Koochi Nomads Development Project (KNDP)
1. Profile of Implementing Organization:
1.1 ZAREEF KHAN FOUNDATION (ZKF) was established by Dr. Muhammad Zareef Khan (1902 - 1995). He studied medicine in the King Edward's Medical College Lahore from 1923-28. He also received his diploma in Public Health from the Royal Institute of Tropical Medicine in Karnal, India in 1933.
1.2 ZKF was registered with the government in 1988 under the Societies Act of 1860 as a non-profit NGO aiming to work in such multi-sectoral projects, which have a direct socio economic impact on the society. At present, its main projects are Dr. Zareef Memorial School, Peshawar, Education Resource and Information Centre, Peshawar and Preservation of Environment and Nature (Malakand Biodiversity Conservation Project). It is managed by a Board comprising of selfless and exemplary persons. Total staff employed by ZKF and its projects are 62 persons which includes 40 women. These include managers, administrators, accountants, teachers, drivers and other supporting staff.
1.3 ZKF promotes universal understanding and opportunities to work together in the interest of life on this planet and the promotion of peace. British and Australian professional volunteers are working for various ZKF projects since 1992.
1.4 MBCP is a community based project having a participatory approach, which started in March 2003 with GEF-SGP funds and will be successfully handed over to the community and the Wild Life Department at the end of November 2006.
1.5 For each new project, extra staff is employed and is given specific tasks after training as will be the case with the Koochi Project.
1.6 ZKF has so far received funds from or completed assignments for the AusAID, Australian High Commission, UNESCO, Development in Literacy (DIL)-USA, UNICEF, UNDP (GEF-SGP) and Islamic Relief - Afghanistan besides individual philanthropists.

2. Justification for Support - Linkages with GEF themes:

2.1 It is reported that the Koochi tribes cause immense damage to the environment by cutting trees and overgrazing of the lands by their livestock during the period they remain in Pakistan.

2.2 As a result of above, their relations with the locals are sometimes strained and on occasions clashes and conflicts arise which can result in injuries, death and imprisonment.

2.3 Due to drought, war in Afghanistan, military operations in tribal areas and other socio-economic reasons, their livelihood and earning patterns are changing rapidly which are a great loss to this centuries old indigenous culture and also a loss to the urban community in both Pakistan and Afghanistan who are the main mutton consumers and buyers of the Koochi livestock.

2.4 This project will conduct a detailed study and research (primary and secondary) to find out effects of the above mentioned factors on Koochi people, assess the impact on their indigenous life styles and recommend measures to improve their conditions.

2.5 This study will provide baseline information to enable further intervention to assist them in maintaining their historic routine lifestyles and educating them about importance of protecting environment and its benefits to them and other host communities.

2.6 It will also contribute in planning to create a mechanism to access health facilities for themselves and veterinary facilities for their livestock hence providing them traditional opportunities to live in peace and harmony with settled communities in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

3. Context / Baseline:

3.1 These Afghan nomad tribes are known in local languages as the Koochis or Pawandahs. They are the largest migratory people on earth. According to 1980 statistics, their population was estimated to be 2.5 million (according to the National Geographic Magazine article of 1980). From April 1978 till date, Afghanistan is passing through the trauma of occupation and wars. Therefore, latest statistics are not available.

3.2 They are ethnically from the Pashtun stock and their main tribe is called Ghalzi or Ghalji. There are dozens of sub-tribes and hundreds of sub-sub tribes and clans. In over 500 years of muslim Pashtun rule over India, the Ghaljis ruled over Northern India (Delhi Sultanate) from 1290 AD to 1320 AD and were known as the Khilji dynasty. Before them, the Ghaznavid and Ghori dynasty conquests and rule started in the year 970 AD.

3.3 Ghalji?s are one of the most colorful people on earth. They are known world wide for their culture, women?s dresses, trinkets, embroidery , chivalry and male warrior dances. Many folk songs, poetry and novels are written on them in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

3.4 Hollywood has produced at least two movies based on novels called ?The Caravans? and ?The Horsemen?. Besides, hundreds of features are written on them in the major magazines of the world.

3.5 From centuries, their survival depended on flocks of sheep or goats. To chase greener pastures, they migrate in autumn from colder regions of Afghanistan towards southern Afghanistan but along the route, nearly 40-60 % cross over the border through several (12-15) mountain passes into Pakistan, which shares a border of approximately 1500 km. Of these, the nomads crossing points stretch up to approximately 900 km in both N.W.F.P and Balochistan. Due to consistent war in Afghanistan and armed clashes in the tribal area, it cannot be verified how many of them cross over into Pakistan now and how many do not return to Afghanistan at all due to insecurity there ?

