Community-based Natural Resource Management
Type: Approaches
Creation: 2016-02-09 00:00 Updated: 2019-04-18 12:51
Compilers: Aqila Haidery
Reviewers: Deborah Niggli, Joana Eichenberger
Country/ region/ locations where the Approach has been applied
- Country: Afghanistan
- Region/ State/ Province: Zai Mahmood village
- Further specification of location (e.g. municipality, town, etc.), if relevant: Bamyan center, Afghanistan
- Map: View Map
Description of the SLM Approach
Short description of the Approach
An approach to community participation in the sustainable management of natural resources
Detailed description of the Approach
The main objective of the intervention was to reduce the surface run-off and sediment flow from the selected degraded watershed, with soil and water conservation measures through community participation.
Agha Khan Foundation and representatives from the selected Community Development Councils (CDC) surveyed the area and discussed the main land use problems. On the basis of feasibility surveys, potential SLM technologies were identified and implemented. Contour lines were prepared with the help of an A-frame and lime. Several men from Zai Mahmood village were employed as daily wage workers for the technology implementation works. The land users used their own tools for trench excavation. Each worker excavated on an average one trench per day. The daily wage was 250 AFS/USD.
The project was executed over two years. In addition to the structural measures, training and exposure visits for watershed management committee and pasture committee members, reseeding of more areas, tree plantation campaigns and group-based women vegetable farming were realized. Women were employed for seed collection work with cash for work approach. The area was protected from grazing and shrub cutting pressure. Seeds of different fodder varieties and shrubs were also cultivated.
Since the realization of the project in 2008, soil and vegetation cover has improved, people’s knowledge about soil and water conservation has increased, flash floods have been controlled and discharge in the spring located below the watershed has increased by about 40%. AKF continues to support the target communities with community development and institution building. The water-shed work is sustained by a watershed and pasture management committee appointed by the people from three respective CDCs.
The Community-Based Natural Resource Management approach is documented by Sustainable Land Management Project implemented/HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation which is funded by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation with close support and cooperation of the Agha Khan Foundation (AKF).
The watershed project was funded by AusAID. The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) facilitated the implementation by the community. The project was implemented in Zai Mahmood mountain slope area in Zai Mahmood village, Shiber district, Bamyan Province. The village, located downstream from the site, experienced problems such as excessive surface runoff/flash floods, snow avalanches, soil erosion, lack of drinking water, lack of soil moisture at the site.
Photos of the Approach
- 📍 Zai Mahmood Village, Bamyan, Afghanistan
- 📷 Agha Khan Foundation (AKF)
- 📷 Madhav Dhakal