human survival. their income from agroforestry, improve- Cattle, goats and sheep derive 80% of their ments in this sector will also serve to sustenance from grazing, yet little work has reduce poverty. been done to improve the condition of graz- ing land. Chitral’s subtropical and temperate The major concern with regard to the grazing lands appear to be in a highly expansion of agroforestry is the competi- depleted state. While herds return well fed tion between agricultural crops and forest from high-elevation grazing lands, no trees planted on farmland. Confining forest detailed studies have been carried out to trees to uncultivable land or areas being classify the vegetation and assess ecologi- developed for agriculture will ease some of cal trends in these areas.

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 79 Natural Resource Management

Although animal husbandry is practised on as well as professionals from the forestry, a subsistence level, it is nevertheless a livestock husbandry, agricultural econom- crucial component of Chitral’s agricultural ics and marketing sectors; e c o n o m y. Farm animals are well fed for n conducting adaptive research encompass- only four months during the summer, when ing all stages of the production process, herds graze in the alpine and subalpine including grazing systems, livestock zones where 85% of Chitral’s grazing health and nutrition, and the hygienic lands are located. For another four months manufacture, packaging and marketing of (autumn and early spring), they graze in high-value dairy products such as cheese; the remaining 15% of temperate and an d subtropical grazing areas. The four winter n including approximately 57,600 ha of months, however, are a time of extreme sm a l l e r , low-yield subtropical dry temper- s c a r c i t y, when farm animals subsist on ate grazing lands in the management of meagre supplies of stored hay and crop village lands, with the participation of rural residues, as well as reserves of body fat. It communities. is generally during this time that they weaken, falling prey to parasites and 7. 6 disease. Biological Diversity

Once rural communities come to Biological diversity is not simply an indicator of the health of an ecosystem. In Chitral, understand the importance of more immediate benefits also accrue from biodiversity conservation, they are protecting biological resources, which serve as a source of food and medicine as well as still left to face the stark reality of a number of industrial products. Of particular survival in an inhospitable importance are the wild relatives of domesti- cated plants and animals, which will enable environment. For conservation the breeding of species capable of with- efforts to be successful and standing the vastly different climatic regimes that will be ushered in by global climate sustainable in the long term, they change in the decades to come. Wild plant must squarely address this problem. and animal species serve as a form of insur- ance for the human species and their extinc- tion diminishes our own chances of survival. The major hurdle in the expansion of animal husbandry is winter feed scarcity, which Chitral is home to one national park (Chitral forces households to limit the size of their Gol) and seven game reserves. While meas- herds according to the quantity of fodder they ures are in place to prevent poaching in are able to store for use in the winter. these areas, Chitral Gol alone offers protec- Growing more fodder or buying additional tion against the consumptive use of supplies are options available only to more bi o d i v e r s i t y . af fluent households. As a result, such house- holds derive a higher proportion (43%) of Faced as they are with severe economic their farm income from livestock compared to hardship, the people of Chitral are not overly poorer households (36%). concerned with biodiversity conservation. In fact, the topic was only raised in two of 36 St r a t e g y village meetings, those held in Brep and The sustainable development of some Ni c h a g h – O v e e r . The issue came up for 316,000 ha of alpine and subalpine grazing discussion at five out of seven tehsil meet- land will require launching an integrated ings, ranking seventh in priority, after programme to upgrade the entire system of irrigation, forests, roads, drinking water, livestock and dairy production. Patterned on electricity and floods. The people of Ar a n d u the PHP, the programme will involve: and Lotkuh tehsils had more urgent n seeking the participation of stakeholders concerns, however, and did not mention

80 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Natural Resource Management biodiversity on a single occasion. Wherever the subject was discussed, participants were generally supportive of conservation, with occasional concern raised about protecting livestock from leopards.

