Bio-diversity

The proposed project aims to conserve the most threatened breed of Kharai camels (Indus Deltaic Camel) for sustainable Livelihoods. Proposed activity will be implemented in Thatta District, which is one of the focused districts of UNDP GEF SGP Pakistan. The Jat community in coastal areas depends upon the camels for their livelihood The one-humped camel is practically symbolic for Sindh. But over the last ten years this domestic animal has experienced a decline in its population, estimated to be about 50%. This development has grave implications for the sustainable utilization of Sindh s arid lands and its resilience to drought. It will also affect the several hundred thousand families below the poverty line who depend upon camels for their living. These include camel-breeders who keep herds of female camels so they can sell their male offspring, camel users who own a single camel and cart, artisans who process camel products (wool, skin, and bones), and camel handlers working in the tourist business. Major Objectives of the project are: 1.Conservation of Kharai breed of camels in Shahbunder Tahsil Thatta contributing at sustainable livelihoods and biodiversity conservation of threatened breed 2.Promotion of Kharai breed of camels and develop international market of this threatened breed Major activities to achieve these objectives are: 1.Establishing a farm of 13 Kharai camels 2.Identifying poor households for the distribution of female camels for the rearing 3.Training of camel farmers on effective camel farm management 4.Community mobilization for conservation of mangrove forest through reducing grazing pressures on the forests by camels 5.Identify potential of selling of Kharai camel in the middle east markets 6.Promote the breed in international market 7.Organizing one national camel festival 8.Document indigenous medicinal knowledge of camels and promote in the middle east 9.Publish semi annual newsletters on the camels and its breeds, threats to this breed 10.Document medicinal value of the camel milk 11.Reporting, Monitoring and Audit 12.organizing sensitization sessions with the community on open defecation free environment

Pakistan