GEF Projects classified under the three Implementing agencies:

• UNDP
• World Bank
• UNEP

UNDP

• Mountain Areas Conservancy Project (MACP) (Budget US$10,350,000):

• PIR 2001
• Project Fact Sheet

The project aims at mitigating threats to biological diversity in the Western Himalayan, Karakoram and Hindukush ranges of northern Pakistan. The focus is on empowering local communities to manage ecosystems and wild resources, making them accountable for the quality of their stewardship. A representative sample of biomes will be protected through the creation of four Conservancies (Managed Resource Protected Areas). Within the conservancies, activities will engender the in-situ conservation of habitats and species and promote sustainable use of biological resources. The project will be implemented over a period of 7-years, with GEF contribution of US $ 8.1 million and US $ 1.5 and 0.75 million coming from UNDP and the government, respectively. For details on project reviews and reports, kindly click here

• Protection and Management of Pakistan Wetlands Project (Budget US$367,000):

• Project Fact sheet

Pakistan's wetlands systems are of great significance for breeding, migrating and wintering waterfowl. They constitute a valuable resource of significant economic value, on which people, domestic stock and wildlife depend for their livelihood and survival. The overall objective of the proposed study is to undertake the necessary preparatory work and lay a strong foundation for the successful implementation of the full GEF project on Protection and Management of Pakistan Wetlands.

• Conservation of Four Representative Protected Areas of Pakistan through Community based Management (Preparatory Phase Budget US$25,000):

The project aims at enhancing and upgrading the national effort to conserve biodiversity in Pakistan by means of community-based, sustainable management of four representative Protected Areas (PAs). This project would demonstrate the improved management of selected protected areas of global significance, thereby contributing to enhanced conservation of the PA network in Pakistan. The preparatory phase of the project is under progress, which would result into a GEF medium-sized project of around US $ 1.5 million.

The project will assist in conserving the juniper forest ecosystem covering an area of about 100,000 hectares in the Ziarat and Zarghoon Hill Ranges in Balochistan. These forests contain unique fauna and flora, having Sino-Himalayan, central Asian, Iranian and Turkish affinities. The resource is of global significance and represents one of the largest remaining tracts of Juniper excels forest in the world. The juniper forests are a strong candidate for designation as a protected area and a World Heritage Site. The preparatory phase is under progress that would result into a medium-sized GEF project of around US $ 2.0 million.

• Conservation of Habitats and Species of Global Significance in Arid and Semi-Arid Ecosystems in Balochistan (Preparatory Phase Budget US$21,000):

The objectives of the project are to maintain or increase biological diversity and ecosystem productivity. Conservation of biological diversity greatly depends upon local people who derive their subsistence from the natural resources. Both Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) of Pakistan place great stress on encouraging and protecting the biological diversity through sustainable use and recognize the need to support the local communities in this endeavor.

• Sustainable Management of Chilghoza Forest Ecosystem in Suleiman Mountain Range

The Suleiman Mountain Range is an important area of biodiversity having globally significant and endangered biodiversity of Chilghoza (Pinus gerardiana) forests ecosystem. This project will have substantial global benefits through the protection and conservation of Suleiman Mountain's biodiversity and will help in the development of model community-based conservation strategies and approaches that can be transferred and replicated in other areas of Pakistan having somewhat similar socio-cultural relations not only in Pakistan but also in Afghanistan. Major objectives of the Project can be broadly categorized as: improve the socio-economic conditions of the local communities; control degradation of Chilghoza forests; control hunting and trade of Markhor (capra falconeri) and other important wildlife species; develop capacity of and create awareness in the local communities for sustainable resource use. (Budget US$1,500,000 approx.)

• Fuel Efficiency in Road Transport Sector Project (Budget US $ 7,000,000):

• Project Document
• Enercon

The project aims to reduce at-source emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants by improving fuel efficiency for transport vehicles in Pakistan. The project also aims to build institutional capacity to review transport options, expand pilot projects to tune-up urban vehicles, and develop options with regard to technology transfer, regulations and pricing. The main activities include 1) setting up of 15 tune-up stations throughout the country; 2) training of mechanics to conduct computerized tune-ups; 3) establishing and operating a revolving loan fund for establishing additional tune-up centres in the private sector; and 4) conducting policy studies for further improvement of fuel efficiency in the road transport sector.

