The Forest Management Centre NWFP- a project of the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation- SDC assigned the task of development of the Operational Plan to LASOONA. The Operational Plan was developed for the Usherai area of District Dir.

The task of development of Operational Plan consists of analysis of the existing situation regarding natural and social resources. This involved development of mechanism for collection of data in the field regarding existing resources, meetings/discussions with the various stakeholders, and analysis of problems, stakeholders, SWOT, gender and objectives. The Operational plan also consists of development of a menu/prescriptions and interventions based on the situation and according to the will of the various stockholders for the sustainable development of the social and natural resources of the area. In addition to this the Operational Plan will also provide details of plan of activities/operations with budgets, expenditures and staffing. The task also involves analyzing the cost and benefits and development of procedures for monitoring and evaluation of the operational plan for future implementation. 

Background

The overall goal of the OP is to halt and reverse the ongoing process of overall ecological imbalances and environmental degradation. To improve the socio-economic conditions of the local communities through necessary measures and active participation of all stakeholders. The short term objectives of the plan are to reduce the rate of uncontrolled deforestation and environmental degradation and to promote sustainable supply of forest products to fulfill the needs of the local communities. To reduce soil erosion, landslides and floods. To improve the rangelands and grazing systems and to ensure participation and cooperation of all stakeholders in the collaborative management of the natural resources of the area. These goals and objectives are very much in line with the Govt. policy and objectives of the resource management plan.

Twelve villages have been selected where VLUP/JFM will be conducted. Village Plan management agreement has duration of five years. This operational plan is therefore valid for 5 years after the last Management agreement has been signed i.e., until 2009-10. To extend coverage to additional villages at the same pace besides the three villages, the current OP will need to be updated.

The NRM activities proposed in this plan include afforestation activities (nurseries, plantations, direct sowing, natural regeneration and JFM), range management activities (controlled grazing and construction of water ponds), farm forestry activities (distribution of multi-purpose trees and fruit trees, group forestry), income generation activities and livestock management activities.

The budget for the proposed activities amounts to Rs. 34.01 million. This includes the beneficiaries’ share, estimated at Rs. 0.89 million.

The socio-economic and environmental assessment of the plan shows that the activities are justified from those perspectives. The local implementation capacity of FD as well as NGO is judged to be sufficient to implement the plan, initially with the assistance of CD and FMC staff. The plan is therefore submitted for approval. Upon approval, VLUP/JFM can be started in the selected villages.