Conservation of Biodiversity with Community Development
Case Study C0226
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| Date | 1997 |
| Agency | Society For Torghar Environment Protection (STEP) |
| Donor/support agency | GEF SGP |
| Project type | Implemented by agency |
| Context(s) | indigenous territory |
| Geographic coverage | Pakistan |
| Locality | Torghar, Killa Saifullah District, Balochistan Province |
| Biodiversity focus | Species, Ecosystem |
| Development focus | Local community |
| Conservation goals | Protect the biodiversity of Torghar, with a special focus on wildlife |
| Poverty reduction goals | Provide new sustainable economic opportunities and increase the income from existing ones |
Summary
The area of Torghar is characterized by "steppe" types of vegetation, while the key species are Sulaiman Markhor, Afghan Urial, Wolf, and Jackal. Inhabitants of Torghar (approximately 4.000 people) are indigenous groups living since centuries in these mountains. The people of Torghar are semi-nomadic pastoralists and there are virtually no other sources of permanent or temporary employment in the Torghar Hills. As a result, Torghar society is marked by extreme poverty.
This area has long been famous for its abundant and diverse wildlife, which has been hunted for a long time. As a consequence, by the early 1980s the Sulaiman markhor and Afghan urial populations were reduced to remnants, and leopards were almost extirpated from the region. This realization, led to the development at the community level of a plan to initiate a "game guard" programme at Torghar, to be funded through the proceeds generated by a limited, controlled trophy hunt of Afghan urial. Under this plan, the Torghar Hills were closed to all hunting and game guards selected from the local population were hired to enforce the ban. The program was stared in 1985 by seven game guards and continued to advance slowly as the years passed. In April 1994, the Torghar Conservation Project was converted into an NGO - the Society for Torghar Environmental Protection (STEP) - and registered in Balochistan. In 1996 GEF SGP decided to support this project by funding the following activities, some of which focused on environmental issues while some on alleviating poverty: a) construction of water tanks; b) construction of dam; c) lining of irrigation channels; d) building of terraced field for orchards; e) supply and plantation of fruit trees; f) expansion and clearing of springs; g) construction of new link roads; h) repair of old link roads; i) medical aid and medicines.
Conservation impact
The water tanks and the dams built in the course of the project are a source of drinking water also for livestock and their construction has helped reduce the livestock population from core area thereby reducing competition with wildlife. Increased agricultural production from orchards has resulted in an increase in income which in turn is expected to reduce the sole reliance on livestock.
Poverty reduction impact
Cleaning of springs, construction of water tanks, and lining of irrigation channels resulted in increased water supply in the fields leading to increased agricultural production. Construction of new link road and maintenance of the old link road has resulted in increased access. New orchards have enhanced local people's income. The local community has realized that the project was not benefiting only a few people by providing them employment as game guards but was bringing prosperity to whole of the populace. Finally, the recognition of the project's achivements from outsiders brought confidence and pride among local indigenous groups and has further strengthened their support to the project.
Strategy for Conservation/Poverty Linkages
Facilitating access to markets
Provision of basic goods/services
Reference 1
http://sgp.undp.org/index.cfm?Module=Projects&Page=ShowProject&ProjectID=302
Related records above this one:
- Global Environment Facility (GEF) (Organisation O0026)