Section 1: Ecological, Political, Cultural Framework Conditions for
Sustainable Land-Use in the Tajik and Afghan Pamirs
Hermann Kreutzmann: Geographic comparison of pasture landuse patterns in the Afghan and Tajik Pamirs
Andreas Herrmann: Possible impacts of climate change on ecosystems
and agriculture
in the Pamirs
Karim-Aly Kassam: Change and Human Ecological Land Use
Dovutsho Navruzshoev: Biodiversity of flora in Gorno-Badakshan neighbouring contries (Afganistan, China, Kyrgyzistan)
Kozimamad Abdulamonov: Biodiversity in agraric landscapes of Afghan
and Tajik Badakhshan - reserarch results and conclusions
Bernt Glatzer: Pastoral Nomadic Land Use in West Afghanistan
Cyrus Samimi and Kim Vanselow: Eastern Pamirs of Tajikistan: Potentials
and Challenges for Sustainable Pasture and Rangeland Use
Tobias Kraudzun: Institutional changes in pasture management in the
Eastern Pamirs after the collapse of the USSR
Ted Callahan: The Kyrgyz of the Afghan Pamir: Changes and Continuities
Azimsho Bakhromov: Lessons obtained from the agriculture reform in
GBAO – Further Steps
Section 2: Sustainable Land-Use and Alternative Income Generation Opportunities & Energy Supply and Energy Efficiency
Valeriya Tyumeneva: Successes and constraints of the Murghab Ecotourism Association
Marielle Leseur: Cross border tourism in Afghan and Tajik Pamirs
Yorali Berdov: Community based handicraft production
Paula Moor: Experiences in home based milk, wool and leather processing
Rustam Zeravshoev: Value adding to raw products from wild growing natural resources (seabuckthorn, dog-rose)
Taigunsho Bulbulshoev: Investigation on pest insect species in Afghan
Darvaz - practical conclusions
Tohir Kamolov: Opportunities for energy sector development and application of alternative energy sources in mountainous areas
Mirzo Podshoev: Technologies and methods for save energy
Ermek Baibagyshov: Development and advantages of Village Energy Stategies
Geoffrey Hathaway: Energy efficiency as economic and social value - the
example of more efficient stoves
Section 3: Experiences from programs, practical tools and approaches for sustainable land management
Murod Ergashev: A participatory tool for improved community based pasture and rangeland management
Ermek Baibagyshov: Approach of CAMP Network: Village Development
Planning Process
Bernhard Schmidt: Forest rehabilitation through an integrated rural development approach in the upper catchments of the Kunduz River Basin
Bunafsha Mislimshoeva: Joint Forest Management Approach - first results
and potentioal for Forest Management in GBAO
Imatbek Nikhmonov: Rangeland and Forest Rehabilitation on
Degraded Land in Afghan Badakhshan
Rakhmonkul Rakhmatiloev: Water and Land Resource Management and
Land Erosion Protection in Mountainous Regions
Khudodod Aknazarov: Current condition of Teresken pasture land in the
Eastern Pamirs and methods for its rehabilitation
Rodney Jackson / Nandita Jain: Community based approaches to wildlife
conservancy in high arid environments
Azlisho Nazarbekov: ParticipatoryTechnology Development (PTD) Based
on the example of poultry keeping development in Badakhshan province
of IRA
Azlisho Nazarbekov: Cattle Breeding Program in Afghan Badakhshan
Preface
From August 29th till 31st of 2008 the „Conference on Best Practices in Sustainable
Land and Natural Resources Management in
the Tajik and Afghan Pamirs“ was conducted
in Khorog (GBAO).
Only today, more than one year later, we are
able to present this short documentation of
it to you. There are always many explanations for such delays we admit this is the
failure of us, the main organizing partners.
Let us put it this way: We were very busy
with testing and implementing approaches
for sustainable land use in the Pamirs, so
that it became such a long process to compile this short documentation. Although we
aware about the fact, that this brochure is
not perfect, we hope it would fulfill its aim
to enhance the exchange of experiences between interdisciplinary stakeholders, active
in the field of sustainable land use in the
Pamirs and other Central Asian mountain regions.
We will always remember the conference
as a remarkable assembly of governmental
and non-governmental interdisciplinary experts (and the word “expert” in this context
is chosen in its widest sense from the ac-
tual land user, over governmental officials
to a specialized scientist) from Afghanistan,
Tajikistan and the neighboring Kyrgyzstan. A
wide range of approaches to the actual challenges that land use faces in the Pamirs in
times of global climate change and a food
crisis was presented and could be fruitfully
discussed.
Let us use the occasion to thank again all
participants for their valuable contributions,
which were the main factor for the success
of this conference.
We want to express our deep gratitude to
the Khukumat of GBAO, which provided the
conference organization with political, technical and logistical support. Equally we are
grateful to the Agency for Land Management, Geodesy and Cartography and the in
the person of Nusratollo Nozaninov and to
the Land Cadastre Project in the Person of
Viktor Boltov.
Especially thankful we are to Firuza Abdulrakhimova from the NGO “Nature Protection
Team”, who spontaneously moderated the
3rd thematic section of the conference and
helped to document the recommendations
of the participants.
Without our marvelous interpreters Venera Bogdalyova and Nur Umarov, who even
under difficult circumstance provided high
quality interpretation, this conference could
not have succeeded. Last but not least, we
would like to thank the scientists of the
Pamir Biological Institute for the good cooperation.
For us it remains to hope that this conference could be a starting point for further
enhanced cooperation between the manifold stakeholders working on solutions of
the land use related problems in the Central Asian mountain regions.
André Fabian
in the name of the conference organizers: Landuse Committee of GBAO, German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD),
German Development Service (DED) and
the GTZ CCD Project “Sustainable Management of Natural Resources in GornoBadakhshan”
Background and objectives of the conference
The Afghan and the Tajik Pamirs (GornoBadakhshan Oblast and Wakhan, Ishkashim, Shighnan, Darwaz Woluswali) form one
eco-region, with similar natural resources,
economic potentials and common ethnic and
cultural roots.
The Pamirs can be described as a “knot” or
an “orographic crux” from which several of
Asia’s main ranges-the Himalaya, Karakoram, Hindu Kush, Kunlun, and Tian Shan
- radiate. Affinities with all these mountain
ranges encourage a variety of species. The
continental climate provides contrasting
temperature regimes and seasonal precipitation with great variability over the years.
Particularly severe climate is observed in
the Eastern Pamirs, where mean annual air
temperature is mainly negative, -1-6°C and
average annual precipitation varies between
40 and 100mm.The high-mountain areas of
the Western Pamirs are characterized by a
more moderate climate. Here, mean annual
air temperature is close to zero, rising up to
+6+8°C in the lower reaches and precipitation varies between 200 and 500 mm. Most
of the territory is barren land in rocky terrain.
Combined with the harsh climatic conditions
only marginal habitat for humans, fauna and
flora exist. Arable land is estimated at less
than 1 % of total land area in this semiarid
to arid high mountain desert ecosystem. Alluvial fans and riverbanks are preferred locations of settlements and cultivable land. Water scarcity and a harsh temperature regime
constrain biomass production. Predominant
vegetation cover is sparse scrub or meadow
plant communities on mountain slopes and
mesophyllic forests (tugai) on riparian areas
in valley bottoms. Although only few species
are adapted to the extreme habitats in this
arid high-mountain region, the Pamirs are
renowned for their biodiversity and wildlife
species, such as the Snow Leopard, Siberian
Ibex or Marco Polo sheep.
In contrast to the semiarid and arid climate
the main water resources of Central Asia are
concentrated in the glaciers of the Pamirs. At
present in the territory of Gorno Badakshan
(GBAO) only less than 3 percent of water
resources are used in agrarian and industrial
sectors.
While land use patterns of the Western part
of the Pamirs were traditionally dominated
by irrigation cropping and terracing of slopes
in combination with pasture land use, in the
highland plateaus of the Eastern part mobile
pastoral cattle-breeding is the main income
generating activity. For more than 100 years,
since the 1895 declaration of the Panj River
as border line between the Russian Empire
and Afghanistan, contact between the two
sides was almost impossible. Completely different political framework conditions led to
diverging approaches in using the natural
resources.
Along with the Soviet collectivization and the
idea of valorizing comparative advantages
of the different agro-ecological zones in the
Soviet Union it was determined to use the
valleys of the Western Pamirs primarily for
fodder making, in order to increase livestock
production. To compensate for staple food
and energy (mainly coal) was supplied by
the Soviet System. As a consequence lots
of traditional knowledge on irrigation cropping systems and farming practices got lost
on the Tajik side. The long war history on
the Afghan side left behind a completely underdeveloped infrastructure of motor roads,
energy supply, education and health facilities etc. Large areas of Northern Afghanistan are cut of from the outside world for
more than a six months winter period and
have to rely entirely on their own capacity to
produce sufficient food supply. Consequently
land use practices seem to rely more on intensification and traditional know how.
Though since the breakdown of the Soviet
Union and the abrupt absence of subsidies
to the Tajik Pamirs, as well as the end of
the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, socioeconomic framework conditions and problems in the both Pamirs became more similar again. Land-use related activities such as
subsistence cropping, cattle-breeding and
forestry are at present the most important
branches of economy in the Pamirs. Free of
charge delivery of coal for all households in
the Pamirs ceased with the break down of
the Soviet Empire and people nearly entirely
depend on using scarce wood and manure to
substitute the coal. Despite all effort to increase food production, in both Afghanistan
and Tajikistan people struggle to meet needs
for food and energy supply and they suffer
increasingly from a severe energy crisis. On
top the man made climate change already
noticeably influences rural livelihoods.
Accordingly the problem of desertification
is widespread at both sides of the Panj River. “Desertification” literally means “making deserts” and addresses the problem of
deserts or degraded lands made by human
activities, in the case of the Pamir mostly by
overgrazing, overexploitation of natural resources for energy supply and unsustainable
agricultural practices. It is a severe threat
for the future sustainable development of
both the Tajik and the Afghan Pamirs. Land
degradation means, that biological or economic productivity and diversity or range of
cropland, pasture, forest and woodlands are
shrinking or being lost forever and thus result in poverty, malnutrition and migration.
In the meantime, many efforts by governmental and non-governmental structures
were made to ignite a joint sustainable development of sides of the Pamirs. However
still there are huge potentials and needs for
closer co-operation. Luckily aside from the
present problems on both sides of the Panj
River exists a huge variety of traditional and
modern “good practices” for sustainable land
use practices. In the Afghan Pamirs many,
forgotten at the Tajik side sustainable traditional land-use practices are still vital. Not
least because of the prominent scientific capacities at the Tajik side sustainable land-use
solution with potential for broad introduction
emerged. Exchange, adaptation and broad
dissemination of them have the potential to
be of considerable impact to combat desertification and by this to reduce poverty and
enhance economic development the Pamirs.
Overall Goal:
Authorities and the local population of Tajik
and Afghan Pamirs (GBAO, Wakhan, Ishkashim, Shighnan, Darwaz Woluswali) apply
sustainable land-use as well as value adding
methods in planning and implementation, in
order to increase food security, reduce extreme poverty and regenerate natural resources, to avoid further desertification and
to preserve the high mountain landscapes
and its inherent biodiversity.
Conference Objectives:
1.
An exchange of experience between
interdisciplinary scientists, land users as well
as relief and development practicians, active
in different fields of sustainable land-use on
both sides of the Panj River gives impulses
for the development of strategies to combat
desertification as well as coordinates, multiplies and enhances current efforts.
2.
The initiation of an interdisciplinary
network formed by scientists and practicians,
active in the Afghan and the Tajik Pamirs
ensures further co-operation, exchange of
experience and application of scientific findings in practical solution of land-use related
problems.
Section 1: Ecological, Political,
Cultural Framework Conditions for
Sustainable Land-Use in the
Tajik and Afghan Pamirs
Geographic Comparison Of Pasture Land Use Patterns In The Afghan And Tajik Pamirs
Hermann Kreutzmann
The Pamirian Knot poses an area which is
characterized by exceptional altitude and
aridity. Nevertheless, the region is offering
in altitude ranges above 3500m valuable
natural pasture resources. For centuries
these pastures have been used by mobile
pastoralists who either followed a combined
mountain agriculture strategy of pasture
utilization or acted as highly mobile pastoralists migrating between summer and winter pastures.
