Malakand PC-1 Pilot2
Malakand PC-1 Pilot2
Malakand PC-1 Pilot2
“Swat is the most interesting valley in Pakistan. It is also one of the most beautiful - certainly
much greener and more fertile than the valleys further north because it lies within the monsoon belt.
In Lower Swat, the valley is wide, the fields on either side of the river are full of Wheat and Lucerne,
and the villages are prosperous and surrounded by fruit trees. In Upper Swat, the river tumbles
through pine forests hemmed in by snow-capped mountains. “
PC-1 FORM
June 2009
List of Tables:
Table 1: 42 Kanals. 14
Table 2: 8 Kanals. 15
Table 3: Plantings and Expected Returns, Rs. 14,000.00 per month. 17
Table 4: Effective Soil Depths. 22
Table 5: Topsoil Texture. 22
Table 6: Topsoil Texture Modifiers. 22
Table 7: Soil Permeability. 23
Table 8: Underlying Material. 23
Table 9: Slope of Land. 24
Table 10: Degree of Erosion. 24
Table 11: Degree of Wetness. 24
Table 12: Frequency of Overflow. 25
Table 13: Composting Benefits. 36
Table 14: Nutrient/ Yields. 37
Table 15: Spillway Size. 44
Table 16: SALT Varieties. 46
Table 17: 53
The Malakand Division is very much in need of Soil & Water Conservation Measures for the
farm, such as:
Conservation Planning.
Land Resources Inventory.
Crop Rotation.
Contour Farming.
Strip-Cropping.
Terracing.
Farm Drainage.
Gully Control.
Aquifer Recharging.
Water Harvesting.
Grass Waterways.
Watershed Management.
Conservation Irrigation.
If a realistic and pragmatic view is taken of our present circumstances we are bound to come
to rather disappointing conclusions. The good news is that there is tremendous scope of improvement
and enhanced productivity. Our negligent and harmful practices are under-utilizing what could be
bountiful and abundant productivity. The severity of the present problems has been reduced largely
due to the Government’s Green Revolution of the 1960s. The time has now come to initiate a Grass
Roots, Green Revolution. This can only be done through realistic planning and concentrated
implementation. The use of locally produced modern, Hi-Tech, yet low cost materials can
substantially reduce the negative impact of many of our problems. There is absolutely no point in
being Technology Shy! Plant Nutrition through the use of 21st Century Nutrition products is one such
step. Another step, that should be introduced, is the use of Anionic Polymers or Polyacrylamides, for
reducing soil loss through erosion and slope stabilization. Soil losses have been reduced to as little as
2.3 mega grams per hectare, as compared to 101 mega grams per hectare on treated and control plots
respectively [1]. The effects of Polymer Concentrations on Furrow Irrigation have shown that over a
range of application rates, of at least 0.7 Kgs/ hectare and mean of 1.3 Kgs/ hectare, there was a
furrow sediment loss reduction by 94 % and increase in net infiltration by 15 % [2]. Yet another step,
that has achieved amazing results in the United States in the 1930s, was the formation of
Conservation Districts. We can easily duplicate this success by undertaking similar efforts. Some
important steps that can be undertaken follow.
Conservation Planning:
The basic wealth of any Country is its Natural Resources. These are divided into renewable
and non-renewable. A just and equitable use of these resources is a rational use that provides benefits
to all and ensures that this use is sustainable. This means using without using up and ensuring that
Nature’s bounties are not abused and only used in such a manner that it continues to provide its living
abundance to all coming generations. We are presently concerned with two of the three major
renewable resources. These are the soil and water. Our present and past usage of these resources
Sardar Taimur Hyat-Khan
Page 80
leaves much to be desired. The Ecological Systems that sustain us are inter-linked and fragile.
Thoughtless over exploitation renders them subject to degradation and eventual failure. Some of the
immediate threats facing the Malakand Division, due to our negligence are:
Soil erosion.
Decline in soil fertility.
Increased soil borne pests.
Denuded Watersheds.
Ravaging flash floods.
Increasing aridity.
Receding Water Tables.
Climate change.
This results in reduced agricultural capacity, while population pressures continue to mount.
To overcome these grave problems it is all the more necessary to make detailed and realistic plans for
proper soil and water use and their consequent rejuvenation. Subsequently it is imperative that these
plans be carried out in letter and spirit. The first conclusion that is drawn from any preliminary
survey of the Division’s Land and Water usage is that it is inappropriate to say the least. In order to
come up with a realistic Conservation or Sustainable Development Action Plan the first step is to
make a Land and Water Resources Inventory. This is subdivided into Land and Water.
[1] Laboratory of Biomedical and Environmental Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles,
1986. Wallace and Wallace.
[2] Lentz and Sojka. US Dept. of Agriculture, Idaho, 1994.
Crop Rotation:
The growing of different crops in succession on the same land is called crop rotation.
Benefits:
The benefits of crop rotation are:
Reducing soil erosion: Row crops which are placed 24 to 48 inches apart require frequent
cultivation and leave little or no crop residue. The exposed soil between rows is subject to
erosion. Less distance between rows and more crop residue left behind, decreases soil erosion.
When different types of crops are grown on a piece of land in succession the overall result is
lesser erosion.
Improving yields: Different types of crops make different demands upon the soil or
fertilizers required. They also leave behind different types of residue. For example a
leguminous crop will leave behind a surplus of fixed Nitrogen. The soil will benefit from
these demands and supplies made by various plants. When this factor is used intelligently, i.e.
fertilization and rotation by carefully selected or recommended crops, the soil will benefit and
productivity will be enhanced.
Disease, insect and weed control: Different types of crops are host to various kinds of pests
and are subject to different types of diseases. Where monoculture is practiced these pests and
diseases get the opportunity of finding a constant host. Where rotation is practiced this is
obviated and pest’s life cycles are interrupted. Different types of cultivation and weeding
requirements also interrupt the seeding of weeds.
Factors:
There are many factors involved in the choice of a cropping system for a particular piece of
land. Cropping systems should be flexible and permit change of acreage of crops from year to year.
Obviously, financial considerations are additional to physical limitations.
What properties of the soil, in a field, require particular attention, in order to ensure efficient
production, while maintaining or enhancing soil productivity in the long term?
What different methods can be used to control crucial soil factors?
What crops will fetch the highest returns and yet allow attention to the above questions?
Contour Farming:
The practice of plowing and planting across, rather than up and down, the slope is termed as
Contour Farming. The objective of such an exercise is to conserve soil and water. In arid areas this
practice results in slowing down runoff and allowing it to soak into the soil. In humid zones this
results in preventing soil loss. This practice results in better yields. This is due to the fact that
increased moisture content in the soil, even in humid zones, provides moisture to the plants during
lean or drought periods.
Key Contours:
In order to be able to plow along the contour the farmer needs one, or more, key contour lines
on each field. The purpose of a key contour is to guide the farmer in the plowing operation. In the
case of short slopes, one key contour line halfway down the slope is sufficient. In the case of long or
irregular slopes, several key contour lines may be needed. The laying out of key contour lines is a
relatively simple operation. All that is required is a hand level and a few stakes. The first step is to
determine which portion of the helper’s body (shoulder, chin or hairline) is the sighter’s eye level,
when both are standing on level ground. When sighting through the level, if the hairline is against this
portion of the helper's body, both are standing at the same elevation. The next step is to choose a key
contour. A stake is driven into the ground and the level is set up. The helper moves along this contour
in as much a level course as possible. When he has traveled the predetermined distance, the sighter
looks through the level. He signals any adjustment in the helper’s position that may be required.
When the sighter is satisfied he signals the helper and the next stake is driven into the ground. The
sighter then moves to the position of the new stake and the process is repeated until the line is
completely established. In case the contour line crosses a waterway, it should stop and not disturb any
vegetation. Once all stakes are driven the line can be established by plowing.
Contour Tillage:
This is one of the simplest practices to conserve water and soil. It is most effective on slopes
from 2 to 8 % and reduces soil and water loss from 20 to 40 %. This practice is also effective in
improving Rangelands. Where grasses have deteriorated to short, soddy growth it has been found that
contour tillage with furrows 4 to 6 inches across and not more than 5 feet apart, improve the
vegetative growth. If higher grasslands undergo contour tillage the effect on neighboring low land is
reduction of silting from 85 to 95 %.