Until the Chitral Conservation Strategy process got underway, the local people were unaware of the importance of wildlife. Creating awareness about the uniqueness of Chitral’s biodiversity and the need for conservation is the first step in any sustain- able management programme. Once rural communities come to understand the importance of biodiversity conservation, 7 they are still left to face the stark reality of survival in an inhospitable environment. For conservation efforts to be successful and sustainable in the long term, they must squarely address this problem. The basic The majestic snow leopard needs of local communities must be met, and they must be provided with alternative avenues of income generation. in the participatory approach is a prerequisite for the success of such endeavours. Awareness alone cannot ensure that rural communities take sustained action to con- As successor to the former Chitral state, the serve biodiversity. Organisation and funding NW F P government in 1975 declared all are also required. Even where communities grazing lands, hunting grounds and forests to have been organised by the AK R S P an d be government property. No land settlement CA D P , conservation efforts have suffe r e d has been conducted to determine the rights owing to a lack of adequate funding. of individuals and communities in such Mobilisation of community-based conserva- areas. Settlement is essential, but the tion efforts will require donor assistance as process is likely to be rife with conflict. As well as government support. Unfortunately, such, the government will be required to take government departments charged with the people’s representatives into confidence. conservation have only implemented half- hearted measures. Forest officials are con- St r a t e g y cerned mainly with trees of commercial value The strategy for the sustainable develop- and wildlife authorities are largely interested ment of biodiversity will focus on: in protecting game species. Flora and fauna n motivating, enabling and empowering of little or no commercial value are over- organised rural communities to manage looked in government-sponsored initiatives. biological resources sustainably through ef fective implementation of the Mountain Until recently, attempts at biodiversity con- Areas Conservancy Project and the servation have relied on the coercive power Protected Areas Management Project; of the government, with cases being regis- n demonstrating the viability of sustainable tered against offenders, but this approach is use as an incentive for communities to not cost-effective. If conservation efforts are scale up biodiversity conservation; to succeed, local communities must become n establishing and capitalising trust funds to involved in the process. The Mountain Ar e a sustainably support village conservation Conservancy Project is a step in the right initiatives; and direction, with its work in the field of capacity n preparing new projects for funding, gradu- building for conservation. Creating a dedicat- ally extending conservation initiatives to ed corps of biodiversity professionals adept other areas of Chitral.

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 81

Part 3 Implementation

There are always lessons to be learned from the past. In the case of Chitral, these les- sons have not been particularly gratifying. A number of development schemes for the area have been planned and then suddenly scrapped, at great cost in terms of both resources and the prosperity of the people. Meanwhile, the Lowari tunnel project stands as an example of how decisions are made and reversed arbitrarily, without a word of apology to those who are likely to be most affected. Resentment over the abandonment of this particular scheme is still fresh in the minds of local communities. Ch a p t e r 8 Implementing the Strategy

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 85 Implementing the Strategy

Cropland and orchards

The most important lesson learned from The establishment of a devolved system of development planning undertaken since government in Chitral augers well for the the mid-1950s is that sustainable future. Under the new system, schemes are development does not result from the to be planned, implemented, monitored and execution of individual schemes unless evaluated by the people’s elected represen- they have been conceived as part of an tatives at the local level. The Zilla Nazim and integrated long-term plan, and are District Coordination Officer (DCO) are to monitored and evaluated rigorously. play a key role in formulating development Another lesson is that such efforts are policy for the district, assisted by the Finance often most successful when they are and Planning Office. The results achieved undertaken in collaboration with local will depend on the level of skills that the communities. Rather than imposing a personnel of these offices bring to their plan from above, the Chitral Conservation assignments. Since staff will be transferred Strategy (CCS) aims to reflect the from existing government departments, their p e o p l e ’s own aspirations for the develop- capacity will be limited until they are provided ment of their area. The challenge now is with the appropriate training. The local to translate this vision into action. government will also need provincial govern- ment assistance in formulating by-laws and 8. 1 compiling procedural manuals. Current Scenario 8. 2 A potent criticism voiced by local communi- Resource Constraints ties during the CCS consultation process was that development initiatives undertaken In addition to the resources of the local so far have lacked focus and continuity, and government and Tehsil Municipal have failed to reflect their needs. Not only Administrations (TMAs), funds available for must meaningful development occur, it must the district include transfers from the be widely perceived to have occurred. province for development, establishment Otherwise, a sense of deprivation will charges (as replacement for zilla tax and continue to prevail. octroi), and operation and maintenance.

86 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Implementing the Strategy

However, the last two will not be available immediate needs of the people at the cost for development. TMAs will instead utilise of long-term programmes for the conserva- zilla tax and octroi, but these funds are not tion and development of renewable natural likely to be significant. resources.

