Bio-diversity

The project has been proposed to accomplish following objectives: 1. To document indigenous knowledge of use of medicinal herbs and uncultivated food plants. 2. To note current state of use or availability of medicinal herbs and uncultivated food plants. 3. To help boost cultivation of precious medicinal herbs and food plants. 4. To establish a seed/seedling bank to conserve and sustain cultivation of identified medicinal and food plants. 5. To provide training to the Gypsy communities in order to help them earn attractive income from there products made by medicinal herbs and food plants. 6. To help boost production of medicinal and food products by Gypsy community. 7. To help generate livelihood opportunities for members of Gypsy communities by exposing their products to various markets. Activities to be carried out under project: To achieve above mentioned objectives, GODH proposes following activities: 1. The first phase of the project will focus on documenting traditional indigenous knowledge of the nomadic gypsy communities. Survey will be conducted to record various plants that Gypsy communities have been using for food and to cure different health problems. This will also involve the historical background and current situation. 2. Research will be done to record botanical names of identifies medicinal and food plants. 3. A project report will be published having information collected through survey and research. 4. Documentary Film will be made to record visuals of plants, method of use, and comments of different stakeholders. 5. Seed/Seedling Bank will be developed to conserve and sustain cultivation of identified medicinal and food plants. 6. An advocacy material will be printed, and 7. Theater programmes will be performed to build awareness regarding use and usefulness of medicinal herbs and food plants among both Gypsy and other communities. 8. Markets will be established by making various outlets of medicinal and food products of Gypsy communities in urban centres. 9. Management Committee will be formed to sustain production and marketing of medicinal and food products that will be based on leaders of Gypsy communities. 10. A seminar will be organized in Lahore to share and discuss the project results. 11. Final project report will be prepared and submitted to donor organization.

Pakistan