“Promoting Biodiversity Conservation through Eco-tourism and Equitable Resource Use in Minadam valley (BCEP)
(Under EU UNDP Small Grant Program for the Promotion of Tropical Forest s)

Natural resources, including forested landscape, biodiversity, lofty peaks, meandering streams, are key components attracting tourists to the valley. However, local community being involved in cutting forests, are degrading attraction for tourists, thus resulting in loss of an important economic base for dwellers of the valley. Realizing the problem, the HUJRA has launched the project titled “Promoting Bio-diversity conservation through eco-tourism and equitable resource use in Miandam Valley” in collaboration with partnership of European Union and United Nations Development Program for Promotion of Tropical Forests in Pakistan with the Purpose to evolve and demonstrate a participatory conservation and sustainable use model of forest resources in Miandam Valley.

To achieve its over all goal, the project objectives would include the following:

• Organize functional conservation committees at village and valley level for biodiversity conservation and eco-tourism.
  
• Promote participatory eco-tourism in the valley as alternative sustainable income generation activity.
  
• Protect forest areas in denuded areas of different villages
  
• Introduce and promote alternative fuel and fuel efficient wood technology in the valley.
  
• Build capacity of NTFP collectors in sustainable utilization
  
• Enhance capacity of the local communities for pastures, rangelands and livestock management

To achieve its objectives the project anticipates conducting the following activities in Miandam Valley, its project area:

• Strengthen organizations through facilitation, training, Exposure visits and participatory planning;
  
• Promote eco-tourism through improvement of 6 km trails, 3 camping sites, Training of local tourist guides, prepare a documentary film and publicity material;
  
• Plant communal lands on denuded hill slopes;
  
• Demonstrate biogas plants and introduce fuel efficient stoves;
  
• Train NTFPs collectors in harvesting, packing and marketing techniques;
  
• Conduct preliminary survey of pastures and range lands and Train local community in improved livestock practices; and
  
• Document and share lessons learnt.