1.2 Coordonnées des personnes-ressources et des institutions impliquées dans l'évaluation et la documentation de l'Approche

Nom du projet qui a facilité la documentation/ l'évaluation de l'Approche (si pertinent)

Combating land degradation and biodiversity loss by promoting sustainable rangeland management and biodiversity conservation in Afghanistan

Nom du ou des institutions qui ont facilité la documentation/ l'évaluation de l'Approche (si pertinent)

FAO Afghanistan (FAO Afghanistan) - Afghanistan

1.3 Conditions relatives à l'utilisation par WOCAT des données documentées

Quand les données ont-elles été compilées (sur le terrain)?

21/10/2024

Le compilateur et la(les) personne(s) ressource(s) acceptent les conditions relatives à l'utilisation par WOCAT des données documentées:

Oui

1.4 Références au(x) questionnaire(s) sur les Technologies de GDT

2.1 Courte description de l'Approche

To raise awareness and establish a signed Memorandum of Understanding that outlined roles and responsibilities, meetings were held with the local community, FM/RM association, and stakeholders . The FM/RM association also provided a letter of guarantee for the establishment of a learning site focused on forest and rangeland management practices.

2.2 Description détaillée de l'Approche

Description détaillée de l'Approche:

For Sustainable Land Management (SLM) and biodiversity conservation in Khost, Afghanistan, we started with awareness campaigns in the districts. This mobilization aimed to introduce the project and Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) planning, while identifying potential sites for project implementation.
Following the identification of these sites, we launched another awareness campaign to initiate participatory assessments of local natural resources, including forests and rangelands. This led to the development of CBNRM plans, through which we identified gaps in forest and rangeland management that required improvements and new intervention strategies. We also identified the critical issues of forest and rangeland degradation, as well as the needs of the local community, which allowed us to find alternative livelihood interventions to reduce reliance on natural resources.
We visited multiple sites with water availability near forests and rangelands to select the most suitable locations for our interventions.
Once sites were selected, we developed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlining the roles and responsibilities of each party involved, including FAO, the Forest and Rangeland Management (FM/RM) Association, and the local government. We also prepared a grant letter to ensure the sustainability and ownership of the project by the FM/RM Association.
After the establishment and completion of interventions at the sites, we conducted capacity-building sessions for the local community, FM/RM Association, nomadic groups, and stakeholders from local institutions. These sessions focused on teaching participants how to restore landscapes, specifically forests and rangelands.
The approach includes awareness campaigns, consultation meetings, participatory assessments, resource mobilization, capacity building, and the establishment of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to ensure sustainability. The aim is enabling the local community, FM/RM Association, and stakeholders (Nomads, District and Provincial Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock (DAIL/ PAIL),and the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA)) to learn good practices for restoring land and forests while utilizing natural resources sustainably. This also involves enhancing the community's capacity to replicate and scale up similar initiatives. The approach is executed through a community-based traditional system, with contributions from both the project team and local communities.
The FM/RM Association has issued a maintenance grantee letter and hired guards to protect the site. Additionally, it is mobilizing villagers and nomads to avoid entering the area and grazing their herds there.
Key stakeholders include PAIL, NEPA, district entities, community institutions, and the FM/RM Association. PAIL and NEPA play crucial roles in helping the local community resolve land disputes and facilitating discussions related to land, water rights, and more. The local community and FMA/RMA are essential to the interventions, contributing to maintenance, safeguarding, dispute resolution over land, grazing management, irrigation, and replacing dead plants. FMA/RM Association serves as key stakeholder established by the project providing legal MoU, maintenance letters, and facilitating awareness and mobilization on-site while addressing any issues that arise during implementation.
Land users appreciate capacity-building sessions during Focus Group discussions and key informant interviews, awareness-raising initiatives, and their involvement in practical implementation. However, they express concerns about cash contributions due to poverty and unemployment, preferring assistance in other forms.