A series of political transformations beginning in the second half of the 19th century
have altered the socio-economic and political frame conditions for pasture land use
patterns in the Pamirs. The establishment
of forward posts by the Russian Tsar in the
Murghab Pamir and the conquests of the Afghan Amir Abdur Rahman in Northern Afghanistan were the beginning of significant
changes there. The interface between the
four political powers – Afghanistan, British
India, China and Russia – narrowed and reduced the livelihood opportunities of the inhabitants of the Pamirs who previously were
affiliated to small principalities and avoided
heavy tributes to mighty neighbours wherever it was feasible.
The “Great Game” activities for the remaining territorial domination in the Pamirs
resulted in border delimitations which affected Badakhshan significantly. The Anglo-Russian agreement about border delineation and the acceptance of the Oxus
(Amu Darya, Pjandsh) as a boundary line
left the majority of the Pamirs within Russian dominated territory while two Pamirs
(Chong and Kichik Pamir) were attributed
to Afghanistan.
Following the October Revolution and the
Third Anglo-Afghan War the international
boundaries became tangible. The creation
of Gorno-Badakhshanski Avtonomnaia Oblast’ (GBAO) within Tajikistan and Wakhan
Woluswali in Afghanistan symbolize different fates of the people living within the respective areas. After Soviet collectivization
the living conditions, educational attainment and health supply of the Tajik Pamirs
were approximated with the overall conditions in Tajikistan.
The Afghan Pamirs
remained a remote
corner of the country
with lacking infrastructure assets and
a hierarchical society
structure. The Khan
of the Kirghiz in the
AFGHAN Pamirs became an affluent and
wealthy public figure
for whom quite a
number of disowned
Kirghiz pastoralists
tended his herds of
yak, sheep and Bactrian camels. Across the
border in Tajikistan, collective animal breeding stations in the organizational setup of
kolkhoz and sovchoz undertakings practiced
a quite different form of pastoralism which
was guided by principles of “modern” animal
breeding and economies of scale.
During two generations land
use patterns and lifestyle took quite different paths until the commencement of the
third transformation in the late 20th century. Civil war conditions in the aftermath of
Tajikistan’s independence affected the livelihoods of Pamirian dwellers significantly and
posed a challenge to them to reinvent strategies of survival on local resources. Since
the 1990s we observe a reprivatisation of
herds and household-based approaches to
pastoralism in the Eastern Pamirs of GBAO.
A new social stratification is evolving and will
differentiate society in future. In the Afghan
Pamirs, different developments took place.
In the aftermath of the Saur Revolution of
1978 the vast majority of Kirghiz pastoralists
left for exile in Pakistan. While the leadership suggested to resettle in Turkey in 1982
a small group of “dissidents” returned to
the Afghan Pamirs who try to make a living
there. There herds are much smaller than
in previous times. Consequently, the general
pattern suggests that there is no shortage
of forage at present. Nevertheless, preferential pastures are seasonally highly stocked
while others have been left without herds for
quite some time. For the Tajik Pamirs it still
has to be established how the seasonality
of pasture use affects certain localities and
households.
To sum it up, natural pastures play a
vital role for Kirghiz and Pamiri pastoralists and will do so in future. The resources have been used for centuries and require
utilization strategies which safeguard a sustainable land use.
Further reading and detailed information:
Hermann Kreutzmann 2007: The Wakhi and
Kirghiz in the Pamirian Knot. In: Brower,
B. and B. R. Johnston (eds.): Disappearing
peoples? Indigenous Groups and Ethnic Minorities in South and Central Asia. Walnut
Creek, pp. 169-186
Sabine Felmy & Hermann Kreutzmann 2006:
Wakhan Woluswali - Winds of change in
Badakhshan. In: Bogolyubov, M. N. (ed.):
Indo-Iranian Linguistics and the typology
of linguistic situations. Prof. Alexander L.
Gruenberg Memorial Volume. St. Petersburg,
pp. 165-176
Hermann Kreutzmann 2006: The significance of geopolitical issues for development
of mountainous areas of Central Asia. In:
Strategies for Development and Food Security in Mountainous Areas of Central Asia.
Aga Khan Foundation. [Internet: http://
www.akdn.org/mountains/2 - Significance
of Geopolitical Issues (Eng).pdf]
Hermann Kreutzmann 2003: Ethnic minorities and marginality in the Pamirian knot.
Survival of Wakhi and Kirghiz in a harsh environment and global contexts. In: The Geographical Journal 169 (3), pp. 215-235
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Hermann Kreutzmann
Zentrum für Entwicklungsländerforschung (ZELF)
Institut für Geographische Wissenschaften Freie
Universität Berlin
Mail: [email protected]
Possible Impacts Of Climate Change On Ecosystems And Agriculture In The Pamirs
Andreas Herrmann
Global environmental change which comprises more than climate change, but
which is strongly controlled by the effects
of global warming is an unarguable fact.
In the presentation some relevant aspects
of climate change which is a major global
driver are considered with main focus on
temperature, precipitation and drought.
The latter constitutes a main restriction
for agricultural land use and food security, drinking water supply and hydropower
generation. However, since climate change
is closely linked with different regional uncertainties as far as magnitude of changes
is concerned, regional climatic prognoses
over given time spans are extremely difficult. This is according to the actual report
of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC) also the case in South and
Central Asia (IPCC 2007, 2008).
After characterising the present climates
and eco-zonal situation of Central Asia and
the region under consideration on the basis
of different methodical approaches, it is informed about biodiversity and plant productivity. The complexity of the eco-systematic
driving system is demonstrated, and is finally reduced to climatic and hydrologic
driving forces of environmental conditions
and change.
Starting with the pattern of global temperature and precipitation trends for different
time spans, the predicted continental Asian
and regional Central und South Asian conditions are discussed. Special emphasis is put
on drought with its diverse and sometimes
severe environmental and socio-economic
effects. As a result, drought will most probably intensify in the future in the region. In
this context, satellite-based observations of
plant health conditions and related parameters like Vegetation Health Index (VHI)
which is based on reflection of visible light
by vegetation canopy, are helpful for evaluating drought conditions on the continental
and regional scales. The consequences of
changing climates for runoff and groundwater recharge, i.e. for water availability as
for example for irrigation purposes is another aspect discussed here.
The following impacts of climate change
which are relevant for the region are mentioned and explained with diagrams and
maps:
Natural ecosystems and biodiversity, hydrology and water resources as well as agriculture and food security will be strongly
affected after findings in IPCC (2007). Accordingly, it is absolutely sure that average
temperatures will rise by 3-5 °C within the
next hundred years depending on simulation
(prediction) model for double CO2 scenario,
precipitation most probably slightly diminish, and droughts become more frequent,
durable and severe. As a consequence, total biodiversity is at risk in the Pamir region
including the forelands. Grassland coverage
is projected to decline, and desertification
to increase. Climate change related melting
of glaciers could seriously affect millions of
people depending on glacier melt for water supplies, with unfavourable effects for
Contact:
Andreas Herrmann
Institute of Geoecology, Department of Hydrology and Landscape Ecology, Technical University Braunschweig
Mail: [email protected]
downstream agriculture relying on glacier
melt for irrigation water. Since climate
change does not only influence crop yield
but also the area of crop production, there
may result substantial decreases in cereal
production potential, because most arable
land suitable for cultivation is already in
use. However, losses in crop potential are
most obvious in rain-fed crop production
areas of South and Southeast Asia as crop
simulation modelling shows for realistic future scenarios.
Finally, short outlooks are given on global
b
water stress areas with examples of cu
current vulnerabilities of freshwater resources and on projected appreciable changes
in terrestrial eco-systems. The presentation closes with several statements and
conclusions on major impacts of climate
change in Asia and the region, which has
already started and is most apparent
with a accelerated sequence of severe
and persistent droughts during the last
three decades.
References:
IPCC (2007) Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Contribution of the Working Group II to the 4th
Assessment Report of the IPCC. Cambridge
University Press
IPCC (2008) Climate Change 2007. Synthesis Report (IPCC Fourth Assessment Report). IPCC/WMO, Geneva
Change and Human Ecological Land Use
Karim-Aly Kassam
Preliminary findings from a project planning
visit (2006) to 14 villages in the Pamir of
Afghan and Tajik Badakhshan were presented. Furthermore, an outline of an applied
research project arising from these results
were discussed for critical comments and
suggestions with a view to build effective
collaboration.
Preliminary research findings from the valleys of the Pamir Mountains of Afghanistan
and Tajikistan provide compelling evidence
of radical climatic change.
The situation
of climate change is further complicated by
socio-development issues such as poverty,
food security, debilitating opium addiction,
increasing gender burden of women, and
political instability. Findings also indicate
presence of knowledge related to the use of
medicinal plants and a deep connection between sacred sites and ecological relations.
Indigenous human ecology describes the
relationships between people and their environment – including the relations between
humans and other animals, plants, and their
habitat. Human ecology does not promote
the separation of culture from nature, rather it recognizes connectivity within localities; that is, at the level of local life. This
type of complex connectivity is multidimensional. It is simultaneously a function and
a narrative of human beings’ developing a
socio-cultural system on the foundation of
nature. Therefore, social institutions including applied research and development
initiatives have a key linkage to overall
understanding of bio-cultural diversity as
it has a bearing on human-environmental
decisions. This type of connectivity has a
strong sense of consequentiality. That is,
consequences arising from actions. This
type of connectivity recognizes agency and
potential for social change at the local level
related to sustainable livelihoods.
Applied research in the Pamir Mountains of
Badakhshan (Tajikistan and Afghanistan)
needs to be viewed in terms of participation
of, and collaboration between, communities
of social practice (such as Elders, farmers,
pastoralists, who utilize indigenous knowledge and civil society institutions who work
with them) and communities of inquirers
(such as academics in the physical, biological and social sciences as well as the humanities). An interdisciplinary outlook, including indigenous knowledge, is essential
to meaningful applied research that weaves
the cultural with the
biological for conservation of diversity. To
achieve a robust understanding of biological and cultural diversity, the role of indigenous knowledge
needs to be articulated in the research
process. The very notion of interdisciplinarity needs to be extended to individuals
and communities that sustain indigenous
knowledge through their way of life.
In short, the vision of this applied research
project demands collaboration between
communities of inquirers and communities of social practice for the purposes of
responding to issues of immediate relevance to the livelihoods of villagers such
as climatic variation, food security, gender
burden, and significance of sacred sites. A
fundamental aim of this project will be to
maintain close contact with local NGOs and
other projects so that meaningful linkages
between activities and sharing of information are achieved.
Contact:
Karim-Aly Kassam, PhD
Associate Professor of Environmental and Indigenous Studies, Department
of Natural Resources
Cornell University
Mail: [email protected]
Biodiversity of flora in Gorno-Badakshan neighbouring contries (Afganistan, China, Kyrgyzistan)
Dovutsho Navruzshoev
The given abstract provides some information on flora of Gorno Badakhshan and those
of neighbouring countries (Afghanistan,
China)/ as the article shows, flora of Gorno
Badakhshan is explored well enough whereas
flora of Afghan Badakhshan and Pamir territories bordering with China is studied poorly.
Therefore I would like to draw the attention
of the scientists to flora and fauna researches with following study of other life aspects
in highland communities located at crossbordering territories of Afghanistan and China. It would be very interesting to study the
flora and fauna as well as living conditions
of the population located in Wakhan corridor
from Afghanistan and China sides. Research
will allow making conclusions about origin of
the flora of highland areas of Asia, about ceremonies and needs of the given population.
Research of the flora composition in Gorno
Badakhshan started in the end of XIX century. Presently, there are lots of materials available which cover Pamir and GornoBadakshan, for instance, research materials
of S. S. Ikonnikov (1979) on Badakhshan
flora - «Determiner of highest/ top plants of
Badakhashn”. Currently flora of Badakhshan
(without Pre-Darvaz district, which is excluded from the given territory) is presented by
1640 types and 512 varieties of highest/top
plants. Before this, geographer O.E Agahanyans in his work on “Main problems of physical geography of Pamir” (1966) describes
1142 types and 382 varieties in Western and
Eastern Pamir. According to information provided by S. S. Ikonnikov (1991), entire flora
of Badakhshan and Pamir composes 1888
kinds and 568 varieties, included in 101 families of highest/top plants.
