The difficulties to set up “Pilot Projects for Watershed Management”

I work here in Muminabad within the project “Natural Disaster Risk Management”, implemented by Caritas (Switzerland?). This project originates from the former “Riverbank Protection” Project whose aim was mainly hard measures, such as construction works to mitigate natural disasters like floods, mudflows etc. So called “soft measures” like ALS- and PRA- workshops were held in villages in the field of disaster preparedness.
Currently, at the end of the first phase of the project, “pilot projects for watershed management” are planned. These should be conducted in the fields of soil and water conservation, alternative energy supply, improved use of natural resources, pasture management… short: disaster prevention.
Unfortunately the former project coordinator of the project resigned shortly before my arrival. The new project coordinator arrived one week after me and had little knowledge of the project too.

The assumed available interest-groups, turned out as non- existent or poorly prepared. The very promising recommendations and studies seemed not easy to transfer to action on the spot.
I have visited many different sites, held meetings with ministries (district authorities?) and villagers to get more sensitive to their concerns and to find interest-groups for the pilot projects.

Some people showed a lot of interest in the idea of constructing a solar oven to have an alternative to bake bread which plays a very important role in everyday life of Tajik people.
Concerning all the relevant points for a promising implementation I have a good feeling for this project. The only problems that remain is that a lot of material needed for the construction of the reflector, are not available in Tajikistan and that it seems hard to find a master who is able to do such a precise work.

In other projects I’m struggling with, a lot of awareness has to be built, to make sure the sustainability of the project at an early stage. Such projects are about plantation of trees for shade/shadow in the pasture, fodder and SWC concerns in degraded? Pasture grounds.

I’m still confident to realize some good projects, but time is passing by and makes a proper and careful planning, which can be a key to successful implementation, a hassle.
Fulfilling the of schedule but not getting hasty, achieve a proper design but not getting to stubborn in combination with handling different customs, seems to be more difficult as I thought.

Soon winter comes and the people reduce their activities to hold out the cold season. This might result in reduced progress of the pilot activities.
It was very ambitious, but sometimes I think also a bit blue-eyed to propose these projects to be done in half a year. Especially with the unfavorable and maybe unforeseen circumstances mentioned above.

My conclusion to the present situation is to make a break during the coldest month of the winter. Not to waste costly working days, to refuel my resources, let the winter pass and to enjoy the cold season. The project coordinator will have time to catch up with his tasks and to accompany me on the next steps to fulfill the project goals in a good manner.