2.3 Photos de l'approche

2.4 Vidéos de l'Approche

2.5 Pays/ région/ lieux où l'Approche a été appliquée

2.6 Dates de début et de fin de l'Approche

2.7 Type d'Approche

• fondé sur un projet/ programme

2.8 Principaux objectifs de l'Approche

-Strengthen the skills and knowledge of local communities to effectively adopt solar-powered lift irrigation systems and optimize the use of river resources.
-Enable local communities to sustainably manage and utilize their natural resources, ensuring long-term ecological balance.
-Leverage traditional practices and foster local support to enhance future sustainable natural resource management.
-Actively involve youth in development initiatives, promoting their role in managing natural resources and fostering a sense of stewardship.
-Establish a hub that brings together local communities, stakeholders, and students to learn about land and forest management practices.
-Train local communities and stakeholders on transforming unproductive land into productive agricultural and forest areas, thereby enhancing food security and livelihoods.
-Empower local communities to replicate and put to scale successful land restoration and forest management initiatives, promoting sustainable practices and building community resilience.

2.9 Conditions favorisant ou entravant la mise en œuvre de la(des) Technologie(s) appliquée(s) sous l'Approche

3.1 Parties prenantes impliquées dans l'Approche et rôles

3.2 Participation des exploitants locaux des terres/ communautés locales aux différentes phases de l'Approche

	Participation des exploitants locaux des terres/ communautés locales	Spécifiez qui était impliqué et décrivez les activités
initiation/ motivation	auto-mobilisation	Local land users FM/RM Association members called for awareness raising campaigns, mobilization, resolving disputes over the land, participating in participatory assessment, feasibility studies, site identification and site selection.
planification	interactive	Local community provided first hand data about the natural resources, indigenous species, for the CBNRM planning
mise en œuvre	interactive	The FM/RM Association actively engaged in the implementation process by hiring guards for site security, monitoring activities, and providing human resources for interventions. This collaborative approach ensured effective oversight and community involvement.
suivi/ évaluation	interactive	Local community and stakeholders supervised and monitored the learning site throughout the implementation and up to completion. They provided a guaranteed letter ensuring the sustainability and ongoing maintenance of the learning site.

3.3 Diagramme/ organigramme (si disponible)

3.4 Prises de décision pour la sélection de la Technologie/ des Technologies

Indiquez qui a décidé de la sélection de la Technologie/ des Technologies à mettre en œuvre:

• tous les acteurs concernés dans le cadre d'une approche participative

Expliquez:

All activities, from awareness campaigns to mobilization coordination, participatory assessments, feasibility studies, and decision-making processes, were carried out collaboratively. Every stakeholder actively engaged from the selection phase through implementation to successful completion.

Spécifiez sur quelle base ont été prises les décisions:

• l'évaluation de connaissances bien documentées en matière de GDT (prises de décision fondées sur des preuves tangibles)?

4.1 Renforcement des capacités/ formation

Une formation a-t-elle été dispensée aux exploitants des terres/ autres parties prenantes?

Oui

Spécifiez qui a été formé:

• exploitants des terres
• personnels/ conseillers de terrain

Formats de la formation:

• sur le tas
• entre agriculteurs (d'exploitants à exploitants)
• zones de démonstration
• réunions publiques

Thèmes abordés:

Sustainable forest and rangeland management, rotational grazing, integrated landscape management, CBNRM planning, biodiversity conservation, demo plots preparation, reforestation, watershed management climate smart agriculture, pastoralist field school, operation and maintenance of the learning site.

