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)

Community-based sustainable land and forest management in Afghanistan

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

FAO Afghanistan (FAO Afghanistan) - Afghanistan

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

15/12/2024

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

Yes

2.1 Short description of the Approach

Community-driven reforestation initiative that involves awareness-raising, capacity building, feasibility analysis, and collaboration among various stakeholders to address land degradation and promote sustainable forest and rangeland management

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

The main aim of this approach is to contribute to ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation and carbon sequestration through community awareness-raising, consultation and capacity building, feasibility analysis, site selection as well as resources mobilization for reforestation initiatives in Khost, Afghanistan.

This community driven initiative emerged, bringing together land users, forest and rangeland management associations, environmental experts, specialists and policymakers from various departments like Provincial Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, National Environment Projection Agency, District Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock to heal the land, restore the forests, and rebuild the connection between people and nature.

The first step was to understand the root causes of degradation, followed by a detailed assessment to identify areas most in need of intervention. Priority was given to barren land stripped by erosion, degraded forests areas, and nutrient-depleted soils. The community incorporated traditional ecological knowledge shared by local elders, who recalled periods when the valley supported dense vegetation and thriving ecosystems. This was combined with modern ecological practices to develop a comprehensive restoration plan that balanced traditional knowledge with scientific innovation. The approach ensures awareness raising of the rural community, and knowledge and information enhancement on restoration of degraded forest and rangeland through reforestation initiatives in Khost, Afghanistan.

Specific objectives of the approach are:
1. To enhance the knowledge and awareness of rural communities in Khost, Afghanistan on restoring degraded forests and rangelands, including through public awareness, campaigns, community mobilization, consultations, and feasibility assessments, and mobilizing resources.
2. Involve key stakeholders actively in restoration, including Provincial Agriculture Irrigation and Livestock (PAIL), Provincial National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA), District Agriculture Irrigation and Livestock department (DAIL), Forest and Rangeland Management Association (FM/RM Association).
3. To enhance the capacity of Forest and Rangeland Management Association (FM/RM Associations) and local communities for effective restoration of degraded forests and rangelands through reforestation initiatives in Khost, Afghanistan.
4. To restore degraded forests and rangelands by enhancing knowledge, skills, and resources for sustainable management. This includes empowering the FM/RM Associations by improving its members’ understanding, skills, capacity, and active participation in conservation and restoration efforts.
5. To restore habitat for strengthening biodiversity conservation.

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

To enhance the capacity of FM/RM Associations and local communities for adopting the technology on restoration of degraded forests and rangelands through reforestation initiatives in Khost.

-To restore habitat for strengthening biodiversity conservation.
-To promote the conversion of unproductive lands to productive lands.
-To empower local communities to replicate and scale up similar initiatives.

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	self-mobilization	FM/RM Association: mobilization, awareness raising and general management through social participation.
planning	interactive	FM/RM Association: jointly with community by developing of Community Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) plan.
implementation	interactive	FM/RM Association: jointly with community provided labour, facilitation, coordination and consultation as well as supporting all the activities during implementation period as self and community in kind contribution.
monitoring/ evaluation	interactive	FM/RM Association: members are key stakeholders of the participatory monitoring and evaluation process.

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:

• all relevant actors, as part of a participatory approach

Explain:

It was a participatory feasibility study that involved joint decision making

Specify on what basis decisions were made:

• evaluation of well-documented SLM knowledge (evidence-based decision-making)

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:

• on-the-job
• farmer-to-farmer
• public meetings

Subjects covered:

SLM/SFM practices, awareness, mobilization, quarantine, rotational grazing, biodiversity conservation, climate change, CBNRM plan, participatory moinotoring, operation of the system and general management of natural resources.

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:

Operating the irrigation system, sapling transplantation, quarantine, rotational grazing and general management.

4.3 Institution strengthening (organizational development)

Have institutions been established or strengthened through the Approach?

• yes, moderately

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

• local

Describe institution, roles and responsibilities, members, etc.

