1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Approach

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

Central Asian Countries Initiative for Land Management (CACILM I)

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)

CAMP - Central Asian Mountain Partnership (CAMP - Central Asian Mountain Partnership) - Kyrgyzstan

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

15/01/2013

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.4 Reference(s) to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Technologies

2.1 Short description of the Approach

Mapping (development of pasture area maps) for the use of pastures with the participation of all stakeholders, as a basis for a balanced distribution of cattle depending on the capacity and seasonality of the pastures (in the frame of CACIM).

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

Aims / objectives: Reduction / prevention of pasture degradation by mapping pasture areas, followed by the development of pasture use plans based on the elaborated maps.

Stages of implementation: Mapping of pastures allows the Pasture Committees to assess the carrying capacity of each pasture area, and to develop a plan for their use on its basis. Implementing or following the pasture use plan by pasture users leads to the following results: а) prevention and reduction of pasture degradation; b) reduction of conflicts over pasture resources between different groups of pasture users based on the established boundaries of pasture areas and timing of seasonal grazing; c) increase in the income of local farmers by improving the condition of livestock.
The implementation of this approach should be started with the collection of the available map materials of the aiyl okrug (A/O, aiyl okrug is an administrative and territorial unit consists of a group of villages, which has a local self-government), followed by the digitization of geobotanical maps of the pastures using the program Arc GIS 9 and specifying in the table of attributes the vegetation types, the gross production (phytomass per hectare), edible productivity. Among others, recommendations for the seasonal use of pastures are then being developed (this work was carried out by specialists of CAMP Alatoo PF). PastureCommittees first define the external borders of their pastures using old maps from the Soviet period. The newly established borders of pastures shall be agreed with neighboring aiyl okrugs. Where there are disputed territories consensus has to be achieved. Then, Pasture Committees determine the internal borders of pasture areas traditionally used by farmers. The natural barriers (rivers, ridges, rocks, etc.) usually serve as boundaries of the areas. Borders of pasture areas determined by the Pasture Committee are plotted on the geobotanical map. Based on this map, which shows the types of pastures in different pasture areas, the capacity of each pasture area is calculated. To obtain the capacity of the pasture areas in different seasons, the total capacity is multiplied by the coefficients for each season, which are defined and presented by Kyrgyz Designing Institute on Land Management “Kyrgyzgiprozem”. The results obtained will be plotted on four simple maps representing the carrying capacity of the pasture areas in spring, summer, autumn and winter. These maps are then used by the Pasture Committee for the development of their pasture use plans.

Role of stakeholders: Pasture use plans which are based on the mapping of pasture areas become binding for all pasture users after the approval by the general meeting of the Association of pasture users and the aiyl kenesh. (local authority) Accordingly, the meeting represents and defends the interests of the majority of pasture users, which represents both men and women.

Other important information: This approach has been implemented by CAMP Alatoo PF as part of a pilot project of the GIZ regional program “Sustainable Use of Natural Resources in Central Asia”.

2.3 Photos of the Approach

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Approach has been applied

2.6 Dates of initiation and termination of the Approach

2.7 Type of Approach

• project/ programme based

2.8 Main aims/ objectives of the Approach

The Approach focused mainly on SLM with other activities (collection of map materials, digitizing maps, determination of the external borders of pastures, determination of internal borders of pastures, calculation of pasture capacity, pasture use plan. )

The main objective of this approach is to provide Pasture Committees with the skills to develop necessary map material, so that they fully perform their functions related to the development of pasture use plans.

The SLM Approach addressed the following problems: The lack of clearly defined (both external and internal) pasture boundaries leads to various problems in the use and management of pastures. First, the lack of boundaries leads to conflicts, both between neighboring Pasture Committees and between the pasture users, which is not beneficial for a sustainable pasture management. Second, the fact that the Pasture Committees have no map material showing pasture boundaries complicates the assessment of pasture condition and the establishment of pasture use plans, which aim at avoiding land degradation. Therefore, Pasture Committees need simple approaches for mapping their pastures. This approach is designed to help the Pasture Committees to resolve the problems arising due to a lack of defined pasture boundaries (above mentioned problems).

2.9 Conditions enabling or hindering implementation of the Technology/ Technologies applied under the Approach

3.1 Stakeholders involved in the Approach and their roles

3.2 Involvement of local land users/ local communities in the different phases of the Approach

	Involvement of local land users/ local communities	Specify who was involved and describe activities
initiation/ motivation	interactive	Seminars to raise awareness of pasture users, round tables, meetings with experts.
planning	interactive	Planning of the approach was carried out with the active participation of members of the Pasture Committees and the communities.
implementation	interactive	Pasture Committees determined the external and internal borders of pasture areas, which is part of the work for the implementation of the approach in practice.
monitoring/ evaluation	none
Research	none

3.3 Flow chart (if available)

3.4 Decision-making on the selection of SLM Technology/ Technologies

Specify who decided on the selection of the Technology/ Technologies to be implemented:

• mainly land users, supported by SLM specialists

Explain:

External and internal borders of pastures were determined by Pasture Committees. Digitizing of geobotanical maps and evaluation of pasture capacity were carried out by specialists of the project. Pasture Committees made corrections on the finished maps of pasture capacity on their own.

Decisions on the method of implementing the SLM Technology were made by mainly by land users supported by SLM specialists. This approach was proposed mainly by project specialists.

4.1 Capacity building/ training

Was training provided to land users/ other stakeholders?