Commentaires:

During the project's initiation, the FAO-GEF7 team conducted comprehensive training sessions for a diverse range of participants, including the local community, forest and rangeland management associations, stakeholders, Kuchies (nomads), youths, and women. These training sessions were designed to cover a broad range of topics essential for sustainable resource management and community engagement.
Participants were introduced to the project's objectives, fundamental principles of Natural Resource Management (NRM), Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) planning, the establishment of community-based nurseries, mechanisms for receiving and addressing complaints, sustainable practices for managing forests and rangelands, reforestation methods, watershed management strategies, value chains within forest and rangeland ecosystems, integrated landscape management approaches, techniques for biodiversity conservation, measures for controlling grazing activities, practices for rotational grazing, management of demonstration plots, principles of climate-smart agriculture, pastoralist field schools, and the operation and maintenance of the learning site.
Through these training sessions, the project aimed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to promote sustainable practices, enhance biodiversity conservation, foster community engagement, and ensure the long-term success of the project's objectives.

4.2 Service de conseils

Les exploitants des terres ont-ils accès à un service de conseils?

Oui

Spécifiez si le service de conseils est fourni:

• dans les champs des exploitants?

• At learning site established by local volunteers, District Agriculture Irrigation and Livestock (DAIL) staff and FAO technical team

Décrivez/ commentez:

The FAO technical team collaborates with on-site local volunteers in villages, district agriculture, irrigation, and livestock departments, along with Forest and Rangeland Management Associations, to offer crucial advisory services. These services encompass irrigation techniques, maintenance practices, plantation guidance, establishment of demonstration plots, grazing management strategies, reforestation efforts, implementation of rotational grazing methods, mulching practices, as well as land and forest restoration techniques

4.3 Renforcement des institutions (développement organisationnel)

Des institutions ont elles été mises en place ou renforcées par le biais de l'Approche?

• oui, modérément

Spécifiez à quel(s) niveau(x), ces institutions ont été renforcées ou mises en place:

• local

Décrivez l'institution, ses rôles et responsabilités, ses membres, etc.

The Forest and Rangeland Management (FM/RM) Association, in collaboration with the local community, plays a pivotal role in the sustainable management of natural resources. They serve as a central institution for coordinating contributions and assistance in various development projects in the area. Their responsibilities encompass mobilization, awareness-raising, participatory assessments, feasibility studies, supervision, maintenance, dispute resolution, and more.
Through a mutually agreed-upon Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), these entities are committed to resolving disputes, providing essential information for data collection, irrigation practices, safeguarding the site, working towards sustainability, maintaining the entire system and site, replacing deceased plants, mobilizing when necessary, controlling grazing activities, promoting the sustainable utilization of natural resources, preparing land for demonstration plots, and establishing forest nurseries.

Précisez le type de soutien:

• financier
• renforcement des capacités/ formation
• équipement

Donnez plus de détails:

FAO has supplied saplings, tools, materials, constructed reservoirs and solar power water lifting system and alternative livelihood interventions. They have also conducted capacity-building trainings, on-job trainings, Pastoralist field school trainings, and community engagement for planting saplings. Additionally, they have facilitated on-site activities, mobilization efforts, awareness campaigns, coordination meetings, safeguarding of the forest and rangeland, and encouraged local community involvement. Furthermore, they have actively engaged youths and women in every intervention implementation and have played a vital role in resolving disputes during the implementation process.

4.4 Suivi et évaluation

Le suivi et l'évaluation font ils partie de l'Approche? :

Oui

Commentaires:

The FM/RM Association, local community members, and the FAO technical team diligently monitored every step of the process from the initiation of the approaches to their completion. They collaboratively conducted site visits to monitor the progress, document their findings, and record observations in both the logbook and KOBO system.

Si oui, ce document est-il destiné à être utilisé pour le suivi et l'évaluation?

Non

4.5 Recherche

La recherche a-t-elle fait partie intégrante de l’Approche?

Non

5.1 Budget annuel de la composante GDT de l'Approche

Si le budget annuel précis n'est pas connu, indiquez une fourchette:

• 2 000-10 000

Commentez (par ex. principales sources de financement/ principaux bailleurs de fonds):

GEF and Afghan government are funding the project with the applied SLM technologies and approach.

5.2 Soutiens financiers/ matériels fournis aux exploitants des terres

Les exploitants des terres ont-ils reçu un soutien financier/ matériel pour la mise en œuvre de la Technologie/ des Technologies?