Our many-years researches revealed the fact
that flora of Gorno Badakhshan numbers
1650 types and 515 varieties included into
97 families of highest/top plants.
Flora of Afghanistan is studied very poorly as
well as flora of Afgan Badakhshan (Wakhan)
(Anderson, Podlech 1972). 672 types of top
tracheal plants are presented in this area.
Flora of Afghanistan is presented mainly by
types of Iranian and Turan origin. EasternAsian types are starting to prevail only in the
extreme East. Overall number of plant types
in Afghanistan composes more than 3500,
though families of composites, legumes and
crucifers are presently more richly.
Vegetation of Afghanistan is characterized
by large diversity which can be explained with
significant latitudinal length of the country
and its vertical zoning. Forests occupy insignificant part of the country - 30 000 km, less
than 5% of the entire territory. Forest massifs mainly are located in areas which are difficult to assess, therefore its exploitation is
very complicated.
Vegetable cover of the Western arid part of
China is significantly poor. Types of highest/
top plants here amount to 5000. Towards
the West along with the reduction of precipitations, high-grass steppes are replaced by
poor dry steppes and further by alliaceous,
desert steppes and then by real deserts (with
large masses of mobile sand and stony plots
completely free of vegetation) Steppes and
semi-deserts of this part of China are used
mainly as pastures. Cold highland desert
with suffrutescent and rare herbaceous vegetation prevails in the Western part of Tibet
plateau. Perennial grasses of pillow-like form
with hard leaves are typical for this area.
Vegetation is more luxuriant in the Northern-eastern China which is comparatively
damper.
Contact:
Dovutsho Navtruzshoev
University of Central Asia, Khorog,
Mail: [email protected]
Biodiversity in agraric landscapes of Afghan
and Tajik Badakhshan - reserarch results and
conclusions
Kozimamad Abdulamonov
Badahshan drew attention of naturalists from
time immemorial. Research of flora was attracting a particular interest, especially species composition and types of wheat, growing at high altitudes.
Academician N.I. Vavilov, one of the leading
figures of the world science, visited Pamir In
1916. He was the first who discovered here
ligulaless forms of soft wheat and rye. Since
its discovery 35 similar types of soft wheat,
11 types of dwarf form of wheat and 9 varieties of rye, which were new for science, were
described in botanical literature-Collection
of gene pool of local cereal and leguminous
crops has been created in Pamir Biological
Institute (PBI). Presently, 69 varieties of local soft wheat, 11 types of dwarf form of
wheat, all local varieties of cereal and leguminous crops and more than 50 developed
mutants of wheat and rye are maintained
alive.
In 2001 R.A. Udachin and others summarized results of the expeditionary research
on wheat varieties of the Central Asia, which
was carried out by the All-Russian Plant Cultivation Institute (St.Petersburg) and PBI.
Overall, 10 out of 27 varieties presently
known to science, have been discovered
here in Badakhshan. In 14 areas of the Central Asia totally 273 varieties of soft wheat
have been discovered, out of which 151 belong to Pamir. Badakhshan region is having
a lead regarding wheat diversity.
During expeditionary research carried out in
few valleys of Tajik and Afgan Pamir, experts
of PBI discovered 17 varieties of wheat.
Among collected varieties of crops 2 types
of small-seed lentils, one sample of big-seed
local peas and local variety of millet “Javavs” have been included into the collection of
gene pool of plants as new ones.
According to our observations, 6 varieties of
wheat (Tiramohi, Gorch, Darvozi, Chorpara,
Guri and Spyak) and 1 type of lentils from
Afgan Badakhshan are new for our collection.
According to preliminary observation 6 varieties of wheat and 1 sample of lentils are
new for our collection. Survey has shown
that diversity of soft wheat and other crops
mentioned above did not remain till present.
There is a real threat existing to lose varieties of crops valuable for science and national economy. Seeds of some crops are preserved only within the collection of PBI.
That was the reason to introduce new agricultural crops into land-poor production of
Badakhshan. Botanical varieties decreased
with the decline of the volume of local crops
population.
Contact:
Kozimamad Abdulamonov, Ph.D.
Pamir Biological Institute
Mail: [email protected]
Pastoral Nomadic Land Use in West
Afghanistan
Bernt Glatzer
Data Collection
This presentation is based on two years participant research in West Afghanistan by a
biologist (M. J. Casimir) and a social anthropologist (B. Glatzer) in the 1970s. It is also
based on the evaluation of satellite images as
well as on ground truth data collected by the
researchers. The research was done among
Pashtun pastoral nomads and sedentary agriculturalists in Shindand (Herat Province),
Farah, Ghor, and Badghis. The findings were
up-dated until recently by information from
Government, UN, NGO and other resources.
Setting and Problem
Ecologically West-Afghanistan is comparable
to Tajikistan: An extreme continental climate
with high aridity (low and irregular precipitation combined with high solar radiation) and
lack of irrigation water. Less than 6 % of the
land is arable, the rest - apart from rocky
mountainous areas - is usable for mobile
pastoralism only. At the time of our research
state administration, state intervention and
control was and still is not existent. Land
use was exclusively organized by the local
population.
Our aim was to identify human factors that
cause desertification (bad practices) and
also to identify existing cultural and social
patterns that counteract desertification having enabled the local population to survive
over the millennia under harsh conditions,
and that save the larger parts of pasture
land from degradation (good practices).
Results
As in Tajikistan desertification spreads
around permanent human settlements. Farther away from the settlements where nomads graze their flocks, the plant cover is
also not in its virgin state, but is converted
by pastoralism to a stable secondary flora of
predominantly sagebrush (Artemisia siberi),
traces of desertification are absent.
The reason for desertification around permanent settlements are easy to detect and well
known to the local population: The growing
population needs more fuel for cooking, baking, and house warming than can be reproduced by the local vegetation. Alternative
fuel such as coal or gas is not available locally. Mineral oil derivates are too expensive.
Preferred fuel is also the preferred animal
fodder: sagebrush (Artemisia). Sedentary
animal husbandry is relatively insignificant;
an exception is cow breeding that can be
sustained from planted green fodder.
Our direct observations as well as the interviews show that pastoral nomads in West
Afghanistan do feel responsible for the sustainability of pasture quality in spite of the
absence of a central pastoral administration
and in spite of any private ownership or exclusive control of pastureland. They have
developed a complex system of alternating
pasture rights, based on individual claims
per household, that have to be strengthened through consecutive years of actual
use. The carrying capacity of a given pasture land in terms of fodder plants and of the
animal numbers it can feed is assessed by
the users. If a nomad group finds a pasture
too poor to stay on they will decide either to
split or to move on in toto.
Conflicts over access to pastures happen
frequently and are solved by local councils
under the mediation of respected elders. In
case the carrying capacity of a given pasture is too low to sustain a nomadic population, the people either have to emigrate or
to become sedentary. In West Afghanistan
an intricate system of nomadisation and
sedentarisation has developed that is crucial for the sustainability of pastoralism in
the area.
Conclusion
Afghan pastoral nomads are excellent experts as their environment is concerned.
They know best how to use their natural resources. There is little or nothing they can
learn from foreign experts, it is us who can
learn from them.
Contact:
Bernt Glatzer, Afghanistan Research Group (ARG)
Mail: [email protected]
However,
having
said this, today the political situation has
changed to such an extent that the pastoralists are hardly able to cope with the new
challenges on their own.
Since the recent Afghan war nomads have
lost parts of their summer pastures in the
central highlands. This loss makes also useless parts of the winter pastures because
sheep will not survive there without access
to the highlands in summer. The re-opening of Central Afghanistan for nomads is a
task only an efficient and benevolent central
government can perform.
Eastern Pamirs of
Tajikistan:
Potentials and Challenges for Sustainable
Pasture and Rangeland
Use
Cyrus Samimi and Kim Vanselow
The dissolution of the USSR and the independence of Tajikistan resulted in significant
structural changes in the political and socioeconomic frame conditions. In particular the
Eastern Pamirs, as a peripheral and ecological disadvantaged region, has been affected
in all its socio-economic exchange patterns.
The Pamir region was especially dependent
on subsidies provided by the economical
integration into the Soviet supply system.
Animal husbandry has been the allocated
task and one of the few economic activities
feasible. Fossil energy, basic food and other
commodities for daily and episodic use have
to be imported. In consequence of the political changes the market access for meat and
related products has been partly lost. Presently imports occur under competitive free
market conditions. The results of changed
frame conditions are shortages in the food
and energy supply causing an increased
vulnerability of the people. Besides strong
external factors with severe effects on local livelihoods internal reasons contribute to
insecure living standards and possible negative ecological effects as well. The main reason is the transition from a collective, statecontrolled to an individual or cooperative
use of the pastures. Traditionally, the Eastern Pamirs were utilized by Kyrgyz herdsmen breeding yaks and ruminants. Adapting
to the prevailing climate, herds were moved
to high elevation pastures (4,000-4,800 m)
in early summer and remained until September when they were moved back down
to winter pastures (3,500-4,000 m). Winter
fodder was grown and harvested in the lower
pastures while animals grazed at higher elevation. Main grazing resources in winter are
small shrubs, mainly Teresken (Krascheninnikovia ceratoides). Due to the conversion
from public to private control and management land access rights are under negotiation and the irrigation of winter pastures has
collapsed. This leads to a probable degradation of pastures which might be enhanced
by a growing and unsustainable collection of
Teresken as firewood.
The presented study chronicles land use
practices in the Eastern Pamirs through direct
field observation and mapping using satellite
images and Digital Elevation Model (DEM).
The objective is to generate data about the
grazing capacity for the whole region in a
scale which allows to establish management
strategies and to understand degradation
processes, disturbances of the vegetation
and its resilience against them. Field measurements of vegetation cover and biomass
are used to calibrate empirical models to assess the biomass directly through satellite
data. The expected correlations will allow
determining the biomass in the region covered by satellite data. In combination with
the classified vegetation it allows to determine the available forage quantity for each
vegetation unit.
Contact:
Cyrus Samimi (Bayreuth) and Kim Vanselow (Erlangen)
Mail: [email protected], [email protected].
de
Institutional changes in pasture management in the
Eastern Pamirs after the collapse of the USSR
Tobias Kraudzun
The collapse of the USSR and the independence of Tajikistan resulted in far-reaching
changes in the political and socio-economic environment. In particular, the Eastern
Pamir, being an ecologically disadvantaged
region and having agrarian potential only
for livestock breeding, has been largely affected by these changes.
After Soviet collectivization policy was put
in place, livestock numbers (especially
yaks) had progressively increased until the
1970s with the support of external inputs.
In order to stop a substantial decrease of
herd sizes since the late 1980s, collective
managed livestock was leased out to the
herders. This was aimed at stimulating the
farmers to act with individual responsibility. In the first years, this system lead to a
stabilization in livestock numbers, but after the end of Soviet production system, it
drew back to the opposite, and herd sizes
decreased even faster. This process was
taken under control when state administration re-established the system of collective farms in 1997.
Only in 1999, the presidential decree on
land was adopted in the Eastern Pamir,
which incurred dissolving of kolkhozy and
the privatization of remaining assets. Low
livestock numbers and meat prices in combination with transportation shortages triggered a concentrated use of pastures near
the villages. During the last years, wealthy
farmers extended grazing to remote, more
productive pastures. As the rights of use of
different seasonal pastures are distributed
mainly according to the status quo of the
lease period, land use patterns are often
neither efficient nor ecologically sound.