Cropping Pattern:
Rainfed Wheat (reported yield 80 Kgs. per kanal/ 640 Kgs. per acre, market value Rs.
25,000.00 per crop) followed by Rainfed Maize (reported yield 100 Kgs. per kanal/ 800 Kgs. per
Weakness:
No farm Drainage.
Pond not productive.
Soil fertility and consequent crop productivity very low.
Insufficient pasture for cattle.
No summer or winter covers.
No terracing.
No trees.
No irrigation.
Soil erosion beginning to be serious.
Income low, children spending all their time helping on the farm.
Sr.
Ch Descriptive Term Symbol
ara
cte
rist
ic
–
Ra
ng
e.
1 Effective Soil Depth 30 inches (Moderately deep) 3
2 Topsoil texture Clay loam, Fine (Heavy) H
3 Soil permeability 0.7 inches/ hr. Fine soil,3
moderately slow
4 Slope 2 % Gently sloping B
5 Erosion 50 % Moderate erosion 2
Table 1: 42 Kanals.
3H3/ 2B-2
Land Class: 42 kanals Class III
Sr
Ch Descriptive Term Symbol
ara
cte
ris
tic
–
Ra
ng
e.
1 Effective Soil Depth 8 inches Very shallow 5
2 Topsoil texture Lighter Clay loam, Medium M
3 Topsoil texture modifier Fragments > 10 inches dia.s
Stony
4 Soil permeability 0.4 Medium, Moderate 4
5 Slope 5 % Moderately sloping C
6 Erosion 80 % Severe erosion 3
Table 2: 8 Kanals.
Sardar Taimur Hyat-Khan
Page 80
5sM4/ 5C-3
Land Class 8 kanals Class V.
Analysis:
The farm lies on Piedmont Alluvial Plains. Soil consists of Heavy and Lighter Clay Loam.
Temperature ranges from –2 degrees C in January to 26 degrees C in June. Average yearly humidity
is 60 %. Average yearly wind speed is 1.4 kts and total precipitation is 2700 mm per year (30 years
average). Soil is subject to erosion on the slopes. Drinking water is above the borderline for Nitrate
levels (10.53 against upper level of 10.00 mg/ L). This is probably due to excessive use of Nitrate
Nitrogen Fertilizer and subsequent leaching into the ground water. There is intermediate risk in
drinking water rendering it unsatisfactory to drink. This is due to high viable counts and coliforms
contamination. Soil Fertility levels are low, iron is tied down chemically and unavailable to the
plants. There is excess of Lead, Chromium and Nickel probably due to vehicular emission from
vehicles passing on the nearby road. Zinc and Calcium levels are unsatisfactory while Cobalt is
absent. Organic content of soil is poor and method of storing farmyard manure leads to leaching of
nutrients. Crop productivity is miserable. This is probably due to poor and wrong fertilization with
unbalanced and unstabalized chemical fertilizers (100 Kgs. Urea and 50 Kgs. Diammonium
Phosphate per acre, twice a year).
Sustainable Development Suggestions:
Sink 4 inch Bore with 2.5 inch Delivery (Rs. 25,000.00).
Procure two Static Rain Guns (2 inch) with accompanying plastic piping and pressure pump
(Rs. 30,000.00).
Procure one Moving Rain Gun Trolley (1.25 inches) with accompanying plastic piping (Rs.
20,000.00).
Procure Drip Irrigation System for 4 kanals (Rs. 32,000.00).
Procure second hand piping (1 inch) for 2 kanals Permanent, Pakistani, No-Till beds with
Reticulation (Rs. 3,000.00)
Establish one Environment Protected Wah Garden 10 square meters (Rs. 1,500.00).
Establish Permanent Composting beds, 8 square meters.
Establish small adobe hen house and procure 50 layers (Rs. 10,000.00).
Procure small hand operated, K2 oil heated incubator (Rs. 3,000.00).
Sardar Taimur Hyat-Khan
Page 80
Carry out Strip-cropping and establish Crop Rotation on 4 acres (Rs. 10,000.00 revolving
working Capital).
Plant ½ acre drip irrigated Fruit orchard (Rs. 3,000.00).
Establish and plant ¼ acres Permanent, Pakistani, No-Till beds for High value vegetables
(Rs. 16,000.00 revolving working Capital).
Level and prepare ½ acre for moving rain gun trolley irrigated market vegetables (Rs.
5,000.00 revolving Capital and Rs. 1,000.00 labor and machinery).
Re-seed 1-acre sloping land with suited grasses, forbs and shrubs (Rs. 1,000.00).
Sell goats and buy 4 sheep.
Sell buffaloes and buy 2 Mixed Breed Cows (Rs.18,500.00).
Improve pond, line with plastic, cover with branches and divert runoff towards inlet. Provide
for over flow (Rs. 1,000.00).
Improve natural waterways and repair gullies (Rs. 1,000.00).
Miscellaneous Charges, electricity, stores, fertilizers, selling costs, machinery hire etc. (Rs.
19,000.00 revolving working Capital).
Total Investment:
Rs. 1,50,000.00 Fixed.
Rs. 50,000.00 Revolving Working Capital.
TOTAL Rs. 2,00,000.00
Sr.
Plan Acreage Expected Return
t
1 Wheat 2 acres Rs. 25,000.00
2 Maize 2 acres (subsequent) Rs. 22,000.00
3 Small Grains 1 acre Rs. 8,000.00
4 Lucerne 1 acre (subsequent) Rs. 10,000.00
5 Peas 1 acre Rs. 16,000.00
6 Cumin seed 1 acre (subsequent) Rs. 20,000.00
7 Cauliflower ½ acre Rs. 8,000.00
8 Radish ½ acre (subsequent) Rs. 4,000.00
9 Spinach ½ acre (subsequent) Rs. 2,000.00
10 Onions ½ acre (subsequent) Rs. 4,000.00
11 Green Chilies ¼ acre Rs. 8,000.00
12 Tomatoes ¼ acre (subsequent) Rs. 5,000.00
13 Broccoli ¼ acre (subsequent) Rs. 8,000.00
14 Iceberg lettuce ¼ acre (subsequent) Rs. 10,000.00
15 Milk per annum Rs. 8,000.00
16 Poultry per annum Rs. 10,000.00
Total per annum Rs.1,68,000.00
Table 3: Plantings and Expected Returns, Rs. 14,000.00 per month.
In Malakand Division, with mild summers and cold winters, it is possible to grow a large
variety of the more expensive and rare plants that fall within this group. Indeed, the list of naturally
growing, indigenous plants is quite long and further research is bound to reveal many a hidden and
even threatened treasure waiting to be discovered. Secondly, many of the valuable and export-
oriented herbs and Essential/ Perfume Oil plants can be grown to furnish a prosperous Cottage
Industry. Farmers who are engaged in the commercial growing of these minor cash crops are called
enlightened. Their returns are greater and lives more rewarding. Perhaps the oldest distillation plant
for the extraction of essential oil has been discovered in Harrapa. Unfortunately this art is practically
lost in Pakistan. Rising market demand of herbs and essential oils, in developed Countries, has
prompted them to grow herbs under expensive cover to catch the early spring and late fall markets. It
is in these market niches where a comparative advantage can be obtained by appropriate
manipulation of the growing process[4] (Inexpensive, Environment Controlled, Kitchen Garden
Structures with Community growing for export). Joint Ventures with Foreign Importers should be
examined. European consumption lies in the use of fresh culinary herbs, herbs used in pharmacy,
perfumery or as insecticides and fungicides. An estimate from the Agri Business cell, way back in
1994, revealed that 75 % of Imports into Europe consisted of six herbs: Sage, Oregano, Marjoram,
Mint, Thyme and Rosemary. Parsley is the most used herb but demand is met by local production.
Other herbs are Basil, Bay leaves, Savory, Tarragon and Dill. Tariffs are not a problem. However,
stringent quality requirements, phytosanitary control regulations and the closed distribution network
for retail packs are the difficulties that have to be surmounted.