Oui

Si oui, spécifiez le(s) type(s) de soutien, les conditions et les fournisseurs:

The FAO provided water pumps, solar panels, pipe fittings, construction of water reservoirs, barbed wire for fencing, saplings for reforestation, seeds for reseeding, as well as training and technical support. The local community has prohibited grazing of the site to ensure long-term sustainability. Additionally, the government will offer support in resolving any conflicts and providing further livelihood interventions.

5.3 Subventions pour des intrants spécifiques (incluant la main d'œuvre)

• aucun

Si la main d'œuvre fournie par les exploitants des terres était un intrant substantiel, elle était:

• récompensée avec un autre soutien matériel

Commentaires:

The FM/RM Association collaborates closely with the local community, both acting as voluntary stewards of the land. Together, they engage in a range of activities, including tree planting, irrigation management, site maintenance, and conservation efforts. In certain instances, FAO provides vital support to the most vulnerable individuals within the community. Notably, FAO offers alternative livelihood interventions to enhance economic opportunities and sustainability. These interventions may include the provision of resources such as micro greenhouses, high-quality seeds, equipment for dairy processing, hygiene toolkits, solar cookers, trainings and other necessary materials. By targeting the most vulnerable members of the community, including women, the association aims to empower them and encourage their active participation in various development initiatives. This holistic approach not only fosters environmental stewardship but also promotes social inclusion and economic resilience within the community. Through collaborative efforts and targeted support, the association and the local community work hand in hand to create a more sustainable and equitable future for all stakeholders involved.

5.4 Crédits

Des crédits ont-ils été alloués à travers l'Approche pour les activités de GDT?

Non

5.5 Autres incitations ou instruments

D'autres incitations ou instruments ont-ils été utilisés pour promouvoir la mise en œuvre des Technologies de GDT?

Oui

Si oui, spécifiez:

FAO offered field visits, training, and small-scale income-generating interventions to enhance household food security and support alternative livelihoods for land users and local communities.

6.1 Impacts de l'Approche

6.2 Principale motivation des exploitants des terres pour mettre en œuvre la GDT

6.3 Durabilité des activités de l'Approche

Les exploitants des terres peuvent-ils poursuivre ce qui a été mis en œuvre par le biais de l'Approche (sans soutien extérieur)?

• oui

Si oui, décrivez de quelle manière:

As we strive to combat land degradation, enhance resilience within the local community, and conserve biodiversity, the system has been entrusted to the FMA/RM Association and the local community. This collaborative approach is designed to ensure long-term sustainability, enabling the community to effectively utilize, maintain, and eventually pass on the system to future generations...

6.4 Points forts/ avantages de l'Approche

Points forts/ avantages/ possibilités du point de vue de l'exploitant des terres
The FM/RM Associaion of the local community functions as an executive body dedicated to effective management of natural resources. It has established itself as a strong institution, collaborating closely with various stakeholders to ensure sustainable development for future projects. This proactive approach enhances community engagement and promotes responsible stewardship of local resources.
Conducting awareness campaigns through in-person events and radio broadcasts on forest, rangeland management, and biodiversity conservation is vital to encourage the local community to utilize natural resources sustainably.
Involving the local community in consultations and decision-making fosters a sense of ownership, encouraging sustainable system utilization.
Involving youth in FMA/RM Association and decision-making empowers them as future leaders representing the local community in development activities. This ensures that future generations can learn sustainable land and forest management practices.