Of the 2001–02 Annual Development The first and most important step in the Programme (ADP) allocation of Rs 55 implementation of the CCS is to take stock million, 11.8 million was released for four of all ongoing development and capacity sectors: communications (5 million), educa- building projects, and to make sure that tion (4.8 million, under the Social Ac t i o n allocated resources are being used Programme), health (1.7 million), and build- efficiently. Additional sources of funding are ing and housing (0.3 million). In addition, a likely to become available as implementa- sum of Rs 67 million was disbursed for tion of the CCS gets underway. implementation of the Khushhal Pakistan Programme (13 million revived, and 54 To assist the district government in imple- 8 million for 2001–02). The Chitral T M As h o w s mentation of the CCS, it is essential to a gap of Rs 3.8 million between resources establish a technical assistance team and expenditure for 2001–02. comprising professionals in various critical disciplines. Implementation of the The challenge for the district government is strategy’s proposals will begin in collabora- to utilise available funds effectively and effi- tion with the CCS Unit of IUCN–The World ciently. In addition, the local administration Conservation Union, but eventually the must ensure that infrastructure develop- district government will take over sole ment does not cause further damage to the r e s p o n s i b i l i t y. The CCS Unit’s foremost fragile ecology of the area. A portfolio of task will be to analyse policy choices well-conceived projects must be prepared presented to the local government, with a and advocated, so that additional view to ensuring environmental integrity and resources from the provincial and federal su s t a i n a b i l i t y . The CCS Unit will facilitate governments may be secured, particularly reviews of policy decisions, programming for large-scale schemes such as the and projects; work on the creation of a fund proposed Lowari tunnel. for sustainable development and assist the local government in making it operational; 8.2.1 Overcoming Constraints and train selected local government func- tionaries in sustainable development. Developing the capacity of district and provincial government functionaries is the 8.2.2 Resources key to overcoming the constraints to development. A proactive Finance and Compared to the needs of Chitral, available Planning Office, and vigilant Executive resources are likely to be meagre. During District Officers (EDOs) should be able to 2001–02, a sum of Rs 11.7 million was determine what federal and provincial released through the ADP for education, sources of funding are available and how to health and transport/communications. An access them. Training will also allow additional Rs 120.5 million was provided in government functionaries to prepare Phases I, II, and III of the Khushhal convincing briefs and advocate develop- Pakistan Programme up to 2001–02 for ment proposals effectively. farm-to-market roads, water supply, women’s development, electricity and mis- The new local government system is still in cellaneous schemes. Of this amount, bare- the implementation stage and its current ly Rs 47 million could be utilised up to 28 limitations must be assessed in order to March 2002. ensure long-term success. The district gov- ernment and TMAs are under continuous Among donor-funded projects, two of the pressure to respond to local choices for four conservancy areas of the ongoing infrastructure projects that fulfil the Mountain Areas Conservancy Project are

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 87 Implementing the Strategy

located in Chitral, while upgrading manage- Divisional Forest Officer Chitral, Executive ment of Chitral Gol National Park is part of Engineer Irrigation Chitral, and representa- the Protected Areas Management Project. tives of the Aga Khan Rural Support Another opportunity is the launching of Programme, the CCS Unit and community- Sarhad Rural Support Programme in Chitral. based organisations. However, this Committee has not been active. In terms of human resources, Chitral’s most important potential assets are good As a first step towards regulation, the local governance and high-calibre capacity in informal system of natural resource manage- the Finance and Planning Office to advo- ment must be documented and improved. At cate policy, select projects, and streamline the same time, modern regulatory measures approval, implementation and monitoring. should be developed and institutionalised. The Finance and Planning Office must aim Where possible, formal regulation should to ensure that along with poverty allevia- evolve on the basis of traditional practices. A tion, expenditures incurred serve to regulatory code can be drawn up under improve the environment as well as physi- Sections 191(2) and 192(2) of the North- cal and social infrastructure. To multiply the West Frontier Province Local Government impact of resources made available by the Ordinance 2001, read with the second part of government, local communities must be the Fifth Schedule to the Ordinance. persuaded to contribute physically and financially. Participation will also increase 8.2.4 Coalitions for Advocacy their stake in implementation and serve as an incentive to maintain the assets created. A massive campaign must be launched to Funding for large-scale projects such as educate the people about the importance the proposed Lowari tunnel and road to of maintaining the integrity of the environ- Tajikistan, as well as medium-scale initia- ment. For its part, the district government tives to increase hydroelectricity genera- will need to maintain a balance between tion, will require the advocacy of the district meeting the immediate needs of the people government. Securing donor assistance and ensuring long-term sustainable devel- entails constant vigilance regarding avail- opment. By creating ownership for able opportunities, meticulous project schemes, the district government can preparation and vigorous advocacy. foster coalitions for environmental and Financial support will be required from the |sustainable development advocacy within international community for technical assis- civil society. This will require building tance projects identified in the CCS. capacity for analysis of issues, policy choices and development initiatives, in 8.2.3 Environmental Regulation addition to effective communication skills.

Maintaining the integrity of the environment 8.2.5 A New Roundtable With a in Chitral is the responsibility of the TMAs. New Mandate Their functions in this regard include: (i) controlling land use, subdivision, develop- The CCS Roundtable has served as an ment and zoning by the public and private important institutional resource during the sector; and (ii) providing, managing, oper- formulation phase of this strategy, providing ating, maintaining and improving water a forum for people to voice their s u p p l y, sewerage, sanitation and solid concerns and interact with government waste disposal; traffic planning; parks, functionaries. Following the implementation playgrounds and open spaces; and arbori- of the devolved local government system, culture. Union Administrations, Tehsil Councils and the Zilla Council have begun to provide In addition, a District Environmental avenues for participation to citizens. Policy Committee has been constituted with the formulation and decision making regarding following members: EDOs of the development is already beginning to take concerned devolved departments, the place through these bodies.