The word herb is derived from the Latin herba, which means grass. There are three generally
accepted[4] definitions of an herb. Botanically, herbs are non-woody annual, biennial (plant that
completes its life cycle in two years, without flowering in the first year) and perennial plants that die
back each year after blossoming. Another definition describes them as any of the herbaceous plants
valued for their flavor, fragrance, or medicinal properties .In cooking; distinction is made between
spices and herbs. Spices are usually considered to be derived from the root, bark, fruit or berries of
perennial plants. Herbs are the leaves only of low growing shrubs and herbaceous plants. The
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) states that there is no clear-cut distinction
between spices and condiments. As such they are grouped together. These terms are applied to
natural plants or vegetable products or a mixture thereof, in whole or ground form, as are used for
imparting flavor, aroma and piquancy to and for the seasoning of food. Plant parts, flowers, leaves,
fruit and seed contain and emit sweet and pleasant aromas. They are used extensively in the perfume
and food industry all over the World. There is a growing trend in trade in these plants and their
extracts.[5]
[3]
Healing Power of Herbs, Dr. John Heinerman, 1975.
[4]
Herb Farming for Potential European Market, ABC, MINFAL, 1994.
[5]
How to Grow Herbs. A Sunset Book, 1975.
The basic wealth of any Country is its Natural Resources. These are divided into renewable and
non-renewable. A just and equitable use of these resources is a rational use that provides benefits to all
and ensures that this use is sustainable. This means using without using up ensuring that Natures
abundance is not abused and only used in such a manner that it continues to provide its living abundance
to all coming generations. We are presently concerned with two of the three major renewable resources.
These are the soil and water. Our present and past usage of these resources leaves much to be desired.
The Ecological Systems that sustain us are inter-linked and fragile. Thoughtless over exploitation
renders them subject to degradation and eventual failure. Some of the immediate threats we are facing,
due to our negligence are:
Soil Characteristics:
Land Characteristics:
1. Slope.
2. Degree of erosion.
3. Wetness of soil.
Texture of Topsoil: The surface 6 to 8 inches of soil is called the topsoil. This is the depth
that is normally worked in soil tillage operations. Soil texture is a good indicator of soil erodability
and rate of infiltration of water into the soil. The relative proportions of the various size groups of
individual soil grains in a mass of soil are the benchmark of soil texture. Silt, clay and sand with less
than 2-mm diameter are considered. The amount of these three materials in a representative soil
sample determines its texture class. The higher the percentage of sand the lighter the soil and as silt
and clay content increases, the soil becomes progressively heavier.
The occurrence of coarse fragments in a soil, in sufficient quantities to influence land use,
sometimes necessitates further modification of textural classes. These are represented by lower- case
letters, which precede the above upper-case symbols.
Slope: Soil and Water Conservation is influenced to a large extent by the degree of slope of
the land. Slope is represented in percentage and this has been grouped according to influence on
erosion and water. A one- percent slope means one-foot vertical drop for 100 feet horizontal distance.
Slope of land is usually measured with a hand level. Slopes are not always uniform and as
such do not always fall into the ranges given. In such case it is possible to combine two or more
symbols, e.g. CD or a slope that ranges from 5 to 16 percent. In cases where slopes are uniform the
symbol can be preceded by the exact %, e.g. 8C.
Soil Erosion: Soil erosion refers to removal of soil by natural forces such as water or wind.
The degree of erosion is classified by studying the soil profile and by degree of gullying that has
occurred.
Degree of Wetness: Degree of wetness is the amount of free water within the normal root zone.
Where it interferes with normal plant growth, it is taken into consideration. Water in the root zone
may be the result of slow drainage or due to a fluctuating water table. This should not be confused
with soil permeability, as a soil with good permeability may be wet due to poor underlying drainage.
Table 11: Degree of Wetness.
Sr. Range Descriptive Term Symbol
1 Choice of crops slightly limited, or planting datesSlightly wet land W1
slightly delayed
2 Crops are moderately affected or planting datesModerately wet land W2
delayed
3 Crops seriously affected or delayed Very wet land W3
4 Swamp or marsh; too wet for cultivated crops Extremely wet land W4
Some land is subject to overflow at varied intervals and for varied periods of duration.
Sardar Taimur Hyat-Khan
Page 80
Frequency of this action and length of duration may affect farming operations. In such cases it is
included in the Land Inventory.
Soil:
Slope - Erosion
From a Land Inventory it is possible to determine the ability of the land to produce and the
type of action that must be taken to protect it or enhance its productivity.
Land Classes:
Land classes are divided into two main categories:
Class I: Deep, nearly level land that is not easily erodable. Suitable for all types of crops as
determined by limiting factors like climate and light intensity.
Class II: Good land with moderate limitations. Any one of the factors that are determined by
the Land Inventory and less than ideal, cause this distinction.
Class III: Moderately good land that can be cultivated with regular crop rotation.
Class IV: This is land where long rotation between pasture and grain crops should be
maintained on a 3 – 4 year basis.
Class V: These may be level and not subject to erosion but may be unsuited to cultivation due
to limiting factors as determined by the Land Inventory.
Class VI: These may be somewhat limited to pasture or forest because of shallow soils or
steep slopes.
Zoning is important for Sustainability as well as the equitable public regulation of private and
government property. A zoning exercise is rigid only in so far as topological details are concerned.
Principles should be adhered to without going into too many details. This leaves room for rational
adjustments in accordance to future requirements. Use density in any sense is specified and
sustainability or using without using up or causing irretrievable damage is ensured.
Procedure:
The procedure and manner of carrying out the exercise can be as follows (with necessary
alterations depending upon specific sites).
Declaration of Intent.
Submission of Plan and Budgetary estimates (1 month).
Government Sanction.
Invitation of Public objections (1 month).
Government consideration of objections, holding of inquiries if required and subsequent
Sardar Taimur Hyat-Khan
Page 80
sanction for preparation (1-2 months).
Preparation and publication in consultation with stakeholders (12 – 18 months).
Invitation of Public objections to draft scheme (1 month).
Consideration of objections, modification of draft scheme if required and submission for
Government sanction (4 months).
Sanction of draft scheme and appointment of arbitrator.
Arbitrator proceedings for each area, publication of award and submission of detailed
proposal (6 - 12 months).
Scrutiny of proposals by Tribunal of Arbitration, public proceedings and decisions (4
months).
Final scheme forwarded to Government.
Final sanction after scrutiny and financial implications determination (5 months).
Enforcement (1 month after sanction). 36 to 48 months.
Objectives:
The objectives of the exercise are:
Provides overall framework for Sustainable development.
Enables orderly expenditure of Public funds in prioritized manner on projects of permanent,
constructive and sustainable value.
Stimulates wider interest in and understanding of development and environmental issues.
Minimizes mutual conflict and brings about harmony and understanding between different
groups and members of society.
Ensures stimulation of and ensures basic economy generation.
Protection, preservation and enhancement of the economic, social, cultural, environmental
and aesthetic character of the District.
Bill: [6]
The urban sprawl and haphazard, unplanned construction in the District especially in the
thickly populated areas has created problems not only directly related to growth but has begun to
endanger the environment and our very way of life. It has therefore become necessary to empower
and give guidelines to the local bodies to immediately arrest such growth hence the Bill to enable
local councils to specify areas for Land Use.
Whereas it is expedient to enable local councils in the Province to specify and designate areas
in their local limits for land use for the management of growth, encouraging comprehensive planning,
governing the development and use of land, regulating non-conforming use and to preserve the
environment and our way of life and matters ancillary thereto in a manner that is economically
feasible, socially just and environmentally sound in order to achieve Sustainable Development.
Zone F.
Commercial area consisting of service areas such as motor mechanics and other service providers
requiring large plot sizes.
Zone G.
Warehouses, godowns and mundies.
Zone H.
Industrial areas consisting of small and medium size industries and cottage industries.
Zone I.
Industrial areas of no limits large industries.
* The proviso will ensure that the courts could go into the question of malafide changes
thereby keeping a check upon such misuse.
Sardar Taimur Hyat-Khan
Page 80
Zone J.
Agricultural area where no construction of more than 2000 sq. ft. is allowed for a minimum plot of 3
acres or more.
* Urban area planning is already envisaged in the local body’s ordinance; however this has
not been implemented. This section will not only solve that problem but shall also include the
unplanned urbanization taking place in the rural areas.
Zone K.
Forest areas with regulated felling/ re-planting.
Zone L.
Rangelands for grazing/ pastures.
Zone M.
Natural reserves where no construction, agriculture, hunting or any human activity is allowed.
Zone N.
Shamilat land, community service areas such as parks, schools, mosques, grazing land, graveyards,
etc.
* The concept of Shamilat exists traditionally in our society. This concept is incorporated in
the record of rights; the absence of any law regulating the use of such land has defeated its
envisaged purpose of common village land to be used by its owners for collective benefit.