• Kasur Tanneries Pollution Control Project (Budget US$3,135,138):

• Project Document

This initiative is aiming at containing and reducing the environmental deterioration caused by tannery waste, thus improving the overall living and working conditions and creating an environmentally sustainable development of the tanning industry. The project is being implemented under a collaborative arrangement between the public and private sector. The project will have positive impact on the communities working inside the tanneries and those living in the surrounding areas.

• Commercialization of Wind Power Potential in Pakistan (Budget US$471,900):
• Project Details

The project has been cleared by GEF for carrying out a feasibility study and collecting data for introducing wind power generation in the coastal areas of Pakistan. The project will establish and demonstrate the commercial viability of widespread harnessing of wind energy in remote areas, help identify and overcome significant barriers to future investment in this resource, and enable the scaling up of the practical operations and demonstration of the technology to a critical mass to attract potential entrepreneurs. It would set in place a complete package of resource assessment, evaluation of economic viability and marketability, and effective implementation arrangements for future applications.

• Institutional Strengthening for the Implementation of Montreal Protocol (Budget US$259,000):

• Project Document
  

The project aims at creating a nodal unit within the Ministry of Environment, which monitors the implementation progress of the Montreal Protocol. The protocol requires phase-out of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) under the agreed time-frame.

The project will demonstrate that learning through the element of environment brings about an interest in and respect for one's environment, which in turn provides motivation for its conservation. The project will involve 21 schools in Mirpur Sakro and incorporate these books in the curriculum of primary classes and will train teachers in environmental education.

• Conservation of Biodiversity & Sustainable Irrigated Agriculture through Participatory Management of Watersheds and Groundwater Resources (Budget US $ 49,875)

Soan Valley Development Programme (SVDP) would promote sustainable use of ground water resources to combat desertification by involving communities and provide technical support to enhance agricultural productivity, management of ground water resources, efficient use of irrigation water and to introduce sustainable cropping systems.

• The Indus Dolphin Rescue Unit, Lahore Zoo (Budget US$48,555)

A project to establish an Indus Blind Dolphin Rescue Unit in Sukkur in collaboration with the Sukkur Wildlife Department. The purpose of this project is to identify, pick and bring back dolphins stranded in the canals to their habitat. It will involve fishermen, villagers, the Lahore Zoo and the Sindh Wildlife Department. In this regard LZ has been contacted to provide technical guidance.

• Promotion of Ecotourism to Conserve Biodiversity in Potohar Region (Budget US $ 45,400)

Pakistan Ex-Servicemen Society (PESS) has an Eco-tourism project in Lehri forest in the Salt Range. This is first ever conservation project by PESS, an NGO with largest number of members and highly trained people. The Potohar area has served as a nursery for soldiers since British time, and as a consequence remained underdeveloped. PESS wants to undertake development work to change this situation.

• Biodiversity conservation in sites of the "unique habitat" of the woolly flying Squirrel in Northern Areas, Pakistan (Budget US$42,802)

This project aims to save the Woolly flying Squirrel from extinction by conserving its habitat and reducing the negative pressure of the communities living in or near the habitat of the woolly flying squirrel by creating an awareness about conservation, developing alternative livelihood sources to generate income for the communities and promoting fuelwood plantations

• Conservation of Blind Indus Dolphin through Ecotourism at Taunsa Barrage (Budget US$ 41,167)

The Adventure Foundation of Pakistan (AFP) is working on an Eco-tourism project in the Panjnad area, which is habitat of the Indus Blind Dolphin, a fresh water dolphin-an endemic unique species. This project aims at protection and conservation of this rare species.

• Environment Education through Participatory Action Learning (Budget US $ 40,814)

The project targets to create environmental awareness among school children by establishing nature/ environmental clubs in low and middle-income urban areas of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The Project is being implemented by PIEDAR.

• Community based conservation of Straight-horned markhor (Capra falconeri megaceros), Afghan Urial (Ovis orientalis cycloceros) and associated biodiversity in Takatu Hills, Quetta-Pishin Districts (Budget 39,120)

This project aims at species conservation, control on poaching, improvement of natural resources for alternative livelihood, capacity building of community/ partners. Lessons learnt will be shared with other stakeholders and interested organizations/ individuals.

• Education, Awareness and Training on Environment - Sanjh Theatre Group (Budget US$31,696):

Under this project a team of professionals will prepare education and training material in Urdu for key partners of GEF/SGP. Materials will include brochure, information books, newsletter, GEF/SGP calendar, greeting cards etc. for NGOs, CBOs and other stakeholders. Street theater is one of the main features under this project. This will also include training programme for proposal development in ten different localities with collaboration of GEF/SGP partners organizations.

