Understanding opportunities for and challenges to joint action in reducing the extent of degradation within mountain pastures, thereby leading to reduced risk of, and vulnerability to, disasters from natural causes (landslides, flooding, mudflows), is essential for efficacy in regulatory frameworks related to pasture management.
Under the aegis of an ongoing SDC financed mandate on Integrated Watershed Management, Caritas Switzerland will share experiences in the development, implementation and broad uptake of sustainable pasture management approaches within Eastern Khatlon province. Notable areas of mention are the development of 32 pasture user unions (PUU), a significant number of which are officially registered and able to exert influence on sustainable pasture management practices within areas under their direct control. More than 7,000 hectares within Muminabad district are now under the capable management of the 32 PUU’s providing direct benefits to 32,000 individuals in terms of both diversified agricultural livelihoods as well as reduced vulnerability to landslides and flooding. Rotational grazing, pasture areas under rest, reseeding and watershed action plans are cornerstones of effective PUU engagement.
While a number of organizations – national and international – have invested in the development of approaches to sustainable pasture management, one constraint continues to be the lack of an effective regulatory environment, particularly in terms of how to sensitively approach management and control of transient livestock herds. This conference promises to move forward in the effective implementation of a long-awaited pasture law through the development of proposed by-laws and ordinances (penalties for damage) that aim to provide mutually beneficial incentives to a range of stakeholders that have (sometimes conflicting) interests in productive and healthy pastures.
The event is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation jointly with European Union, German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), Food and Agricultural Organization of UN (FAO) and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
For more information:
Arabela Philipona
Project Officer - Integrated Watershed Management
Caritas Switzerland
