Livelihood Program launched at Chitral.
CHITRAL: Livelihood program (LP) will bring green revolution in the area said Mr. Pierre Yves Suter Country representative of Inter Cooperation of Swiss Foundation for Development and International Cooperation. LP will boost economical condition of two valleys of Chitral Berir (kalash community) and Sheshi valley. LP working in different sector likes agriculture, forestation, promoting handicrafts, mini business etc. They sought suggestions from different stakeholders comprising over heads of line department, civil society, elected Nazimeen including district government representatives in a meeting held at a local hotel. Khalid Hussain Project Manager said that LP working on boosting life standard of local people through gross root level. He said to success the Livelihood program three parameters must be activated. To involve local community for ownership of the project, collaboration with skill development agencies and its implementation through partner NGO. The participants suggested different proposals for succession of LP and sustainable development of Chitral.
Tehsil Nazim Chitral Sartaj Ahmad Khan said that TMA Chitral is trying of best to pattern two very rare origin of cow and sheep existing in Chitral which are most suitable in environment of Chitral as well as beneficial for milk and fodder. He proposed for establishment of Fish form for Trout and to discourage goat grazing to protect forests. Owners of the goat might be compensating with other source and means to motivate them to abandon their goat grazing. He said rangeland must be level and fertile for cultivation purpose to increase cultivable land because there is only 2 % cultivable land in Chitral. He offered for establishment of a pine nut and walnut market at Drosh by TMA Chitral for marketing and to enhance price of these products. He offered TMA building for a display and training center to promote local handicrafts in Chitral. For creating of awareness among the masses he emphasized on increasing literacy ratio in the area by activating and strengthening of parent teachers councils. He said that although LP not invest on large scale but only motivate and encourage local people for launching their mini business. For this purpose they should to approach first micro finance bank for financial support and loans.
District Nazim of Chitral Haji Maghfirat Shah stressed upon representatives of LP for sincerity, which is the main key for succession of any planning. He said that you must to straight your direction for sustainable development and enhancement life standard of people by adopting suitable measurements and best planning to bring change in their lives. He said that you must be success in your destination and aim by joint efforts of all stakeholders to put them on board. He assured LP for all possible support by district government.
At last Pierre Yves Suter thanked all participants and stakeholders for giving their valued suggestions and feedback for succession of livelihood program in Chitral.
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