Traditionally, inhabitants of this high
mountain region had to rely exclusively
on livestock breeding, therefore their nutritional security depends on agro-pastoral exchange. Since the Russian predominance in late 19th century, followed
by Soviet collectivization, Kyrgyz pasture
users of the Eastern Pamir were cut back
on their traditional long-distance migration cycles, including trade exchange with
lowland economies. Only as a result of the
integration in the Soviet exchange and
supply system they were able to inhabit
the region all the year round. All the more,
pasture users were affected by the sudden
discontinuation of flow patterns for agricultural inputs, energy and goods after the
dissolution of the USSR. Even alternative
supply organized on a commercial basis
was disrupted by temporary road closure
due to the civil war.
Still dependent on agricultural products,
local population finds best terms of trade
in Osh, which is now abroad. Livestock
breeders now face unpredictable amounts
of various fees and charges, making the
outcome of breeding activities subject to a
game of chance.
Contact:
Tobias Kraudzun
Freie Universität Berlin
Department of Earth Sciences
Institute of Geographical Sciences
Mail: [email protected]
The Kyrgyz of the Afghan Pamir:
Changes and Continuities
Ted Callahan
Since the exodus of 1,300 Kyrgyz from the
Afghan Pamir to Pakistan in 1978, under the
assumed threat of a Soviet invasion, almost
no attention has been paid to those Kyrgyz who either returned to the Pamir from
Pakistan or else never emigrated. Various
articles, films, and news reports have almost exclusively concentrated on the Kyrgyz who remained in Pakistan and who, in
1982, were relocated to eastern Turkey.
However, today the Kyrgyz population in
Afghanistan is approaching pre-1978 numbers and therefore cannot be regarded as a
“remnant population”, as they are too often
considered.
The Kyrgyz of the Afghan Pamir comprise
two distinct groups: those of the Big Pamir
and those of the Little Pamir. The Big Pamir
is bordered on the north by Tajikistan and,
since the Kyrgyz living there never left Afghanistan, they exhibit greater continuities
with previous Kyrgyz patterns of semi-nomadism and trade. Since the entire area of
the Big Pamir is north-facing, the climate
is generally harsher and migration patterns
consist of moving seasonally from higher
to lower positions in a given valley. Also,
with no outlet for trade save to the west,
towards lower Badakhshan, the Kyrgyz of
the Big Pamir are entirely dependent upon
itinerant traders to bring up both staples
(rice, flour, salt, clothing) and luxury goods
(cigarettes, sugar, tea, opium and electronics). In general, because of limited trade
opportunities and more limited forage resources, this population is in general poorer
and possesses fewer livestock than the Kyrgyz of the Little Pamir. The current human
population is estimated to be 760 people.
In the Little Pamir, about 12 families (50 individuals) remained in the Pamir, while the
rest went to Pakistan. In 1979, 54 families
(250 individuals) returned from Pakistan.
In general, the Soviet occupation of the Little Pamir, in which about 1,000 troops were
garrisoned there, was benign and provided
opportunities for trade and basic development assistance (rebuilding herds, medical
care, building materials). It also allowed
the current khan, Abdul Rashid, to establish
his credentials as leader of the Little Pamir
Kyrgyz.
Following the Soviet withdrawal, the Kyrgyz
experienced several difficult years under
predatory mujahideen rule, which prompted
them to consider moving en mass to Kyrgyzstan, though this never came to pass.
Today, with the unofficial opening of the border of Pakistan and the trade opportunities
this presents, the Kyrgyz of the Little Pamir
are comparatively well-off. While incredibly
high rates of maternal, infant and child mortality remain the norm, and opium addiction has become increasingly widespread,
food supplies are sufficient year-round and,
through the efforts of Abdul Rashid Khan,
the Little Pamir Kyrgyz have established direct relations with the government in Kabul,
as well as with various development agencies (AKF).
The Kyrgyz of the Little Pamir practice a
pendular migration cycle, moving seasonally
from one side of the Aksu valley to the other, in order to best exploit available forage
resources. In contrast to the 1970s, when
the majority of land (privately owned) and
livestock were held by a few families, leaving large numbers of Kyrgyz without any
animals of their own, today both land and
livestock are more evenly distributed, even
though overall livestock numbers are much
reduced. The human population is estimated
to be between 700-800 people.
Contact:
Ted Callahan,PhD Candidate (anthropology), Boston University
Afghan Kyrgyz Liaison, Wildlife Conservation Society
Mail: [email protected]
Lessons obtained from the agriculture reform
in GBAO – Further steps
Azimsho Bakhronov
The purpose of the project is a sustainable
management of natural resources, including land using in cooperation with the other
structures of society, private and juridical
with the aim of increasing the living standards, first off all is the provision of food
safety in Badakhshan regions.
The project tasks include:
•
Active participation in agriculture reform, including the land reform
•
Providing the farmers with seed grain
•
Providing with agricultural engineering and spare parts
•
Providing with equipment, fodder,
medicines and vaccinations for developing
the of livestock breeding
•
Conducting seminars for agriculture
and livestock development
•
To organize pilot and demonstration
areas
•
Supporting the agricultural organizations and research institutions of the region
•
Organizing and supporting the seed
farming associations
•
Organizing and supporting the
projects related to agro services
•
To realize the grant projects
- new lands development
- gardening
- vegetable growing
- greenhouses for growing vegetables
and lemons
- forestry
- forage crops cultivation
- livestock breeding
- apiculture
- processing the agriculture production
Which problems were faced during the
project?
•
Only land reform was carried out
(insufficient attention to livestock and engineering)
•
Farmers unprepared ness to new
market economy and marketing
•
Incompetence of beneficiaries
•
Migration
•
Lack of energy (fuel)
•
Hard to reach region – transportation
of the agricultural materials, fodder, engineering and equipment, livestock
What should be implemented?
•
Training farmers the new approaches
•
Supporting the farmers while
products selling
•
Projects support
- degradation and land erosion
recovery
- conservation
- agro – tech and vet services
- agricultural products processing
- gardening, livestock breeding
and apiculture
- fish processing in places, located
in the region
- business undertaking of agriculture (leasing)
- modern technology in agriculture system
- mini power stations and using
the alternative energy sources
•
To organize the learning centers
for the farmers
•
Diversification of agricultural,
medical, technical and oil-yielding
crops
Contact:
Azimsho Bakhronov,
Mountain Societies Development
Support Program (MSDSP)
e-mail: [email protected]
Section 2: Sustainable Land-Use and
Alternative Income Generation
Opportunities & Energy Supply and
Energy Efficiency
Successes and constraints of the Murghab
Ecotourism Association
Valeriya Tyumeneva
Lack of sustainable income generating activities and rich, but fragile natural, cultural
and historical resources called for creation
of an ecotourism project that generates income for the communities whilst contributing to protect the district’s resources. The
Ecotourism project as a part of the Pamir
High Mountains Integrated Project (PHIP)
has been under implementation since 2002,
under the leadership and guideance of ACTED, an international NGO based in Paris.
The Murghab Ecotourism Association
Since 2002, one of the major outputs created by the ecotourism project is Murghab
Ecotourism Association (META). Today META
has 58 members, providing tourism services
to more than 292 tourists in 2006, from accommodation in home stays and yurt stays
to transport and guiding. Ecotourism activities improve the economic position of the
tourism service providers and their beneficiaries, providing an increased income and
employment opportunities.
Today we can emphasize the following
achievements of META since 2002; 58 service providers are member of META; creation
of more than 10 tourist products in various
locations; 292 tourists used META services
in 2006 against 20 in 2003; the profit of
META figures up to 1569 USD at the end
of June 2007, against the 345 USD rose in
2006.
This enables to think about good perspective, financial and institutional sustainability of the association. META has begun institutional reorganizing and consolidating
its managerial capacity and marks its shift
from an ACTED project to an independent
local NGO.
Project-driven Activities of META
Meta is not only a business activity. It is
also an association than implement projects
aiming at promoting responsible tourism and
protecting the unique and rich environment
and cultural heritage of Eastern Pamirs.
Environmental Awareness
Increasing public awareness on nature
protection through Nature Festivals, drawing competitions with schools of the whole
districts, creation of the Nature Protection
Group made up of local actors involved in
nature protection.
Protection of endangered archaeological
monuments
2007, the Ministry of Culture has again appointed META for the protection of archeological sites. This result is the achievement
of a long negotiation with the Ministry of
Culture representative.
According to the initial plan, META had intended to undertake the protection activities of two archaeological sites.
Challenges
There are still obstacles in tourism sector
overall, which adversely effect tourist activities of META and the tourism development
in Tajiksitan in general.
They are: strict visa requirements, GBAO
permit, police registration, closed border
crossings, expensive national park trekking
fees and etc.
Contact:
Valeriya Tyumeneva
German Devopment Service (DED)
Mail: [email protected]
Cross border tourism in Afghan and Tajik
Pamirs
Marielle Leseur
Abstract of the presentation on MSDSP’s
cross border activities in Badakhshan held
during the conference on “Best practices on
sustainable land and natural resource management in the Tajik and Afghan Pamirs”
(August 2007).
Badakhshan is a mountainous and landlocked region, located on both sides of the
Panj river, in both Afghanistan and Tajikistan.
Historically, both sides of the current border were part of the same principalities and
exchanges within Badakhshan and between
Badakhshan and its neighbors were important: tracks of exchanges date back from the
Bronze age and, in the early middle age, the
silk road was passing through Badakhshan.
Border making as a result of the Great Game
did not affect negatively trade: Badakhshan
was exporting various agriculture products
and livestock and was importing other goods
from the urban oases along the Silk Road.
In addition, Badakhshan was on the trading
route between the Russian Turkestan and
Kashgaria, as well as between Kashgaria and
British India, and was a transit trade zone.
The closure of the border for political reasons in the 1930s’ brought trade to a complete end. During 60 years, communities
across the border have taken different development paths and have forgotten about
the regular exchanges they used to have.
However, communities across the border
still share the same culture and have a lot to
benefit from increased exchanges.
Within that context, the Aga Khan Develop-
ment Network (AKDN), has built between
2002 and 2004 four bridges across the Panj
in order to allow for exchanges across the
border to resume. In order to further support the development of exchanges, The
Mountain Societies Development Support
Programme (MSDSP), a project of the Aga
Khan Foundation, on the Tajik side and the
Aga Khan Foundation Afghanistan on the
Afghan side, are implementing, under GTZ
support, a project aiming at increasing exchanges and perception across the border.
The project is doing so by developing business infrastructure and services, in close cooperation with the local authorities. On the
Tajik side, MSDSP has set up a business incubator that coaches and trains its partner
businessmen and supports them with equipment and working capital, whilst on the Afghan side, AKF Afghanistan has built a warehouse where Afghan businessmen can store
the goods they buy across the border.
In addition, the project regularly organizes
cross border events that aim at creating social links and exchange skills across the border.
A year and a half after its inception, the
project has achieved impressive results at
the micro level in terms of job creation, increase of cross border exchanges, and empowerment of partner businessmen. Building
on these successes, MSDSP is now planning
to work on creating an enabling environment
for cross border exchange development at
the macro level and to extend its activities to
neighboring districts, in order to achieve
a bigger impact.
Contact:
Marielle Leseur
Mountain Societies Development
Support Program (MSDSP)
Mail: [email protected]
Community based handicraft production
Yorali Berdov
The first series of trainings and exhibitions
were organized and carried out. Realization
of the handicraft products was implemented
through sales outlet set up in the frames of
the project. From 2004 to 2007 the project
conducted trainings for artisans on initial
processing of wool, leather, collection and
use of plants, which contain colouring agent
to be used for dyeing of goods with natural colours and using traditional techniques.
Trainers from Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan,
USA, Germany and Belgium were invited.
During the period of 2004-2007 the project
organized series of exhibitions presenting
the products of the local masters in Khorog,
Dushanbe, Bishkek, Almaty, Bukhara, NewYork, Kashgar. The project has also launched
its website which is www.depamiri.org
Number of artisans - project partners increased from 25 persons in 2004 to 70 persons in 2007.
The project has 3 sales outlets in Khorog
where handicraft products are being realized. Moreover, the project provides good to
4 partner shops in Dushanbe.
The project is rather financially sustainable:
from 3% registered in 2004 it achieved 60%
financial sustainability in 2007 taking into
consideration increase of staff members for
2.5 times.
The project is planning to set up in Khorog
a Handicraft Development Center and workshop on initial processing of wool.