This section aims to remedy that problem and give to the local council large tracts of land which
could be used by them for community development and at the same time ensure and arrest
misappropriation by individual Deh owners and preserve village communities as we know them
today. It would also ensure resumption of all such land that has been encroached upon over the
years.
Zone O.
Any other zone with the prior permission of the Government.
* As the above section takes away the rights of the individual to make any construction after
the designation of the zones and it is envisaged that all areas of the District (except the cantonments)
shall be so zoned, it would be necessary to safeguard the existing construction. However, it is
also envisaged that at a point later in time these areas must also fall in line with the designated zones
as we have already allowed cancerous growth to overtake our cities and villages.
4. The local council may redesignate any zone or change its boundaries with the prior permission
of the Government, provided that such a change or redesignation is not made maliciously.
5. A complete moratorium is hereby placed upon all construction and land use in the District
until:
5.1 Master plan has been drawn under section 76 of the N.W.F.P. Local Government Ordinance,
1979 and approved by the District Government.
5.2 The local council for the areas falling within their local limits specifies zones.
6. Ownership and possession of Shamilat lands shall be deemed to vest exclusively in the local
council within whose local area the Shamilat is situated.
7. The existing construction legally made before the commencement of this Act shall remain
outside the ambit of this law until a procedure is laid down by the local council in the rules framed
under this Act whereby a time frame shall be set out to put the existing construction in conformity
with the zones specified under this Act.
8. The local council may:
8.1 Make rules to carry out the purpose of this Act.
8.2 Make byelaws to further manage, control and govern the zones designated by the local
council.
Sardar Taimur Hyat-Khan
Page 80
[6]
Anjum Saeed, Rotary Club Abbottabad.
[7]
Paras in Italics by the Author, Sirdar Timur Hyat-Khan.
The conditions for food security in the rural areas are not sustainable as existing Cultural
Practices as well as Fertilizer/ Pesticide Regimes are harmful to the environment. Environment and
Predator Protection are very much needed as nutrient leaching and absence of organic material and
biota are severely restricting yields and aggravating pest and disease susceptibility. The problem is
further compounded by the fact that we are practicing out dated and harmful methods of agriculture
and horticulture. Unstabalized and inappropriate fertilizers that have been proved to be detrimental to
the environment and cause conditions that lead to extensive use of Pesticides that are further
damaging, are the rule of the day. This has led to Chemical Fertilizer and Pesticide Companies
having a heyday at the expense of the poor farmer; the environment; biodiversity and human health.
Environmental Pollution and degradation in the shape of liquid and biodegradable solid waste are
spreading disease and contaminating the aquifers that are a source of drinking water for our coming
generations. Wastewater Gardens are small-scale sewage treatment systems similar to Reedbeds,
which use Phytoremediation (using plants for remediation of liquid waste) and Bioaugmentation
(addition of specific non-toxic bacteria) and are efficient biological remediation measures that
produce biomass as a byproduct while providing water fit for agriculture or aquaculture.
Biodegradable Solid Waste is spreading disease and encouraging the prolific infestation of disease
vectors such as rats; flies; mosquitoes etc. Rapid bioaugmented composting by addition of non-toxic
bacteria suited to the task of breaking down degradable solid waste along with favorable conditions
produce valuable soil amendment within weeks. In order to ensure Kitchen Garden Food Self-
Sufficiency at the very minimum and provide a basis for safe, more quantity and quality produce the
problem needs to be addressed immediately.
6.1 Plant Protection through complete plant nutrition is very much achievable and desirable as
introduction of toxic materials in the name of plant protection is extremely detrimental to the food
chain. Introduction of Permaculture; Polyculture and Direct Seed; No-Till Farming to mimic the
Forest Biome Eco Friendly Regime is the need of the times! Landless rural poor and females are
marginalized with restricted economy generating capacity. They need to be focused upon by
providing Food Security as well as Micro Industry/ Enterprise at their door steps.
6.2 Sustainable Development is not possible without sustainable agriculture. Environmental
pollution of soil, water and air; resource depletion and nature degradation as well as socio-
economic problems, are seriously impacting the carrying capacity of the land. As such there is an
urgent requirement for upland farming systems to be redesigned and transformed into more
sustainable ones. Agriculture is a multifunctional and multiple objective activity which has to
supply food in sufficient quantity and quality and the supply itself must be stable, sustainable and
accessible. Agriculture must provide employment and generate basic income and profit at farm,
regional and national levels and strictly avoid and minimize land degradation and destabilization;
pollution of natural resources, protect the great cycles of nature; as well as ensure the overall
health and well-being of humans, animals, birds, insects and microbes.
6.3 Permaculture is an approach to designing human settlements and perennial agricultural
systems that mimic the relationships found in natural ecologies. Permanent agriculture is understood
as agriculture that can be sustained indefinitely by creating stable agricultural systems. This has
arisen from observation of rapidly growing use of destructive industrial-agricultural methods. These
methods are poisoning the land and water, reducing biodiversity, and removing billions of tons of soil
from previously fertile landscapes. The term permaculture initially meant "permanent agriculture"
but was quickly expanded to also stand for "permanent culture" as it was seen that social aspects were
an integral part of a truly sustainable system. By the early 1980s, the concept had moved on from
Sardar Taimur Hyat-Khan
Page 80
being predominantly about the design of agricultural systems towards being a more fully holistic
design process for creating sustainable human habitats. Permaculture's fundamental contribution to
the field of ecological design is the development of a concise set of broadly applicable organizing
principles that can be transferred through a brief intensive training.
Modern permaculture is a system design tool. It is a way of:
1. Looking at a whole system or problem;
2. Observing how the parts relate;
3. Planning to mend damaged systems by applying ideas learnt from long-term sustainable
working systems;
4. Seeing connections between key parts.
"Radical design of information-rich, multi-storey polyculture systems" (Mollison & Slay 1991).
Permaculture is a broad-based and holistic approach that has many applications to all aspects
of life. At the heart of permaculture design and practice is a fundamental set of ‘core values’ or ethics
which remain constant whatever a person's situation, whether they are creating systems for town
planning or trade; whether the land they care for is only a window box or an entire forest. These
'ethics' are often summarized as;
• Earthcare – recognizing that Earth is the source of all life, that Earth is our valuable home,
and that we are a part of Earth, not apart from it.
• Peoplecare – supporting and helping each other to change to ways of living that do not harm
ourselves or the planet, and to develop healthy societies.
• Fairshare (or placing limits on consumption) - ensuring that Earth's limited resources are
used in ways that are equitable and wise.
Modern thought about permaculture began with the issue of sustainable food production. It
started with the belief that for people to feed themselves sustainably, they need to move away from
reliance on industrialized agriculture. Where industrial farms use technology powered by fossil fuels
(such as gasoline, diesel and natural gas), and each farm specializes in producing high yields of a
single crop, permaculture stresses the value of low inputs and diverse crops. The model for this was
an abundance of small-scale market and home gardens for food production, and a main issue was
food miles.
Such a web of intricate connections allows a diverse population of plant life and animals to
survive by giving them food and shelter. One of the innovations of permaculture design was to
appreciate the efficiency and productivity of natural ecosystems, to use natural energies (wind,
gravity, solar, fire, wave and more) and seek to apply this to the way human needs for food and
shelter are met.
Nutrient provision either by seed coating (not sufficient due to limited amount of nutrients that
can be coated) or foliar application, ensures that the target plant is the sole beneficiary and weeds or
other undesirable plant species do not receive the nutrient. Secondly, loss by leaching or run-off is
reduced to almost zero. This is more so if the nutrients are chelated {derived from the Greek ‘Chelae’
or Claw and used to denote covering an element with organic material to provide ionic bonding affect
of cation: anion (positive & negative ion attraction)}. The chelated nutrient ions bond to the leaf and
stem surface and resist being washed off till they have a reasonable chance of being absorbed by the
plant’s tissue.
If we ensure that the nutrient element that we are providing to our crops are not dangerous to the
environment and other life forms. If we provide the crops with these safe nutrients in a responsible manner
and if these nutrients are sufficiently stable and do not decompose to toxic material through either
hydrolysis or volatilization. Then there is no point what so ever in deriding their use.
