Project Title

Assessing and Developing Capacity to Improve Participatory Environmental Management in Selected Districts of Pakistan

Donor

Asian Development Bank (ADB)

Client

Asian Development Bank (ADB)

Implementation Partners

Formally with District Governments and informally with line departments, NGOs, CBOs, Press Clubs, Bar Associations, etc

Starting Date

28 July 2006

Project Duration

Project Focus & Outreach

The project will initiate the process of responsive governance in the target districts of Kausur and Abbottabbad, to inculcate the interest of the poor as a core concern in decisions relating to changing land-use, clearing forests for infrastructure development, developing industries or any other activity that directly affects the local ecosystems.

Project Objectives

1.    To facilitate marginalized and vulnerable groups ‘Access to Participation’ in decision making for environment and sustainable development in two selected districts of Pakistan.

2.    To develop and strengthen links amongst stakeholders’ groups to improve ‘Access to Information’ on environment and development issues for informed decision making in the target districts.

3.    To raise awareness and build capacities of key stakeholders for effective ‘Access to Justice’ on environmental issues.

Project Brief

The overall goal of the project is to contribute to equitable and enabling conditions for the poor and vulnerable to participate in environmental management processes and mechanisms. The purpose of the project is to create knowledge around the theme of participatory environmental management and empower people of district Kasur and Abbottabad to access environmental justice through organized and effective networks.

The project attempts to develop a recognition amongst the decision makers that the vulnerable and poor are the key stakeholders in development planning and implementation. The project will initiate the process of responsive governance in the target districts to inculcate the interest of the poor as a core concern in decisions relating to changing land-use, clearing forests for infrastructure development, developing industries or any other activity that directly affects the local ecosystems. In the context of women, environmental conditions in both the target districts add to the vulnerability of women with regard to health, work-conditions, and domestic responsibilities. Hence, women, vulnerable and the poor being the direct affectee constitute the central focus of all project interventions.

Project Location:

District Kasur, Punjab and District Abbottabad, NWFP