• Conservation of agricultural Eco-systems and Street theatre for conservation awareness (Budget US$ 23,146):

Hirak is a street theatre group that mobilizes farmers in the rational use of pesticides. Their approach has been very successful and they have been very effective in changing the current practices of indiscriminate pesticide use in the Dera Ghazi Khan.

The Balochistan Black Bear Ursus thibetanus gedrosianus is a threatened subspecies of the Asiatic Black Bear only found in Balochistan and in some parts of southeastern Iran. This project aims at conservation of this species through community participation.

Khura village community volunteers are protecting their forest for the past ten years. The proposed project will provide training and replication facilities to other villages whose forests are highly degraded. The training facility under this project will enable other village communities to protect and develop their forests. Project included training facilities, establishment of training center, establishment of village reserve fund and survey of existing floral and faunal resources.

• Community Based Protection of Sakesar range Forest, Dhadhar (Budget US$11,048)

The proposed project is to support government action and legislation for community based protection of forest. Under this project several formal groups of community guards will be organized under a council of 10 villages in the area. Forest based water ponds will be upgraded for community use. Several symposia on the situation and award giving ceremonies will be held in order to recognize the efforts of local communities and selected individuals involved in protection of forest and natural resources.

• Survey of Pheasants in Pakistan (Budget US $ 10,309)

World Pheasant Association (WPA) has conducted a survey of pheasants in the Hazara area with SGP assistance over the last 3 years. The project is nearing completion and a report is being formulated which will detail a national action plan for conservation of pheasants. This project has carried out ground breaking scientific work, and has trained wildlife staff in scientific survey techniques for pheasants.

• Establishment of a revolving fund for plantation of trees (Budget US $ 11,132)

Col. Sher Social Welfare Organization proposed to plant 25,000 saplings per year for a period of 5 years. The plan is that NGO will identify farmers who will not only provide land for planting trees but were also willing to take the responsibility for their protection against grazing or other threats. The incentive was also reduced to Re. 1 per surviving plant per year instead of lumpsum amount for the original number of trees planted. The NGO signed agreements with farmers that NGO will provide plants to them during the first year and in the subsequent years it will provide Re. 1 per surviving plant for the remaining four years and at the time of the harvest the farmer will give away one fifth of the produce to the NGO. The NGO will sell their share and revolve this money to encourage more farmers to plant trees and sustain the initiative NGO has started.

• Agro-biodiversity conservation in Daman area (Budget US $ 27,507)
  

  The issue of loss of biodiversity in Daman area is exacerbated by the recent change in agricultural pattern which were almost non existent a decade ago. Quite recently, the area has started shifting from rainfed farming to irrigated agriculture. In contrast to the traditional and flexible means of livelihood that they have been accustomed to for centuries- use of rainwater, local seeds and forests will now begin to become scarce resources. Loss of agrobotanical resources is in sight while soil degradation and water shortage in future is feared. This project is a small initiative to mitigate these effects by facilitating communities in reducing those losses to agrobiodiversity that will impact farmer communities, sometimes reducing household food security. Through information-sharing and participatory conservation of seeds and traditional agricultural practices we will facilitate farmers to have more viable choices. These choices could include retention of traditional and sustainable farming based on reuse of local seed varieties that are usually essential to the household as food for the family and feed for the livestock. The Project will lead to in situ conservation of approximately six land race seeds: gram/chickpea, mustard, varieties of wheat and sorghum will be achieved in the fields and in the nursery of the DAMAN Seed Bank. The project's Seed Bank will be able to preserve a good number of specimens (100 to 300 rare seeds and plants) of local land race seeds and (possibly) some rare floral species will be identified, preserved and reused in a sustainable way and known through reports to relevant research organizations.

• Biodiversity Conservation in Mankial Valley by local Communities (Budget US $ 50,000)

