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The Region The EPS Vision, Mission & Philosiphy Objectives Working Strategy Structure
The Programs The Units Achievements Publications The News Newsletter
History of Swat The CBOs of Malakand Division The City of Mingora Photos/maps Contact us

 

Background of the Region

Malakand Division is historically an important area. Its rich archeological treasure is testimony to a glorious past. Its serene natural beauty, abundance of water, forest ,wild life, good agriculture and grazing land and its strategic position provided a good milieu to nurture civilizations. But at the same time attracted invaders. The coins found here provide ample evidence of transactions with contemporary civilizations. Alexander came in here 327 B.C; Gandhara Civilization flourished in this region; Mahmud of Ghazna's invasion of Swat put an end to Hindushahi rule; Swati Pukhtuns gradually occupied the region a thousand years ago who were subsequently driven out by Yusufzai Pukhtuns in 1515 who live here ever since. Living in a classical tribal matrix, they finally laid a skeletal structure of a state of their own in 1915 in Swat which was subsequently organized and solidified from 1917 onward. In 1969 Swat, along with the states of Dir and Chitral, merged into Pakistan.

The area of Malakand Division is 29,872 sq. km and its population is 4.21 million. Swat lies between 340-13'-55" and 350-53'-40" north latitudes and 700-47'-15" east longitude in Malakand Division of North West Frontier Province of Pakistan. The area of Swat is about 3798 sq. km with a population of 1.249 million.

Saidu Sharif, Mingora, Marghazar, Malamjaba, Miandam, Madayan, Behrain, Kalam, Utror, Mahudand, Kumrat, Shahi, Lowarai pass, Shandoor and Kafiristan (Kalash Valley) are the sites worth seeing in Malakand Division.

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Background of the Society

Environmental Protection Society (EPS) is a non-governmental organization (NGO). Presently its main activities and projects are concentrated in District Swat but it intends to extend to the rest of Malakand Division and has therefore developed good working relations with most of the organizations and departments of the area. Founded in 1991, EPS was registered in 1994 under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. It is a non profit and non-ethnic organization concerned with the physical, social & cultural environment of the region.

In 1991, some university graduates in different disciplines started discussion on the decay in socio-economic order and changes in demographic realities of the region in historical perspective. This discussion included the negative impacts on natural and built environment due to poor management of resources and exploitation by vested interests. When states were merged into Pakistan, the people were exposed to a centralized departmental way of governance. It was difficult for the people to understand the new system while the government functionaries remained distant from the people. This new situation created a gap between the people and the government. Poor planning, lack of good governance, increase in population and migration of the rich people to the region further aggravated the situation. This resulted in the degradation of physical, social and cultural environment of the region. Excessive deforestation, unplanned expansion of human settlement in urban and rural areas, pollution of water bodies, mismanagement of land use, increased violence and insecurity are some of the visible results.

These enthusiastic individuals met every week to review and analyze the situation from different angles and to devise ways and means to play a positive role in this difficult scenario. The start was humble. There was one register to record the minutes of the meetings and for each session a secretary and chairman were appointed. It took almost one year when they were able to develop consensus on environment in toto as their focus. EPS was thus formed.

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Vision

Conservation of Physical, Social and Cultural environment.

Mission

Research, Advocacy, Social Organization, Human Resource Development and Services Delivery for Sustainable Development.

Values

Democratic values, self-reliance, honesty & integrity, social acceptability and participatory approach.

Philosophy

Collective, Broad Based and Real Sustainable Development.

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OBJECTIVES

  1. To provide a forum for bringing together experience related to environment from individuals, institution and organizations.

  2. To do and promote research and action in environment and related disciplines publish reports, prepare films and establish libraries and museum.

  3. Award scholarship, make and receive donation subscription, grants, pension and allowance in such as may be thought, directly or indirectly, conducive to the objectives of the Society.

  4. To arrange, organize, and sponsor seminars, meetings, conferences and exhibitions related to the goal of the Society.

  5. To mobilize/organize and train/enable community organizations for collective actions to promote sustainable development, and to achieve it through promoting values of civil society.

  6. To highlight issues of governance related to sustainable development through advocacy.

  7. To create awareness regarding environmental pollution and environmental degradation, and its effect(s) on human health, social set-up, economy and politics.

  8. Do all other such lawful and charitable and or educational things for the purpose of attaining the above objectives or any of them provided that the Society shall not support with its funds such activities or impose any restrictions which lead Society to trade unionism.

