Natural resource management

People living in rural areas of Pakistan mostly rely on agriculture for sustenance, around 36% of total labour force is engaged in this sector. Agriculture is the main source of foreign exchange earnings in Pakistan, it contributes 24% in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country. Due to different in topography of the region, the Southern parts are different from Northern parts, in terms of land holding, per acre yield, irrigation system, fresh water resources and so forth.

In recent years it has been witnessed that due to climate change the agricultural production and habitat of people have been affected by the changes in the pattern of sessions and agricultural productivity. In order to cope with the climate changes, RF works in sensitizing the communities about climate change to proactively partake from the advances in technology and adapt ways so that communities become more resilient to the climate changes. RF believes that engagement of communities is essential in stimulating inclusive economic growth, creating resilient communities, diverse institutions for improvement in the vulnerable communities living at the margins of socio-economic development in Pakistan.

Given the global environment challenges, RF intervened in the communities to train the local artisans in the construction sector to provide skills for mitigating the risks involved with climate change.  To improvise the livelihood the community sessions have been conducted to provide information and sensitize communities about Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Disaster Risk Management (DRM). RF uses community platforms like LSO’s, VO’s and WO’s to sensitize communities in developing area specific natural resource plans to optimally use the available resources in the greater benefit of communities. RF has launched “Jewel of Pakistan ” project to provide training in artisanal mining vis a balanced ecosystem to generate a cadre of professionals to contribute to the development of the region. This project had a ripple effect as the artisans started medium scale enterprises which led to establishment of market linkages which widened the scale and scope of activities.

To mitigate the potential risks of land degradation and erosion in the farflung communities of Pakistan, RF is working on a ten year strategic plan to provide support in addressing the issue through community forestry and improving the existing support mechanisms in the form of community relief services. RF enhanced the self-reliance of rural communities through climate change-sensitive sustainable agriculture practices and will be contributing to better household nutrition and food security needs of the most disadvantaged populations.