yasmeenlari

KaravanPakistan

KaravanPakistan (earlier KaravanKarachi) was established in 2000 as a community and youth outreach arm of Heritage Foundation. it seeks to develop good citizenship attributes among children and foster a sense of pride and ownership among communities regarding our local and national heritage.

Its activities are carried out through volunteer effort that focus on heritage safeguarding, rule of law, good citizenship and peace. It was formally launched in March 2001 to celebrate the diversity and dynamism of the city of Karachi. The year was declared a KaravanKarachi Festival and various activities were held throughout 2001 culminating in a Carnival Parade around Quaid-e-Azam’s Mausoleum on M.A. Jinnah Road. Due to its growing activities in other parts of the country, in 2005 the name was formally changed to KaravanPakistan.

KaravanPakistan

About Us

• Registration
• Mission
• Vision
• Board of Directors
• HF Offices 

Registration

Heritage Foundation is incorporated under Section 42 of Companies Ordinance 1984.

Vision

Pakistan’s Heritage, the best kept secret of the country, should be utilized to promote Cultural Pakistan.

Mission

To document and conserve the traditional and historic built environment of Pakistan; create an awareness of Pakistan’s rich and diverse historic architecture and art; and to promote cultural heritage for social integration, peace and development. 

Board of Directors 

Yasmeen Lari

SI HI Fukuoka Prize Laureate

Co-Founder and CEO, Heritage Foundation of Pakistan

Founder Chair, INTBAU Pakistan

Architect, Architectural Historian, Heritage Conservationist, Philanthropist.

 Yasmeen Lari is Pakistan’s first woman architect and among the best known architects of the country.She graduated from Oxford School of Architecture (now Oxford Brookes University) and was elected to Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in 1969. She has built several landmarks buildings in Pakistan e.g. FTC, PSO House and ABN Amro Bank, Karachi. She is considered among pioneers of Brutalistic Architecture and her architectural work is included in Phaidon Books UK publication (2013) devoted to the best examples of 20^th century architecture. She retired from architectural practice in 2000. She is a UNESCO consultant and has been published among 60 Women who have contributed the most towards UNESCO’s objectives.

She co-founded Heritage Foundation of Pakistan in 1980 with her husband, noted historian Suhail Zaheer Lari, for undertaking research and safeguarding Pakistan’s cultural heritage. She has conserved several historic monuments in World Heritage Sites of Makli and Lahore Fort as well as important heritage sites in other parts of Pakistan. The conservation projects have been supported by UNESCO, US Ambassador’s Fund, German Government funds, Prince Cluas Fund of the Netherlands, and Spiritual Chords (South Africa). In 2016, with support from UNESCO/Republic of Korea Funds-in-Trust, ‘Revitalization of Ancient Glazed Tiles in Sindh’ project was taken up which helped to complete the 16^th c.tomb of Sultan Ibrahim along with imparting the ceramic making skills to poor communities, especially women, for income generation.

Lari was elected president of the Institute of Architects Pakistan in 1978 and was the first chairperson of Pakistan Council of Architects and Town Planners (PCATP) in 1983.

Since Earthquake 2005, she has devised various programs based on women-centred zero carbon footprint structures and sustainable building techniques, resulting in 40,000 green shelters (using bamboo, lime and mud), placing Pakistan in the lead as World’s largest zero carbon shelter program, herself being acknowledged as the largest provider of shelter.

In recognition of her services towards architectural profession, heritage safeguarding and humanitarian assistance, President of Pakistan has awarded her Sitara-i-Imtiaz (The Star of Distinction), 2006 and Hilal-i-Imtiaz (The Crescent of Distinction), 2014. In 2016, from Japan she has receivedthe highly acclaimed Fukuoka Prize for Asian Art and Culture.

Lari’s works have been exhibited in the First Chicago Architectural Biennial 2015 and in RIBA’s ‘Creation from Catastrophe’ exhibition 2016 in London, as well as being displayed in RIBA’s permanent collection.

She is the author and co-author of several books and has lectured extensively at home and abroad.

Afroza Bhamani

Educationist, Entrepreneur
Afroza Bhamani is an eminent educationist and is the Founder Managing Director of the Hampton School, one of the best known schools in Karachi.

Afroza holds an MBA degree in Finance and Marketing from the prestigious Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi. She is a dynamic business entrepreneur and has been contributing to several welfare projects since her graduation.

She has served as Finance Coordinator, Home for Senior Citizens since 1986 and from 1999-2002 she served as a Portfolio Member, Women Development on the Aga Khan Economic Planning Board. Since 2001 she has been serving as a Trustee of Aga Khan Charitable Trust.

She is a Founder Managing Director of ERA Project, an HR Consultancy, Chairperson of Forum for Ismaili Educators, and Advisor on Curriculum of Aga Khan Education Services. She is Director of Ally Adil, A Fasion House and Founder President of Forum for Women Development.