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WORKING STRATEGY

EPS is involved in Research, Advocacy, Social Organization, Human Resources Development and Services Delivery related directly or indirectly to environmental issues. Some of the actions are materialized, other started and still others are proposed through the active participation of Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and other stakeholders.

 

 

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ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Organization of EPS comprises of a General Body, Council and a three-member Cabinet. 

THE GENERAL BODY

EPS membership is open to all those (male & female) conscious to the overall environment of the region. General body members meet once a year to review the programs and finances of EPS. The members of GB fill half of the seats of the Council falling vacant each year through election. Internal auditor for the accounts of the Organization is also selected by GB. The GB has the right to propose and pass amendments in the constitution.

THE COUNCIL

The next body is the Council, which acts as the Board of Governors. The Council is responsible to frame and amend policy guidelines for the Society and move the Society forward within the bounds of its vision and philosophy and monitor the activities of the Society.

List of the Council for the year 2001

 

 

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PROGRAMMES

1-    NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

1.1    River Swat Conservation Project

RSCP is a social organization and action project in collaboration with UNDP. The project team has selected villages along River Swat for pilot activities. They have completed the base line surveys for social organization and management of solid and liquid wastes to reduce poll ution in River Swat. Motivational material and a documentary film on River Swat have been prepared. A Pollution survey of the river and its tributaries has been carried out to know sources and quantity of pollution.

Ecological study has also been completed. Work on the planning and zoning for Kalam is also under way.

1.2    Forest

EPS is highlighting the issues related to forest through press, seminars and workshops on the one hand and lobbying on stakeholders level for a Forest Policy which ensures forest conservation on sustainable basis. EPS has documented all basic information about the forests of Swat and is a member of Forestry Roundtable, NWFP.

2 HRD & EDUCATION PROGRAM

2.1 Training

HRD project is carried on with the financial support of Swiss NGOs Program Office (SNPO) Islamabad. Till now 152 persons from 101 CBOs of Swat and 177 persons from 134 CBOs of District Dir have been trained in Basic Skills Development (BSD) and 40 persons from 22 CBOs of Malakand Division in Project Proposal Writing training. Apart from these training HRD has also provided training to the females of Matta, Swat in Food preservation and Poultry keeping.

For further details please see Annual Report 2000

List of CBOs of Malakand Division received training from HRD-EPS

2.2 Intern’s Scheme

Department for International Development (DFID) initiated Interns Scheme through the British Council, Peshawar in partnership with the Provincial Government (FEF) and selected NGOs in NWFP. The scheme is aimed at introducing trained social organisers in education sector. Under this scheme two (one male and one female) interns have been placed at EPS office, supervised by a male and a female mentor.

3 SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

3.1 Sanitation Project

It is a one year project in collaboration with GoP (Ministry of Environment) for sanitation in Mingora city. Work has been completed with Falahi Tanzeem Shagai while it is in progress with Amankot community.

3.2 Intermediary Cities Research Project

It was a Participatory Action Research Project jointly carried out with IUED, Geneva University, Switzerland. Socioeconomic survey has been completed which will lead to actions in the urban area of Mingora. The project has ended in February 2000. Final Report has been published.

4 POVERTY ALLEVIATION PROGRAM

4.1 Micro-credit Project

This project is aimed at providing small loans in selected villages of Swat. Both males and females can have the loans for income generating activities. EPS signs an agreements with selected CBOs. The loan is returned in easy and mutually agreed installments.

For Details please see project document.

 

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EPS UNITS

1 Administration and Finance Unit

This unit looks after the day to day affairs of the Society and manages its finances.

2 Social Organisation Unit

The Social Organisation Unit gives input to all programmes of EPS in the motivation and mobilization of selected communities.

3 Research & Publication Unit

3.1 Area Resource Centre (ARC)

Area Resource Center is established by EPS in December 1998 to document researches and information regarding the places and people of Malakand Division. Research papers and other publications by local researchers on any topic and researchers from other areas who have published work on this area are being collected.

In future the center will serve as a resource base on Malakand Division for researchers, projects, forest, wildlife, health, education, agriculture and other government departments and NGOs/CBOs.

4 Technical Unit

It is a project in collaboration with WarerAid and OPP. Technical Unit provides technical support to the activities of EPS and its partner CBOs. EPS aims to identify a community through the Technical Unit where it could develop infrastructure on its own style.

For details please see Annual Report 2000.

                                                                                                                               

 

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 ACHIEVEMENTS

1     Natural Resource Management (NRM) Program

1.1 River Swat Conservation

River Swat is under threat from growing pollution in the shape of

EPS is highlighted this issue through press, media, seminars and workshops to create awareness for the last few years.