Project has a great impact on the people’s
life as it helps to reveal talents, contributes
to self-esteem, and improves living-standards and welfare. Besides economic effect,
the project influences the cultural life of the
society preserving, developing and disseminating ancient original craftsmanship.
Having achieved some certain results in development of traditions handicrafts during
the given period, the project addressed only
one part of main existing problems. In order
to produce competitive goods in future, the
project has to consider and address such
problems as partial mechanization of initial
processing of raw-materials, increasing the
quality of goods, diversifying product assortment, set up of workshops for craftsmen, increasing of financial sustainability
and stable project development.
Contact:
Yorali Berdov
Project Manager
De Pamiri Handicraft
Mail: [email protected]
Experiences in home based milk, wool and
leather processing
Paula Moor
With the aim of application of sustainable
approaches of land use and rehabilitation
of natural resources, GTZ CCD pilot project
on «Sustainable Management of Natural resources in GBAO» has been collaborating
with the local population and authorities of
GBAO for the third year already. The objective of the project is combating the desertification and preserving the unique high mountain landscapes and its inherent biodiversity
as well as development of new or revival of
forgotten traditional income generation opportunities. A great attention is paid to enhancement of the population awareness on
sustainable use of natural resources and
its economic value. Due to the difficult access, poor infrastructure and low population
density GBAO is a less developed region in
Tajikistan. Insignificant production volumes,
remoteness of Khorog market from the production sites decelerate timely and sufficient
supply of goods.
GTZ CCD pilot project targets poor local
population and addresses existing needs
through introduction of best practices upon
minimal investments. Minimal investments
in this case do not mean financial contributions, but provision of construction materials to improve and extend mini-workshops
whereas in return local masters carry out
training on leather and wool processing to
spread the local knowledge and increase
the number of potential craftsmen. Another
project contribution consists of provision of
technical and economic consultancy. Minimilk workshop in Murghab, mini-workshops
on wool and leather processing in Medeensharf village were demonstrated as examples of home production of goods using natural resources on sustainable basis. Small
assortment of production and unimproved
equipment for processing of raw-materials
significantly hamper presently realization of
goods.
Comparing advantages (comparatively high
education level, established connections
with Afghanistan, Pakistan, Russia, undeveloped marketing which offers many opportunities) and shortcomings (undeveloped
financial system, bureaucratic obstacles for
businessmen, population mentality) which
were faced by GTZ CCD pilot project, following conclusions have been outlined:
• Region possesses a great capacity for
the development of local production and
service;
• Support the development of small-scale
business in GBAO upon sustainable use
of natural resources is a significant contribution into desertification control.
In future in the frames of GTZ CCD pilot
project a special attention will be paid to the
dissemination of practices on thermo isolation and energy saving methods.
Contact:
Paula Moor
German Development Service (DED)
Marketing and Small Business Development
Mail: [email protected]
Value adding to raw products from wild growing natural resources (seabuckthorn, dogrose)
Rustam Zevarshoev
Enterprise
on
medicinal
raw-material
processing was founded in 1987 under
Pamir Biological Institute as experimental
workshop on sea-buckthorn processing. The
workshop was set up following the results of
the survey which revealed extensive plantations of sea-buckthorn in Pamir.
Our enterprise produces products of different berries such as sea-buckthorn, dog-rose,
mulberry and other types of fruits existing in
Pamir. Three types of products are produced
out of sea-buckthorn: oil, juice and press.
Sea-buckthorn oil is largely used in medicine
as a drug to be used for gynaecological and
stomach diseases.
Juice is used both in medical and industrial sectors. Sea-buckthorn press is used as
a fodder for cattle and chicken. Moreover,
the given enterprise produces various drinks
made out of dog-rose, hawthorn and mulberry berries. 18 staff members are working
in our enterprise and seasonally we involve
30 workers for berries collection. The enterprises has close link with the local population therefore most
part of the inhabitants collect natural
resources and provide them to the
enterprise for further processing.
However,
following problems exist:
deteriorated
equipment, lack of
specialists and innovative technologies. Despite the
mentioned problems, the enterprise is functioning and produces ready products for the
population of Khorog and nearest districts of
GBAO.
There are opportunities for economic development of “Pamir” to make it competitive at
the world market.
Contact:
Rustam Zevarshoev
Coordinator
Energy Efficiency and Technical Solutions of Sustainable Management of
Natural Resources
GTZ CCD project
Mail: [email protected]
Investigation on pest insect species in Afghan
Darvaz - practical conclusions
Taigunsho Bulbulshoev
Effectiveness of crystallizing bacillus application for pest control depends on continuous-flow characteristics of strain being for
this purpose.
The main source of new thuringiensis strain
obtaining is insects. Discharge of crystallizing bacillus out of singular pathogenic individuals in insect population is marked more
often.
In Afghan Badakhshan crystallizing bacillus
nave been never applied in agriculture and
no searches were conducted. Taking into
consideration climatic conditions of Vulusvoli
Shugnan fo IRA (VSHRA) it can only be assumed that bacillus is possible to be found
in this region but it should be investigated
to what extent. It should be mentioned that
insect micro flora in VSHRA was not studied
till present. It is known that under most part
of spore and non-spore bacteria die under
the influence of high insolation in this area.
Only those spore bacteria will survive which
adapted to the effects of high insolation.
Research included three main stages:
1. Search of sick and died insects among
population of insects in VSHRA
2. Microscopical research of sick and died insects
3. Identification of spore-crystallizing bacteria.
In 2005 we conducted route surveys of orchards and natural forests in VSHRA, located
in the Pyanj River valley at altitude of 18002200 meters. The main objects of our observation were brown tail worms, ermels, green
leaf-roller moth, apple seedworm, cutworm
and May beetle. Branches of fruit trees in
some orchards were completely stripped and
worms had to eat fodder unusual for them
– nut-bearing breeds and various shrubs.
Mass mortality of worms was observed
among population of brown tail. They were
soft, of black colour, some of them become
longer, and liquid with objectionable odour
was flowing out of them. The main reason
of this browntail mortality was lack of appropriate fodder. At the same time, insect
starvation should be considered as a stress
factor when latent hidden infection becomes
apparent.
Sick and died worm mumias have been collected, which are the mass pets of woodyshrub plants on VSHRA territory. 493 smears
have been prepared out of collected sick and
died worms. After its staining with carbolic
fuchsine smears were studies under a microscope with oil immersion (х1350). Result
of microscope research demonstrated that
62,9% of insects dies of spore-crystalizing
bacteria. Spore, crystal and vegetative cells
were found in the mentioned smears.
While studying bacteria flora of browntail a
special attention was given to examination
of spore group of bacteria as it is known that
representatives of this microorganism group
are the most effective for pest control.
Our research also showed that crystallizing bacteria circulating in population of receptive insects is a permanent component
of mixed infection. Despite the conditions
of high insolation, pathogenic crystallizing
bacteria remain in the corpse of dead insect
that is very important for pathogen support
in nature, and to be a permanent source of
discharge of new stain of entomopathogenic
crystallizing bacteria.
Contact:
Taigunsho Bulbulshoev
Agricultural Academy of Sciences,
Khorog branch, Tajikistan
Opportunities for energy sector development
and application of alternative energy sources
in mountainous areassettlements of
Tohir Kamolov
Report contained information of use of energy resources in Tajikistan especially in remote mountainous settlements and provided examples of mini hydro power stations,
solar energy and other energy sources.
Contact:
Tohir Kamolov, PhD in
Technical Sciences
Associate Professor
Tajik Agrarian University
Dushanbe
Mail: [email protected]
Technologies
and methods for
save energy
Mirzo Podshoev
Current situation with energy saving in the
mountainous villages
•
Most part of the households spend 50%
of their family budget for energy stock
•
Procurement of coal for winter period
require from 5 to 6 monthly salaries
•
Animal dung is used for heating whereas
it is envisaged to be used as mineral
fertilizer in the fields
•
Forests are cut down mainly in the areas
which lack other energy sources
The objective of the project is enhancement
of the awareness on effective use of energy
resources and improvement of energy situation in mountainous regions
Project activities:
•
Conduction of LS workshops for population
•
Practical demonstration of thermo
isolation method
•
Use of local materials
•
Installation of improved energy saving ovens in rural houses
•
Training of the local masters on thermo isolation methods, construction of energy saving ovens
•
Formation of Village Energy Committee
•
Elaboration of rural energy strategy
•
Dissemination of rural energy strategy at regional and national level through
policy dialog
Achieved project results:
In the frames of the project following
measures have been undertaken:
- LS Energy saving workshops in the villages of Midenshor and Tavdem (GBAO,
Khojai Alo, Darg and Kalachai Dukchi (Sugd
region), Shahrak and Degrez (Khatlon
region), Bobosurhon (Gissar district/RRS),
Yaldamich (Garm district/RRS). Overall,
trainings have covered about 200 participants.
- Termo isolation of private and public
houses in the villages of Midenshor, Tavdem, Darg and Kalachai Dukchi (2 building
in every village); in Sharak, Degrez, Bobosurhon, Yaldamich villages (1 building in
every village); Khojai Alo village - 3 buildings.
- About 40 masters and house owners are
trained on thermo isolation approaches.
Contact:
Mirzo Podshoev
CAMP Kuhiston – Dushanbe
Mail: [email protected],
www.camp.kg
Development and advantages of Village Ener
Energy
r
Stategies
Ermek Baibagyshov
The living conditions in the hardly heated
rural houses in the Central Asian mountain
regions are difficult, when temperature outside tends to fall down to minus 40°C. The
health conditions of the families are problematic accordingly. At the same time the
population is still used to consume energy
without paying since in Soviet time energy
saving was not an issue at all. Saving energy
as a development strategy is also not discussed on the level of decision makers and
sellers of energy resources.
Private and public buildings in the area are
as a rule poorly insulated and 30 – 50 %
of the cash income of a household is spent
for energy supply – with growing tendency.
80 % of the energy use of the households
is spent for heating and the preparation of
food.
The potential of saving through better insulation of the houses and construction of efficient stoves is about 30 – 60 %.
In Kyrgyz Republic the process of privatization of electric energy supply is ongoing, but
at different stages. In the villages the supply
with electricity, coal, gas and other energy
sources is in the most of cases not provided
any more at all and “cheap” and accessible
energy sources as dung and wood are used
(up to 3 t per heating period per household).
The privatization will lead to even less access to electricity and to increased prices in
the mountain regions.
In the same time the use of dung leads to
smaller yields because of degradation of
soils in the longer term in the face of the
fact that artificial fertilizers are not available
any more.
The uncontrolled use of wood is leading to
erosion and is disturbing the water balance
in the microclimate. When the wood along
streams is cut, erosion of riverbanks can be
predicted.
Heating through burning energy resources
happens mostly through individual stoves.
In most of the cases these stoves are not efficient and they are not working according to
the standards of environmental protection.
To summarize we can conclude, that energy
efficiency on different levels is an important
topic in Kyrgyzstan, with benefits for the local population (health, household budget,
work load of the women and children) and
the environment (reduction of CO2 and slowing down the degradation of resources).
As a sustainable development strategy, energy efficiency is also a hot issue because
of the contradictory interests of energy suppliers to sell as much energy as possible
in a privatized system. To develop and implement such a strategy there is extensive
need for awareness building and multilevel
and multi-stakeholder policy dialogue.
Therefore
an
intervention
of this project
is planned on
the level of energy efficiency
on the household level, on
the village level and on the
strategic level
together with
villages,
partners
and
the
Alliance
of
Central Asian
Mountain
Communities
AGOCA.
Contact:
Dr. Ermek Baibagyshov,
Project Coordinator
Public Foundation “CAMP
Alatoo”
Mail: [email protected].
kg, www.camp.kg
Energy efficiency as economic and sozial value
- the example of more efficient stoves
Geoffrey Hathaway
In 2007 SEEDS (Social Enterprise & Ecological Development Systems) of Tajikistan
conducted a set of experiments and attempted alterations to local stove configurations. This work was based upon the need
for household energy savings. These efforts
were sponsored by GAA (now WHH) in Boljavan District of the Khatlon Region.
