By: Sumera Rajpoot
QUETTA: A one-day training workshop on the formulation of Participatory Range Management Plans was organised at Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences City Campus under the Revival of Balochistan Water Resources (RBWR) Programme.
The workshop aimed at enhancing the technical understanding and professional capacity of Forest Department officials regarding participatory rangeland management and sustainable watershed planning.
Speaking during the inaugural session, Muhammad Yousuf Kakar welcomed participants, technical experts and departmental officials, and highlighted the importance of scientific planning and sustainable management of rangelands for conservation of natural resources in Balochistan.
During the technical session, range expert Dr Faizul Bari delivered a presentation on the significance and components of Participatory Range Management Plans. He said rangeland resources involved multiple stakeholders and stressed the need for community participation to ensure sustainable management of natural resources.
Participants were informed that under the RBWR Programme, technical experts and the Forest Department were carrying out pilot interventions in the Mekhtar watershed to develop sustainable and participatory management models that could later be replicated in other watershed areas of the province.
Team leader Jelle Beckma explained the objectives and methodology of the participatory range management plan and said the workshop had been designed to strengthen the technical capacity of Forest Department professionals in survey methodologies, mapping techniques, scientific data collection and preparation of watershed management plans.
He said participatory planning ensured coordination among local communities, technical experts and government institutions for sustainable protection and utilisation of rangeland resources.
The workshop also featured an interactive question-and-answer session during which participants discussed field-level challenges and received technical guidance from experts on planning and implementation strategies.
Conservator of Forests Jaffar Ali later briefed participants on rangeland survey and mapping methodologies, as well as scientific data collection techniques required for preparing effective management plans.
In his concluding remarks, Additional Secretary Forest Department Munir Ahmed Mosiani appreciated the efforts of the RBWR Programme, BUITEMS and technical experts for organising the training session.
He said participatory range management planning was an important tool for sustainable governance of natural resources in Balochistan and reiterated the department’s commitment to adopting modern and science-based approaches for rangeland and watershed management.
Participants later took part in group activities focusing on survey data consolidation, preparation of reports and practical application of field data in management planning.
The workshop concluded with group presentations, training evaluation and closing remarks by senior officials and technical experts, who expressed confidence that the training would help Forest Department staff independently formulate participatory management plans for watersheds across the province.