3.6 Their routes of entry and movement within the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) are shown in Anx- A+B. Majority of those who enter NWFP from Afghanistan cross into the flat and fertile lands of the Punjab province across the Indus River. From those who enter through Balochistan Province, some cross over into the southern most Pakistan province of Sindh.

3.7 Before the partition of the sub-continent in August 1947, these nomadic camel caravans even used to cross into India and reach as far as West Bengal and Madras in the south. Some serious problems are being faced by these tribes which (if not addressed immediately) will send these indigenous people to oblivion within a decade or so. Some of the problems are as follows:

3.7.1 After the first communist coup d?etat of April 1978 till date, Afghanistan is in the grip of domestic and international wars which includes ten years of Soviet occupation till 1989 and that of the USA and allied forces since end of 2001. Out of the 1.5 million Afghan casualties, the nomad tribes also lost thousands of men, flocks of livestock and many square kilometers of grazing lands, some of which were mined or became out of bounds due to armed conflicts.

3.7.2 After the fall of Taliban government in Afghanistan in end 2001 and arrival of US and allied army troops, the pockets of resistance took refuge in difficult mountain terrains in the tribal border areas. In order to flush them out, intense bombing and intermittent military operations are in progress till date on both sides of the border especially in Waziristan. On the Pak side, the Pak Army and Airforce has been conducting deadly missions since 2002-3. This has caused immense losses to the local tribes as well as nomad lifestyle, livestock and centuries old migratory patterns.

3.7.3 Severe drought had hit the region from 1996 to 2002. It is roughly estimated that thosands of heads of goats, sheep and camels were lost during this period. It also forced many nomadic families to settle down in Pakistan or the Afghan rural life to earn a living by other means of labour or trade.

3.7.4 There is serious community opposition to their movement and presence mostly in Pakistan and parts of Afghanistan due to their habit of chopping off trees for business and domestic use / firewood as well as damage to grasslands by goats.

3.7.5 From 1979 till 1995 when UNHCR and other donors were providing food and relief items to Afghan refugees in Pakistan, many of these nomad families had also registered their names mostly in the southern districts of NWFP and in Balochistan. While doing so, in winter months they would show their presence near refugee camps while in summer months, they would return to Afghanistan. By doing so, they received canvas tents and tarpaulins in aid. This habit contributed towards use of canvas instead of their traditional hand knotted woolen tents which were water proofed by applying animal fat on the top. Finding it handy to purchase and pack, their old traditions of weaving the woolen tents can be lost for ever.

3.7.6 Due to the effects of drought period, loss of livestock, war, insecurity in Afghanistan and economic reasons, many nomads upon arrival in winter months in Pakistan have turned towards labouring in construction projects as well as taking contracts of moving earth and rocks on tractor trolleys etc. Thus changing their ancient migratory habits and settling in temporary thatched or mud dwellings. For centuries before 1979, the natives of Sindh and Punjab would wait for winter arrival of these nomads so they would do the better job than the natives in earth digging and clay wall construction. Now are the days of excavator machines and cement block construction and lesser labour work for nomads.

3.7.7 Apart from the assistance received from UNHCR funded camps up to 1995 for themselves and their livestock, there has been no organization which has catered for their basic needs in Afghanistan or Pakistan.

3.8 The study will be conducted in all provinces of Pakistan where these nomads visit every year during winter season. The problems are identified due to visual observation, travelling in the country, information of the newspapers and contacts in all provinces.

3.8.1 The Forest Departments of NWFP and Balochistan as well as UNHCR have included some information about them in their reports in the past which does not include the impact of their movements and presence in Punjab and Sindh provinces.

3.8.2 This study will contribute towards developing a trans-boundary project in 2008 for Koochi Nomads as ?Ambassadors of Peace? in collaboration with UNDP Pakistan and Afghanistan because these nomads are traditional key players in creating harmony and understanding between different ethnic communities living in Afghanistan and Pakistan due to their well established survival / trade linkages and interests.

4. Project Objectives:

4.1 To conduct a thorough study on Afghan Koochi nomads entering Pakistan and the impact of their presence on the environment.

4.2 Immediate Objective is to recommend measures to be taken so that the environmental damage can be controlled in addition to developing and testing an initial social mobilization contact.