Von Liebeg’s Law states that the yield of a crop is limited by the nutrient in least supply. This means
that supply of whichever of the essential building materials is restricted in terms of quantities required by
the plant, it will restrict the yield. This is compared to a bucket with holes for various nutrients placed in
accordance to amounts required. As these amounts are met, the hole is plugged and nutrient intake
increases to the next critical nutrient element required by the plant. Maximum genetic potential yields are
achieved only when all holes are plugged. Of course soil, management systems; cultural practices; climate,
environment, mutual antagonism, or stimulation between various minerals and Negative Growth Factors
play their own critical role in determining yields.
If there are enough nutrients available for the following yields, total yield will be determined by the
least available nutrient in terms of the plant’s requirements,
% Root Growth
Death
Drought Good Weather
Days
Figure 17: Root Life.
Chickens in a chicken tractor prepare a section of land before it's dug up for a new vegetable
bed. Chickens can be used as a method of weed control and also as a producer of eggs, meat and
fertilizer. Some types of agroforestry systems combine trees with grazing animals. Angora breed of
rabbits can be reared in a similar manner to provide high value fiber without attendant rearing costs
as in sheep etc.
Angora rabbits survive and remain highly productive at altitudes ranging from 1,100 to 2,000
metres above sea level. They can also be reared on locally available resources, e.g., food, grass, and
building materials (i.e., geodesic dome rabbit hutches can be made out of twigs and winter pruning).
A few years after they were introduced into the hills of Nepal and India, they began to gain popularity
Sardar Taimur Hyat-Khan
Page 80
rapidly, mainly because of the high-value wool production from this breed of rabbits. A pair of
Angora rabbits can produce wool worth thousands of rupees per year. As the wool is extremely light
and of high value, rabbit keeping is particularly suitable and profitable for farmers in remote and
inaccessible areas. Angora skin is also sold at high prices. The skin is used to make bags, hats, and
gloves. The fiber is used to make sweaters; shawls and scarves. In addition, rabbit manure is valuable
for crop production. Rabbit meat has yet to gain popularity, but it is a rich source of protein.
Well established local Shawl Weaving and demand as well as substantial export potential
exists by simply making a high value source of income available at the doorsteps of the deprived and
marginalized sections of society. The Islampur model (Swat) can be replicated for maximizing
impact and efficient use of added raw material availability depending upon the extent of Angora
Rabbits breeding.
6.7 Promotion of Rain Water Harvesting:
Broad Goals
• Reduction of drudgery for females.
• Check Soil Erosion.
• Female Empowerment.
Specific Objectives
• Environmental conservation and enhancement through check on soil erosion and
recharge of aquifers.
• Community mobilization and training.
• Female Empowerment.
Quantitative Targets
• Establishment of PMU in Muzaffarabad to implement the project.
• Train 500 Master Trainers in constructing water harvesting structures and
demonstrate replicable models.
• Impact population of 5.00 million.
• Launch advocacy and awareness campaigns, and take all legal initiatives to
develop water conservation and ensuring purity.
Water harvesting refers to the collection and storage of rainwater and also other activities
aimed at harvesting surface and groundwater, prevention of losses through evaporation and seepage
and all other hydrological studies and engineering interventions, aimed at conservation and efficient
utilization of the limited water endowment of a physiographic unit such as a watershed. In general,
water harvesting is the activity of direct collection of rainwater. The rainwater collected can be stored
for direct use or can be recharged into the groundwater. Rivers, lakes and groundwater are all
secondary sources of water. At present, we depend entirely on such secondary sources of water. In
the process, we forget that rain is the ultimate source that feeds all these secondary sources and
remain ignorant of its value. Water harvesting means to understand the value of rain, and to make
optimum use of rainwater at the place where it falls.
We get a lot of rain, yet we do not have water. The annual rainfall over Malakand Division is
computed to be ------- mm. This is -------- compared to the global average of 800 mm. However, this
rainfall occurs during short spells of high intensity. Because of such intensities and short duration of
heavy rain, most of the rain falling on the surface tends to flow away rapidly, leaving very little for
the recharge of groundwater. This is also due to deforestation. This makes parts of the State
experience lack of water even for domestic uses. This is because the rainwater is not conserved and
allowed to drain away. Thus it does not matter how much rain we get, if we don't capture or harvest
it. This highlights the need to implement measures to ensure that the rain falling over a region is
tapped as fully as possible through water harvesting, either by recharging it into the groundwater
aquifers or storing it for direct use.
Training in Rainwater Harvesting Operations: The SPECIAL SUPPORT GROUP will develop a
Sardar Taimur Hyat-Khan
Page 80
cadre of Master Trainers in construction and maintenance of water harvesting structures (500 men and
women) each master trainer will then consequently train some 10 village activists with the support of
the project team. The Master Trainers and other trainees will be selected in consultation with the local
VOs organized by SPECIAL SUPPORT GROUP in the area. The training will focus on low cost,
alternate means of construction with emphasis on maintenance and sustainability of the interventions.
The project team will train the Master Trainers on fast-track basis. It will be followed by regular
backstopping and monitoring to create an impact. The selection of the Master Trainers will be on-merit,
based on the following criteria:
• Willingness to impart knowledge after receiving training.
• Willingness to transfer the technology.
Mobilization of local people and following up on the establishment of Rainwater harvesting will be
jointly conducted by the local communities and the project staff. The cost of social mobilization and
follow up will be reimbursed to the SPECIAL SUPPORT GROUP.
Water Harvesting:
Rooftop harvesting has been practiced since ages, and even today it is practiced in many
places throughout the world. A simple storage device attached to roof run off is the simplest way to
harvest water. Many different types of containers are in use for storage purposes from used oil drums
to polyethylene tanks. However, according to an ILO publication “Your Health and Safety at Work.
Male and Female Reproductive Health Hazards in the Workplace”, polyethylene is “suspected” to
cause cancer in human beings. The word suspected is further elaborated to mean where a substance
shows inconclusive evidence of causing cancer in human beings but is confirmed in animals. Thus it
is safer to avoid the use of polyethylene tanks. Secondly, transportation of large size containers is
restricted. Therefore, a simple tried and tested alternate is proposed. This consists of Pre-Cast RCC
Rings that are normally used in lining wells. The rings of 3 - 4 – or 5 feet diameter are stacked on
each other to a specified height. An alternate reinforced monolithic water tank can be cast in place to
achieve Earthquake Proof status. The intervention has been displayed in the Akhter Hameed Khan
National Center for Rural Development (NCRD) at Chak Shahzad, Islamabad, Pakistan. Here a series
of plastered and un-plastered tanks demonstrate an affordable and quickly set up tank that is more
permanent and carries the added advantage of maintaining water temperature. This is not so in the
case of polyethylene or fiber glass tanks where summer temperatures cause stored water to heat up to
uncomfortable levels thus restricting use. Thirdly, use of concrete is very common in the EQAA in
the shape of hollow and solid blocks. Gravel is available in plenty and sand is readily procured.
Communities can be persuaded to prepare the rings themselves after training and construct them at
conveniently located sites, thereby stimulating local economies. Transportation costs will be reduced
and storage till erection will not be a problem. To prevent leaves and debris from entering the system,
mesh filters will be provided at the mouth of the drainpipe leading to the tank. Further, a first-flush
device will be provided in the conduit before it connects to the storage container. If the stored water
is to be used for drinking purposes, a sand filter will also be provided. The tank can be installed
above the ground and outside the building. Each tank must have an overflow system for situations
when excess water enters the tank. The overflow can be connected to the drainage system.
The quantity of water stored in a water harvesting system depends on the size of the
catchment area and the size of the storage tank. The storage tank has to be designed according to
water requirements, rainfall and catchment availability.
First-Flush Device:
A first-flush device is a valve or a simple device, which is used to ensure that runoff from the
first spell of rain, is flushed out and does not enter the system. This needs to be done since the first
spell of rain carries with it a relatively larger amount of pollutants from the air and catchment surface.
A diversion valve that can be used in water harvesting systems.
Figure 20: Roof-Top Water Harvesting; Figure 21: Surface Water Harvesting.
Inner Shuttering
Outer Shuttering
Inner Shuttering
The preceding illustrations are that of one kind of a Farm Pond that will suit many uses. By
far the most important aspect, in this type of pond, is the spillway. If the spillway is too small there is
every likelihood of failure of the pond. A combination of Pipe and Side spillway is the best. The Pipe
spillway is for normal flow while the side spillway is for emergencies. Only extra run-off goes into
the side spillway. Therefore it is possible to keep it in good sod cover, as it is dry most of the time.