Yes

Specify who was trained:

• land users
• field staff/ advisers

Form of training:

• farmer-to-farmer
• public meetings

Form of training:

• seminars

Subjects covered:

This approach was included in the training of trainers, which was conducted throughout the country. The trainees gain the skills to map, as well as the necessary knowledge on the capacity of pastures, their rotation and the effect of pasture rotation on their condition (carrying capacity).

4.2 Advisory service

Do land users have access to an advisory service?

Yes

Specify whether advisory service is provided:

• on land users' fields

Describe/ comments:

Name of method used for advisory service: Mapping as a basis for the development of pasture use plans.; Key elements: Mapping internal and external borders of pastures., Mapping the capacity of pastures.; External borders of pastures of aiyl okrugs are a basis for conflicts. In addition, not all pasture users follow the pasture use plan. Required a clear determination of the external borders and their formalization. The approach involves monitoring of pasture areas to clarify the pasture capacity and to plan their more balanced use, as available data on the capacity of pastures are old. Further efforts to raise the awareness of pasture users about the importance of pasture use planning are required.

Advisory service is quite adequate to ensure the continuation of land conservation activities; The extension system is quite adequate to ensure a continuation of the activities. In accordance with the Law 'On Pastures' of the Kyrgyz Republic, Pasture committees were created in all aiyl okrugs. These Pature committees need to develop an annual pasture use plan, according to the capacity of their pasture areas and the actual number of livestock. The Pasture Department of the Ministry of Agriculture uses this approach in the development of teaching materials for the Pasture Committees. In addition, the employees of the Pasture Department are trained in this approach and are able to provide trainings on mapping.

4.3 Institution strengthening (organizational development)

Have institutions been established or strengthened through the Approach?

• no

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Is monitoring and evaluation part of the Approach?

Yes

Comments:

Bio-physical aspects were regular monitored by project staff, land users through measurements; indicators: Dynamics of biophysical changes (monitoring of the pasture condition based on pasture capacity maps).
Technical aspects were regular monitored by land users through observations; indicators: % of compliance with the grazing schedules and pasture use plan (monitoring).
Economic / production aspects were regular monitored by project staff, land users through measurements; indicators: Condition of livestock.
No. of land users involved aspects were regular monitored by land users through measurements; indicators: % of involved pasture users.
There were no changes in the Approach as a result of monitoring and evaluation
There were no changes in the Technology as a result of monitoring and evaluation

4.5 Research

Was research part of the Approach?

No

5.1 Annual budget for the SLM component of the Approach

If precise annual budget is not known, indicate range:

• 10,000-100,000

Comments (e.g. main sources of funding/ major donors):

Approach costs were met by the following donors: international (The approach is implemented by means of GIZ ): 100.0%

5.2 Financial/ material support provided to land users

Did land users receive financial/ material support for implementing the Technology/ Technologies?

No

5.3 Subsidies for specific inputs (including labour)

If labour by land users was a substantial input, was it:

• rewarded with other material support

Comments:

The development of pasture use plans based on the pasture capacity maps is a functional responsibility of the Pasture committees. Their members receive a salary for the implementation of functional responsibilities out of the Pasture committee's own budget.

Pasture users are not aware of the need of such costs. Required measures to raise awareness and capacity of pasture users, local parliaments, representatives of local governments.

5.4 Credit

Was credit provided under the Approach for SLM activities?

No

6.1 Impacts of the Approach

6.2 Main motivation of land users to implement SLM

6.3 Sustainability of Approach activities

Can the land users sustain what has been implemented through the Approach (without external support)?

• yes

If yes, describe how:

The pasture use plan based on pasture mapping is a part of the pasture management plan. A funding mechanism for the implementation of the pasture management plan, which is based on the payment for grazing by pasture users, is provided by the legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic. These payments form the budget of the Pasture Committee. The total sum of the budget depends on the pasture use plan and the activities planned to improve the infrastructure as well as the pasture condition. This mechanism ensures the financial sustainability of this approach. However, the implementation of the approach also requires mapping skills, which can be achieved through training of the members of the Pasture Committee.

6.4 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Ability to plan pasture use (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: 1) Training on working with maps in practice and on monitoring the capacity of pastures 2) Monitoring the implementation of the pasture use plan 3) Create new income-generating activities as an alternative to increasing the number of livestock)
Achieving a stable income from livestock

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Participation of the local community in the definition of the boundaries of their pastures, which increases their responsibility for them (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: 1) Attract more people, if possible by increasing their awareness 2) Increase the capacities of the Pasture Committee 3) Provide extension services to the Pasture Committees (e.g. through Rural Advisory Services - RAS))
Reduction and prevention of degradation on pastures, conservation and restoration of pasture ecosystems.

6.5 Weaknesses/ disadvantages of the Approach and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
This approach requires special skills and software, such as GIS.	1) Increase the capacity of GIS professionals 2) Assistance in providing the required pasture maps 3) Training the pasture users.
Pasture users lack skills on plan development, implementation and monitoring.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Busler S. «Community Pasture Management in Kyrgyzstan», Bishkek, 2011

Available from where? Costs?

САМР Alatoo PF

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Annual reports of САМР Alatoo for 2009, 2010, 2011

Available from where? Costs?

САМР Alatoo PF

7.3 Links to relevant information which is available online

Title/ description:

Law of the Kyrgyz Republic «On Pastures» dated 26 January 2009 No.30

URL:

www.toktom.kg