Improvement of eco-agriculture and improving natural resources management (NRM) practices in District Tharparkar
Improvement of eco-agriculture and improving natural resources management (NRM) practices in District Tharparkar
The condition of most of the rich culture and biodiversity (which was the base of the community livelihood) of Thar under current pattern of use is very poor. Particularly, the areas along the migratory routes of the nomads are severely degraded. Protected and unprotected common grazing lands in Thar show that the forage and rain fed crop production of agricultural land in the area has degraded tremendously. Current production of good cultivable land is only about 20-30 percent of the potential production level and heavy overstocking (about twice the current grazing capacity) is the main factor damaging the vegetative cover and hampering the livestock industry in the area.

The communities of Thar survive in eco-zones characterized by high temperatures and inadequate and unpredictable precipitation (0-300 mm) with wide fluctuations in the amount of rain each year. In good years, grasses grow and trees provide fodder, but huge numbers of cattle overgraze them. The soil is generally infertile and, because of severe wind erosion, is overblown with sand. The desert vegetation is mostly herbaceous, or stunted scrub. Trees occasionally dot the landscape. The grasses from the main natural resources of the desert provide nutritive and palatable pasturage but the people make indiscriminate use of timber for fuel and cooking and household material. Hence, there is degradation and deforestation, which, if not halted, would make the land inhabitable after a period of time. Water, too, is very scarce and most of the ground water cannot be used as it lies deep underground and is often saline.

Ultimately, the future of the Thari communities depends on present and future stewardship of available resources. Growing populations have stretched the capacities to limits. TRDP, thus, aims to motivate the communities for better care of the desert natural resources to combat drought and food insecurity situation, improve animal husbandry, promote rainwater harvesting. Based on this theme one of the major thrusts of the TRDP has been for sustainable land use. The problem is being addressed by TRDP with the involvement of the community and aims to reduce the land degradation trends, control desertification for increased regeneration of forest/ranges and improve tree cover and natural vegetation.

The project aims at improving Eco-Agriculture and conserving Bio-diversity of 200 villages of one Tahsil over the period of four years. This would include i) improving Fuel Conservation through using fuel wood saving techniques and promoting the plantation of fuel wood trees. ii) Improving the Livestock Management and thereby enhance the productivity. iii) Evolving strategies for Natural resources conservation and dissemination through published material
 
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Project Snapshot

Grantee:
Thardeep Rural Development Programme
Country:
Pakistan
Area Of Work:
Biodiversity
Grant Amount:
US$ 50,000.00
Co-Financing Cash:
US$ 42,372.00
Co-Financing in-Kind:
US$ 8,419.00
Project Number:
PAK/04/71
Status:
Satisfactorily Completed
Project Characteristics and Results
Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment
Promote eco agriculture, improved livestock management, by consolidating the institutional base in 200 villages of 10 union councils in order to measure the impact in two years.
Capacity - Building Component
Training on developing kitchen and small scale organic farming on dug well water through practicing water conservation strategies such drip irrigation system.
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Mr. Chatro Khatri
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+92-22-2108073
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+92-22-2108074
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