The bottom of the side spillway must be higher than the top of the pipe spillway. The distance, in
height, between the two is shown, as “S” in illustration B. This distance will vary in accordance to the
size of the watershed and that of the pond. It is possible to arrive at the right value of “S” by dividing
the size of the watershed, in acres, with the size of the surface of the pond, also in acres. The result is
then divided by 6. For example a watershed of 4.5 acres divided by a pond surface of 0.25 acres will
yield 18 to be divided by 6. Thus a figure of 3 feet as the value of “S” or distance, in height, between
the bottom of the side spillway and the top of the pipe spillway is established. This value of 3 feet is
also the limit in height differential. In case this value is higher than 3 feet a different type of spillway
will have to be designed by an experienced engineer. Long experience has determined the size of a
Sardar Taimur Hyat-Khan
Page 80
spillway. By allowing the proper distance “S” between the pipe and side spillway the following sizes
for spillways will suffice.
Watershed Area
In acres. Diameter of Pipe Bottom width of Side
Spillway Spillway in feet
in inches.
5 acres 4 inches 5 to 8 feet
10 acres 6 inches 8 to 10 feet
10 to 20 acres 8 inches 10 to 15 feet
20 to 30 acres 10 inches 15 to 20 feet
Table 15: Spillway Size.
The bottom width of the side spillway is increased by 1 foot for each 2-acre increase in
watershed area greater than 10 acres.
6.8 Micro Irrigation is the most efficient way to provide water to plants, and is particularly
desirable in water scarce mountain areas where water is valuable and efficient use is essential. The
concept and technology was developed in Israel 20 years ago and has the potential to save up to 70
per cent of the water used in flood irrigation and increase yields by up to 50-60 per cent. Micro
irrigation currently irrigates a little less than two million hectares worldwide, or less than one percent
of the total global irrigated acreage and this may largely be due to its high investment cost. This
technology is accessible to small, landless and marginal farmers through developed and extensively
field tested several affordable and reliable micro-irrigation systems.
Water availability is the primary determinant to land productivity. For farmers with a reliable
source of water, however small, the following systems are available
Drum Kit drip irrigation system: The drum kit is a pre-packaged design for 100 sqm garden plots.
The package includes 5 lateral lines, fitted with a total of 180 micro-tubes (which replace high-cost
drippers), filters, and valves. This system can irrigate 300 plants in 20 rows and needs a 200 liter
drum of water twice a day. The system is highly suitable for row-planted vegetable crops like tomato,
brinjal, chilli and capsicum.
The Micro-sprinkler System: While drip irrigation is most suited for row crops, sprinkler is
extremely useful in closely spaced, leafy vegetables such as onion, coriander and spinach grown over
a small area. The system consists of a set of 15 micro-sprinklers with pipes and irrigates an area of
250 sq.m. Farmers in countries as diverse as India, Israel, Jordan, Spain and the United States have
cut their water use by 30 to 70 percent and raised crop yields by 20 to 90 percent by using drip
irrigation systems that deliver water directly to crop roots.
6.9 Livestock Nutrition: Semi-liquid molasses, a by-product of sugar factories, is extensively
used as animal feed in many parts of the sugarcane growing areas of the world. In Bhutan, with
assistance from the FAO/UNDP, efforts have been made to manufacture a nutrient block for
Inner Shuttering
ruminants by molding cane molasses, urea (fertilizer grade), cereal bran, oilseed cake, and minerals
into a solid brick size block known as a Urea Molasses Block (UMB). This block provides essential
nutrients such as protein and minerals to rumen microbes (microbes in the part of the ruminant’s
stomach known as the rumen which act on the food consumed by the animal and make it digestible)
to improve the digestion of fiber. This technology is a cost-effective approach to maximizing the use
of locally available feed resources for better animal productivity.
6.10 Upland Agriculture: Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT) is soil conservation
oriented farming system developed in the Philippines in the late 1970s. It is basically an agroforestry
S a r d a r T a i m u r H y a t - K h a n Outer Shuttering
Page 80
technology developed for sustaining agricultural production on sloping lands. It is a relatively simple,
practical, low-cost, and appropriate method of diversified farming on sloping land that aims at
sustaining maximum benefit and minimizing soil erosion at different altitudes. It can turn a sloping
parcel of land, containing both agricultural and support land types, into a highly productive upland
farm. It is a simple, applicable, low-cost but effective way of farming hilly lands without losing the
topsoils through erosion. It also conserves soil moisture. Hedgerows are planted along contours of
sloping land at intervals of four to six metres and various cereal crops and perennial cash plants are
cultivated in the alleys. Hedgerows also act as effective barriers to soil erosion. Hedgerows can also
be pruned several times a year, and the pruned leaves can be used as green manure or for composting.
The inclusion of large amounts of fresh biomass provides a substantial increase to the organic matter
content of soils. The nitrogen-fixing activities of hedgerows also enrich the soil.
One target area is the rehabilitation of degraded lands, both agricultural and non-agricultural.
This is because one of the principal problems facing mountain/hill agriculture today is that of soil
erosion from sloping lands amongst other factors already mentioned, and the consequent decline in
productivity. This is leading to a critical situation in which, on the one hand, mountain populations
are increasing and, on the other, the carrying capacity of mountain lands is decreasing.
A sustainable agricultural system is necessary for long-term improvements in the quality of
life. The technology is tailored to small family farms for growing both annual food crops and
perennial crops. In addition, based on the condition of more land being available, SALT also provides
the opportunity to develop a viable agrosilvipastoral system on the family farm.
At present, the technology is being tested in different ecozones in the Hindu Kush-Himalayas
with the aim of developing suitable models, with various species, crop combinations, and technology
packages to meet the needs of both man and the environment.
The results of the use of SALT are very promising.
• A healthy growth of crops can be seen in the alleys between the hedgerows.
• Soil erosion starts decreasing from the very first year of the use of the technology.
• With the use of nitrogen-fixing hedgerows, more crop yield has been obtained with the same
or even less fertilizer input.
Hedgerow systems act as barriers to soil erosion and sources of in situ green manure or composting.
There are four different models of SALT:
SALT I SALT II
This model focuses mainly on food crop This model focuses on agro-livestock technology. It
production. It is simple in application, low in is a simple modification of SALT I in the sense that
Sardar Taimur Hyat-Khan
Page 80
cost, but is an extremely effective it integrates livestock rearing with crop cultivation.
agroforestry technology with agricultural crops The livestock species that can be raised under the
and forestry in a ratio of 3:1. Compared to system are cattle, sheep, and goats. The manure is a
present and traditional upland farming good source of fertilizer. Goats (the poor man’s
management practices, this technology cow) are a potential source of milk, meat, hair and
substantially decreases erosion. In addition, it skin.
increases crop yield.
SALT III SALT IV
This focuses on the conversion of non- This focuses on developing a horticulture and
productive marginal land into economically plantation crop-based system known as the “agro-
productive land to supplement production from fruit livelihood technology”. To improve hill
other SALT models. This model has three agriculture and economics, commercialization of
components: SALT I, SALT II, and a separate hill agriculture is required. Thus, horticulture is a
plot of land to produce valuable timber. promising option with comparative advantages. The
Farmers owning landholdings of about two objectives of this model are to produce food,
hectares can use this model. increase cash income, and conserve soil on
farmlands.
Table 16: SALT Varieties.
6.12 Community Economics requires a balance between the three aspects that comprise a
community: justice, environment and economics, also called the "triple bottom line", or "ecological-
economics-ethics" (EEE) or "triple E". A cooperative farmer's market could be an example of this
structure. The farmers are the workers and owners. Additionally, all economics are limited by their
ecology. No economic system stands apart independently from its eco-system; therefore, all external
costs must be considered when discussing economics.
6.13 In an No Till system, crops are planted in previously unprepared soil by opening a narrow
slot, trench, or band of sufficient width and depth to achieve proper seed coverage and fertilizer
placement. No-till farming integrates ecology into the farming system design and considers the
complex biological web that is at work in a system of healthy and efficient soils, plants, and animals.
It recognizes that management decisions affect the habitats and food sources of organisms important
to regulating biological processes, and therefore agricultural productivity. There are four intertwined
soil and crop management techniques involved in NT farming practices — no soil turning,
maintenance of permanent vegetative cover, direct seeding, and rotation of both cash and cover crops.
