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)

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH (GIZ) - Germany

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

23/08/2009

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

Protection and rehabilitation of state forests based on joint long term agreements set up between the State Forestry Agency, and local forest users (in the frame of CACILM).

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

Aims / objectives: In Soviet times, the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) had been highly dependent on subsidised fuel for heating and cooking. After independence, as fuel could no longer be imported from the former Soviet Union, more pressure was exerted on the flood plain forests, leading to severe degradation of the resources through illegal felling and livestock grazing. The State Forestry Agency does not have the financial means nor adequate capacity to implement a sustainable forestry management system adapted to the changed political, socio-economic and ecological conditions. The main aim of this approach is the rehabilitation of degraded floodplain forests in collaboration with the local users. This can only be achieved, if local users can see that they will benefit from conserving and developing the forest. Also, the State Forestry Agency is supported in its restructuring and gets an opportunity to achieve the protection of the forest, and economic goals through forest products and income from the rented forest plots.

Methods: \'Joint Forest Management\' (JFM) means that governmental organisations and local users are involved in forest management on the basis of a contract with a duration of 20 years, valid under Tajik law, which defines the rights and obligations of all the parties. As a first step, and in order to ensure the protection of the plot, a fence has to be built to protect reforestation activities from livestock (see Technology TAJ366). Adequate irrigation of the forest areas is also supported. Forest tenants as well as Forestry Agency staff are also trained in sustainable forest management techniques. Progresses and challenges are regularly being monitored and technical advice is being given to forest tenants.

Stages of implementation: The implementation includes eight steps: (1) field check and meeting with village representatives, (2) information workshop, (3) general agreement with the whole community, (4) selection of tenants, (5) division of the plots, (6) signing of contracts with the individual tenants, (7) elaboration of management plans and annual plans for each tenant, and (8) monitoring of annual plans.

Role of stakeholders: The annual plan is based on a 5-year management plan for the respective plot. It determines the amount of work undertaken by the forest tenant as well as harvests and their shares to be obtained from the rented area in one year. The rental contract, the management plan, and the annual plan are mutually agreed on by the forest tenants and the Forestry Agency. Forest tenants develop a sense of ownership and responsibility for the sustainable use of forests and forest resources on their plot. The State Forestry Agency is responsible for control and technical advice.

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 (Income generation, income diversification, forest rehabilitation, improved access to forest resources)

Protection and rehabilitation of state forests based on joint long term agreements set up between the State Forestry Agency, and local forest users.

The SLM Approach addressed the following problems: Limited management and control capacities of the State Forestry Agency, combined with a sudden increasing need for firewood resulted in an uncontrolled 'open access' situation in the floodplain forests of GBAO. People were using forest resources in an unsustainable manner, including uncontrolled felling and livestock pasture. This resulted in a large scale degradation of the floodplain forest resources.

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	Field visits, talks with village representatives, information seminar for the whole community.
planning	interactive	5-year Management Plans and 1-year Annual Plans are developed for each forest plot, jointly by the land users and State Forestry Agency staff.
implementation	interactive	Live fence construction, irrigation rehabilitation, sharing of harvest.
monitoring/ evaluation	interactive	Completed via the close cooperation between the State Forestry Agency and GIZ, using interviews completed by project mobilisers, as well as monitoring of annual achievements.
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 SLM specialists, following consultation with land users

Explain:

The approach was developed and implemented in other geographical settings (South Asia) and adapted to the local conditions in GBAO. It is continuously being adapted, according to the practical experiences of SLM specialists and through consultation with the local forest tenants.

Decisions on the method of implementing the SLM Technology were made by mainly by land users supported by SLM specialists. GIZ project staff and forest specialists supported local users in implementing the Technology with some modifications.

4.1 Capacity building/ training

Was training provided to land users/ other stakeholders?

Yes

Specify who was trained:

• land users
• field staff/ advisers

If relevant, specify gender, age, status, ethnicity, etc.

