Palas Conservation and Development Project (PCDP)
Case Study C0252
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| Date | 2005 |
| Agency | Government of North West Frontier Province (GoNWFP) Wildlife Department and BirdLife International |
| Donor/support agency | European Commission WWF Pakistan NWFP Forest Department |
| Project type | Implemented by agency |
| Context(s) | Protected area |
| Geographic coverage | Pakistan |
| Locality | Palas Valley, Pattan Tehsil, District Kohistan |
| Biodiversity focus | Ecosystem/landscape |
| Development focus | Local communities |
| Conservation goals | Safeguard the biodiversity of the Palas valley |
| Poverty reduction goals | Foster local economy and facilitate natural resource management by local communities |
Summary
The Palas Conservation and Development Project (PCDP), launched in 1998, is an extension of the work and approach of the Himalayan Jungle Project (HJP), started in 1991, which concentrated on the protection of the world’s largest population of the Western Tragopan pheasant and its habitat in the Palas Valley of Kohistan District. Palas contains Pakistan’s most important remaining tract of natural West Himalayan forest, recognized as a global priority for biodiversity conservation. The Palas Conservation and Development Project is designed to safeguard biodiversity, especially species of Global Importance in Palas valley, by enabling local community to tackle the linked causes of poverty and incipient natural resource degradation, through an integrated and participatory approach to conservation and development. To achieve its objectives, the project developed six main programmes: 1) social organisation and participation; 2) rehabilitation of bridges, water mills and irrigation channels; 3) an agricultural development programme that has focused on introduction of improved varieties of maize and on production of orchard fruits such as apples, plums, pears and cherries; 4) biodiversity survey and monitoring; 5) forest management; 6) activities for the improvement of health, nutrition and sanitation.
Conservation impact
The following are just some of the achievements of the project to date:
- biodiversity surveys have been conducted in various parts of both Palas valley and Kohistan;
- monitoring of certain indicator and key species have been carried out;
- awareness raising activities on environmental issues have been carried out.
Poverty reduction impact
The following are just some of the achievements of the project to date:
- community-based organisations have been established in many villages;
- training activities have been conducted on: animal rearing; health, nutrition and sanitation; community participation; etc.
- various infrastructures were rehabilitated, like Sharaid Foot Suspension Bridge, Kuz Paro Water Mill, Kundal, Gulbagh and Harran Irrigation Channel, foot tracks, etc.
Strategy for Conservation/Poverty Linkages
Provision of alternative livelihoods
Provision of basic goods/services
Enabling local participation in policy-/decision- making processes
Reference 1
http://www.palasvalley.org/PCDP/PCDP-history.htm
Reference 2
http://www.birdlife.org/action/ground/palas/index.html
More information
Claus Euler, Project Co-Director/Chief Technical Advisor
Phone: (+92) 992 341493
Email: palas@comsats.net.pk
Related records above this one:
- BirdLife International (Organisation O0006)
- European Commission (EC) (Organisation O0160)
- WWF International (Organisation O0115)