Tests of outdoor cooking stoves revealed
traditional cooking stoves to be approximately 20% efficient in the transfer of heat
energy to the food. The cost of fuel inputs
in the form of annual amounts of dried animal dung was presented in terms of the
economic loss of agricultural chemical inputs combusted per household. This was
found to be about $92 USD per household
or equivalent to approximately 5 months
of average household income for Boljavan
District.
In the case of Boljavan this represents a total of $352,000 USD in agricultural chemicals at current local market values. This is
a distressing loss of resources when considering the inability of the district to provide
any outside agricultural inputs without donor funding. Additionally it was determined
that approximately 15% of total human labor for the district was involved in collection
and processing of fuel materials.
Since it was determined that the dried dung
comprised only 23% of the total energy inputs, a large amount of the dung could be
removed from the energy cycle if efficiency
improvements to the stove were made.
Changes attempted were required to be
(1) Simple enough to be locally repeatable
without technical inputs (2) Cheap enough
to be locally obtainable (3) Do not affect
the general configuration or the manner in
which the stove is used (4) Offer energy
savings that are clearly visible and verifia-
ble at the house hold level without the need
for testing equipment.
The attempted changes resulted in efficiency increases of approximately 200% greatly
improving the efficiency of the stove while
requiring zero capital input and only 20 to
30 munities of time required for performing
the alterations.
These savings were clear without testing
being required: one woman stated that
“before it took 8 Kilos of wood to cook the
meal…now it takes only 2 Kilos” moreover
as a result of the simplicity of the alterations, six communities have adopted the
system without further training inputs or
cost to local development organizations,
this was accomplished by local woman who
simply “looked at” a altered stove design in
a test model.
The second test set was conducted on the
waste energy being lost though inefficient
home heating-stove venting systems. Improvements to the system required some
financial input of 78 TJS ($23 USD) but
resulted in up to a 360% improvement in
energy extraction for some home heating
stoves.
A new enterprise has spontaneously developed for expansion of the work in Boljavan
and “heat capture” products including local
improvements to the original design are already being produced in Khorog and Boljavan, both enterprise efforts are using already locally available materials, skills and
tools.
These two projects together represent the
possibility of…
•
A large decrease in human labor inputs for fuel collection,
•
A potentially large environmental
savings,
•
The possibility of better agricultural
chemical availability through conservation
of animal dung.
•
A simple and visible starting point for
dealing with more complicated issues of ecological preservation.
•
Quickly realized improvements to local
natural resource conservation at the community level.
We can easily repeat the results of these experiments in any community and are willing
to do so upon request.
SEEDS is currently in the process of securing
funding for experiments to improve the local bread baking oven which is estimated to
be about 2% efficient and represents 35%
of total household energy inputs. Several
innovations will be tested to improve efficiency and it is believed that results equal
to those of the previous experiments will be
achieved.
The efforts which have been completed
for both the traditional cooking stove
and the home heating stove, have now
been compiled as a community level training program available through
SEEDS.
SEEDS is actively involved in training
and research for agricultural and natural resource preservation. SEEDS offers
community level resource use analysis
and training programs designed to improve local resource quality and sustainability, this is accomplished though
conservation and appropriate alternative energy creation technologies.
A stove operating at 20% efficiency
means that for every ton on fuel applied, 800 Kg of chemical and energy
resources are lost in the form of waste
heat.
Contact:
Geoffrey Hathaway
SEEDs,
Mail:[email protected], www.
Tajikseeds.org
Section 3: Experiences from
programs, practical tools and
approaches for sustainable land
management
A participatory tool for improved community
based pasture and reangeland management
Murod Ergashev
Through implementation of its projects CAMP
contributes to sustainable economic, social,
and environmental aspects of livelihood. As
the result of the organization activities local
communities have developed organizational
structure and knowledge on animal breeding
to improve their living standards and these
skills are used in accordance with the principals of sustainable development. /Communities use simple instruments to monitor the
impact that different intervention on livelihoods and situation changes. A module of
autodidactic workshop (ASL) has been developed which provides approaches of sustainable pasture management for communities and members of pasture. Methodology
of impact monitoring was also elaborated
in collaboration with the local communities, which allows evaluating living conditions and facilitates planning of activities at
village and jamoat levels. CAMP organized
competition on national level on the best examples related to pasture management (using impact monitoring methodology), which
resulted in collection of best practices and
motivation of communities. The main objective of workshop for local communities is to
train the local communities and members of
pasture committees on sustainable pasture
management approaches and creation of effective collaboration. What are the benefits
the workshop provides? It provides required
information on pasture managements, sustainable land use, existing approaches, facilitates to identify problems while applying
autodidactic participatory methodologies.
Through training on joint decision making, conflict resolution, precise institutional
structure a trust relationship between the
members of the pasture committees and villagers is achieved.
Future perspectives:
•
Adaptation of CAMP products (ALS,
impact monitoring methodology).
•
Elaboration and implementation of
competition and rewarding of the best practices in collaboration with all stakeholders.
•
Consideration and evaluation of CAMP
perception sustainable pasture management
approach involving all stakeholders at local
level.
Contact:
Murod Ergashev
Director
Public Organization «САМР Kuhiston»
Tajikistan
Mail: [email protected]
Approach of CAMP Network:
Village Development Planning Process (VDP)
Ermek Baibagyshov
CAMP Agencies would like, that rural communities were able to take in hand development of their villages. Therefore village
inhabitants and the local bodies responsible
for decision-making, there will be prepared
and started village development planning
process. For this purpose to the mountain
communities will be presented an experience of planning on a democratic basis with
village representatives.
Mountain inhabitants and local authorities alike need to assume the responsibility which implies joint decision making and
implementation of actions. Ultimately, the
mountain communities are to be considered
as the real managers and custodians of their
inherited natural ressource base.
A change of mentality within the mountain
communities as well as among the external
intervening actors is necessary. Support is
particularly needed to raise awareness, provide relevant information, introduce novel
ideas, and create individual and institutional
capacities e.g. to formulate comprehensive
village development strategies. In this context, the various L4S (Learning for Sustainability) modules elaborated by CAMP Agencies
and CDE can be considerd as a powerful tool.
The tool was
first
designed
as ‘autodidacContact:
tic training’ for
Dr. Ermek Baibagyshov,
Project Coordinator
sustainable rePublic Foundation
source
man“CAMP Alatoo”
agement.
Mail: ermek@camp.
elcat.kg, Web-page:
The instrument
www.camp.kg
has proved to
be useful in
raising awareness, building individual and
institutional capacities, bringing representatives from various stakeholder groups and
levels together as well as in producing concrete outputs such as project proposals or
village development strategies. It has thus
been incorporated into extension training
programs at the national level.
The main goal of an L4S workshop is to support a self-learning process based on individual experience and leading to an increase
of competence and knowledge.
L4S workshops mobilizes villagers and raises awareness at individual and village level,
creates an atmosphere for open discussion at
local level, generates (new) ideas for village
development planning, helps in identifying
and evaluating village resources, potentials
and opportunities and represents the ‘first
step’ for creating village partnerships and
active initiative groups.
The primary effect of an L4S workshop is
more on the participating individuals than
on the whole village community due to the
limited number of participants and allows
identifying most hidden problems of a village
through its lively and spontaneous communication character.
So far, CAMP Agencies conducted more than
200 L4S workshops in 40 Central Asian
mountainous villages and help them to develop village development strategies.
Forest rehabilitation through an integrated rural development approach in the upper catchments of the Kunduz River Basin
Bernhard Schmidt
Example IDEAS Project “Integrated Development, Environment and Sustainability”:
Former woodlands in the Northeast of Afghanistan are characterized by drastic reduction of its density or have complete disappeared. Along with the forests, traditional
management practices in wood cutting, nut
harvesting and large scale livestock grazing
have vanished.
Deforestation has a disastrous impact on
water and soil conservation, on livestock
and even on wildlife. This, combined with
the loss of other forestry-based subsistence
factors, has meant a serious threat to the
people’s livelihoods.
The regeneration of pistachio and juniper
forests was identified as a prominent component of the Food Security Program in the
working area of the IDEAS Project.
1.
Forest regeneration through an integrated rural development approach
2.
Involvement of the communities in
the sustainable management of the natural
resources
3.
Improvement of the livelihood of residents through forestry based income opportunities
Contact:
Bernhard Schmidt
German Agro Actio
Mail: Bernhard.
[email protected]
Joint Forest Management Approach - first results and potentials for
Forest Management in
GBAO
Bunafsha Mislimshoeva
After gaining independence and especially
during civil war in Tajikistan, forest resources in GBAO were accessible both for local
population and newly arrived. Due to the
lack of other energy resources, population
was cutting down forests for own needs. Besides forests were the only sources of heating for public institutions Due to the energy
crisis and scarce budget of the state structures Forest committee is not able to perform their duties: to protect and develop
forest resources.
Integrated forest management means that
state structures and local population are
involved in forest resources management
based on distributed rights and responsibilities.
The main idea of this approach is that rehabilitation of the forest can be achieved only
in collaboration with the local inhabitants
whereupon population benefits from the results of forest resources development. From
the other side, state structures who are responsible for forest protection may lease
forests on long-term period.
The main components of the integrated forest management are:
Agreement on “Joint forestry maintenance”
in the legal framework of the country, which
identifies the rights and responsibilities both
of Forest Production Association and forest
users.
Forest site management plan is a basis for
monitoring and evaluation of forest resources development. It establishes all specific issues on forest resources management.
Annual plan defines the types of activities
and workload, which are implemented by the
forest user independently at the leased forest plot during one year. The plan is agreed
before its implementation between forest
users and Forest Department.
Council on Integrated Forest Management
consists of representatives of GBAO Hukumat, Village Organizations and leasers. Responsibility of the council comprises conflict resolution which may take place in the
course of work.
Technical consultancy is provided to leaser
by Forest Production Association. It may include consultations on institutional issues,
planning, management, monitoring and other topics.
Presently the project achieved impressive
results at its pilot sites. At first, conditions
of forest massif 9100 ha) in Barvoz, which is
jointly managed by forestry and local leasers, improved significantly in comparison
with neighbouring sites and with the situation before project intervention.
However, besides achievements there are
also problems existing at the pilot sites such
as cattle grazing, non-observance of technical requirements upon cutting, illegal cutting
on the leased plots. Council on Integrated
Forest Management is not able to work independently either.
It can be concluded that Council on Integrated Forest Management possesses a big potential for the rehabilitation forests in GBAO.
For this, confidence of forest users should be
strengthening and awareness of some representatives of state structures on importance
of involvement of local population to forest
management should be enhanced. It is
s also
required to promote Council on Integrated
r
Forest Management and develop strategy on
approach replication.
Contact:
Bunafsha Mislimshoeva
SMFR Assistant
GTZ CCD project
Mail: bunafsha.mislimshoeva@gmail.
com
Rangeland and Forest Rehabilitation on
Degraded Land in Afghan Badakhshan
Imatbek Nikhmonov
Community needs identified through Participatory Technology Development:
o
Shortage of fuel and fire wood
o
Loss of markets for timber
o
Low productivity of pastures related
to missing soil conservation
o
land improvement activities.
o
Conflict potential over land ownership
and pasture rights
o
Lack of community capacity and resources to address these issues
o
others
To support the communities:
AKF and the Forest Department of the Ministry of Agriculture jointly developed a concept for forestry, rangeland rehabilitation
and pasture development (endorsed in October 2005).
Our project goal is reduced vulnerability and
better livelihoods of communities and households in remote areas.
Our project objectives are:
o
To enable communities to assess the
environment and plan rangeland and pasture rehabilitation/improvement;
o
To pilot and consolidate public-private
partnership in facilitating, implementing and
monitoring the community rehabilitation
plans;
o
To identify conflicts and describe ways
of conflict resolution with regard to land and
water user rights;
o
To practically improve soil conservation methods and enhance soil fertility of
rangeland;
o
To promote biodiversity and rehabilitate vegetation, accessible for use by the local communities and households and
o
To balance livestock development
with the carrying capacity of pasture and
rangeland.
