1. Profile of Implementing Organization
KISP (KALASH INDIGENOUS SURVIVAL PROGRAM):

KISP is a Non Government Organization working for the cultural preservation and development of the perishing tribe of Kalash. It has a leader from the same indigenous community. It has been working since 1999 and started its full fledged activities in June 2005 when the president graced this fortunate organization with his consent to work for the Kalasha community. It was allocated a grant from the president?s fund and work commenced right away as KISP managed to bring some visible development in all its components of its mandate.

· Cultural Preservation: 1. Building of 6 Justak-hans (religious places) 2 per valley, work still in progress. 2. Compilation of traditions and rituals in form of a book written in Kalasha language. 3. Kalasha language alphabets development.
· Environment and eco-system preservation: Research report on pollution and compilation of fact sheet after research.
· Research and Development: Compilation of comprehensive Project Document, Position paper and Documentary Film.
· Education: Development of syllabi for Pre-School.
· Health: Provision of medicines to the local dispensaries of Rumboor, Continuously since 9th August, 2005.

Kalash is a culturally sensitive zone and development has to be integrated with culture and traditions at all levels. The building of Justak-Hans (worship places) is one such project that was carried out with participatory approach and is now handed over to the local committee after completion.

However this does not encompass the slightest area of the organization?s focus. Hence forth a lot of support is required to reach its objectives and goals.

KISP has its head office in Islamabad. It has a field office in Rumboor Valley -Kalash to look after its projects and help conduct baseline research activities besides creating and maintaining a strong relationship with community.
Dedicated staff is the backbone of KISP. The Director Media visibility and Fundraising has an enthusiastic team equipped with degrees in marketing and management from Canada and USA. The Director operations have a team with experience in carrying out projects at various levels. The staff is foreign qualified and locally trained to best look into the development issues of a culturally sensitive zone like Kalash. Half of the staff comprises of females. KISP is an equal opportunity employer, women, disabled and people from minorities are highly encouraged. This brings in a diverse team.
The total annual budget of the organization amounts to Rs: 1.8million.


2. Justification for Support - Linkages with GEF Themes and
Operational Programmes

The principal reasons for this project support are stated as follows:
· Environmental Protection
Sustainable biological diversity needs to be achieved and can be done by facilitating environmental protection. Biodiversity needs to be linked with cultural patrimony of the Kalasha people. The introduction of fuel efficient and environment friendly stoves for the local households is another step that will be taken to achieve environmental protection. Awareness at community and bhashalini will be given and model stoves will be distributed at community level. This product compliments fuel wood and forest conservation practices and reduces smoke emission to the environment hence directly improves the quality of life of women and children. The capacity building of the local kalasha women on environmental protection practices will have a farfetched impact.

· Control of Water Pollution
At present, the traditional Bhashalinis are not equipped with proper sanitation facilities. All the solid waste and waste from child birth process seeps downstream into the main river. This water is then used by locals who are exposed to diseases. Introduction of waste management and sanitation facilities with existing traditional Bhashalinis will help eradicate this problem.

· Prevention of Land degradation
Solid waste and other wastes add to the land degradation. They tend to threat the natural potential of land that affects the ecosystem integrity.

· Conservation and sustainability of biodiversity.
This project is aimed at the introduction of fuel efficient stoves. These reduce consumption of fire wood, emit less smoke and are not irritant to eyes. Hence add to conservation and sustainability of biodiversity. The project aims ar conservation of existing flora and fauna and biodiversity of the valleys.

· The project will eradicate the issues of water pollution, land degradation and environmental pollution and introduce conservation and sustainability of biodiversity, sustainable approaches to livelihood and enhancing the socio-economic status of women.
· Sustainable biodiversity will be achieved through environmental preservation and the use of fuel efficient stoves will ensure it further.
· The focal area of International waters Area will come into play by controlling water pollution and introducing proper sanitation facilities. Proper waste management will be introduced.
· Another focal point that will be stressed is the issue of land degradation. Proper waste management will again ensure a significant decrease in the land degradation that is taking place.
· Sustainable livelihood practices will be introduced utilizing existing Bhashalini platform, through introduction of trained staff.

The global significance will include a healthy ecosystem, protection of international waters and low rate of pollution that will pay it forward. The local significance will be a healthy and better standard of living for the people of Kalasha, low infant mortality rate and improved livelihood.

The resources will help to achieve awareness through social mobilizers, the construction of solid waste disposal system and the livelihood and social welfare of the whole community.

Conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity:

Studies have documented a significant level for environmental conservation in terms of fuel wood and forest conservation, reducing smoke CO2 and other smoke related gas emissions in the air through the use of fuel efficient stoves,
Figure 1: Chart showing the overall fuel wood savings at different Altitudes for households with fuel efficient stoves




Kalash valleys are located in approx 6000 feet altitude range.

The long term objective of the program is to under take a series of projects that involve steps which will ensure an environment that will be protected from unhygienic hazards which result in environment/ water pollution and degradation of land and conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in the beautiful valleys of Kalash.

GEF Operational Guidelines on Operational Program Number 4, clearly states that, " The projects that promote the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity...." are eligible for funding. The Krikushik project is in harmony with GEF policies of Mountain Ecosystems in this respect alongside the biodiversity thatis linked to cultural patrimony of Kalasha.


3. Context/Baseline

Kalash located in the northern most district of Chitral, comprise of three valleys, Rumboor, Birir and Bamburait. Kalash is a world heritage, and their number is decreasing constantly. KISP is trying to preserve and get them out of this alarming condition of extinction. In indigenous societies the health issues are always maximum, leading to alarming increase in environmental pollution. To deal with these issues it is very important that the intervention must be according to the cultural environment of the community.


In Kalash a strict norm is observed all the time regarding women. The Kalash people have an ideology about purity and impurity. The expecting women and women during menstruation are considered impure and it is imperative that they leave their houses and move to Bhashalinis that are constructed near rivers. But the negative impact of these Bhashalinis is that they are not equipped with the facilities necessary for living. This in turn has an adverse effect on the overall environment of the valleys due to lack of proper sanitation and waste disposal facilities. The solid and other waste is directly disposed off in the river, which is the main source of water for everyday usage for the valleys. This polluted water going down stream is the major cause of diseases in the Kalasha community as well as their livestock, their key source of livelihood. Local statistics formulated by government agencies support this.

The water and environmental pollution problem is basically identified by the community. A comprehensive survey was conducted by the KISP funded consultants. Bhashalinis, being a public and childbirth place was found to be the major cause of this pollution. Absence of solid waste disposal facilities and lack of hygiene awareness are identified as the basis for this problem. A traditional solid waste disposal system and sanitation facilities is proposed to be constructed each, with the three existing Bhashalinis, initially at the Birir and Rumboor Valleys-Kalash. This timeframe is estimated to be one year.

Attached: The map of Kalasha Valleys- Rumboor, Birir and Bumburaite (Kafiristan)


4. Project Objective and Proposed Activity

Environmental pollution is identified as the key reason behind the deteriorating health conditions and spread of water borne diseases in the valleys. Lack of education and awareness about hygiene practices add to it. The polluted waters and environment are a threat to the flora and fauna of this mountain eco system, hence a threat to biodiversity.
It seems difficult to intervene in Kalash for improving health without tempering with the culture. The Bhashalinis, being the major source of pollution in the waters, cannot be replaced with the maternity homes; therefore KISP plans to introduce facilities like solid waste disposal system , sanitation system to the existing Bhashalinis. Moreover there would be Bhashalini educators who will build capacity to maximize existing cultural ways of livelihood generation in women during their stay at Bhashalini. Embroidery skills and dried fruit packing and sales promotion skills are among the prime ones to be enhanced. Capacitybuilding for use of fuel efficient stoves. These stoves complement fuel wood and forest conservation practices and healthy and productive environment.
It shall reduce spread of contagious diseases through polluted waters. The project is aimed at provision of solid waste disposal management and sanitation facility to the place that is the major cause of polluting the waters.

In order to fulfill this objective, three Bhashalinis will be equipped with solid waste disposal system and proper drainage system, a Bhashalini educators will be trained to introduce hygiene practices, environmental pollution control practices and build capacity of women for livelihood generation during stay at Bhashalini in a way that is culturally acceptable to Kalasha people. The fuel efficient stoves will be introduced and women will be given awareness about their use and benefit for further introduction at house hold level. These fuel efficient stoves promote forest conservation practices and reduce smoke emission to the environment and directly improve the quality of life of women and children,
These stoves will be introduced and distributed at community levels with regularly scheduled training workshops/ sessions.
In a basic problem assessment exercise encompassing various areas in development, ?Waste disposal facilities at public places? was identified as one among several and it comes under the umbrella of ?Environmental Protection?.. Under this head the need for construction waste management system and sanitation facility in Bhashalinis (Maternity rooms) was identified and following are the objectives.

