Before
the disastrous earth quake, which hit Kohistan in 1974, the
Palasi society remained virgin, and was least dependent on external
support. To a maximum extent of self reliance, they were managing
their resources on the principle of indigenous sustainable system.
At that time the influence of the “externalists”
was almost negligible. The concept of HASHAR (voluntary group
work) was very strong and they were always thinking and seeking
ways to do their affairs on self help basis through traditional
participation. Barter system remained the main feature of internal
traditional trade in the Palasi society. In short, the elements
of reliance on external assistance (spoon feeding syndrome)
were almost non-existing in Palas valley.
Besides human casualties and damages to the property, the earthquake
of 1974 brought some attitudinal changes in the society of Palas.
As the world community donated generously on that occasion,
the locals received relief assistance in cash and kind. Then
the locals came across the period of former Prime Minister,
Mr. Muhammad Khan Junego government (1985–1988), where
funds were allocated to the public representatives (MPs) for
developmental works. Although this new experiment aimed to involve
public representatives and people from their constituency in
the state sponsored initiative, the concept of development partnership
and cost sharing at the level of community could not flourish
due to lack of provision in this regard. The flood of 1992 worked
as a last stimulant in making the society a recipient due to
inflow of funds for relief and rehabilitation works. In the
absence of a clear policy on partnership, the interventions
of government line agencies further aggravated and dented the
principles of self help and self reliance. At different intervals
all interventions were executed in a crude manner. Like other
under developed areas, Palasi society got the impression that
there are some “external” agents, who can help and
assist unilaterally.
The Palas Conservation and Development Project (PCDP), started
in 2001, aims at mitigating threats to biodiversity and reducing
poverty in Palas valley is working on the principle of partnership
with local communities. PCDP faced a lot of difficulties in
its inception as the locals were thinking that “all”
should be done by the project, like other externals did it
before. Building partnership with local community by the project
for implementing various interventions took some time to happen.
Slowly and gradually enigma of receptivism has started changing
and the locals had opted for partnership arrangements. It
was witnessed during the poultry vaccination campaign of PCDP
(September and October 2002), that Rs. 5 was contributed by
each household. It is envisaged that from the collected amount
vaccine will be purchased and thus it will work as a capital
amount for this activity and will run on sustainable basis.
The inhabitants of the valley have also contributed in the
form of subsidized labor and locally available material in
the infrastructure schemes implemented by the PCDP. Similarly
the Agriculture sector of the project provided wheat seed
under the terms of partnership having conditions for return
of same quantity of seed after harvest.
It’s the beginning, still a long way to go, but as
it goes on saying, “a journey of thousand miles starts
with a single step”. PCDP has timely engaged attention
of the people in reshaping their expectations from recipients
to development partners.
Barkat Ali Khan Program Officer, Community Facilitation,
COP Sector
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