Project Activities
Step 1: Village Environment Assessment
Step 2: Participatory elaboration of Village
Development Plans Elements. This include farm forestry, home yard planting, Shrub
zone rehabilitation, rangeland & pasture
Step 3: Cost benefit analysis and agreement
Step 4: Conflict resolution
Step 5: Implementation, Monitoring and
Evaluation
Contact:
Imatbek Nikhmonov, AKF Regional
NRM Coordinator Badakhshan (Afghanistan)
Mail: [email protected]
Water and Land Resource Management and
Land Erosion Protection in Mountainous
Regions
Rahmonkul Rahmatilloev
One of the objectives of the project on
“Community Based Agricultural Production
Development and Drainage Basins Management” is ensuring of sustainable growth of
efficiency and reduction of fragile lands and
ecosystems degradation.
Main problems of land use in mountainous
regions:
•
Lack of precipitation, which affects
agricultural lands. Poor fertility of arable
lands.
•
Low fertility and degradation of slope
lands and ecosystems.
•
Growing population in mountainous
regions and intensive slope lands reclamation
•
Surface and deep water discharge, irrigation erosion, fertility layer wash out and
reduction of soil fertility. Low efficiency output upon application of furrowing irrigation.
Contact:
CAWMP
Rahmonkul Tahmatilloev
Рахматиллоев
Mail: [email protected]
One of the solutions for the sustainable
growth of land fertility as well as reduction
of fragile land degradation and ecosystems
is provision of irrigation ( 1 ha of irrigated
land will produce yields which is for 4-10
times higher than those produced by rainfed land) and reclamation of slopes with
application of water-preserving ecologically
sound irrigation techniques including micro
irrigation, which is the best method of intensive cultivation of slope lands and their
protection from degradation.
In Tajikistan experiments on micro irrigation of fruit crops and grapes growing on the
slopes of various steepness were started in
the middle of 70th of last age. These researches were aimed at elaboration of irrigation schedules and irrigation methods for
agricultural crops, technical equipment for
irrigation, irrigation network schemes and
exploitation of micro irrigation systems. Results of the researches demonstrated high
erosion safety of the given method applied
on slopes as well as significant water savings
(up to 30-50%) and consequent doubled
growth of yield of fruit and other crops.
Micro irrigation systems are appropriate for
the regions with limited water resources and
at the sites where traditional irrigation approaches cannot be applied: large inclination
(up to 0,3) jagged by relief, scanty soils, wa-
ter sources with low capacity, orchards and
vineyards creation, cultivation of profitable
agricultural crops.
Micro irrigation systems are installed on the
non-saline soil with the underground water
level not less 2 meters while on the mineralized soil the level should be not less 4
meters.
As a rule, micro irrigation system consists of
modular plots of 9-10 ha. The main compo-
nents of the system are water intake facility,
pump station, water purification and fertilizer preparation station, telecommunication,
automation systems, windbreaks, roads.
Rivers, lakes, storage ponds, springs, irrigation canals, local surface water flow and underground waters can serve as a source for
the irrigation. Selection of purifying means
depends on requirements of micro water
discharge towards water condition.
Current condition of Teresken pasture land in
the Eastern Pamirs and methods for its rehabilitation
Khudodod Aknazarov
The problem of the forage production is
very important for the West Pamir as cattle breeding is a leading production sector
in this area. A cattle keeping is based entirely on natural pastures. There are 2 million. hectares of pasture lands in this region
located at absolute altitude which is above
3500 meters. Due to the severe climate conditions, poor rural vegetation, abundance
of uneatable plants, excessive grazing and
many other reasons productivity of the natural pastures constitutes 0,40 – 1,20 t\ha of
dry solid matter. There is a concern related to
teresken pastures. About million hectares of
teresken pastures are located in the Western
Pamir and teresken is the main fodder plant
of the given region. This plant is the most
interesting types of flora in Pamir thanks
to wide ecological amplitude, flexibility and
adaptive ability to mountainous conditions.
High-altitude limit of teresken intergrowth
in Pamir constitutes from 1800 to 4200 meters. Teresken life-cycle in natural conditions
of the Eastern Pamir is up to 100 years and
in some cases - up to 500 years.
Teresken is a good eaten up plant: it is eaten
up during the whole year round by camels,
goats, sheeps and wild ungulate animals,
less by cattle. From time immemorial was
affected by the complex of ecological factors
such as climatic, anthropogenic, zoogenic,
and man-caused.
For the last 30-40 years climate warming
was observed in winter period in the Eastern
Pamir and fall of temperature in summer. We
have calculated that during the given period
the sum of effective temperatures above 5ºС
for the vegetation period decreased for 400500 º С. In the result teresken growing at
the absolute altitude of 4000 meters had its
seeds ripened that affected seed multiplication of teresken.
Influence of climatic factor on the productivity of teresken pastures constituted 10%.
Besides, zoogenic factor also influenced significantly on the productivity of teresken
pastures, namely uncontrolled cattle grazing. Nevertheless, upon moderate grazing
productivity of pastures was stable while
lack of grazing resulted in increasing of pasture productivity.
Influence of anthropogenic factor on the productivity of the highland pasture significantly increased for the last 10-15 years, when
supply of coal, wood, diesel and other heating resources to the Easter Pamir was discontinued. During this period the local population had to grub out teresken, Artemisia
and other dwarf semishrubs for their needs.
This factor reduced pasture productivity for
60%.
Influence of ecological factors is typical for
other regions of the Easter Pamir that ac-
celerated deforestation process. Presently
teresken cannot be found around Rang-Kul,
Kara-Kul, Tahtamish, Alichur and others
which are the areas of anthropogenic landscapes. The total area of devastated lands
here composes more than 1200 hectares.
Finally, deforestation leads to poverty and
local population migrate to more advantageous habitats. In 2006 with the aim of teresken pastures rehabilitation in the frames
of GTZ CСD project we have implemented
following experiments in Chechekti tract:
•
Control (without man influence)
•
Installation of furrows on the distance
of 5 meters between each other and without
additional seed sowing
•
Installation of furrows on the distance
of 5 meters between each other with additional seed sowing in spring
•
Installation of furrows on the distance
of 5 meters between each other with additional seed sowing in autumn
Since teresken is a hard rehabilitated plant,
we did not achieved results within one year;
therefore numerous shoots of pebble feather
grass and other plants have been obtained.
One of the ways to save teresken consumption is heat saving in houses. Initial experiments on insulation of schools and 3 houses
as well as reconstruction of old stoves enabled population to save teresken consumption for 30-40%. To mitigate negative consequences of deforestation and prevention
of pasture degradation we propose to undertake the following measures:
1.
Improve socio-economic situation of
the population in Murghab district through
supply of coal, wood, electricity and other
energy resources.
2.
Test and apply alternative sources of
energy (solar energy, wind force, biogas) and
emphasize energy saving in private houses.
3.
Conduct awareness campaigns for the
population underlining importance of difficult
rehabilitation of eroded pastures in Pamir.
4.
Resume scientific researches on conservation and improvement of all types of
pastures in Pamir.
5.
Call researchers and sponsors of international organizations to study the problems of desertification in the Eastern Pamir
and find concrete solutions to address these
problems.
Contact:
Khudodod Aknazarov
Pamir Biological Institutes
Mail: [email protected]
Community-based Approaches to Wildlife Conservancy in high arid environments
Rodney Jackson and Nandita Jain
1. Background and Key Issues - High arid
environments present a number of challenges when pursuing sustainable development
opportunities; low productivity, marginal
livelihood opportunities, remoteness, and
competition for scarce resources. Not surprisingly, conflicts over natural resources are
common, and of interest to SLC are those between local populations and resident wildlife.
Traditionally, these tensions between predators and local people have been resolved
through retributional and illegal killing, and
compensation for lost livestock. These approaches have generally been unsatisfactory
for wildlife and people, since they result in
continued erosion of unique biodiversity and
unsustainable property/monetary claims for
compensation.
2. An Asset-building and Participatory Approach - SLC’s approach builds upon the pioneering work of organizations, such as The
Mountain Institute and others, in adapting
concepts of appreciative inquiry and participatory learning to field-based conservation
and livelihood initiatives. SLC’s application
of Appreciative Participatory Planning and
Action (APPA) seeks to transform conflicts
into models of co-existence by a) addressing
the root causes of acute loss; b) considering
the continued existence and non-consumptive uses of wildlife as economic assets;
c) reaffirming the place of species such as
snow leopards and Marco Polo sheep in local cultures. The approach has the following
critical elements: i) participatory planning
and management that seeks ecologically,
economically and socially viable solutions;
ii) reducing acute losses in the case of predation, and generating supplemental income
to withstand unavoidable losses; iii) empowering community-based conservation actions; and iv) encouraging positive attitudes
toward wildlife, especially predators.
3. APPA in Reducing Livestock Predation
from Wildlife and Increasing Local Benefits
from Tourism
•
Mapping and understanding predation
hotspots – knowing where to focus limited
resources
•
Identifying local practices that reduce
predation, and assets for supplementing local incomes, that serve as starting points for
future actions – local corrals, traditions of
hospitality, wildlife resources, etc.
•
Envisioning a future where predation
is reduced and other income generation opportunities can be developed that also help to
conserve wildlife – reduced livestock losses,
more local benefits from tourism, decreased
killing of wildlife
•
Developing practical answers – improved and predator proofed night-time
corrals, community-based ecotourism with
wildlife viewing, local conservation actions,
e.g. plantations, use of solar energy, grazing
management to support local wildlife
•
Local action, monitoring – co-financing contributions, on-going commitments to
conservation, increased local incomes, enterprise spin-offs, empowered women, in-
creased local pride in wildlife,
4. Lessons Learned in Participatory Approaches
•
More active participation of local communities is critical to ensuring long-term results and commitments. Communities are
more engaged and committed if they are active in decision-making rather than just being consulted as informants.
•
Transforming negative perceptions
and adding value to poorly appreciated assets are not quick processes, but ones that
require significant investments of time and
technical resources so that local capacities
are built and positive impacts are long-lasting
In 2006 Cultural Keystone Species investigation in 2006 supported by The Christensen Fund identified key fauna and flora
and the roles they play in Pamiri communities. These findings are the basis of Mountain Voices and Community Actions initiative
in biodiversity conservation and linked local
livelihoods, which builds upon the successes
and lessons learned from SLC’s work in other
mountain ranges. A critical aspect will be to
address the challenges and opportunities in
fully valuing critical and threatened species
such as the Marco Polo sheep, ibex and snow
leopard that are often regarded as free-assets, and to develop non-consumptive uses
that will help ensure their important place in
the Pamir ecosystems and communities.
•
Community-to-community exchanges
are valuable ways of increasing knowledge,
changing attitudes and practices that are essential components in ensuring sustainability.
•
Investing in monitoring is essential
from building local capacities in methods and
how to use results in adaptive management,
to testing and adapting innovative methods
such as camera-trapping and PhotoVoice
which make creative use of emerging technologies.
5. Community-based Conservation and Livelihood Initiatives in the Pamir
Contact:
Rodney Jackson, Ph.D.
Director
Mail: rodjackson@mountain.
org
Participatory Technology Development (PTD)
based on the example of poultry keeping
development in Badakhshan province of IRA
Aslisho Nazarbekov
The purpose of the presentation was to familiarize conference participants with the
main principals of PTD which is aimed at
strengthening of farmers’ self-confidence,
self-determination in order to address the
needs of their families. This participatory
method of work with the farmers ensures
understanding of their needs and problems.
This is not an education approach but a type
of assistance which facilitates the farmers to
find better solutions for identified problems.
PTD is the farmer’s facilitator and friend.
The main principles of PTD are collaboration
with farmers, development of existing farmer’s technology, understanding of needs,
analysis and finding solutions by farmers.
Important instruments of PTD are discussions, provision of ideas and experiments.
Discussion includes interview and problem
identification, presentation of new ideas by
farmers, drafting of a problem list, selection
of a priority idea through secret vote.
The roots of the problems are identified during discussions. For this an effect (high mortality of poultry, low productivity) and reason (poultry diseases, unbalanced feeding,
improper keeping conditions, lack of knowl-
edge on poultry production, lack of specialist) should be found. While identifying a
problem, an experiment is conducted to find
new ideas.
