Neelum and Jhelum Valleys Community Development Project

This impoverished area is steep and mountainous, consisting mostly of forests, rangelands and alpine pastures. Rural poor people do not produce enough food to feed themselves and their families, and the growing population is putting pressure on available arable and grazing land. Deforestation, overgrazing and cultivation of steep land have caused some erosion. The project worked to improve the living conditions of the local population, especially the poorest people in the area. Specific objectives of the project were to:

• promote environmental conservation
• promote community participation in the development of resources
• introduce technology and skills for new income-generating enterprises

Nearly 12,000 ha were planted with saplings provided at subsidized rates to member households. Crop yields improved significantly, and the average household income of project participants more than doubled.

Source: IFAD

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In this section Project overview Documents Contact information Mr Ya Tian Country programme manager IFAD Via Paolo di Dono, 44 00142 Rome, Italy Tel: +39 0654592062 Fax: +39 0654593062 y.tian@ifad.org Facts and figures Total cost: US$24.3 million IFAD loan: US$15.8 million Duration: 1992-1999 Geographical area: an area in the district of Muzaffarabad Directly benefiting: 27,500 households Cofinancing: United Nations Development Programme (US$4.6 million) Status: closed