1. Shirin Agha Samim Natural resources Management Coordinator Kabul – Nov 2012

2.  Concern Worldwide is an Irish NGO.  Working in the poorest and most vulnerable places :Concern currently working in 25 countries will most focus on countries and regions in those countries that are extremely poor but have high levels of vulnerability.  Concern widely regarded as one of the worlds leading humanitarian organization. this reputation has been earned since our foundation in 1968 in many of the world’s disaster zones.we respond to these disasters and we work in long term development.  over the past decade we have chosen to focus our work in four sectors we regard as key to taking extremely poverty : improving livelihood, education, health and HIV and AIDS.  The resilience and capacity of extremely poor people continue to inspire us in our work and we know we are part of concerted international efforts to reach crucial such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). How We Achieve Our Mission:

3. Concern began its work in Afghanistan in mid- 1998 in response to earthquakes which struck the north-east regions of the country. Following an emergency response it was decided that Concern would continue to work in Afghanistan, Over the course of these years there has been a gradual shift from emergency to development. Concern Currently working in northeast province of Afghanistan ;Takhar and Badakhshan with small work in Kabul. Concern currently implementing three projects; IDEAS/SWIM/SMILE funded by EC under umbrella PARBP in Takhar province inclusive 8 districts. The project of Food Security and Support to Rural Livelihoods funded by BMZ – GAA implementing In Badakhshan province inclusive four districts.

4.  Concern adopted integrated Watershed / catchments management approach for NR development. It promotes conservation of resources and its use through improved agronomic practices.  Concern NRM Guidelines views on NRM is Watershed based natural resources management it has already gained importance and success for improving the resource base for holistic development of the communities. Concern in Afghanistan initiated various projects (IDEAS-1, IDEAS- 2,SMILE,SMILE-2, SWIM,SWIM-2 AIM etc), under its Food Market and Income strategy, focusing on community based Watershed / Catchment Management. The key component considered on Watershed management : Ridge to Valley Livelihood Support System Equity issues Sustainabilit y Approach

5.  Participatory Rural Appraisal( Social, Natural Resources Maps )  Access of household to NR.  GIS Mapping ( based on hydrological boundary )  Community based institutions formation ( NRMC/CMA)  Awareness raising

6.  Community Agreement.  Site selection.  Study Native species/ trees selection.  A - frame layout / technical space of work.  Protected area for regenerating

7.  Farmer Learning & awareness raising of decision makers. Awareness-generation about current status of resources and its links with livelihood Trainings on technologies for effective, low-cost soil and water conservation measures. On field demonstrations. Providing guidelines and complete responsibility to NRMC for further actions. NRMC organizes Hashar ensuring maximum community participation, while the project supports lunch, and the project team guides the process Joint monitoring of the impact by NRMC, community members and project staff and discussing results  Technologies such as counter bunding and trenching, and gully plugging are picked up very fast by farmers and have started using them on their lands.

8.  Horticulture improvement.  Agroforestry.  Improved crop production.  Soil fertility.  Farmers knowledge's increasing.  Agreed on rotational grazing system; Controlled grazing agreements (200ha)..  Fodder Bank - Fodder seeds provided to support of forage.  Alfalfa seed sowing in privet rainfed land.  Community capacity developed in regeneration of pasture through soil and water conservation and seed introduction.  Conflict resolution training  Camping on Natural resource management. Existing Condition High level of erosion / degradation Open uncontrolled grazing Conflict s during grazing season No systematic grass harvesting and storing Negligible fodder cultivation

9. Establishment of:  NRMC at Village level.  Catchment management association on Catchment level.  Fodder and Seed bank committee.  Farmers Cooperative Group ( revolving founds) Exposure Visit Capacity Building Office set up

10.  Degradation and desertification,  Shortage of forage resources especially in winter and spring,  Susceptibility to drought and uncertainties,  Rangelands conversion into rain-fed agricultural lands,  Uprooting of shrubs for fuel,  Overall lack of capacity, and conflict over land tenure  Un controlled collection of forest products – roots, plants, firewood etc  Insecurity

11.  Counter bunding / trenching is effective in local grass re-generation and for long term sustainability Maintenance of pasture by community is very effective. Controlled grazing system on grazing is better than open grazing. Fodder seeds provision for farmers more effective during winter. Income generation projects support landless to stop cutting bushes. NRMC - support community in NRM and conflict resolution as well as effective project delivery

12.  Long-term dedicated effort involving the local people, especially communities most dependent on and knowledgeable about the Natural resources 1.Promote community participation (CBOs) 2.Encourage adaptive grazing management 3.Improve rangeland productivity 4.Identify alternative energy and livelihood options 5. Education, training and research on rangeland management 6. NRM projects need a longer time frame for implementation 7. Activities should not be undertaken until there is clear agreement on community 8. Demonstrate different affordable technologies, discuss results with them and support 9. Never 100% support, as people should contribute 10. Tree plantation must not be undertaken without preparations such as counter bunding, trenching, pit digging, pit filling with good compost and soil and appropriate agreements with NRMC / beneficiaries. 11. Percentages of landless population is relatively high, sometimes up to 60% in some communities, and these people are mainly dependent on natural resources for their livelihoods. Therefore, there is a need to develop strategies to provide them with alternative livelihood support and mainstream them into development process.