Planning Workshop –Sustainable Management of Marginal - Unesco

Proposal for the Lal Suhanra Biosphere Reserve and Cholistan Desert (Pakistan)
Presented by Dr Muhammad Akram Kahlown, Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources
Proposal for the Khanasser Valley (Syria)
Presented by Dr. Abdul‐Ghani Al‐Khaldi, GCSAR
Covering a total area of 65,791 ha, the site was
internationally recognized as a biosphere reserve in
1977. Project activities in the adjacent Cholistan desert
were formulated to explore ways to increase carrying
capacity of rangelands and enhance water storage
capacity of saline fish ponds established during the first
phase of SUMAMAD. The case study proposes a number
of activities to improve livelihoods of livestock
producers, such as exploring better grazing management
regimes, testing different rehabilitation methods in
degraded rangelands and introducing rangeland
irrigation during the dry season.
The Khanasser Valley is a typical dryland area in the
transitional rain fed agriculture ‐ rangeland zone of
Syria. The valley is located approximately 70 km
southeast of the city of Aleppo. In the proposal a range
of options for farmers are considered, including
strengthening of traditional farming activities,
livelihood diversification options and capacity building
activities. An emphasis is placed on participatory
approaches to natural resource management such as
through the establishment of Farmer Interest Groups.
Technology transfer and development will further be
an important element of the case study. Meetings with policy makers are proposed to be organized
to discuss policy implications of technologies.
Proposal for the Zeuss‐Koutine Watershed (Tunisia)
Presented by Mr Mohamed Ouessar, Institut des Régions Arides (IRA)
The watershed of Zeuss‐Koutine is situated in south‐
eastern Tunisia, north of the city of Médenine. In this
region anthropogenic pressure has increased
considerably since the 1960ies leading to
environmental degradation in terms of reduced
vegetation cover, and eroded soils. The case study
proposes to carry out a wide range of activities to
improve rangeland management including measures to
enhance provision of water for livestock. At the same
time, livelihood diversification options for the local
population will be fostered in collaboration with local
NGOs. Another important element of the proposal is
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