Points forts/ avantages/ possibilités du point de vue du compilateur ou d'une autre personne ressource clé
Working closely with the community is essential due to the presence of potential land disputes, indigenous knowledge, and decades of information that can provide significant advantages for any natural resources management efforts.
Uniting the local community and establishing an official Forest and Rangeland Management Association as a platform can significantly enhance the smooth implementation of projects and ensure the long-lasting sustainability of the system.
Awareness campaigns, mobilization, consultation, capacity building, and the creation of Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) that outline roles and responsibilities are essential elements of Sustainable Land Management (SLM) approaches. These components are crucial for effectively transferring the management of the system to local communities, enabling them to sustainably utilize the land over time.
It serves as an educational center where the younger generation can visit to acquire knowledge on natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, combating land degradation, and grazing management. This exposure can inspire them to actively engage in development projects and revive traditional systems to conserve forests and rangelands for sustainable use.

6.5 Faiblesses/ inconvénients de l'Approche et moyens de les surmonter

Faiblesses/ inconvénients/ risques du point de vue de l’exploitant des terres	Comment peuvent-ils être surmontés?
We face several challenges, including land tenure issues, land disputes, and water rights. These problems often remain unresolved due to nepotism and poverty, with influential individuals in government hindering progress. Additionally, traditional mechanisms for conflict resolution are sometimes overlooked by the government, complicating efforts to address these critical issues.	We need to prioritize advocacy and lobbying efforts, as well as increase the frequency of sub-coordination meetings with the government. This will help establish formal institutions within our community and ensure that our decisions are respected in all circumstances.
The challenges of controlling Kuchies settlement and overgrazing are exacerbated by insufficient support from neighboring villages, districts, and government authorities.	To address this issue, it is essential to establish collaborative initiatives that encourage sustainable land management practices, promote community engagement, and foster partnerships among stakeholders. By developing comprehensive support systems, we can effectively mitigate overgrazing and ensure the sustainable use of natural resources.
The FMA/RM Associaton is not widely recognized among stakeholders. As a result, it is challenging for NGOs and donors to effectively coordinate with them for consultations and needs assessments.	To enhance recognition of FMA/RM Association among stakeholders, we should conduct workshops and seminars that highlight their roles and benefits. Establishing a dedicated platform for NGOs and donors will facilitate ongoing dialogue and information sharing. Actively engaging stakeholders in joint assessments will help identify community needs while ensuring FMA/RMA is included in discussions. Additionally, fostering partnerships with local government and other organizations will increase visibility and support for these initiatives.
The absence of youth committees and the weakening of local traditional systems pose significant challenges for future projects.	We should actively involve youth by forming committees and strengthening the local traditional system. Additionally, we can assist the community in documenting these mechanisms formally to ensure they are preserved for future reference.

Faiblesses/ inconvénients/ risques du point de vue du compilateur ou d'une autre personne ressource clé	Comment peuvent-ils être surmontés?
The local community lacks sufficient knowledge about indigenous plants and natural resources.	We should establish indigenous demonstration plots and create a comprehensive database to record all relevant data. Additionally, it is important to develop a proper mechanism for data collection to ensure valuable information is preserved for future generations.
The lack of knowledge and high illiteracy rates are major issues, compounded by the absence of a proper curriculum in schools that addresses indigenous knowledge and natural resources in the country.	We need to enhance the capacity of local communities regarding indigenous plant resources by developing a curriculum to be taught in schools for the younger generation. Additionally, increasing field visits will help students and community members gain firsthand knowledge of their local resources.
The lack of an effective grazing management mechanism has led to conflicts among nomadic communities and Kuchies (Nomads) with little attention from the government or local organizations.	The PAIL departments, along with NEPA, district entities, FMA/RM A,ssociation and academic departments, should collaborate to develop an effective mechanism for grazing management and rangeland restoration.
The lack of knowledge regarding the maintenance of solar-powered lifting systems, coupled with insufficient technical skills for troubleshooting and repairs, poses significant challenges.	We should provide training to the local community on how to operate the solar-powered lifting systems and offer guidance on troubleshooting and repairs. Additionally, we can connect them with mechanics for further hands-on training.

7.1 Méthodes/ sources d'information

7.2 Références des publications disponibles

Titre, auteur, année, ISBN:

N/A

7.3 Liens vers les informations pertinentes disponibles en ligne

Titre/ description:

N/A