It has started a project with the financial support of UNDP-GEF since September 1998. So far EPS has achieved like

    1. Documentary film of river Swart pollution has been prepared as motivational material.

    2. Education/motivational materials have been prepared for common masses.

    3. Pollution survey at different locations along river Swat has been conducted and reports is under preparation.

    4. River Swat Protection Cell (RSPC) at Commissioner Malakand Office has been established to check river pollution & take necessary steps. Cell comprises of MDDA, Fisheries Department, Distt: Administrator, EPS and other concern line deptt: with Commissioner at chair.

    5. EPS has established links with Hotel Association at Kalam, Bahrain, Madyan and Mingora in order to motivate them to play their role in river conservation. At Kalam majority of the hotels have constructed septic tanks through the efforts of River Swat Protection Cell & Kalam Hotels Association & EPS while efforts are on at Bahrain, Madyan and Mingora.

    6. EPS has formed Tehsil Level River Conservation Committees to create awareness and buildup social pressure against encroachments, illegal fishing and waste management. Result are satisfactory and community response is very positive.

    7. EPS has contacted religious leaders (Imame Masjid, Ulama etc.) to cap religious pressure to protect river Swat. At Khwazakhela & Madyan such type of meetings have been organized and sign are brought in the valley.

    8. Three pilot communities village Chalyar, village Tegdarai and village Punjigram alongside river Swat have been selected to generate local actions as demonstrations for the valley. Village people have been organized into CBOs. CBOs have been strengthened through training. A participatory planning process have been initiated with them to develop a mechanism for village waste (solid, liquid) management to improve village hygiene condition construction of sanitation facilities are part of the program.

1.2. Forest Conservation

Forest is one of the major resources of Malakand Division. It is playing an important role in environmental conservation and economy of the region. But deforestation (natural forest) is taking place very rapidly. If this continues the whole area will be with out natural forest in the coming years. EPS has initiated the process to bring together the stakeholders (owners, users, CBOs & Govt.) to analyze the situation in local context and evolve a strategy, which can lead to forest conservation as part of the natural resources, conservation. Activities involve dialogues, workshops, and meetings at local level as well at policy level.

1.3     Establishment of community plant nursery and plantation

EPS has carried out various plantations ventures with community by providing plants from Forest Department & Forestry Projects. EPS established a plant nursery with Gogdara Village and carried out plantation on the adjacent Hills.

2 Social & Physical Development Program

2.1 Community Organization: EPS approach for community                     organization consists of

EPS facilitate the formation of CBOs, Strengthen CBOs through capacity building training’s and local level collective interventions. EPS has formed/strengthened more than 150 CBOs in the region under its various projects.

2.2 Community Networking:

EPS is member of Sarhad NGOs Ittehad (SNI). EPS has link with the CBOs of Malakand Division through HRD Program. EPS have organized 3 conferences for CBOs of Malakand Division, where government line agencies, projects & donors also participated. This gave an opportunity to CBOs to learn from each other’s experiences and to establish linkages with the support agencies.

2.3. Communities Technical Support:

EPS has established a technical unit. The unit comprises of technical personnel & equipment. Technical Unit is responsible to provide technical support (survey, design, construction, estimates) to the initiatives taken by the communities. These initiatives include development of community infrastructure like septic tanks, latrines, drains, sewerage lines, irrigation channels, garbage dumps, street pavement, community center cause ways, culverts, water supply etc. so far more than 10 communities have benefited from this support.

2.4. Human Settlements:

Population of Malakand Division grow very rapidly resulting into unplanned expansion of Human Settlements (cities, towns, villages). This expansion is associated with environmental issues like improper solid waste management, poor sanitation/sewage facilities, traffic congestion & ineffective institutions. EPS carried out an action research project in collaboration with IUED, Geneva University, Switzerland on these issues at Mingora under Intermediary Cities Research Project. This project have carried out the following activities:

    1. Socio-economic survey of Mingora City.

    2. Solid Waste Management survey of Mingora City.

    3. Sanitation Survey of Mingora City.

    4. Traffic Survey of Mingora City.

    5. Housing & Planning Issues Survey of Mingora City.

    6. Institutional arrangement Survey of Mingora City.

    7. Formation of Mingora Male & Female Round Table for conceptual planning of Mingora City. Local bodies elections has not taken place since long and local Jirga tradition is also eroding from Pakhtoon Society. Who can influence the decision making process in city management Round Table has been formed & through the round table dialogue on the concept of the city has been initiated. It is unique of its kind that the stakeholders come together to think of what the city should be. EPS is playing the role of facilitator.

