Conservation of Baluchistan Black Bear through Community Participation (PAK/99/04)

Project Details & Results

Balochistan Bear Ursus thibetanus gedrosianus is a subspecies of Asiatic Black Bear only found in Balochistan and some parts of south-eastern Iran. The main population of this species appears to be concentrated in hill ranges south of Khuzdar (Roberts, 1997). This may be the last surviving population of the species in Balochistan. Balochistan Bear is placed in IUCN Red Data Book as a threatened species. Threats to the species include habitat disturbance, persecution by local populations on the assumption that it kills the young ones of goat and sheep and also the habit of this species to raid the cultivated crop of Sorghum (Sorghum sudanese) and ripe dates (Phoenix dactylifera). The project objectives are: community development for participatory conservation and sustainable use of natural resources in the habitat of Balochistan Black Bear, ecological rehabilitation and monitoring of the Black Bear habitat, awareness raising for conservation and sustainable use and developing alternative livelihoods and development of sustainable agriculture and livestock in the project area.

Notable Community Participation
The area people have been contacted and an initial Particiaptory Rural Appraisal was done. All basic information was provided by the native community members. During teh survey of area and research local peopel and local knowldge is involved. Tribal elders and community members have been briefed about the importance of species in different meetings. For community participation and sustainability purposes local staff have been hired.

Capacity - Building Component
The area people have been contacted and an initial Particiaptory Rural Appraisal was done. All basic information was provided by the native community members. During teh survey of area and research local peopel and local knowldge is involved. Tribal elders and community members have been briefed about the importance of species in different meetings. For community participation and sustainability purposes local staff have been hired.

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods
emphasis on alternative livelihhod so that core area of Black Bear is minimum disturbed by livestock grazing. Area's natural resoucres will be improved and developed through low cost measures so that alternative income generation activities are practiced.

Gender Focus
Women are the source of local knowldge and therefore, for information collection their role is very important.
Moreover, the increase in income level at household results at individual level also. Women will be involved for some small scale income generation activities under thsi project.

Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples
All beneficiaries/partners communities are tribal groups and some nomads groups are also participating.

Project Results
Population status of the Balochistan black bear is known as a result of periodic surveys.

Data collected on behaviour and habitat requirements of the species and compiled. Threats identified to the habitat.

Community sensitized on the importance of the species and its ecological significance for the area.

Documentation of the ecosystem completed.

PRAs conducted to gauge the development needs of the area.

Due to ethnic political movement in the area further conservation activities could not take place.