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

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

Community-based sustainable land and forest management in Afghanistan

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

FAO Afghanistan (FAO Afghanistan) - Afghanistan

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

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

Yes

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

No

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Using a gravity-irrigation system, spring water is diverted to fill reservoirs and then distributed to fields for the restoration of degraded forest areas, with the active involvement of local communities and a focus on the sustainable use of water resources (spring water).

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The Paktya province in Afghanistan, known for its mountainous terrain and rich forests of pine nuts deodar, cedar, and conifers, faces severe challenges. Most water in the province comes from rivers, springs, and tube wells, with high mountains acting as natural reservoirs. Unfortunately, many traditional water sources have been destroyed over decades of conflict and natural drought, forcing farmers to rely on costly tube wells for irrigation.

To support sustainable water management in the mountainous areas of Ahmad Aba and Sayed Karam districts, 60 water reservoirs with a total storage capacity of 6,000 m³ were constructed. The volume of individual reservoirs varies depending on the availability and flow of upstream spring water ranging from 36 m³ to 192 m³.

Water is diverted from a small intake near the source and delivered to the reservoir inlet through a 2-inch Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) pipe. For irrigation of the restored areas, the outlets from the reservoirs are connected to 1-inch PVC pipes for distributing water to various plantation sites.

This technology is applied in a natural environment and is designed to support environmental sustainability by recharging the groundwater table, as water is harvested into reservoirs, it can infiltrate through the side walls and bottom. This percolation process contributes to the natural hydrological cycle, harvesting surplus water (water evaporate or percolating into atmosphere or soil) into reservoirs for irrigation of planted saplings, and extending existing forest boundaries.

The system enables the local community to sustainably manage and utilize spring water for gravity-based irrigation of restored areas, while also supporting the expansion of forested land through sapling plantation.

Before constructing the reservoirs, a feasibility survey of the water source (the spring) was conducted to verify the perennial availability of water and to determine the optimal distance between the spring and the designated reforestation sites. The preliminary selection of reservoir locations was based on key criteria including the year-round reliability of the water source, the size of the target reforestation area, and the discharge capacity of the spring. Excavation of the rocky mountain earth was carried out using a hand excavator as per the specified requirements as per technical drawing and approved design. The stone masonry work was completed using random rubble coursed stone with a cement-sand mortar mix (1:2, Type A). As per the design, Plain Cement Concrete (PCC M20) was applied to the top of the stone masonry and on all floors of the reservoirs. A 20 mm thick plastering was carried out on the internal walls using cement-sand mix (1:2). The external walls were backfilled to a height of 1.5 meters.

The benefits of this gravity-fed irrigation technique include increased reforestation rates, reduced water loss due to evaporation and runoff, achieved by using closed piping systems instead of open channels, and improved water use efficiency. These improvements have led to higher sapling survival rates and better growth. Overall, the socio-economic and environmental conditions of rural populations have been improved. Additionally, the implementation of the gravity irrigation system has reduced the cost of restoring degraded forests.

As a low-cost, environmentally friendly technology, it allows for the efficient harvesting of spring water for irrigation, supports sapling planting for carbon sequestration, and helps mitigate the severe impacts of climate change.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• less than 10 years ago (recently)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through projects/ external interventions

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• conserve ecosystem
• protect a watershed/ downstream areas – in combination with other Technologies
• preserve/ improve biodiversity
• mitigate climate change and its impacts
• create beneficial economic impact
• create beneficial social impact

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

No

3.3 Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

• No (Continue with question 3.4)

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

No

Comments:

With the implementation of the technology, degraded land has been restored to forested areas through reforestation.

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:

• full irrigation

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• forest plantation management
• irrigation management (incl. water supply, drainage)
• surface water management (spring, river, lakes, sea)

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• reduce land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology area

Specify currency used for cost calculations:

• USD

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Excavation to build reservoirs	When construction work is possible
2.	Back filling of all outside of reservoir through soil	After construction the reservoir
3.	Stone masonry using random rubble coursed stone, laid with a cement-sand mortar mix of 1:2 (Type A)	When construction work is possible
4.	Plain Cement Concrete (PCC) M20 with formwork and waterproof compound applied under and on top of the stone masonry, as well as on the reservoir floor	When construction work is possible
5.	Plastering of internal reservoir wall with cement sand (mix 1:2), 20 mm thick	When construction work is possible
6.	Installation of pipes; 1 and 2 inch with elbow, joints , and connectors and valves for fitting in outlet and inlet area of reservoir	After construction work