Although it focuses on micro-watersheds and rural landscapes, NT farming addresses the entire rural
space and overcomes the shortcomings of earlier top-down, non-inclusive approaches. And finally,
by recognizing the leadership role played by farmer-led organizations, NT farming facilitates the
increasingly broad-based stakeholder participation in design and implementation, moving away from
working mainly with central governments in project and program design. In combination with water
and solar energy, land and soils form the foundation for agriculture and forests.
Their successful management provides food, clothing, and shelter. Land and soils also provide
key environmental services such as partitioning of water and gases, a home for a multitude of life
forms, pollution control, and mineral recycling. Nearly 1 billion rural households rely directly on the
services of natural capital stocks and intricately interdependent ecosystems — water, land and soils,
forest and fisheries — for their daily livelihood (World Bank, 2001). As the availability of these
resources declines and their quality deteriorates, our livelihood is threatened. The degradation of soils
is a major threat to rural households. Soil erosion, salinization, compaction, and other forms of
degradation affect 30 percent of the world’s irrigated land, 40 percent of rainfed agricultural lands,
and 70 percent of rangeland (World Bank, 2001). No-till farming encompasses four broad,
intertwined management practices:
No-till farming is a component of the Sustainable Land Management (SLM) and Better Land
Husbandry (BLH) approaches, No-till systems have been adopted by a wide range of farmers for the
last two decades on some 60 million ha worldwide on all farm sizes and under varied cropping
systems (Derpsch, 2001), ranging from the Pampas of Argentina and the sub-tropics and tropics of
Brazil and Paraguay to the prairies of Canada, the rice-wheat zone of India and Pakistan, and
Australia, Central Asia, Central America, USA, and Mexico. The goal and challenge of sustainable
land management (SLM) is to make optimum use of available biophysical, biological, biochemical,
and human resources to produce feed and fiber in a given area. Implicit in SLM is that governments
and other major stakeholders give priority to appropriate policies and coordinated interventions that
will help to achieve the following five objectives:
• More rational land use,
• Fair access to land resources,
• Improved land management practices,
• Avoidance of land degradation, and
• Development of an updated knowledge and information base.
Figures 24,25: Animal-drawn no-till planter with seed and fertilizer tanks (Paraná, Brazil) .
Description:
The proposed project is based on the concept that the rural communities living in the remote
parts of Malakand Division are mostly poor and they do not enjoy adequate income generation
opportunities at local level. They do follow agricultural, pastoral and other subsistence level income
generation activities and mostly depend on the forestry resources for meeting their daily livelihoods
and wood-fuel needs. Consequently, forestry and range land resources in the fragile mountains are
exploited beyond sustainable levels. With a view to enhance their income generation capacity and
utilize the available natural resources by supporting the communities in developing trout fish
enterprise, the proposed project has been designed to exploit the potential of the available natural
resources using innovative techniques in trout fish farming and marketing. As trout fish is known for
its taste and quality, it can earn substantial income for the communities without any additional annual
cost.
The project design comprises of developing community fish ponds and supporting and
training the communities in its rearing and marketing in Pakistan and abroad. Community
organizations would be established in the proposed project area. The project will organize and
involve communities in supporting development of fish ponds including all technical inputs on their
common or individual lands. The community components will include labor, fish rearing, watch and
ward, whereas the implementing agency (SPECIAL SUPPORT GROUP) will cover cost of design,
construction including construction material and establishing marketing chains.
SPECIAL SUPPORT GROUP will initially work with the communities and organize,
educate, train, finance the construction of water channels and fish ponds besides establishing
marketing chains including financing of mobile freezers. SPECIAL SUPPORT GROUP will work to
create self sustainable marketing by communities over a period of five years. The NWFP Fisheries
Department has got hatcheries in Swat Valley and will provide the required egg/fingerlings every
year. Initially the project will be initiated in 18 villages possessing suitable land and gravity water.
The project is proposed as an integrated project, where along with Fish farming on a cooperative
basis, the project will also energies the villagers either through hydel generation or solar panels
depending on the economies and water availability.
A. Sites selection;
B. Community Mobilization;
The local communities in the potential areas will be contacted and informed about the
objectives, importance and benefits of the proposed project. SPECIAL SUPPORT GROUP will
identify motivated members of the communities as catalysts for facilitation and implementation of the
proposed project and conflict resolution. This shall be followed by educating and training the
community in trout fish rearing.
In view of the above exposition, it is therefore assumed that the project is highly justifiable in
terms of its social acceptability, economic viability, environmental safety and technical excellence.
The positive value of benefit cost analysis of the project is an indicator that the proposed project is
justified provided all necessary financial, technical and administrative inputs are provided in time as
per the provision of the PC-1.
As regards the governance aspects of the project, SPECIAL SUPPORT GROUP will establish
special unit consisting of locals to take care of the trout fish culture and business on regular basis.
Technical parameters
The proposed project is technically feasible as trout rearing has already been tested and found
appropriate in terms of growth, development and marketing. Required professional expertise in fresh
water fisheries is also available at local level, which could be utilized for project implementation. In
addition the required fish seed could be procured from the exiting hatcheries at local level or arranged
from Kaghan valley in NWFP. Other technical inputs like equipments, tools and required feed will be
made available well before the project is actually implemented.
The local communities will be informed about the importance of the proposed project for
increasing their income level and sustainable management of the resources aiming at the well being
of the communities. For this purpose adequate arrangements will be made for running a
comprehensive awareness campaign in the project area. In additional, capacity of the local
communities will further be developed for shouldering the responsibilities of running the enterprise
on sustainable basis. Two men and women from each village shall be trained in rearing, feeds,
packing and marketing of fish for sustainability.
Trout fish has got tremendous demand in the local market and supply is currently meager.
Therefore a great deal of scope exists for increasing the trout fish supply and satisfying demand in the
market. Demand and supply analysis of the trout fish will be done in the first year of the project by
the marketing unit of the SPECIAL SUPPORT GROUP and annual marketing plans will be
developed. Earlier the trout fish was raised in one of the private farm at Batdara in Neelum Valley,
AJ&K in 2004, which were sold for Rs. 500-600 per kg. at source.
For marketing trout fish a specialized marketing unit will be established in SPECIAL
SUPPORT GROUP, which will establish market chain and will work on all aspects of marketing of
the produce. In addition a marketing officer along with two assistants will be recruited by the project
to work on marketing of the produce. Moreover, publicity in print and electronic media will also be
done for introducing the product to the consumers.
ii) Economic
Economic benefits of the project will include micro economic development of the
local community through increase in their income and at macro level the govt. of AJK will
earn revenue in the form of various taxes. Per capita income of the local population will also
increase leading to economic development. Other economic benefits of the project are:
The project will generate direct employment opportunities for four professionals, six
support staff, sixteen technicians, over a hundred laborers and sixteen guards. In addition
thousands of people will get opportunities of indirect employment in various enterprise and
marketing over the long term.
v) Environmental impact
As the proposed project aims at conserving the fresh water fish resources and creating
income generation opportunities for the local communities enabling them to earn their
livelihood, their dependence on forestry and rangeland resources will greatly be decreased.
This will greatly help in protecting the natural vegetation in the fragile mountains of Swat
Valley that directly discharge water in the Jehlum reservoir. Therefore, the project is
environmentally safe and sustainable and its impacts on environment will be highly positive.
The proposed project is line with the provision of Agenda-21, Millennium Development
Sardar Taimur Hyat-Khan
Page 80
Goals, National Conservation Strategy and National Environment Action Plan and would
therefore help in achieving the environmental objectives.
The proposed project is in line with the provisions of the Pakistan Environment
Protection Act-1997. Therefore, the proposed project has got positive environmental impacts.
Any delay in the implementation of the project will lead to cost escalation and it
would not be possible to achieve the targets set against the estimated cost. Thus delay in
project implementation should as far as possible be avoided.
SPECIAL SUPPORT GROUP is a state level organization, mandated to support the terrorism
affected communities in improving their livelihood opportunities. SPECIAL SUPPORT GROUP
covers all the ----- Terrorism affected districts of NWFP and will be responsible for actual
implementation of the project. SPECIAL SUPPORT GROUP will establish close cooperation with
the NWFP Fisheries and Wildlife Department, which will provide technical support at various stages
of project implementation. In addition, services of professional experts would be hired as and when
required, besides outsourcing some of the activities.