Therefore active participation of the stakeholders in the city management do not exists. EPS through its Mingora City Research Project floated the idea of a Male Round Table comprising of all stakeholders (land lords, ex-councilors, hotel association, traders, press, govt. MCM, NGO, etc.)

viii) Students Participation:

Students from different disciplines (history, city & regional planning, geography, civil engineering, sociology, architecture etc.) have been involved and exposed to real urban issues. This process was complementary for both the students & Research Team & valuable work have been produced.

ix) Participatory Planning Process:

It is a process initiated by EPS at two urban communities of Mingora to involve community at grass root level in identification, prioritization and actions in urban environmental issues. The process consist of:

Community have already taken initiatives in solid waste management where EPS is providing social and technical support.

    1. Activists Identification: To generate self-help initiatives at Mingora City level & support outside work in managing urban environmental issues, the research team has initiated city activists identification drive. So far more than 200 activists have been identified in 25 wards of the city. These activists are involved to form community organizations at mohallah/ward level. So far 15 organizations are in preparatory stage while with some communities participatory planning process have been initiated.

    2. Organization of International Workshop: To generate small scale actions at local level (Community & Mingora Municipal Committee) and large scale actions at Govt./Donors level, Research findings were shared in a six days international workshop. Workshop was organized by EPS in collaboration with IUED Geneva University Switzerland at Saidu Sharif Swat. Foreign (Europe, Africa etc.) & Pakistani delegates from Academic Institutions, Research Organizations, Projects, Govt. Departments, Policy Makers, NGOs, Press, Communities participated in the workshop. Workshop recommendations on solid waste management, water supply and sanitation, housing and planning and institutions in the light of group work (field and indoor) are in the document shape & available for guidance.

    3. Construction of Garbage Dump at Mingora: Through the financial support from Ministry of Environment & Local Govt. of Pakistan EPS have constructed 40 garbage dumps. This activity have been completed as a joint venture among community, Municipal Committee Mingora and EPS.

    4. Sanitation Scheme: EPS have recently started a sanitation scheme at few Mohallahs of Mingora City. The characteristics of the scheme is component sharing. Community is responsible for internal component (W.C, Hodi, House Pipe, Brach Sewage Pipe) while EPS is responsible for external component Main Sewage Pipe & Communal Septic Tank. The system can be linked to the city sewage system in future if materialized. It is a joint venture among community, EPS, Municipal Committee Mingora & PE&D Govt. of NWFP.

3 HRD and Education Program:

3.1 Community Trainings:

EPS has developed its own training manual in Basic Skill Development of CBOs. This training covers by-laws (constitution), financial management, record keeping, conflict resolution, effective communication, meeting organization, linkages etc. Human Resource Development section of EPS is responsible to impart training to activists/CBOs. So far more than 150 activists belonging to different CBOs have been trained.

3.2    Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs)

To improve the quality of education at primary level, EPS established and trained 100 PTAs (60 male and 40 female) in Government Primary Schools with the help of Primary Education Project, NWFP. The project has ended in Oct. 1999.

3.3    Interns’ Scheme

Department for International Development (DFID) initiated Interns Scheme through the British Council, Peshawar in partnership with the Provincial Government (FEF) and selected NGOs in NWFP. The scheme is aimed at introducing trained social organizers in education sector.

3.4    Area Resource Centre

A lot of research and developmental work has been done in this region through govt. plans and projects. The idea is to collect all these information and make them available for better planning and management of the region.

4.    Poverty Alleviation Program

4.1 Micro Credit

This project is aimed at providing small loans in selected villages of Swat. Both males and females can have the loans for income generating activities. EPS signs an agreements with selected CBOs. The loan is returned in easy and mutually agreed installments.

 

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PUBLICATIONS

Udyana Today:

Udyana Today is a quarterly newsletter of EPS. It carries articles related to environment and news about the activities of the Society. This is circulated among EPS members, partners, institutions in and out side Malakand Division free of cost.

BSD Guide Book:

It is training manual developed by EPS in local condition to train activists/CBOs in Basic Organizational Skills like:

Proposal Writing Module:

Proposal writing is difficult as well important skill for the CBOs/NGOs. The lack of this not only creates problems for them but at times it creates problems for the management of EPS because they facilitate CBOs in their proposals writing. This training module is developed for the CBOs/NGOs of Malakand Division. Training in proposal writing will enable the activists of CBOs and employees of projects to develop effective proposals for their respective organizations.

Other Reports:

These include:

 

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