88 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Implementing the Strategy

The new system, however, has not reduced (CFSD) is a concept aimed at creating a the need for the Roundtable. As a multi- financial mechanism to fund sustainable stakeholder advisory body comprising indi- development activities. It is envisaged that viduals of repute, integrity and expertise, the CFSD, set up at the district level, will the Roundtable can assist the government be capitalised by diverting provincial in making informed decisions based on budget allocations for the district and man- collective wisdom. It can also help to fend aged by a Board comprising members off undue political pressure in development from both within and outside the govern- planning. Allowed the necessary space and ment. To ensure credibility as well as freedom, the Roundtable will be able to support from donor agencies, the majority provide the district government with invalu- of Board members will be drawn from the able input. Its role in policy making at the non-government sector. The Board will be district level is shown in Figure 11. mandated to take decisions regarding grants from the CFSD. To enable it to perform its new role effec- 8 tively, the Roundtable should include mem- In establishing the CFSD, certain factors bers from the government and TMAs (not cannot be ignored except at the peril of utter more than one third of the total members), failure. These include social and economic all parties or groups in the district and tehsil realities, the institutional regime as it exists councils, major non-governmental organi- today and as it seems to be evolving, the sations, professional associations (traders, political development of the district and the academia), and communities with environ- capacity of various partners. Chitrali society mental credentials. is patriarchal in nature, and organised in increasingly loose but important social 8.2.6 Launching the Chitral structures based on tribal affiliations and Fund For Sustainable socio-economic status, the latter determined De v e l o p m e n t primarily by land ownership. Decision making is carried out through the informal Inspired by similar funds created and oper- institution of ji r g a , a council of elders which ating in other parts of the world, the Chitral nearly always excludes women and which, Fund for Sustainable Development in some cases, enjoys legal sanction.

FIGURE 11 District Policy Making and the District Roundtable

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN CHITRAL

Non-organised Civil Pr o v i n c i a l District Mushavirat Civil Society Zilla Nazim Society (Groups + Go v e r n m e n t Co m m i t t e e Or g a n i s a t i o n s In d i v i d u a l s )

No n - d e v o l v e d District Government Zilla Council Tehsil Councils Provincial Government Of fices and DCO De p a r t m e n t s

CC S Ro u n d t a b l e

Stakeholders and Interest Groups Source: CCS Support Unit, IUCN.

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 89 Implementing the Strategy

Participatory approach to governance

Although many of the area’s inhabitants and therefore access to information— have moved to the cities, the people of the remains limited. region are nonetheless strongly rooted to their ancestral villages. Those who have Development is a priority issue for elected remained in Chitral continue to reside in the representatives, whether at the provincial place of their birth. Chitral’s economy is or district level. The political capital to be mainly agrarian, with a majority of the pop- gained by the delivery of ostensible devel- ulation employed in agriculture. Outside the opment means that the district govern- agriculture sector, the public sector is the ment is not likely to abdicate its power to largest employer. Population has been take funding decisions. The size of the district budget is for the most part deter- The need to ensure electoral mined by provincial transfers, and such funds are likely to be spent according to success plays a major role in the development priorities of the political development planning, with scarce executive of the district. In this scenario, resources directed towards sustainable development initiatives will only receive attention if they are part of short-term priorities. mainstream policy.

growing at an annual rate of 2.75%, result- The CCS aims to do just that, requiring that ing in fierce competition over development all planning and development in the district resources, and leaving infrastructure and focuses on sustainable development. At facilities struggling to cope. Agricultural and the same time, the CCS aims to influence industrial activity, as well as employment local policy and tap internal sources for opportunities in other sectors, are distrib- revenue generation, both of which are uted unevenly among various parts of the essential to create self-reliance and a district. Resource generation capacity also climate conducive to sustainable develop- varies dramatically from area to area, and ment. Achieving fiscal autonomy will competition for resources between localities require that the CCS be made a public is played out through local elites. policy statement, while impetus for sustain- Meanwhile literacy among the population— able development will come from local

90 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Implementing the Strategy

FIGURE 12 Chitral Fund for Sustainable ownership of conservation themes and Development (CFSD) in the sustainable development norms. local fiscal arrangement