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Excavation to build the reservoris	M3	62.0	10.0	620.0
Labour	Stone masonry using random rubble coursed stone, laid with a cement-sand mortar mix of 1:2 (Type A)	M3	23.0	14.0	322.0
Labour	Plain Cement Concrete (PCC) M20 with formwork and waterproof compound applied under and on top of the stone masonry, as well as on the reservoir floor	M3	6.0	14.0	84.0
Labour	Plastering of internal reservoir wall with cement sand (mix 1:2), 20 mm thick	M3	42.0	14.0	588.0
Labour	Back filling of all outside of reservoir through soil	Man-days	5.0	5.0	25.0
Labour	Installation of pipes; 1 and 2 inch with elbow, joints , and connectors and valves for fitting in outlet and inlet area of reservoir	Man-days	8.0	5.0	40.0
Equipment	Shovel	PC	5.0	5.0	25.0
Equipment	Hammer	PC	2.0	10.0	20.0
Equipment	Excavator (taking by rent for excavation)	Cubic meter cost	192.0	10.0	1920.0
Construction material	Cement	Package	75.0	6.0	450.0
Construction material	Stone	Cubic meters	23.0	14.0	322.0
Construction material	Polyethelen pipe 1 inch	Meter	500.0	0.8	400.0
Construction material	Polyethelen pipe 2 inch	Meter	200.0	1.0	200.0
Construction material	Elbow joint	Piece	3.0	1.0	3.0
Construction material	Valves	Piece	4.0	4.0	16.0
Construction material	Sand	Cumbic meter	20.0	5.0	100.0
Other	Transportation	LS	1.0	700.0	700.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					5835.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					5835.0

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Installation of pipes to outlet and inlet area of water reservoir	Spring season
2.	Maintenance of reservoir for clearing and unclogging the inlet area	As per requirement
3.	Replacement and installation of valves and elbow joints to prevent water clogging in the pipes	During non-function
4.	The embankment constructed to accumulate the water and put the pipes inside to water for diverting to the reservoir	Spring season

4.6 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Labour for repairing of pipes at outlet and valves	Person	1.0	100.0	100.0	100.0
Labour	Labour for clearing and unclogging	Person	1.0	50.0	50.0	100.0
Construction material	Valves	PC	5.0	3.0	15.0	100.0
Construction material	Elbow joint	Pc	5.0	1.0	5.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					170.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					170.0

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The distance between the spring and reservoir can affect the total cost of technology

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• convex situations

Comments and further specifications on topography:

The construction site is situated at an elevation of 2500-3000 meters above sea level, with a terrain slope ranging from 15% to 20%. Photo related to field skitch, indicated that the area of reforestation is around the reservoir.

5.3 Soils

5.4 Water availability and quality

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

As the water from spring harvesting through pipes and accumulated in reservoirs can reduced the evaporation and stored for 2 or 3 days in reservoirs that can excess the water quantity for irrigation purposes.

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

All age group excluding children

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:

• communal/ village

Land use rights:

• communal (organized)

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)

Comments:

The water reservoirs were constructed on communal land for use by the local community, allowing shared access for irrigating reforested areas. Access and use are managed through a community-agreed contribution system.

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Water availability and quality

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Climate and disaster risk reduction

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change

	Season	increase or decrease	How does the Technology cope with it?
seasonal temperature	summer	decrease	very well
annual rainfall		increase	moderately
seasonal rainfall	spring	increase	very well

Comments:

The forest function for the regulating of climate, rainfall and snowfall. By increasing the forest cover that can help in regulating the annual rainfall.

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• 1-10%

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 0-10%

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

Yes

If yes, indicate to which changing conditions it was adapted:

• climatic change/ extremes

Specify adaptation of the Technology (design, material/ species, etc.):

The technology adapted well to reduce the severe impacts of the water on the plant growth and development during water scarity situation in summer.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
The technology is cost-effective for irrigating afforested areas and is easy to use and conducive to implementation.
The workload for irrigating the afforested area has been reduced, resulting in fewer man-days required for irrigation.
The harvesting of water from ground spring allows to expand the forest area through plantation of saplings, otherwise it not possible.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
The sustainable management of ground water spring contributed to the expansion of restoration efforts in the community level.
By implementation of technology at specific point, the soil vegetation cover improved from 10 to 15 percent.
The biodiversity enhanced with restoration of degraded forest area, through plantation of native species, regeneration of native bushes, grasses.
The unproductive soil converted into productive soil through plantation of bio energy plants to produce fuel wood, fodder and fruit.

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
Initial capital for construction of water reservoir.	Government should provide subsidy for construction of reservoir.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Communities' willingness and technical knowledge for the resource management depends on the component of the project .	Providing supporting from the government side for establishment and technical knowledge.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information