Bio-diversity

Conservation of unique gene fund of flora and fauna, mountain and forest ecosystems and cultural values, are the key priorities of the project. During political and economical instability in the country, and as a result of unilaterally decision of the state government on renewal of abandoned villages and settlements existed times ago within protected areas resulted in loss of 100 ha lands, which caused serious problems in adequate functioning of reserves to date. The occupied areas are overused by local people for cattle grazing, illegal tree cutting and hunting, and unauthorized gather of forest products (fruits, nuts, medicinal herbs, etc). In addition, inadequate utilization of rainfed mountain-slopes for agriculture crop production (wheat, barley, etc) and inadequate crop rotation and pasturelands are also contributed to further deforestation, deterioration of mountain and forest ecosystems, increase of land erosion and degradation. Majority people live within SPNA territories have little or no access to employment opportunities at all, mainly survive on the account of targeted SPNAs. In present, there are sufficient number of state departments function and dealing with conservation of biodiversity and use of natural resources. The following activities are undertaken: - All type of weapon in people hands, inherited of civil strife, are collected, which contributed to double reduction of illegal hunting and killing animals; - Acceptance and application of new legal sanctions in relation to intruders of natural resources, which effectively promoted to solution of the problems; - Implementation of community campaigns on tree plantation and establishment of new orchards, wood-lines, etc regulated; - Involvement of mass media to increase the awareness of the community residents implemented by state in close cooperation with national and international NGOs; Following the aforementioned, implementation of the proposed project is very crucial as it contributes toward solution of the problems related to conservation of biodiversity in 3 Special Protected Natural Areas (SPNA) of the country. One of the insufficient and ineffective parts of the work, done so far, is poor or inactive engagement of the local population in all stages of a process. This factor very often causes numerous conflicts of interests, caused deviation of the goals and influence of constructive and deconstructive forces: those who build and those who destroy . The project is mainly focused on mobilization and active involvement of local community, live within or next to SPNAs territories, in implementation of project activities, while ensuring future sustainability and operation of initiatives started. Adequate education campaigns among local community (schoolchildren and adults) on issues related to conservation and use of natural resources will increase their stewardship and ownership. The proposed project will be implemented in the territory of 3 (three) SPNA, which are located in the following administrative areas: 1. Romit in Vahdat district, with population of 12,400 persons (48% women), 2. Khonakoi Kuhi in Hissar district, with population of 25,100 persons (49% women), 3. Sabo in Shahrinav district, with population of 14,003 persons (45,3% women) 4. Rabot in Tursunzoda district, with population of 11,554 persons (46% women). The project promotes the following: Development and capacity building of local population on rational and sustainable use of natural resources; Development of new additional opportunities for small and medium entrepreneurship, traditional handicrafts, improvement of trading and marketing in local levels; Creation of new employments for local population, thereby decreasing damageable influence of local population to SPNAs targeted; Promote income generating activities while project implementation and after its completion in the target areas (nurseries, etc.) The project also promotes raising the civic awareness and ecological education through engagement of the local community, mass media and other key stakeholders in the project implementation.

Tajikistan