I d e a l l y, development should follow a Local Tax Re c u r r e n t trajectory that conforms to sustainable Re v e n u e Ex p e n d i t u r e norms. But in reality, the need to ensure electoral success plays a major role in devel- Us e r De b t opment planning, with scarce resources Ch a r g e s Se r v i c i n g directed towards short-term priorities. For instance, the district may decide to build Natural Ma i n t e n a n c e roads and improve agriculture, but neglects DI S T R I C T Re s o u r c e BU D G E T & Repairment to allocate resources for the regeneration of Ro y a l t i e s Ex p e n d i t u r e forests or reclamation of polluted water- courses. The definition of priorities in such a Ot h e r De v e l o p m e n t In c o m e s Ex p e n d i t u r e case may be short-term, owing to their 8 compatibility with political objectives of the Fi s c a l executive. As a result, long-term decisions CF S D favouring conservation may not receive due Tra n s f e r s attention, distorting the pattern of sustainable development in the district. An adequately Source: CCS Support Unit, IUCN. capitalised CFSD can address such distor- tions, providing resources for ecological and conservation priorities. In cases where the While the CFSD can serve as a useful district executive chooses to ignore sustain- instrument to facilitate funding for sustain- able development altogether, the CFSD able development initiatives, it will carry only would play an even more important role, limited utility unless coupled with compre- serving as a window through which funding hensive fiscal reform at the district level, may be channelled directly to sectors that aimed at correcting the imbalance in have been ignored by district initiatives. resource allocation. More funds will need to be designated for green issues and to It goes without saying that the creation of the improve environmental practices in the CFSD requires that resources are made brown sector. In addition to the introduction available for its capitalisation. In this regard, of environmental fees and taxes, royalties on the experience with the provincial sustainable the use of natural resources and accounting development fund has not been sanguine. In of externalities could help remove distortions response to fiscal pressures, the develop- in the incentive regime, encouraging and ment budget is often cut dramatically. As supporting environmentally responsible such, a wider variety of funding sources will be h a v i o u r . need to be tapped. Diverting provincial trans- fers is one possibility, but the district budget The CFSD is by no means an impractical relies heavily on such allocations to fund idea. In fact, it can serve as a useful extra- routine service delivery, with the remainder fiscal instrument to promote sustainable earmarked for other sectors. This means that development and conservation. The major provincial transfers are not likely to serve as a share of the CFSD’s resources are expected major source of funding for the CFSD. to come from the provincial government, but it may also serve to attract additional financ- Local environmental taxes can be levied to ing from the provincial and national sustain- capitalise the CFSD, and income from able development funds (the latter has been similar provincial taxes could be earmarked announced by the federal government as a for the CFSD. Legal stipulations can be policy commitment). As such, it can serve as written into the district budget, allocating a an instrument to mobilise additional resource fixed percentage of resources for the CFSD. allocations for the district. The CFSD’s role in Such measures would require consensus the local fiscal arrangement is illustrated in building, followed by local legislation. Figure 12.

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 91

The Chitral Conservation Strategy (CCS) aims to formulate a crystallised vision for the integrated development of the area. The district government is the prime spon- sor of the proposed initiatives and interventions, while the vision itself is shared by the people of Chitral, civil society organisations and all stakeholders, including the ul e m a , members of academia, the media and private sector organisations. Ch a p t e r 9 Action Plan

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 93 Action Plan

The table below maps out an action plan for implementation of the CCS. For practical reasons, only 38 separate initiatives have been proposed. These interventions are divided into the short-, medium- and long-term categories and listed sector by sector, along with the organisations and agencies that are expected to play a role in implementation.

Sector Short-term Initiatives Proposed Role Governance 1. Explore avenues of provincial, federal and donor Zilla Nazim Office / assistance to build capacity at the district level; District Coordination put into place a monitoring system for effective Office implementation. 2. Develop project proposals for innovative and Finance and sustainable development schemes at the district Planning Office / level; explore avenues of financial assistance. Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) 3. Enact legislation to check environmental pollution Zilla Nazim Office / in urban areas, particularly to regulate the operations Zilla Assembly / of slaughterhouses, automobile service stations, District Police / hotels, restaurants and poultry shops. TMA 4. Enforce land use planning and zoning laws; enact Zilla Nazim Office / new legislation to ensure the sustainability District Coordination of agriculture. Office/ TMA Water Supply 5. Rehabilitate non-functioning water supply schemes Works and Services and Sanitation executed by the Public Health Engineering Office/ TMA / CBOs Department; transfer operation and maintenance of such schemes to community-based organisations (CBOs) and village organisations. 6. Develop project proposals for waste disposal, TMA / CBOs / media sanitation and sewerage in Chitral town; explore / private sector/ non- funding opportunities. governmental organisations (NGOs) Agriculture 7. Build the capacity of local communities for on-farm Executive District water management; provide technical support. Office, Agriculture / CBOs / NGOs 8. Develop project proposals for water harvesting to Executive District encourage farm forestry and fodder production. Office, Agriculture 9. Create a regulatory framework for land use through Zilla Nazim Office / legislation to curb the conversion of agriculturally Zilla Assembly productive land to non-agricultural uses. 10.Prepare a plan to relaunch and operate the agriculture Zilla Nazim Office / research stations set up by the Chitral Area District Coordination Development Project (CADP) in Chitral and Booni. Office Cultural Heritage 11. Organise special events and seasonal festivals; Zilla Nazim Office / and Tourism promote traditional festivals; prepare a calendar District Coordination of events to enable tourists to plan their Office / TMA / NGOs visit to Chitral. / CBOs / media / private sector 12. Develop a code of conduct for tourists and tour Zilla Nazim Office / operators to ensure the ecological and cultural District Coordination sustainability of tourism. Office / Zilla Council Medium-term Initiatives Governance 13. Procure financial assistance to provide incentives, Zilla Nazim Office / such as food aid to poor families, in order to District Coordination increase enrolment and lower the dropout rate Office / Executive at school level. District Office, Education / NGOs

