First of all, here, it will be important to provide a brief background of the targeted area of Kochi Abad. It is located in district 13 of Kabul City. It is a vast hilly area. There was no vegetation. Majority of the population includes internally displaced people from other provinces, and they are mainly from rural areas. The literacy rate in the targeted location is very low. Most of the residents have limited or not livelihoods opportunities. The livelihood of the community was badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, the government collapse and decrease in donor and government assistance projects. These issue considerably increased the poverty in the areas several folds.

The project was started in March 2021 and an inauguration event was convened in the project site where most of the project stakeholders participated. The main objective of the project was to convert the vast areas into a green fruit orchard with the community participation and engagement and also raise the awareness of the community on the prevention on COVID-19 and how the degraded environment can cause such viral and other infections.

The Friends of Environment and Development Organization planted about 20,000 different trees with the technical support of Ministry of Agriculture Irrigation and livestock and also the community participation. National Environmental Agency is one of FEDO?s close partner and in this project has considerably supported and encouraged the youth of project team as well as the communities. Though huge plantation is carried out by the FEDO with high survival rate, but there is still massive potential for forestation activities in the area which is also included in the Kabul Green Belt. In the area, there is a lot of water resources available in the form of natural springs and previously we use them for the irrigation purposes. There is huge demand for the more planation and community is committed and ready to take the lead.

The project is started with great interest of the Kochi Abad people. The project's main implementation sites selected by Kochi Abad residents and FEDO Employs. After selection of the project location, the project site was prepared as per the requirement of Almonds trees plantation methods; labor was hired from the community excavated 20,000 pits for plantation, total of 20,000 almonds trees for plantation purchased and planted in the site. As the areas was very vast and some of the location has not water the community requested for excavation of water well, though it was not in the plan, but it was important for the project survival. The issue was shared with the UNDP and get permission for digging two water wells. A water pump, 5200 different size pipes, 220 miters10 inch pipes, wells stands, and others important equipment procured and installed. Two solar systems with all required equipment and tools procured and installed. Three small water reservoirs prepared and functionalized for trees irrigation. An additional plastic reservoir was also provided with the recommendation form the monitoring visit of UNDP colleagues in the site. FEDO also hired two-person of Kochi Abad residence to follow up irrigation timetable and help with the community in the time of trees irrigation. A number of required tools provided for pruning of trees and irrigation.

The immediate benefits:

? At least 1,333 labor days generated by site preparation.
? 20,000 Almond trees planted with over 90 percent survival rate. The plants, planted in the beginning has already started bearing fruits. A huge area of approximately 20 hectares converted in to a green land.
? The community has improved awareness on the use of land and planting more trees for improving their livelihoods.
? 400 household?s awareness on the covid-19 prevention has enhanced.
? In a very stressing time, the project provided job opportunities to 5- youth ? professional staff capacity


The long term environment and socio-economic benefits that were achieved by the project:

? The project is a model for extension on the same area where it has been implemented and as well as in the other parts of the country. The same area has 100s of hectares of uncovered land which is prone to degradation due to climate change. Water is available the entire area, and it can be planted with the almond and other fruits and non-fruit trees. The project has already raised the awareness of the community and they are now even started their own efforts to make use of the land.
? 20 hectares of green space is improving the environment and prevent air pollution. It has a good impact on purification of Kabul air which has been very polluted with smokes from transport sector and dusts.
? Increased awareness will prevent the transmission of covid-19 pandemic in the areas.