The Mankial valley is highly mountainous and the elevation rises from 5,600 to 17,000 ft at Koh-e-Shaheen, the boundary between Kohistan and Swat districts. Apart from great variation in altitude, the valley has a considerable variation in temperature and precipitation. As a result it supports a variety of vegetation from moist temperate forests to sub-alpine scrub and alpine meadow types. The forest comprise of various species of trees like blue pine, deodar, fir, spruce, bird cherry, walnut, acer and birch etc. The valley is a home to a great diversity of wildlife. It supports some of the endangered mammals including Snow leopard (Panthera uncia) Common leopard (Panthera pardus), Markhor (Capra falconeri cashmiriensis), Black bear (Selenarctos thibetanus), Musk deer (Moshchus moschiferus) and Wolf (Canis lupus). All these species are included in either in Appendix-I or Appendix-II of Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES). Yellow-throated marten (Martes flavigula), Red fox (Vulpes vulpes), Pika (Ochotona roylei), Golden marmot (Marmota caudata aurea) and Rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) are also found in the valley. The valley also supports a rich variety of bird fauna. Himalayan monal pheasant (Lophophorus impejanus), Himalayan snow cock (Tetraogallus himalayansis), Snow partridge (Lerwa lerwa) and Koklass pheasant (Pucrasia macrolopha) are some of the key species. Except for Koklass pheasant, all the other three species are endangered. The checklist of wild species animals and birds has not been prepared as yet. This Project will provide a basis for the conservation of globally important components of biodiversity in valley.

• Introduction and Promotion of Newly Developed Gas Kits for Rickshaws in Quetta City (Budget US $ 50,000)

"Taraqee" Trust of Quetta has undertaken to reduce green house emissions leading to global warming by introducing 4000 CNG gas kits in two stroke rickshaws in Quetta city through the provision of credit to the rickshaw owners. The key stakeholders in this project are Rickshaw Drivers Association, Pakistan Hydrocarbon Institute, Canadian International Development Agency and Balochistan EPA.

In the last six years the number of hotels in Kalam has increased from 20 to 114. The project aims at reducing pollution of the river Swat resulting from dumping of solid and liquid waste in and around the river. The project plans to involve government and non-government organizations in controlling illegal construction along the river Swat in the stretch of the river from Kalam to Chakdara, and mobilize stakeholders to treat their sewage before throwing it into the river.

• The Smokeless Stoves Project (Budget US$ 31,856)

This project is being implemented by the Escort Foundation (EF) in the Changa Manga protected forest area. The objective of the project is to disseminate training in manufacturing of low cost fuel- efficient stoves in villages near Changa Manga. The project aims for: i) relieving women from the burden of fuel wood collection ii) reducing deforestation iii) reducing cooking and cleaning time.

• Project Details

WWF is working towards reducing pollution in the Hudiara Drain, an international waterway. This drain originates in Batala, India and crosses over to Pakistan with contaminated water, that is used by local farmers for irrigation. In this research and information gathering project water quality monitoring will be undertaken.

• Capacity building of Caritas Pakistan to promote fuel efficient cooking technologies (Budget US $ 11,468)

To provide training to the field staff of Caritas Pakistan as trainers in fuel efficient Cookstoves. There are approximately 30 social organizers working in each of their 6 regional offices and Caritas works with approximately 40,000 households throughout the country. The project will train the Animators of Caritas Pakistan as Master Trainers for further training the community women in their project area in constructing and maintaining fuel efficient stoves. This small grant will help in making fuel efficient stoves project a part of Caritas Pakistan's development programme and will become a regular activity of Caritas along with their social mobilization and agricultural improvement programme.

• Fuel Efficient stove project - Sahiwal (Budget US $ 9,901)

Partner CBO of PRSP Sahiwal will replicate the success story of Escorts Foundation and will train rural woman in constructing fuel efficient cooking stove for reducing the demand of fuel wood and establish revolving fund for tree plantation.

• Fuel Efficient stove project - Sargodha (Budget US $ 8,618)

Partner CBO of PRSP Sargodha will replicate the success story of Escorts Foundation and will train rural woman in constructing fuel efficient cooking stove for reducing the demand of fuel wood and establish revolving fund for tree plantation.

• Environmental Protection with increase in Income (Budget US $ 42,647)

The project will promote LPG kits in auto rickshaw to reduce carbon emissions by replacing gasoline with LPG by eliminating barriers in promotion of LPG kits in auto rickshaws. Though in case of LPG carbon content is not very low as compared to gasoline but With LPG the auto rickshaws can give better mileage. With 1 litre of gasoline an auto rickshaw on average covers 18 km whereas in case of LPG the rickshaw travels upto 52 km on average in 1 kg LPG. 1 kg LPG is equivalent to 1.346 litres of gasoline. Thus with 1 kg of LPG a rickshaw covers 26 km more than same quantity of gasoline.

• Sustainable energy consumption and environment protection (Budget US $ 27,507)

To create awareness on energy conservation and train CSOs in areas of energy losses and their environmental and economic implications for consumers and the country. The project will create awareness after carrying out research on energy efficient appliance and the brands and will widely disseminate this information to the public. By doing so the project will not only aware users to look for energy efficient appliances but will also build pressure on producers of those appliances to improve the quality of their products.

