Bio-diversity

Conserve the ecosystem of Upper Siran Valley through participatory approaches focussing on the sustainable use and recovery of galliformes as well as threatened medicinal plant species due to their key role and inter-relatedness in the ecosystem of the area. (1) Location of project: The entire proposed project area is a remotely located valley of Upper Siran District Mansehra, NWFP whereas the core project area i.e. Methal and adjoining two cluster villages is located centrally in the Upper Siran with 600 househols, 2915 people and approximately over 3000 Acre of land. The valley is located at the dead end of Siran River, after which the valley derives its name. This valley is sandwiched between Kaghan Valley in the east, Allai in the west, Palas lies at South and at North Mansehra is located. The snow clad towering heights of Moosa-ka-Musalla (Moses prayer mat), 4,075 meters, makes a formidable geographical barrier from Kohistan. The salient population settlements in the project area are of Jabbori, Nawazabad, Nikki Mohri, Bandodhar, Sacha Kallan, Shahid Pani and Kund. The average population density in the area is 409 persons per square km. The terrain is predominately mountainous, where limited agriculture is being practiced on terraced fields along the contours. This valley is located in the moist temperate zone, where the major parts of agricultural activities depend upon rains, with some scattered irrigation systems mostly in the valley bottom. Intermittent showers of rains are received throughout the year. However, major part of the annual precipitation is in monsoons, whereas winters are long and severe due to heavy snowfall. The major population segment of nearly 84% inhabitants is largely dependent on farm income. That is further substituted by remittances of migratory off-farm workers who are employed in the industrial towns. The major population segment in Upper Siran belongs to Gujar tribe, who live on the steep hillsides and who are mostly the tenants of the Swati Khans (landlords). In this valley, tenancy is still a very common practice. Background At Methal, although some activities like forest conservation, plantations and community organization were initiated by ex-SFDP, to some extant, the same were being carried forward by HAASHAR Association , however, most of the project activities will be new in the real essence at Methal as well as in additional two areas. (3) Starting date: After the approval of project (4) Duration: Three years c. Characteristics of the Proposed Activity. Please indicate: (1) How community organizations/populations will participate At the outset of the project, after an intensive dialogue process, a participatory conservation planning exercise will be developed the capacity of Methal community. A regional study of Upper Siran Panjul Forests will also be conducted with the full participation of the concerned community. The entire planning and project execution process will be undertaken with active involvement of community representatives and activists, carefully ensuring that the majority of the community is involved in the project one way or another and that the opinions of the respective communities will be accorded due weight. (2) Whether and how women will be involved Keeping in view social and cultural norms, women will be harnessed into suitable organizations at the hamlet level; their involvement will be crucial, particularly in the planning process, and their capacities will be built corresponding to the important role they have in regard to wild plant harvest, fuel wood collection and other outdoor activities in regard to NRM. Furthermore, 30 women activists will be trained in medicinal plant cultivation and sustainable wild harvest techniques, as it is the women who are mainly involved in this sector. (3) Whether and how the activity relates to indigenous peoples and practices The local inhabitants have adequate knowledge about their ecosystem, which is in practice since ages. In future project modern scientific biodiversity conservation will be tailored with indigenous knowledge through participatory learning and action, propagation of scientific knowledge and long-term enhancement of community skills. (4) Whether and how the project addresses multiple concerns The project addresses a range of causes and threats of biodiversity loss ranging from over-exploitation, lack of resource ownership and legal empowerment to absence of financial means, systematic planning and awareness. The project aims to address these problems through capacity building, linkages promotion, income generation through sustainable use activities and institutionalization of conservation activities at stakeholder level. (5) Whether and how the activities will strengthen the capacities of institutions The model community institutions already existing, i.e. the Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) of Methal are actively involved in collaborative forest management in partnership with the NWFP Forest Department. JFMCs of the greater project area of Upper Siran Valley have also been formed during the GTZ funded Siran Valley project, but need re-activation through HAASHAR and Methal community activists particularly in biodiversity conservation. The project aims to build upon the existing joint forest management approach and successful model by extending the mandate of the JFMCs to wildlife management. The positive attitude and initiative of the NWFP Wildlife Department will p

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