IUCN Pakistan

Environmental Rehabilitation in NWFP and Punjab (ERNP) was a seven year (1996-2003) Project funded by European Union (EU), Government of Pakistan and local communities. It was executed by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Wildlife, Government of NWFP, Murree Kahuta Development Authority and Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Wildlife, Government of Punjab. The project was implemented in cooperation with IUCN - The World Conservation Union, with Agriconsulting S.p.a. (Italy) providing specific technical assistance.

Its overarching goal was to halt and reverse the ongoing process of environmental degradation. To achieve this goal, short and long-term objectives were set as follows:

Local communities become more aware of environmental issues and sustainable use of natural resources,
The income level of the local population, specially women, is increased,
Practices in water run off control are adopted,
Forestry and range land management are improved,
Agricultural and livestock management practices are improved,
A sustainable community development process is fostered,
Productive working partnerships are established between the local communities and provincial Government line departments.

Local capacities for sustainable resource management and utilization are developed,
The process of degradation of the watershed land and natural resources is interrupted,
Local communities adopt sustainable land use practices,
The process of ensuring a balance between economic growth and the preservation of natural resources is established.

In line with the National Conservation Strategy (NCS) the project methodology was based on the use of integrated measures of rehabilitation of natural resources, and sustainable socio-economic development. Thus the fundamental approach is the full involvement of the local population in the management of their resources.