1. Profile of Implementing Organization (not more than 300 words)

· Nature of implementing organization (NGO or community group) seeking an award

Shirkat Gah-Women Resources Center works for the empowerment of women in Pakistan. Shirkat Gah was formed as a non-hierarchical collective in 1975 with a common perspective on women?s rights, development and advocacy. It works at the grass roots, national, regional and international levels. At grass roots, it interacts with community-based organizations in the provinces of Sindh, Punjab and NWFP and at the national level with non-government organizations across the country.

· Previous relevant experience for the proposed activity

Shirkat Gah networks with CBOs and NGOs within Pakistan and at regional and international level through newsletters, advocacy material and campaigns and solidarity action. It is an active member of major NGOs coalitions. Nationally it is a member of: Pakistan NGO Forum through its provincial coalitions and was till 2004 its national secretariat; Pakistan National Committee of IUCN; Sustainable Agriculture and Action Group (SAAG); Joint Action Committees of NWFP and Punjab; among others. Shirkat Gah is the Asia Region Coordination office for the International Solidarity Network, Women Living Under Muslim Laws, and member of IUCN -The World Conservation Union and of Society of International Development (SID).

Shirkat Gah?s programmes focus on the following activities:

§ Capacity Building
§ Publications
§ Networking
§ Advocacy, Lobbying and Solidarity actions
§ Documentation
§ Research

· Track record in community based work/experience with participatory approaches.

Shirkat Gah has been working with traditional fisher folk of Sindh and Balochistan since 1986. The organization has as one of its major focus the conservation of coastal wetland under its Women and Sustainable Development Programme. Shirkat Gah believes that policy change and an ensured consultative process with communities could lead to vital change in conservation of wetlands. Unfortunately coastal wetlands in Pakistan are under threat mainly due to anthropogenic activities and ineffective management. Marine resources are being exploited unsustainably due to widely used destructive nets in the wetlands areas, inadequate protection and lack of awareness at national level. The rehabilitation of Mangroves forest with collective effort through a comprehensive plan for conservation of wetlands should be developed in consultation with all stakeholders.
In 1997, Shirkat Gah replanted mangroves on 300 hectares along the Korangi creek through the support from International Union of Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources ? Netherlands Commission (IUCN - NC) in collaboration with IUCN Pakistan. Three important species, Avicennia Marina, Rhizophora Mucronata and Ceriops Tagal were planted which are both exotic and indigenous species. Four sites were located opposite Port Qasim. One site was located at Batta Wala plot and another one was located in the Gudiwari creeks. All sites were in the vicinity of Karachi and accessible to the community.

Working since 1987 on environment issues in Pakistan, Shirkat Gah is involved in advocacy campaigns, in research and awareness and capacity building on environmental issues with networks such as the Pakistan Network for Rivers, Dams and People (PNRDP), and with IUCN for the sustainable use of natural resources along the coast of Sindh.

As a member of a number of networks nationally and internationally Shirkat Gah networks with CBOs and NGOs within Pakistan and abroad through newsletters, advocacy material, campaigns and solidarity actions. It is an active member of major national NGO coalitions and advocacy networks. Shirkat Gah engages in advocacy to change laws, policies and attitudes and practices and is called upon to contribute to policy formulation at the national level. It responds to, and circulates campaigns for human rights, legal reforms, and environmental issues and provides individuals in crisis situations with support, advice and legal assistance.

Shirkat Gah Karachi is a focal point and the secretariat of Pakistan Network of Rivers, Dams and People (PNRDP) since 2002 and will remain till September 2005. It is also the secretariat of Chotiari Coordination Committee.

· Details of the organization: history, governance and funding of the lead organization, i.e. when established, how structured and organized, number of staff (Male /Female) and their expertise, membership, and total annual budget.

The organization comprises of:

§ 15 members Collective, which functions .as an overall policymaking body. A working committee, which conceptualizes design and oversees programs.
§ Three coordinators responsible for the planning, implementation and monitoring of project offices in Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar.
§ Combined staff of some 85 persons.

· Capacity to carry out the proposed activity (other ongoing projects, staff capacity etc.).

Please see the Annex: III

2. Justification for Support - Linkages with GEF Themes and
Operational Programmes (not more than 300 words)

· What are the principal reasons why the project activity is needed?