94 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Action Plan

14. Seek financial assistance to introduce rural support Zilla Nazim Office / mechanisms, such as the Sarhad Rural Support District Coordination Programme and National Rural Support Programme, Office / NGOs to ensure the perpetuation of social organisations created by the CADP; initiate the process of establishing rural support mechanisms in areas not covered so far.

Education 15. Promote female education through extended Executive District facilities at secondary and higher level. Office, Education / NGOs / CBOs / private sector

Cultural Heritage 16. Establish an ethnological museum. District Coordination and Tourism Office / provincial Museums Department 17. Map cultural sites. District Coordination 9 Office / NGOs / provincial Tourism Department / media

18. Evolve financial procedures to share revenues from Zilla Nazim Office / tourism with local communities. District Coordination Office / provincial Tourism Department / NGOs

Water Supply 19. Develop innovative water supply schemes to be Works and Services and Sanitation maintained by community organisations. Office / NGOs / CBOs

20. Prepare plans for solid waste management, sanitation TMA / Union and sewerage for all major towns in the district. Councils / NGOs / CBOs

Irrigation 21. Explore opportunities and funding sources to irrigate Irrigation Division / more land though siphon and lift irrigation systems. District Coordination Office / NGOs / CBOs

Energy 22. Advocate the construction of the 43 MW Golain Zilla Nazim Office / Hydel Project, currently in the pipelines. District Coordination Office / Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA)

23. Explore alternate energy sources, such as wind Zilla Nazim Office / and solar power; liaise with the relevant quarters District Coordination in the federal Ministry of Petroleum and Energy Office / NGOs / to garner financial support for this purpose. private sector

Agriculture 24. Provide capacity building support to farm service Zilla Nazim Office / centres, enabling them to make maximum use of District Coordination marketing possibilities after the enforcement of Office / Executive the World Trade Organisation regime. District Office, Agriculture / NGOs / CBOs

Forestry 25. Prepare an inventory of all forests in Chitral Divisional Forest through the Forest Management Centre; draw up Office / NGOs / a participatory management plan. CBOs

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 95 Action Plan

26. Ensure the regeneration of harvested areas by Divisional Forest skilful selection of trees for felling and effective Office / NGOs / grazing control. CBOs

27. Motivate, train and assist communities in the Divisional Forest sustainable harvesting and marketing of chilghozas Office / NGOs / (pine nuts) and other non-wood forest products. CBOs

Health 28. Establish specialised health facilitates at the Zilla Nazim Office / district level. District Coordination Office / provincial Health Department

Mineral 29. Conduct geophysical and geochemical surveys Provincial Industries Development of mineral deposits in Chitral to develop and Minerals mineral-based enterprise. Department / District Coordination Office Long-term Initiatives Infrastructure 30. Advocate improving access to down-country Zilla Nazim Office / markets through the construction of the Lowari District Coordination tunnel and a road to Tajikistan. Office

31. Blacktop farm-to-market roads linking 32 valleys Works and Services in the district in order to control dust pollution Office and its effects on the ecology of the area.

Education 32. Seek the assistance of the provincial and federal District Coordination governments as well as donors to expand Office / Executive technical education. District Office, Education / NGOs

33. Secure fellowships for promising students to Executive District pursue higher education aboard. Office, Education

Water Supply 34. Develop project proposals for water supply to meet Works and Services and Sanitation the growing requirements of the main towns of Office / TMA the district; secure donor funding.

35. Prepare project proposals for the treatment of TMA / Union effluent and liquid waste discharged into Councils the Chitral river.

