Environmental Rehabilitation in NWFP and Punjab (ERNP)

Environmental Rehabilitation in NWFP and Punjab (ERNP) is a seven year (1996-2003) project funded by European Union (EU), Government of Pakistan and Communities (beneficiaries) and executed by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, Wildlife of Government of NWFP, Murree Kahuta Development Authority, Department of Forest Fisheries and Wildlife, and Government of Punjab. The project is being implemented in cooperation with IUCN. Agriconsulting S.p.a. (Italy) provides specific technical assistance. The goal of the project is to halt and reverse the ongoing process of environmental degradation. To achieve this goal, short term and long-term objectives have been set.

In line with the National Conservation Strategy (NCS), the project methodology is 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 the resources on which they depend. The long-term objectives of ERNP are to develop local capacities for sustainable resource management and utilization, halt the process of degradation of the watershed land and natural resources, and encourage local communities to adopt sustainable land use practices, and ensure a balance between economic growth and preservation.

The immediate objectives of ERNP are to make local communities more aware of environmental issues and sustainable use of natural resources, increase the income level of the local population, specially women, encourage adotpion of water run off control practices, improve forestry and range land management, improve agricultural and livestock management practices, foster a sustainable community development process, and establish productive working partnerships between the local communities and provincial departments.

See the IUCN Pakistan website