FM/RM Association

Specify type of support:

• financial
• capacity building/ training
• equipment

Give further details:

Signed LoA for implementation and cost contribution, on site awareness raising, social mobilization, holding gathering and workshops and provided construction materials and tools for nursery establishment.

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Is monitoring and evaluation part of the Approach?

Yes

Comments:

FM/RM Association has the responsibility to perform monitoring of all activities in Sapari forest of Sabari district of Khost province.

If yes, is this documentation intended to be used for monitoring and evaluation?

Yes

Comments:

Monitoring is a part of the Community-based NRM plan.

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):

Financial support is provided by the FAO-GEF project and in-kind contributions are from the community. In-kind contribution covers providing physical space or facilities to support the project, coordination, consultation and general facilitation, and human resources for restoration, patrolling, quarantine, and other community relevant activities. Hence, 80 percent of the financial support is provided by the FAO-GEF project and 20 percent by the community (as in-kind support).

5.2 Financial/ material support provided to land users

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

Yes

If yes, specify type(s) of support, conditions, and provider(s):

Technical support and livelihood packages including solar cooker, chopper machine, dairy toolkit, walnut cracker, construction material for reservoirs (cement, sand, stone, pipes), material for nursery establishment and saplings were provided.

5.3 Subsidies for specific inputs (including labour)

• none

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

• voluntary

5.4 Credit

Was credit provided under the Approach for SLM activities?

No

5.5 Other incentives or instruments

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

Yes

If yes, specify:

Training workshops and other capacity building programmes, field day tour, social gathering as well as site visits by communities.

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:

Land users can sustain these efforts because their capacity has been strengthened, they have a sense of local ownership, and adaptive tribal management systems are in place, ensuring the long-term benefits of restoration for future generations.

6.4 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Awareness, consciousness and knowledge on natural resources management of communities enhanced through workshops and trainings.
Increased availability of natural resources for better livelihoods of communities.
With increased community contribution, local efforts will support the protection and sustainable management of resources even after external support ends.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
This approach revives ecosystems by reintroducing native plant and animal species, supporting increased biodiversity and creating habitats for wildlife.
This approach improves ecosystem resilience, supports sustainable livelihoods, and promotes climate change adaptation. Restoration ensures long-term sustainability while addressing environmental, economic, and cultural needs.
The established FM/RM Associations have become the recognized legal bodies for managing forests, rangelands, and other natural resources. They will be responsible for ensuring sustainability and long-term protection after the project.

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?
FM/RM Associations established, but they need to be better organized and recognized.	The Ministry of Agriculture Irrigation and Livestock of Afghanistan may connect and empower these local institutions.
Some components of the project were intended for women’s participation; however, due to government restrictions on women's employment, this remains a sensitive issue and can be considered a limitation in project implementation.	Government should consider mainstreaming gender in such projects where gender is a key aspect.
This approach has been implemented in faraway forests with little management personnel to enforce law on the ground; unless communities manage these lands well, protection of natural resources could get weak.	Community should take more responsibility for protecting natural resources.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
This approach often requires significant initial investment in terms of funding, materials, labor, and technical expertise. This includes costs for site preparation, planting, irrigation, and ongoing maintenance, which can be limiting for many communities.	Adequate budget and community contribution can overcome or reduce this weakness.
This approach can take many years, even decades, to show significant ecological improvements, which can lead to frustration, reduced enthusiasm, or a loss of community and donor support.	Strong mobilization and raising of the ownership sense in the community can overcome this weakness.
If local communities are not adequately involved, they may not feel a sense of ownership or responsibility for the project, leading to poor long-term maintenance and protection of the restored areas.	This should be a community-based project, ensuring that, after donor support ends, the community takes responsibility for its ongoing maintenance and sustainability.
Insecure land tenure and unclear property rights can lead to conflicts over land use and limit the ability of communities to manage and protect restored areas.	Solving conflict over property rights must be facilitated by the communities themselves; government agencies can empower them on conflict resolution.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information