5. Project Activities:

5.1 To conduct an extensive primary and secondary research on the socio-economic situation of Koochi nomads with special emphasis on migration patterns, livelihood practices and their impact on host communities and society.

5.2 Assessing the impact of Koochi lifestyle practices on environment.

5.3 To develop relations with Koochi Nomads and introducing project objectives keeping in view that they are a very conservative, elusive and closed community.

5.4 Identification of 30 to 40 Koochi community champions and their training to act as key players for promotion of the objectives of KNDP.

5.5 Providing exposure to the champions to other GEF (SGP) projects and sensitize them by arranging their meetings with other NGOs and Governors of Balochistan and NWFP and the Federal Minister for Culture.

5.6 Development of two Koochi friendly flyers and two wall charts to highlight the importance of the life style of these nomads and their impact on environment.

5.7 Preparation of Koochi tribal ancestral tree and reflecting the same in one of the two wall charts.

5.8 Documenting their folklore, mythology, music, customs, dances, superstitions hospitality, diets and dogs to understand their closed culture.

5.9 Organizing a cultural and promotional exhibition in Islamabad of Koochi embroidery, jewelry, dresses and a real life tentage camp.

5.10 To invite BBC, Discovery and National Geographic to make a documentary on the lives of Koochi nomads as a closing report.

5.11 Still and video photographic record keeping and documentation culminating in the preparation of a video documentary.

5.12 Study tour to Iran and Afghanistan to understand trans-boundary and internal movement of nomads and the impacts of any projects addressing them if any.

6. Project Strategy::

6.1 Study of target nomadic tribes will involve respondents having good communication skills while also having an understanding about their traditions and values with experience to establish links and develop mutual confidence during interviews.

6.2 The project will initially employ three Social Mobilisers (two male and one female) who already have rich experience in working with Afghan refugees and/ or with the Koochis. The Social Mobilisers will also assist in Primary Research.

6.3 An extensive Secondary Research regarding Koochis will enable the conductors to prepare the Primary Research which includes preparation of a comprehensive questionnaire in Pashto language. Respondents will be able to interview and note other important information which may not be highlighted ever before. The sample will include equal numbers of men and women.

6.4 Trained field monitors will be deployed on the known entry - exit points to intercept and interview sample of as many of the returning nomads as possible by March 2007 and note their planned routes and stopovers in Pakistan as well inside Afghanistan. Later, they will be visited at pre-determined locations in Pakistan upon their re - entry from Afghanistan in October 2007. Some may travel between highlands and lowlands within Pakistan when they will be intercepted and interviewed if security situation permits.

6.5 The observations of Field Monitors and Social Mobilisers will be regularly recorded and supervised by the Coordinator. The movement patters will also be mapped.

6.6 Other target study groups will include rural and semi - urban local communities who are visited by these Koochi nomads. A separate questionnaire will be designed to address this group.

6.7 The information received in the Project Office will be continuously compiled and analyzed to make any adjustments in information collection techniques or styles. The local and provincial governments will be taken into confidence and linkage will be established with concerned line departments after identification which will include the GEF(SGP) funded projects and the other UN agencies (especially UNHCR, UNICEF and UNESCO). Linkages will also be made with academia (statistics, anthropology and social work departments), consultants (health, forest and veterinary) and other NGOs if required. ZKF has excellent relations with Army and Frontier Corps in Frontier and Balochistan whose support will be helpful especially in the tribal agencies and parts of Balochistan.

6.8 All field staff will submit a daily report and will be accessible through mobile and PCO phones whenever possible. They will send all documentary evidence of the information gathered as soon as they can. A monthly meeting of all project staff will take place at the Project Office before preparing the monthly reports.

6.9 Information from the field will be gathered by the field staff in Pashto language which will be later translated into English and then compiled from which the data base will also be developed and maintained. This information will also be used to prepare the final report.


Anticipated Results:

8.1 This research will provide the base line information to plan a comprehensive programme of implementation in 2008 which can address the issues highlighted and try to bring relief with positive interventions. These will have a positive impact on their social, economic and financial well being. In exchange for these interventions, undertakings and agreements can be made with these tribes that they will not damage the environment of the host country.

8.2 It will also help in peaceful sharing of grazing land and water resources by all stakeholders by understanding each other?s difficulties, constraints and problems.

8.3 As no such in-depth study has been conducted on these indigenous people in the past in Pakistan, therefore, a lot of important information is anticipated to come to the fore.