The SPECIAL SUPPORT GROUP has got professional capacity in community mobilization,
conducting sustainable livelihood assessment through participatory learning and assessment
techniques, involving community in asset based assessment, prioritization and decision making to
implement projects effectively and efficiently. Besides most of the professionals are highly equipped
with knowledge in developing community based livelihood rehabilitation plans and village
development plans. They have got a very wide experience of implementing multidisciplinary
projects.
A specialized trout fish unit will be established in SPECIAL SUPPORT GROUP comprising
of trout fish professionals, marketing experts, support staff and technicians for implementation of the
project. In addition the NWFP Fisheries Department will also be kept on board during the
implementation for technical support and advice.
7. Location: Malakand is a region in the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan. Named after
Malakand Agency, a part of this region, it covers one third of the total area of the province. The area
of Malakand Region is 29,872 sq. Km and its population is 5.52 million. The region is further divided
into Chitral, Dir upper, Dir Lower, Swat, Buner, Shangla Districts and Malakand Agency.
Swat is known as the Switzerland of Pakistan. The river Swat is a clear water river starting
from the Ushu range of mountains to the spread of the valley of Swat. It is the greenest valleys of
Northern Pakistan and is well connected to the rest of Country. One can also get here either from
Peshawar (160 KMs) or Islamabad. (250 KMs) The valley of Swat is located in the middle of the foot
hills of the Hindukush mountain range. The main town of the valley is Saidu Sharif. Swat is the
garden of Ashoka and was a prosperous land in the Buddhist times (2 BC to 5 AD) There are at least
over 100 archeological sites in the valley less than 10% of them are excavated.
Kalam is the most beautiful part of the Swat valley. The land of waterfalls, lakes, pastures,
and glaciers, surrounded by lush green mountains, covered with forests and vegetation.
7.1 About Malakand Region:
7.1.1 Malakand Agency:
Malakand agency lies at a strategically important position as it acts as a Gateway to Swat, Dir,
Chitral and Bajaur. It is surrounded by a series of mountains that were overgrown with different kinds
of trees. In the past though, they have a barren look today.
The Swat River flows through it down towards Charsadda district where it falls into the Kabul River.
Malakand Agency is bounded on the north by Dir district on the East by Swat district, on the south
east and south west by Mardan and Charsadda districts respectively and on the west by Momand and
Bajaur Agencies. The area of Malakand protected area is 952 sq.km. Malakand agency is divided into
two sub-divisions. Swat Ranizai and Sam Ranizai. Malakand is the headquarters of Malakand
Agency.
7.1.2 District Swat:
Swat lies between 340-13'-55" and 350-53'-40" north latitudes and 700-47'-15" east longitude
in Malakand Division of North West Frontier Province of Pakistan. The area of Swat is about 3,798
sq. km with a population of 1.577million in 2004-05.
10.2.1 Recommendations:
Include more users, esp. grazers, in the planning and implementation process of Village
Development Planning (VDPs) if possible from the initial stage. If their needs and ideas are
incorporated in VDPs, it will improve the planning. Implementation and maintenance of certain
activities.
In the planning phase of VDPs one should, in addition, consider the following aspects:
Trekking routes through the village area
Major watering points
Carrying capacity of the range lands, selection of best grazing lands
Sardar Taimur Hyat-Khan
Page 80
Number and type of livestock (already included)
Total grazing area needed for grazing of livestock /total area to be planted
The kind of species to be planted
In this way a village will be enabled for sustainable and sufficiently large plantation, without any
problems for those who keep livestock.
10.3 Plan of Work:
Objectives-
1: Establishment of Village Councils using Page Rank for Executive Committee
selection.
2: Improved designs and structures of vegetable growing tunnels, using Geodesic Domes
for Upland areas, production management and complete plant nutrition for off-season
vegetables for small landholders; Introduction of Angora Rabbits; Protected
Mushroom Production; Small, Alternate Energy Incubators for Backyard Poultry/
breeding of exotic birds.
3: Provision of Livestock Nutrition; introduction of silage techniques and planting of
fodder trees; Herbs; Forbs & Shrubs/ improved quality and quantity forage including
conservation irrigation and complete plant nutrition. Breed improvement through
provision of quality breeding animals.
4: Establishment of Trout Fisheries, Irrigation Channels & Small Hydro Power Units.
5: Establishment of additional wool processing/ weaving facilities; Food Processing and
Hand line Canning.
10.3.2 Activities:
a. Rapid Composting through bioaugmentation for biodegradable Solid Waste
Treatment.
b. Phytoremediation and bioaugmentation for Liquid Waste Treatment.
c. Erection of:
i. Geodesic Dome Structures from Australian Concept of Permaculture complete
with micro irrigation {Sub-Soil (Reticulation), Drip and Sprinkler} based on Roof-
Top and Surface Water Harvesting for conservation of water resource.
ii. Low/ Medium and High tunnels.
iii. Preparation of beds for growing.
iv. Provision of Nutrients:
a. Pure and stable mineral elements in foliar compounds.
b. Total Organic (Compost).
v. Dissemination of Perma and Poly Culture.
vi. Establishment of Nurseries for Seabuckthorn; Berry Bushes; Fodder Trees;
Herbs; Forbs and Shrubs.
vii. Introduction of Direct Seed Mulch Based Farming.
viii. Adoption of SALT Technology.
ix. Introduction of Small, Alternate Energy Incubators for backyard Poultry and
breeding of exotic birds.
x. Provision of Angora Rabbits.
xi. Construction of “Khumbi Kulla” Environment/ Predator/ Disease Protected
Mushroom Growing dedicated structure.
xii. Livestock Nutrition.
“Asset-Based” Development:
• Reorients development from a “needs-based” approach. Needs-based models seek to identify
weaknesses in a local community and then implement strategies to overcome those weaknesses
• This method of mobilizing citizens focuses on negative characteristics of a community and
demoralizes local residents, thus limiting proactive action at the local level.
• Focusing on local assets, instead of needs and deficits, allows residents to identify possibilities for
change that they can control, and energizes residents to take action.
j. Economic Gardening:
Using local resources to grow their own jobs through entrepreneurial activity
— Economic gardening—instead of recruiting them from outside the community, or
Economic Hunting. The idea evolved from work by Dr. David Birch at MIT who
argued that a majority of all new jobs in any local economy were produced by small
local businesses.
Years Months
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Year-1
Activities
I Site selection/
mapping/ GIS
Stakeholder dialogue
SD2:
II Division/ District
Sustainable
Development Action
Plans.
III Poverty
Mapping.
IV Composting:
V Dome/ Tunnel
Erection:
VI Mushroom
Kulla Construction:
VII Trout Fisheries.
VIII Irrigation
Channels.
IX Hydro Power
Plants.
X Angora Rabbits.
XI Growing:
XII Processing/
Canning:
XIII Marketing &
Analysis:
Year-2
Activities
I Stakeholder
dialogue:
II Composting:
III Growing:
IV Rearing:
V Processing/
Canning:
VI Analysis:
VII Peer Review:
VIII Replication:
IX Marketing:
Year-3
Activities
1 Stakeholder
dialogue:
11 Composting:
111 Growing:
1V Rearing:
V Processing/
Canning:
Goal/ Overall
Objective Food Meeting minimum daily FAO) standards Political/
Security for food intake standards Economic and
marginalized / poor/ Climate Stability
females/ children.
Project Purpose
Enhance Nutrition of Calories and nutrient Replicability/ Technology
target group. Increase analysis of produce. Acceptability Transfer in user
income through sale of friendly manner.
marketable surplus
Lessons Learnt:
Gender Concerns:
Kitchen garden requirements can be met by 20 cycles of a full tank (1,000 gallons capacity)
per annum. When attached with simple shift- able drip irrigation lines the area under intensive
cultivation can be increased to cater for small-scale commercial production of vegetables and nursery
stock. This can also be a further income strengthening project after initial successful completion and
raised skills levels of the community members after the 1st phase.
ESTABLISHMENT: The proposed project shall be implemented under the overall umbrella of
NWFP Government and executing agency for the Project will be the SPECIAL SUPPORT GROUP.
Firstly, employees of the SPECIAL SUPPORT GROUP suited to the job will be given preference on
deputation basis. In cases where suitable candidates are not available in the executing agency they
will be hired from the open market.