Mangroves wetlands conservation is of prime importance to save ecosystem in coastal areas. It has direct bearing on economy of local communities, who are mostly dependent on fishing incomes. Mangroves are being damaged due to both natural and anthropogenic reasons. Reduced flow of fresh water through Indus River is the fundamental cause whereas community practices (cutting mangroves for fuel wood and fodder) is another major cause. Mobilizing communities for conservation of mangroves would influence change in their practices. GEF support will result in mobilized and active community participation for conservation of mangroves. Conserved mangroves not only provide nursing grounds for fish and shrimp but also provides resistance to aggressive climatic effects such as cyclones and tidal action. It helps conserving coastal land by stopping tidal erosion and thus reduces vulnerability of low lying coastal villages.

3. Context/Baseline (not more than 300 words)

Shirkat Gah has been working with the communities in Phitt- crek area (Thatta and Karachi areas). Extent of mangroves degradation is vast and radually increasing sue to continuously decreasing supplies of fresh water from Indus. The project area is located around Rehri village some 17 kilometer from the city of Karachi (please see the attached map). The entire community is dependent on fishing activities for its livelihood. The area has a population of over 35,000 inhabitants. A neighbourhood ?Para? system exists in the village and different ethnic groups live in separate localities. There are about 16 localities in the village.

In 1997, Shirkat Gah replanted mangroves on 300 hectares along the Korangi creek through the support from International Union of Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources ? Netherlands Commission (IUCN - NC) in collaboration with IUCN Pakistan. Three important species, Avicennia Marina, Rhizophora Mucronata and Ceriops Tagal were planted which are both exotic and indigenous species. Four sites were located opposite Port Qasim. One site was located at Batta Wala plot and another one was located in the Gudiwari creeks. All sites were in the vicinity of Karachi and Thatta district and accessible to the community.

4. Project Objective and Proposed Activity (not more than 600 words)

The project mainly focuses on involving communities in conservation of mangroves wetlands in Indus delta. Activities proposed in the project are mainly focused on educating and involving local communities in conservation of mangroves to protect ecologically important coastal wetlands. Activities associated with the main objective would lead to more sensitized local communities and forest department. The attached work plan gives timeframe for each activity.

5. Project Strategy (not more than 600 words)

The project will have greater focus on networking and linkage development for local community groups to make this effort sustainable. A major consideration will be given to bridging gapes between community, line agencies and conservation NGOs. The project methodology involves regular interaction with community groups, specially with a local CBO to train them on conservation and other associated issues of their environment and livelihood. The project also extensively involves awareness, involvement and income generation of local women to address gender issues prevalent in the area. A major intervention would be establishing a wetland centre, which will act as conservation hub in the area and carry forward project interventions after project life. Effective linkages between community and other stakeholders would be another source of project sustainability. Trained and organized local CBO would have greater abilities to forge new partnerships for large scale replication of the project in the area.


6. Technical Feasibility (not more than 300 words)

Shirkat Gah has already implemented similar projects with coastal communities and results have been very successful and encouraging. However it has been experienced that if focus is not given on linkage development, project activities get discontinued. Based on this learning the project provides enhanced focus on line development. Also capacity building of local CBO has been identified as another area of sustainability mechanism based on our past experience of similar projects. Shirkat Gah has experience and know how of mangroves conservation. Having strong working relationship with major conservation organizations such as IUCN and WWF, which have been supporting Shirkat Gah on conservation related technical matters.

7. Anticipated Results (not more than 300 words)

The following impacts are expected

· Conservation of mangrove wetland will provide better nursing grounds to fish and shrimp, which is a major source of livelihood of local communities
· Community based conservation model will motivate line agencies to work with local communities to benefit from their indigenous knowledge. This will make conservation efforts more meaningful.
· Capacity building of local CBO will develop long term human capital within the community. The trained and motivated CBO can bring numerous other benefits to local communities such as improved health, education, drinking water etc.
· A community based wetland conservation model will also set ground for future interventions in the conservation area.
· A major risk would be if community does not get properly involved in the process. However Shirkat gah has very strong relations within the community and enjoys trust of local people which would address the risk.