Agriculture 36. Explore sites for the construction of large-scale Zilla Nazim Office / hydel power generation projects; secure funding. District Coordination Office / WAPDA / NGOs

37. Amend rules and procedures to enable the induction Provincial of livestock husbandry and agricultural economics Environment professionals into the provincial Agriculture Department Department, offering them employment prospects at par with forestry officials.

Forestry 38. Prepare and process for technical assistance a Provincial participatory, integrated, multidisciplinary project Environment for the sustainable development of alpine and Department subalpine grazing lands.

96 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Re f e r e n c e s

Aga Khan Rural Support An Assessment of Socio Economic Trends and Programme (AKRSP). 1997 Impacts in Northern Pakistan 1991–1997. Gilgit: AKRSP. 2000a. Annual Report: Towards a Shared Vision. Partnerships for Development. Gilgit: AKRSP. 2000b. Baseline Study on Enterprise Development Services. Gilgit: AKRSP. 2001. Annual Review. Gilgit: AKRSP. Agricultural Statistics Agricultural Statistics of North-West Frontier Province for Wing. 2001. 1999–2000. Peshawar: Bureau of Agriculture Information, Government of the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP). Aslam, Muhammad and Geology and Mineral Resources of Chitral District, Ashraf Khan. 2002. NWFP, Pakistan. Paper presented on the eve of the workshop, “Stakeholders Dialogue on the Economic Minerals of Chitral”, sponsored by AKRSP Chitral. Ayaz, S. M. 1964. Working Plan for Chitral Forests 1964–88. Peshawar: Forest Department. Cyan, Musharraf Rasool. Devolution Plan and IUCNP, Implementation Options 2001. for District Conservation Strategies. Unpublished study. District Government Chitral at a Glance. Unpublished report. Chitral and IUCN–The World Conservation Union. 2001. Doolan, D. W. International Fruit Husbandry Consultancy. Rome: Food and 1996. Agricultural Organization (FAO). Forest Department. Distribution of coniferous forests in Chitral. Government 1997. of the NWFP. Unpublished document. Geological Survey Geological Map of the Chitral District NWFP Pakistan. of Pakistan. 2000. Islamabad: Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources. Government of the NWFP Sarhad Provincial Conservation Strategy. Peshawar: and IUCN. 1996. IUCN. Government of the NWFP. North-West Frontier Province Local Government Ordinance 2001. 2 0 0 1 . Peshawar: Controller Printing and Stationery D e p a r t m e n t . Government of Pakistan The Pakistan National Conservation Strategy. Karachi: and IUCN. 1992. IUCN Pakistan and Government of Pakistan. Government of Pakistan. District Census Report of Chitral 1998. Islamabad: 1999. Population Census Organization, Statistics Division.

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 97 Development of Municipal Services and Infrastructure

Ghufran, Mirza Nai Taarikh-e-Chitral. Peshawar: Public Art Press. Mohammad. 1962. Grosenic, G., J. Phillips The Upland Forests of Pakistan. Canada: Reid, and W. Pleines. 1991. Collins & Associates. Draft. Hemani, Tasleem and Gender Roles in Farming Systems in Chitral Region. S. Warrington. 1996. Gilgit: AKRSP. Unpublished internal report. IUCN. 1980. World Conservation Strategy: Living Resource Conservation for Sustainable Development. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN. International Fund for Chitral Area Development Project (CADP) Project Agriculture Development Completion Report (PCR). Islamabad: IFAD/Agricultural (IFAD). 1997. Development Bank. Kreditanstalt fur Provincial Forest Resource Inventory. Peshawar. Weideraufbau (KfW). 2000. Draft final report. Mukhtar, Ahmad and Oak Forest Management. Saidu Sharif, NWFP. Hanif-ur-Rehman. 1999. Unpublished report. Pakistan Meteorological Unpublished data on rainfall and temperature. Chitral. Department. 1998. Stein, Aurel. 1921. Serindia. Vol. IV. London: Longman.