At first, so called 'community mobilisers' were trained, who further provided training for forest users.

Form of training:

• on-the-job
• demonstration areas
• public meetings
• courses

Subjects covered:

Sustainable natural resources management, technical forestry knowledge (planting, thinning) and elaboration of management plans.

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:

Forestry training for tenants and forestry staff; Key elements: Sustainable natural resource management and use, Technical training in forestry management (planting and harvesting, fencing etc.)

Advisory service is quite adequate to ensure the continuation of land conservation activities; Government saw the good results gained from the Joint Forest Management approach, and is interested in continuing this approach.

4.3 Institution strengthening (organizational development)

Have institutions been established or strengthened through the Approach?

• yes, greatly

Specify the level(s) at which institutions have been strengthened or established:

• local

Specify type of support:

• financial
• capacity building/ training

Give further details:

The State Forestry Agencie's building was renovated and computers were provided for the Agency. Mobilisers were trained to conduct advisory services. Transport for field works was provided. The State Forestry Agency is being supported in its restructuring towards becoming a sustainable institution

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Is monitoring and evaluation part of the Approach?

Yes

Comments:

Area treated aspects were regular monitored by project staff through observations; indicators: GIS and data base systems were established

No. of land users involved aspects were ad hoc monitored by project staff, government through observations; indicators: based on the number of contracts, registered in data base

area treated aspects were regular monitored by project staff, government, land users through measurements; indicators: GIS and data base systems were established

bio-physical aspects were regular monitored by project staff, government through observations; indicators: annual monitoring (autumn)

no. of land users involved aspects were ad hoc monitored by project staff, government, land users through measurements; indicators: based on the number of contracts

management of Approach aspects were regular monitored by None through observations; indicators: regular planning, reporting and evaluation

There were several changes in the Approach as a result of monitoring and evaluation: Regular adaptation of the approach after evaluation and analysis of field work results and occurring challenges.

There were no changes in the Technology as a result of monitoring and evaluation: None

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: local community / land user(s) (Implementation of measures in the forest are covered by land users): 10.0%; government (Provision of areas for JFM implementation, support of implementation): 10.0%; international (Full project organisation: meetings, workshops, technical advice): 80.0%

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)

• equipment

• infrastructure

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

• rewarded with other material support

Comments:

Also voluntary labour was an important input

5.5 Other incentives or instruments

Were other incentives or instruments used to promote implementation of SLM Technologies?

Yes

If yes, specify:

The State Forestry Agencie's building was renovated and computers were provided for the Agency. Mobilisers were trained to conduct advisory services. Transport for field works was provided. The State Forestry Agency is being supported in its restructuring towards becoming a sustainable institution

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:

Much interest among the land users as they have now legal access to the forest.

6.4 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Trusting Forestry Agency (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Follow the rules established in the contracts and management plans.)
Benefit through legal access to forest products (firewood, construction, wood, fruits, etc)

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Improved forest protection and management (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Forest users have a sense of ownership and responsibility for the sustainable use of forests and forest resources. Close collaboration of the Forestry Agency with the forest tenants will be crucial.)
Benefit through legal access to forest products (firewood, construction, wood, fruits. etc) (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Contract guarantees user rights for 20 years. Good management assured through regular advice and monitoring by the Forestry Agency (twice a year in spring and autumn).)

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

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
At the beginning of the project, benefits seen to be gained from the forest are not high (especially wood)	Planting of fast growing bushes and trees, perennial, fodder crops.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
At the initial stage, financing of the approach without project (INGO) support is difficult	In the future, by increasing the productivity of the forest areas, more finances can possibly be made available to forest users and the forestry department.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Forestry Sector Analysis of the Republic of Tajikistan, Joachim F. Kirchhoff and André Fabian, 2010

Available from where? Costs?

Contact: jochim.kirchhoff@giz.de or michael.angermann@giz.de