She is among the early members of KaravanPakistan and is chair of KaravanPakistan Schools Initiatives.

Shaha Jamshed

Educationist
Shaha Jamshed is a well known educationist, a poet and a writer. She has taught in several prestigious educational institutions and is currently the principal of the Hampton School.

She is among the early members of KaravanPakistan and has helped put up several KaravanPakistan events.

Shakiel Zaheer Lari

Lawyer
Shakiel Zaheer Lari is an eminent lawyer who began his practice in 1968. He is the honorary legal advisor to the Foundation.

Shakiel has served on the board of several private and public companies and is currently a member of the Privatization Commission constituted by Government of Pakistan.

Suhail Zaheer Lari

Historian 
Suhail  Zaheer Lari is a scholar and noted historian. After his early schooling in Allahabad and Lahore, he attended Karachi University before proceeding to St. Catherine’s College, Oxford University, for a degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics. 

He was Managing Director of Khyber Insurance Company, a public limited company for over two decades and served as director of a number of public and private limited companies, before retiring and devoting full time to writing. 

As co-founder of the Society for the Preservation of Muslim Heritage and Heritage Foundation, Suhail has been instrumental in supporting the documentation and conservation of historic and traditional architecture since the late 1970s, including the pioneering work conducted on Thatta, the old capital of Sindh, and Makli, the largest necropolis in the world. 

He was among the first civilians to go into Tharparkar after the Indians, who had occupied it in 1971, vacated it, to photograph and prepare a report for the rehabilitation of the area for the President of Pakistan. 

He is an avid photographer and is the author of several books on history.His photographic collections date back to the 1960s. Many of the proposals developed for Makli by Heritage Foundation are based on the photographic documentation he has carried out at the Makli necropolis since Late 1980s. His photographic archives include extensive documentation of the Pictured Wall, Lahore Fort World Heritage as well as many other historic sites throughout Pakistan.

He is the author of several books including the highly acclaimed Pictorial History of Sindh, which has wide circulation in the subcontinent. His other books include the following:

The Jewel of Sindh: Samma Monuments on the Makli Hill

Neither Islamic nor Persian

History of Sindh

Meri Mitti Kay Log

Meri Society Kay Log

His quartet on Makli includes the following:

Makli under the Sammas (published)

Makli under Mughal Rule (published)

Makli under Timurid Rule (in print)

Makli and its Shrines (compiled)

Hameed Mayet

Entrepreneur 

Director Abdul Hameed Mayet is a South African of Pakistani origin. He did his M.A. (Economics) from South Africa in 1972 and B.A. (Economics) University of Karachi in 1970. He was Director of Eastern Commercial Corporation which was involved in promoting joint venture projects. He was Director on the board of Merck Sharpe & Dohme Pakistan Ltd ., affiliated with Merck & Co., New Jersey , USA and Executive Director, Keloil Pakistan Limited a Malaysian  LPG terminal project at Port Qasim.

Presently he is a consultant on alternate energy projects. He is President of TOS Pakistan, which is affiliated with the Theosophical Society and promotes education of children in marginalized communities in Karachi. He has undertaken the project of renovation of Jamshed Nuserwanjee Memorial Hall and refurbishing of the Theosophical Library and make the space available for revival of cultural activities in the area.

Shanaz Ramzi

Journalist 

Shanaz Ramzi has been working as a freelance journalist since 1994.  She has written on a variety of subjects for various publications, both local and international, and has served as the Karachi correspondent for a Dubai-based newspaper, Emirates Today.  She has also authored a best-selling book, Food Prints, published by OUP and iscurrently working on her second book, commissioned by OUP, Oxford Companion to Pakistani Cuisine.

Ramzi joined HUM Network as Head of PR and Publications in October 2004 and was with the organization till October 2015, where she was heading these two departments as their GM and was also the editor of all their publications including the two monthlies GLAM and Masala TV Food Mag.

Ramzi has been twice nominated for Gender in Journalism Award by UNESCO and Best Journalist Award by Mandoob. She was awarded Woman of Substance Award presented by her alma mater, St Joseph’s Covent High School on the 150th anniversary of the school. She has edited (Urdu section) of the Gourmand award-winning Hindi-Urdu book, Zaiqay Frontier Kay published in 2014.

 In November 2015 she set up her own PR and event management company by the name of StarLinks Pr and Events. Within one year of the company’s existence it had carried out diverse and huge projects including the launch of the largest mall in South Asia, Lucky One mall. On 23rd March 2016 she was bestowed Icon Of  The Nation award by Icon Foundation. In November 2017 Starlinks won the prestigious international Stevies Award for Women in Business for the category of Start-up of the year, in an awards ceremony in New York.