98 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Select Bibliography

Ahmad, Hussain. 2001. Unpublished comments on CCS Document. AKRSP. 1997. “Shubinak”: Self-starting Empowerment for Village Women. Chitral: AKRSP. Aga Khan Health Chitral Health Care Program. Annual Report 1997. Services (AKHS). 1998. Chitral: AKHS. Agricultural Census Pakistan Livestock Census 1996. Part 1, Volume 2. Organisation. 1996. Islamabad: Agricultural Census Organization. Ahmad, Tameez. 1998. Use and Importance of glacial water in Chitral. Chitral: AK R S P . Ali, Aziz and J. le Indigenous Knowledge of Plant Use. Chitral: AKRSP. Fevre. 1996. Aminullah, K. M. Bhatti Performance Evaluation of District Council Chitral. Peshawar: and M. Humayun. 1986. Pakistan Academy for Rural Development. Assistant Statistical Land-use Statistics of Chitral District for 1994–95. Chitral. Officer. 1995. Unpublished internal report. Bu c h n e r , G., J. C. Burgess, Gender, Environmental Degradation and Development. V. C. Drake, T. Gameson London: London Environmental Economics Centre. and D. Hanrahan. 1991. Chaudhry, I. I. 1957. A Contribution to the Flora of Chitral State. Pakistan Journal of Forestry [volume/issue number not available]. April. District Government of District Transition Report. Chitral. Unpublished report Chitral. 2000. prepared by the district government on the transition of former district administration to the present district government under the NWFP Local Government Ordinance 2001 on 14 August 2001. Cossins, N. 1998. The High Pastures of Chitral. Chitral: AK R S P . Unpublished report. Cossins, R. J. 1999. Chitral solid waste management program. Chitral: IUCN. Unpublished draft funding/project proposal. Ford-Robertson, Terminology of Forest Science, Technology, Practice and F. C. (Ed.). 1971. Products. Washington DC: Society of American Foresters. Geological Survey of Geological Map of the Chitral District. Quetta: Geological Pakistan. 2000. Survey of Pakistan. Rehman, Ghous-ur. 2001. Unpublished note. Government of the District Census of Rural Settlements, Chitral. Peshawar: NWFP. 1988. Bureau of Statistics, Planning, Environment and Development Department. 1994. Chitral Area Development Project (PC1). Chitral. Unpublished report.

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 99 Development of Municipal Services and Infrastructure

2001. Devolution and Reorganization Plan of Forestry, Fisheries and Wildlife. Peshawar. Government of Economic Survey 2000–2001. Islamabad: Economic Pakistan 2001. Advisor’s Wing. Haq, Mahbub ul. 1997. Human Development in South Asia. Karachi: Oxford University Press. Haq, Mahbub ul, and Human Development in South Asia. Karachi: Oxford Khadija Haq. 1998. University Press. Israruddin. 2001. Unpublished peer review of draft CCS. IUCN. 1997a. Chitral Conservation Strategy, Inception Report. Unpublished internal report. 1997b. Report of the First Round Table Meeting. Chitral: CCS Unit, IUCN. 1999a. Tehsil Consultation Meetings held in Chitral, NWFP. Unpublished internal report. 1999b. Village Consultation Meeting held in Chitral, NWFP. Unpublished internal report. 1999c. Women Consultation Meetings held in Chitral, NWFP. Unpublished internal report. Jan, H. 1996. Animal Husbandry. Chitral Area Development Project. Consultancy report prepared for FAO. Kaelin, Walter. 1999. A strategy for Decentralization in Pakistan. Islamabad: UNDP. Kazmi, A. H. and Metallogony and Mineral Deposits of Pakistan. Islamabad: S. G. Abbasi. 2001. Orient Petroleum, Incorporation. Khan, M.A. 1995. Review of Chitral Area Development Project. Islamabad: FAO . Khan, M. J. 1992. Second Working Plan for Protected Forests of Chitral District. Peshawar: Forestry Management Centre. Khan, S. 1996. Fodder and Pasture Improvement in Chitral District. Islamabad: FAO. Khan, Y. M. and Integrated Land Resource Survey Report of Chitral M. Khan. 1981. Sub-Project (Chitral District). Peshawar: NWFP Forestry Management Centre. Robertson, George. The Kafirs of the Hindu Kush. Karachi: Indus Publications. 1974 [1896]. 1977 [1896]. The Story of a Minor Siege. Karachi: Indus Publications. Self, W. 1996. Change in Livestock Management and Attitudes of Farmers in Chitral. Gilgit: AKRSP. Soil Survey of Reconnaissance Soil Survey Chitral. Lahore: Soil Survey of Pakistan. 1992. Pakistan. Stainburn, J. M. 1996. Chitral Area Development Project. International Agricultural Economic Consultant. Unpublished report. Taifoor, M. 1997. Chitral Area Development Project. Project Completion Report. Chitral. UNDP. 1999. Pakistan Mountain Areas Conservancy Project (MACP) 1999–2006. Unpublished project document.

100 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy CCS Sector Papers

Title Author Agriculture G. M. Khattak Biodiversity, Parks and Protected Areas Mumtaz Malik Culture Heritage and Ecotourism Inayatulalh Faizi Drinking Water Javed Hassan Energy Habib Gul Forest, Grazing Lands and Watersheds G. M. Khattak Human Resource Development Noor Shahidin Infrastructure Javed Hassan Irrigation Masood-ul-Mulk Micro Enterprise Development Mujib-ur-Rehman Solid Waste Management Javed Hassan

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 101 Appendix A

102 CHITRAL Conservation Strategy Appendix B

CHITRAL Conservation Strategy 103