· Environmental Protection
· Control in Water pollution
· Prevention of Land degradation
· Conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
· Introduction of waste Disposal Management System
· Introduction of sanitation system.
· Bhashalini (Maternity home) will be equipped with heating, kitchen facilities and serve as a centre of learning for women during their stay there.
· Environment friendly, cost effective and fuel efficient stoves will be introduced. These will help minimize the differentials of ecosystems.
· Provide Bhashalini with training and capacity building staff.
· Cultural preservation


SMART Analysis
Specific: The project specifically aims at the environmental issues and conservation of biodiversity which are taking their toll on Kalasha community and the eco system of the northern areas of Pakistan.
Measurable: It proposes waste disposal management system along with the sanitation facility and fuel efficient stoves provided at three Bhashalinis, which makes it tangible, measurable and transparent. The presence of Bhashalini health educators and capacity building training staff are also an evident fact.
Attainable: Our comprehensive research and budgeting strengthen our managing capabilities for this project.
Donor agencies will play a vital role in attaining these goals, by funding for the said activity.
The Kalash community participation will also be a dominant key factor.
Reliable: The detailed research conducted by KISP has proven the need for the project and its reliability in controlling the environmental straits. The prior experience of KISP makes it a reliable candidate for such culturally sensitive project.
Time Bound: It is specifically stated in the project document that it is for one year time period. The detailed proposal and budgeting is done for this period.


Brief Description of the proposed activities:


Objective Activity Responsible Party Time Frame
Attain Funding Liaise with donors KISP 6-7 weeks
Detailed project schedule. Project activities schedule document preparation KISP 3 weeks
Staff Hiring Interviews and final hiring KISP 1week
Staff Training Orientation and Training sessions KISP 1week
Strategy Formulation Detailed strategies for community participation, committee formulation and project management will be formulated KISP 2 weeks
Making of committees Identifying members and making of steering committee, committee for Bhashalini construction, maintenance and ownership KISP in consultation with existing committees and community 2 weeks
Staff setup at Rumboor Job responsibility and provision of related facilities KISP 1week
Staff hiring for Bhashalini(Bhashalini Health Educators and Skills/ capacity building female teachers/staff) Interview and hire staff KISP and Committees 1 weeks
Staff orientation and placement Orientation sessions KISP and Committee 1 week
Construction of waste disposal system and sanitation facility Construction KISP and Committees monitored by KISP and donor agency. 26-30 weeks
Equipment Installation at Bhashalini Purchase and installation of equipment KISP and Committees 2 weeks
Project Completion and Evaluation Reports by KISP KISP and Committee 2 weeks
Handover to community Handover to committee KISP and Committee 1 week

Total project time: 52 weeks

The target beneficiaries of the project in terms of socio-economics will be the overall population of the Kalash valleys. These include 51% Muslims and 49% Kalashas. Kalash state of health and hygiene needs a great attention. There is an alarming increase in the number of contagious diseases. The relatively high rate of Maternal Mortality and Infant Mortality is due to this reason as well. A proper sanitation facility provided in the Bhashalini would ensure better health facilities for the women as well as the villagers living in the vicinity. A proper waste disposal would ensure a cleaner environment and safe drinking water. At present, the people of Kalash suffer from epidemic diseases such as Diarrhea, Malaria, Cholera, and dysentery etc.

With better health the community will be able to contribute better in uplifting the basic economic status at individual as well as community levels. Women trained and made aware of the economic benefits they can get from producing and selling existing cultural embroidery items and dried fruit packaging will help in poverty alleviation. The free distribution of stoves and training sessions for their use will have sustainable pollution control effects. Better hygiene practices introduced through Bhashalini health educators will contribute to community health.



8 Project Strategy

Kalash Indigenous Survival Program is a local NGO working to preserve and develop Kalash and its culture. It is headed by an indigenous leader from Kalash -Lakshan Bibi, who understands the cultural sensitivity of the region and seeks to develop a long term integrated culturally sensitive development program for Kalash. KISP has three departments of Operations, Management and Media Visibility and Fund Raising, Each headed by Directors with trained and dedicated staff.
The Kalasha community, the Muslims in Kalasha valleys, tourists and people living in surrounding areas will benefit. The waters and environment will have a sprawling effect on all surrounding the valleys.
The stakeholders will be interconnected through meetings, community gatherings, trips to project site and project monitoring reports.