Implementation of experiment includes the
objective, design, action plan, contract, joint
monitoring and joint analysis.
Upon completion of the whole cycle of PTD
a plan for future should be drafted. If the
experiment generated good results, farmers
decide to implement this experiment on a
large scale and start selling eggs. If the experiment is not that successful, farmers will
repeat it in the next year using another design (if they adapted PTD well enough) and
are willing to develop another priority idea.
After discussion farmers select appropriate solution and then the cycle is repeated
again.
Contact:
Aslisho Nazarbekov
Veterinary Specialist
AKF, Khorog
Mail: [email protected]
Cattle Breeding Program in Afghan
Badakhshan
Aslisho Nazarbekov
The purpose of the presentation was to familiarize conference participants with the main
principles of the project on cattle breeding,
for improving the local cattle breed, and for
increasing its productivity using the Shvitzkaya cattle breed. The existing cattle breed
is the local zebuvidnaya. The characteristics
of the breed: milk production- 700 liters for
lactation, alive medium bulk is– 365 – 400
kg, alive medium bulk of the cows is – 180
– 260 kg, puberty – from the age of 2 years.
For improving the local breed there were delivered bulls of Shvidskaya breed. The breed
characteristics: brown color, alive medium
bulk of the bulls is – 800 – 1000 kg, alive
medium bulk of the cows is – 500 – 530 kg,
medium annual milking 3500-4000 kg, milk
fatness 3,7-3,8 %, puberty – in the age of
18 months. There was used hand tupping
for the natural breeding. While project realization there were delivered 60 breeder
bulls in Badakhshan province of IRA, tupping number - 1500 heads, also there were
born 600 bull calf. While project realization
the farmers were provided by: 1 head of the
Shitzkaya breed, 6-months fodder for the
first winter period, regular vaccination and
medical treatment, regular monitoring of the
health conditions of the breeder bulls, tupping registration, registering the newborn
calf, labeling the newborn calf, training the
farmers who were given the breeder bulls.
Recommendations
•
Food supply improvement
•
Technical assistance:
•
Ensilage
•
Additional fertilizing
•
Fodder storage and keeping
•
Alternative feeding types
•
Mineral/Combined feeding
•
Organizing centers on breeding the
agricultural animals
•
Working out a long term program on
breeding the agricultural animals
•
Regular trainings for the farmers
There was also organized a training for the
farmers who were given the breeder bulls,
where have been discussed the issues concerning the attendance and maintenance of
cattle breed, feeding the breeder bulls, the
rules of using the breeder bulls, the rules of
cows insemination, attendance of the newborn calf, feeding the parous and calved
cows, the most spread diseases. Increasing
the local population awareness was implemented by conducting the days of agricultural workers and field farmer’s schools.
During the project realization there have
been made the following conclusions:
•
Low level of awareness of the local
population on cattle
•
Low interest of the local population
•
Insufficient food supply
•
Small local cattle
•
Apprehension from the misunderstandings and rumors among the local population
•
Not gaining a profit by the hosts of the
breeder bulls
Contact:
Aslisho Nazarbekov
Veterinary Specialist
AKF, Khorog
Mail: [email protected]
Recommendations
The conference participants recommended the following aspects to include in a
further successful work for sustainable land management in the afghan and tajik
Pamirs:
•
to gather and to learn from traditional technologies, to adapt and to spread
them in the mountainous communities
•
to spread effective and affordable technologies for the use natural resources
•
to use pictorial methods like exhibitions for showing technologies and informing the population
•
small grants can serve as instruments for the support of traditional technologies and methods, that are still vital among the population of the mountain regions
•
to invite CAMP and other programs to work in GBAO (to extend the membership of local mountain villages of Afghan and Tajik Pamir)
•
to continue the dialogue with state organizations, which is important and
necessary as an instrument for the participation of mountain communities in decisions making from the very beginning of discussions on reform of laws, programs,
projects etc.
•
to elaborate appropriate auto-didactic trainings for mountain communities
and villages of Tajik and Afghan Pamirs
•
to conduct active work with civil society institutions, such as rural organizations, NGOs, water users and lands users associations, farmers etc.
•
village development planning is an important factor for the development of
mountainous areas of Afghan and Tajik Pamirs
•
to cooperate with rights support organizations for increasing the legal status
and awareness of the population of the mountainous regions in conflicts solving
•
to start working on self-financing learning programs and trainings and revealing the needs in training programs and organizations services (local programs,
international programs, NGOs etc.)
•
state programs on energy supply of the population of the Pamirs are necessary
•
awareness building programs on using wild plants are necessary (e.g. Teresken)
•
financial support for the restauration of pastures in the East Pamirs is necessary
•
alternative energy sources, that can lower the pressure on natural resources
are necessary
•
it is necessary to continue the cooperation with state organizations in the
field of forest management
• it is necessary to keep on working
in the fields of forest management,
gardening, cattle breeding, fruit
growing and stock raising
• it is necessary to develop and support monitoring committees and evaluation of projects’ activities
• long term projects and their facilitation after projects termination are
necessary
• cooperation between projects and
programs that work on in the same
fields is necessary (for example developing the pistachio forests)
• it is necessary to finish tendencies
of concurrence between projects and
organizations
•
it is necessary to continue the work
on experimental areas on the issues of
water use and conservation of irrigated
lands
•
methodical support is necessary
(textbooks, educational and visual materials, flipcharts etc)
•
it is necessary to apply more interactive work methods with the users of the
natural resources
•
an active exchange between communities and the inhabitants of Tajik and
Afghan Pamir is necessary
•
it is necessary to work with the
population on the issues of biodiversity
and wild nature preservation
Publication information
Published by:
Gesellschaft für Technische
Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH
DED - Deutscher Entwicklungsdienst
DAAD- German Academic Exchange
Service
Photos: Tobias Kraudzun, Paula Moor
Translation: Larisa Karimova
Layout: Sonja Bill (DED)
Printed in Tajikistan, October 2008.
List of participants
Abdulamonov Kozimamad, Pamir Biological Institute , Tajikistan
Abdulnazarov Abdulnazar, State Forrest Agency GBAO, Tajikistan, [email protected]
Abdurakhimova Firuza, NGO “Nature Protection Team”/UNEPCOM, Tajikistan,
[email protected]
Akhmet Umetbekov, Free consultant , Kyrgyzstan
Aknazarov Ogonazar, Pamir Biological Institute, Tajikistan [email protected]
Aknazarov Khudodod, Pamir Biological Institute, Tajikistan, [email protected]
Alamshoev Shervon, GTZ CCD Pilot Project in Khorog, Tajikistan
Baibagyshov Ermek, CAMP Alatoo Kyrgyzstan , [email protected]
Bakhronov Azimsho, MSDSP Khorog, Tajikistan, [email protected]
Barez Aziz Ahmad, Afghan Consulate in Khorog, Afghanistan , [email protected]
Berdov Yorali, De Pamiri Handicraft, Tajikistan [email protected]
Berdova Zuhro, De Pamiri Handicraft, Tajikistan, [email protected]
Bogdalyova Verena
Interpreter Tajikistan [email protected]
Boltov Victor, Cadastre Tajikistan , Tajikistan, [email protected]
Broimshoeva Rukhshona, FOCUS , Tajikistan, [email protected]
Bulbulshoev Taigunsho, Khorog Department Academy of Agricultural Science,
Tajikistan
Callahan Ted, Wildlife Conservation Society, Afghanistan, USA,
[email protected]
Chaidarova Gulnoz, GTZ Duschanbe, Tajikistan, [email protected]
Ergashev Murod, CAMP Kuhiston, Tajikistan, [email protected]
Fabian André, GTZ CCD Pilot Project in Khorog, Tajikistan, [email protected]
Franke Kai DAAD Information Center Dushanbe, Germany, [email protected]
Gadomamadov Todzhedin, FOCUS Afghanistan, Tajikistan [email protected]
Ghafory, Abdul Samad, Kabul University Faculty of Geological Science Afghanistan,
[email protected]
Glatzer Bernt, Afghanistan Research Group (ARG), Germany,
[email protected]
Hathaway Goeffrey, SEEDs -Social Enterprise and Ecological Development System
Tajikistan, [email protected]
Herrmann Andreas, Technical University of Braunschweig Germany,
[email protected]
Jackson Rodney, Snow Leopard Conservancy, USA, [email protected]
Jain, Nadita, Snow Leopard Conservancy, USA [email protected]
Jonboboev Nazardod, Association “Milal-Inter” Tajikistan, [email protected]
Jumabekova Modavlat, Private Entrepreneur , Tajikistan
Kadamshoev Mamadsho, Pamir Biological Institute, Tajikistan
Kamolov Tohir, Agrar University Dushanbe, Tajikistan, [email protected]
Kaniev Eraj , ACTED Murgab Tajikistan, [email protected]
Karim-Aly Kassam , Department of Natural Resources at Cornell University, USA,
[email protected]
Kraudzun Tobias ZELF, Free University of Berlin, Germany , [email protected]
Kreutzmann Herrmann ZELF, Free University of Berlin, Germany ,
[email protected]
Kubotov Mastibek, National Cadastre Administration GBAO, Tajikistan
Kucuczka, Anne, ASA-Student, Germany . [email protected]
Kurbonov Dona, CAWMP, Tajikistan
Kurziev Mirjuma, SEEDs -Social Enterprise and Ecological Development System
Tajikistan, [email protected]
Lailibekov Azorabek, Tajik National Park, Tajikistan, [email protected]
Leseur Marielle, MSDSP Khorog, France, [email protected]
Mamadrizokhonov Akbar, Khorog State University, Tajikistan
Michel Stefan, Freelance consultant NRM, Germany, [email protected]
Mirasanov Murod, Nature Protection Department GBAO, Tajikistan
Mislimshoeva, Bunafsha, GTZ CCD Pilot Project Khorog, Tajikistan, [email protected]
Moor Paula, Young Professional GTZ CCD Pilot Project, Tajikistan, [email protected]
Muminshoev Rasul, CAWMP, Tajikistan
Navruzshoev Amonsho, GTZ CCD Pilot Project Khorog, Tajikistan
Navruzshoev Dovutsho, University of Central Asia, Tajikistan, [email protected]
Nazarbekov Azlisho, AKF Afghanistan, Tajikistan, [email protected]
Nazaraliev Mulkamon, Agriculture Department GBAO, Tajikistan
Nikhmonov Imatbek, AKF Afghanistan, Tajikistan , [email protected]
Potshoev Mirzokurbon, CAMP Kuhiston, Tajikistan, [email protected]
Rakhimov Rustam, CAWMP, Tajikistan
Rakhmatshoev Gulos, MLF Madina Tajikistan, [email protected]
Rakhmatilloev Rakhmonkul, CAWMP, Tajikistan, [email protected]
Samimi Cyrus, University Erlangen Germany, [email protected]
Schade Kersten, DED Consultant Germany, [email protected]
Schmidt Bernhard, IDEAS Project, German Agro Action Afghanistan, Germany
[email protected]
Schmieder Annett, ASA-Student, Germany
Shomansurov Saidmir, Pamir Biological Institute, Tajikistan
Sulaimonov Dovud, AKF Afghanistan, Tajikistan
Starrost, Ilka, Regional GTZ CCD Project CA, Germany, [email protected]
Taigunshoeva Savsan, GTZ CCD Pilot Project Khorog, Tajikistan
Taniwal Zarif, University of Kabul, Afghanistan
Tolibshoev Mussallo, NGO Hirad, Tajikistan
Tyumeneva Valeriya, German Development Service / ACTED, Tajikistan,
[email protected]
Umarov Noor, Interpreter, Tajikistan, [email protected]
Vanselow Kim, University Erlangen Germany, [email protected]
Whitton Mark, AKF Tajikistan Great Britain, [email protected]
Yunoev Sorbon, VO Tavdem
Yusufbekov Yusufbek, Ministry of Agriculture and Nature Protection
of the Republic of Tajikistan, Tajikistan, [email protected]
Zevarshoev Rustam, GTZ CCD Pilot Project Khorog , Tajikistan, [email protected]