• Introduction and promotion of fuel-efficient Cookstoves in villages of Haripur (Budget US $ 48,755)

Rural Development Project will replicate the success story of Escorts Foundation for which Escorts Foundation has provided training to the staff of RDP. The Smokeless stove generates heat in a smaller area and is well insulated by mud and brick enclave resulting in a smaller amount of fuel wood needed to generate the same amount of heat in an open fire. The lesser amount of smoke resulting from a smokeless stove compared to open fire cooking reduces the amount of harmful gas emissions, including carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, contributing to the Green House Effect.

• Proposal for GEF/SGP outreach and communication (Budget US $ 23,453)

The project will conduct GEF/SGP Orientation workshops for communities working with RSP network, will develop materials for GEF/SGP and train CBOs and NGOs in different development modules.

• Energy Conservation in Chak Pansial (Budget US $ 11,037)

The primary source of energy in Chak Pansial and surrounding villages is fuelwood, which is used for cooking throughout the year and for heating for three months from November to February. Fuelwood is mostly collected from people's own lands, and only a few people need to buy it. However, in the last decade or so, fuelwood supplies have seriously depleted, and it is becoming apparent that more and more families will have to resort to buying fuelwood or other heating fuels in the future. The cost of fuelwood in the area is currently about Rs. 60 a maund, depending on the season, the type of wood etc. Local use estimates suggest that one maund of fuelwood lasts for barely 2 to 3 days in winter. In summer, fuelwood is used only for cooking and one maund of wood can last up to a week. Fuelwood collection is primarily carried out by the women of the household, and is a time consuming job, with one woman spending on an average 15 hours a week on fuelwood collection in summer, and more in the three winter months. The stoves used in the households are generally of an open design, which are inefficient in terms of fuel utilization and also have significant health effects for the women who use them in close proximity for up to five hours a day. In winter, when the stoves are used inside closed rooms, the health effects may be even more significant and are manifested in respiratory diseases, skin infections and eye diseases.

• Install Windmills to pump water in Khuda ki Basti 1 & 3 (Budget US $ 24,166)

Project will introduce windmills for water pumping in low income settlements of Karachi and Hyderabad. Installation of windmill will provide water to the residents of Khuda Ki Basti for toilet and washing purposes. After partial treatment of sewerage water will be used for tree plantation and greenery that will have impact on improvement of the environment and quality of life and also increase productivity of the community. These windmills will displace use of electricity generated from thermal power thus will contribute to reduction in emissions of green house gases.

• Proposal for Appropriate Building Design for Uch and Other Cities of Southern Punjab (Budget US $ 50,000)

The remaining historic houses built in the traditional vernacular of Uch also need preservation, and of the least documentation before these irreplaceable examples of indigenous craftsmanship are struck down by careless planning and other market forces. Built after centuries of trial and error, these houses fulfil the cultural needs of the residents and the climatic restraints of the environment keeping in mind the resources of the owner/builder, moreover no new buildings can really replicate what they offer. These houses are not just architectural monuments but valuable resources of great educational value for the present and future generations of architects designing in the region. Furthermore, keeping the present economic conditions of Pakistan in mind, as well as the inflation rate of the building materials and the ever increasing power tariffs it is now imperative to address these issues and go back to the wisdom of what is often derived as "traditional architecture' it is important to thoroughly investigate these few remaining houses so that we can begin to design contemporary architecture which is economically viable culturally and climatically adaptive and most of all suited to the lifestyle of the owners. If they are not documented at an urgent basis these houses will also be lost and with them information of vernacular architecture which has been developed, in response to the climate of the region, according to the life style of the citizens of Uch, using local materials-through experience over centuries).

World Bank

• Pakistan Protected Areas Management Project (Grant Amount: GEF -US$10.08 million equivalent)
  

  This project will help conserve nationally and globally important habitats and species in Pakistan's three Protected Areas of Machiara in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Hingol in Balochistan, and Chitral Gol in the North-West Frontier Province. It will specifically benefit the poor and women of the custodial communities, who make the most intensive use of natural resources due to lack of other opportunities, by providing skills training and micro-credit. The project will seek to conserve natural habitats and arrest the decline of species; improve the capacity of government agencies and community institutions; improve collection of bio-diversity data; and support environmental awareness campaigns for the general public, school children and tourists.

UNEP

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