Sustainable Land Management Project, Baghbana Khuzdar Balochistan
January 2007 - March 2008
Funding Partner
:
UNDP GEF Small Grants Program
Project Area
:
Union Council Baghbana, District Khuzdar Balochistan
Background and Project Context
Groundwater has drastically depleted and degraded in whole Balochistan in general and Baghbana Union Council of Khuzdar district in particular as a result of use of unsustainable methods of irrigation. Groundwater has lowered to the extent of 700 feet at many areas of Baghbana. This has resulted in degradation of vast agriculture and orchard farms in the Union Council. Orchards standing on the thousands of acres of land have been cut down due to the depletion of the groundwater resources which was the only water resource in the area. In a number of vicinity of the area groundwater has not only depleted but has also become saline. This has threatened the livelihoods of thousand of local communities and brought poverty in the area.
Besides, increased and irrational use of chemicals and pesticides in the area by the growers due to lack of awareness has also threatened the local environment including the land and groundwater resources. This has also resulted in health hazards in the area. Besides, this has also increased the growers’ expenditure on the crop production, resulting in growing poverty in the area.
The project sought to address the above mentioned environmental problems through the introduction of Sustainable Land Management Practices. The project has direct relevance with GEF/SGP Operational Program on Sustainable Land Management (OP #15). The principle reasons for development of this project are extensive land degradation due to un-sustainable irrigation, agriculture and horticultural practices, indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides & fertilizers in Baghbana Union Council of District Khuzdar Balochistan, which has adversely affected the land, and other natural biodiversity of the area.
Project Objectives
Organizing the Local Communities and Creating Awareness among them about the Threats of Land and Groundwater Resource Degradation and the Benefits of Sustainable Land Management [ SLM] Practices
Developing the Skills of the Local Communities for the Sustainable Land Management [SLM] Practices
Introducing Appropriate and Indigenous Technologies and Practices for Preventing Land and Groundwater Degradation
Engaging in Policy Advocacy on the Issues of Sustainable Land Management
Sustainable Land Management Project, Baghbana Khuzdar Balochistan
January 2007 - March 2008Background and Project Context
Groundwater has drastically depleted and degraded in whole Balochistan in general and Baghbana Union Council of Khuzdar district in particular as a result of use of unsustainable methods of irrigation. Groundwater has lowered to the extent of 700 feet at many areas of Baghbana. This has resulted in degradation of vast agriculture and orchard farms in the Union Council. Orchards standing on the thousands of acres of land have been cut down due to the depletion of the groundwater resources which was the only water resource in the area. In a number of vicinity of the area groundwater has not only depleted but has also become saline. This has threatened the livelihoods of thousand of local communities and brought poverty in the area.
Besides, increased and irrational use of chemicals and pesticides in the area by the growers due to lack of awareness has also threatened the local environment including the land and groundwater resources. This has also resulted in health hazards in the area. Besides, this has also increased the growers’ expenditure on the crop production, resulting in growing poverty in the area.
The project sought to address the above mentioned environmental problems through the introduction of Sustainable Land Management Practices. The project has direct relevance with GEF/SGP Operational Program on Sustainable Land Management (OP #15). The principle reasons for development of this project are extensive land degradation due to un-sustainable irrigation, agriculture and horticultural practices, indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides & fertilizers in Baghbana Union Council of District Khuzdar Balochistan, which has adversely affected the land, and other natural biodiversity of the area.
Project Objectives