KISP would have the sole responsibility of project execution, undertaking and implementation. With independent board of directors, chair-person would lead it along with the assistance of program and media visibility and fund raising directors.The organization then would have sector wise staff and staff for specific functions in finance, administration, and monitoring and evaluation.

The donor organization will be responsible for timely funding for the smooth and timely operation. They, being in the steering committee, will act as monitors as well to ensure the project is carried out within the specified boundaries.
The interested NGOs and volunteers will be facilitated by KISP at all levels. They will work/ research in a closely knit network.
KISP will hire staff on equal opportunity basis. KISP will involve women from Kalasha community and employ them to promote awareness on basic hygiene issues. Women will act as social mobilizers under the guidance of KISP.
KISP will handover the project to the committee, consisting of local community members that had already worked during construction. The sustainable outcome is expected only through direct participatory approach of the community. Hence the reins of power will be in their hands from thereafter.







6. Technical Feasibility

The project will require significant technical expertise. The waste disposal management system and sanitation system will be designed by civil engineer with substantial awareness of local terrain and cultural boundaries. Once designed the system will be constructed by local contractors, hired by KISP. The fuel efficient stoves will be introduced on the pattern of ones recently introduced in Gilgit and Chitral areas. This in projects to come will be introduced at household levels. The training for the use of these stoves will be given through the female kalasha staff hired and trained by KISP and the committee members.
KISP will require the services of community mobilizers. Those Kalasha women who are educated and who enjoy a good reputation in the community would be identified for training as Bhashalini Health educators and Capacity building staff. The social mobilizers, Bhashalin health educators and Capacity building female staff will ensure the maximum output from this project.

KISP has previous experience of Justak-Han (Kalasha Religious places) construction. This was done through participatory approach and successful completion and handing over to the Justak-Han committee has given detailed insight and technical expertise to KISP to initiate, launch , complete and successfully handover such culturally sensitive projects to the community.

GEF-SGP is expected to provide technical assistance in civil engineering and:-
1 Consultants: If required for End of the Project Evaluation. Will be identified by KISP and UNDP.

2 Vehicles: For mobility in the valleys, UNDP support for one year is required.


KISP will utilize the local expertise in project construction. Members of community have shown interest and will contribute by providing support in construction of model waste management system. The formulation of committee and social mobilization will also be done in consultation with local Qazis and community members.


3 Anticipated Results
The following interrelated results are expected to be achieved:

· Controlled environmental pollution
· Environmental Protection
· Control in Water pollution
· Prevention of Land degradation
· Poverty alleviation.
· Waste Disposal Management System
· Construction of model sanitation system
· Decrease in contagious diseases.
· The rivers and waters of the valleys will be less polluted.
· Safer drinking water for the people of the valleys.
· Serenity of land will be preserved.
· Equipped Bhashalinis heating, kitchen, solid waste disposal.
· Presence of Bhashalini health educator and capacity building staff.
· Preservation of culture and tradition with improved health facility
· The Maternal mortality and Infant mortality rates will decrease considerably.
· The better health will lead them to contribute in economic development as well.
· It shall be exercised that cultural preservation is integrated with development.
· Socially Kalasha pride will be revived as they will feel cared for and accepted.
· Sustainable development will be implemented.

The project will be of great value to KISP employees, local NGOs, Volunteers and donors besides being of immense importance to the community. It will provide invaluable learning opportunity on barriers and hurdles in implementing projects on indigenous and culturally and religiously sensitive community?s world over.
Women development/Involvement:- Women being the significant beneficiaries of the project are planned to be given training during their days in Bhashalinis including capacity building for local crafts, embroidery items, driedfruit packaging and sales promotion for fuel efficient stoves. Training village women in sales promotion will build their confidence and contribute to greater gender equity. Maximum number of women in the villages of Kalash valleys needs to be incorporated in income generating ways for enhanced women participation and development at social and economic levels. Bhashalini provides an excellent opportunity for learning such skills and further indulging in sales practices.Women will contribute in economic development- reducing poverty. This will also lead to safer environment (lesser fuel wood consumption, lesser smoke, proper waste disposal) with lesser pollution and conservation of flora and fauna leading to preservation of biodiversity.


KISP is also seeing the Muslim community in the Kalasha valleys as a potential risk in the smooth implementation of the project. The local government bodies might also interfere, as this project will directly benefit the local Kafir Kalasha. Though this can be explained to them as benefiting to all by addressing environmental issues.