HF Offices

Ms. Yasmeen Lari, CE 

Head Office, Karachi

Mr. Ashfaq Ahmed, HF Manager

Mr. Muhammad Mehdi, Architect

Ms. Asfania Farman, Assistant

Mr. Habibullah, Driver

Accounts

Mr. Abdul Aziz

Ms. Sara

Field Teams, Sindh

Mr. Naheem Husain Shah, Project Manager

Ms. Momal Memon, Social Mobilizer

About Us

Kodar School Inaugurated

The inauguration of the primary school at Kodar, Union Council Sachan Kalan, District Mansehra, NWFP, took place on 7th November 2007 at 12:30 pm on the premises of the school.

The event was well attended by over 600 children and several hundred local notables as well as teachers from the union council.

The event was arranged in the court/playground of the school, while a makeshift rostrum was placed in the veranda. The children sat on the floor covering. Some chairs were provided for guests, however, in view of the large number of people, many stood on the periphery of the ground.

              
                                   Views of assembly in the school yard.
 
The District Nazim, Sardar Yousuf, was the chief guest. Others who attended included the Executive District Officer (EDO) for Education, Project Manager, District Rehabilitation Unit (DRU) as well as District Officer Education and several other officials and notables of the area.

An exhibition of photographs was mounted on large boards, sent by Ms. Atifa Asghar, and was arranged at the top of the access road.

The ribbon cutting was carried out by the District Nazim at the school wicket gate erected at the base of the access road, when dua (prayer) for the success of the school was offered by those present.

             
                      Ribbon cutting by District Nazim (left) & speech by Yasmeen Lari (right).

following programme was organized:
- Recitation from the Holy Quran by a boy student
- Naat recital by a group of three girl students
- Welcome by Yasmeen Lari on behalf of NSN, Nokia and Heritage Foundation
- Speech by Mr. Shah Khan, Nazim, UC Sachan Kalan
- Speech by the EDO (Education)
- Speech by the District Nazim, Sardar Yousuf
- Distribution of shields and mementoes to KaravanPakistan employees and guests respectively.
- Tour of the school rooms by guests
- Distribution of 250 gram sweetmeats boxes and fruit drinks to children

In her welcome speech Yasmeen Lari, Chair, Heritage Foundation conveyed regrets of NSN and NOKIA representatives that in view of the emergency imposed in the country they had not been allowed to proceed to Kodar due to security reasons.

She outlined key activities accomplished in Kodar and Jabbar with special focus on livelihood programmes for women based on traditional crafts. The salient features of school construction with maximum utilization of traditional materials, improved local techniques and local labour as well as the effort in jointing the whole structure together for resilience and seismic resistance were described. The need for taking care of the school building and improved teaching methods were highlighted with a request to the Education Department to increase the number of local teachers.

The work jointly with the community in mountain pathways and reforestation with plantation of 15,000 saplings was highlighted. Discussions with ERRA regarding the design of health centre and the urgency for the community to provide land for its construction was explained. The importance of collaboration in rehabilitation of the old mosque was also underscored. The various programmes that have recently been undertaken were explained, including 10 kitchens for “Destiny Roti” (corn bread) initiative, 10 nos. one room KaravanGhar for widows and the disabled, and community latrines, the designs of which have been provided to the community and will be built under our guidance. The Jabbar villages programme that is in hand was also explained including mountain pathways, completion of school/community centre building, start of community heritage museum and rehabilitation of ancient Jabbar graveyard with community participation.

She also described the experiments being carried out for drying of vegetables and fruit with an experimental solar dehydrator chamber provided through a collaboration of Heritage Foundation and Pak Swiss Society. Experiments are being carried out for construction of cheap individual solar dehydrators which, if successful, could be used by each household.

She explained that the community needs to take pride in its heritage, crafts and traditions which, along with self-reliance, is the underlying principle for rehabilitation works undertaken by the NSN-Nokia-Karavan partnership. The partnership is determined to undertake only those works which ensure maximum participation by the community itself.

              
                                    District Nazim  speaking (left) & speech by EDO Education (right).


The District Nazim and EDO praised the comprehensive programme particularly the use of environmentally sustainable construction techniques, livelihood programmes for women and the underlying principle of self reliance adopted by NSN-Nokia-Karavan partnership. He exhorted the community to collaborate fully with the partnership for engaging in productive work for greater economic benefits and transformation of their area. The District Nazim was also appreciative of construction of a museum in Jabbar to foster pride within the community.

Mementoes commemorating the inauguration of the Kodar School were presented to KaravanPakistan staff in appreciation of their hard work to achieve the completion of this challenging project. Those presented mementoes by the District Nazim included Shifa, Raja, Nadeem Shah, Ishtiaq Ahmad, Naeem Shah, Ahmad, Sajjad, Faiz and Benaris. A memento of the occasion was presented by Yasmeen Lari to the District Nazim, EDO Education and Project Manager DRU (Mansehra). The function was conducted by Naeem Shah.

While taking the round of the building, the District Nazim, EDO and PM, DRU appreciated the design, quality of construction and the effort that had gone into its construction considering the extremely remote mountainous terrain of Kodar. The school furniture and the provision of computers were also greatly appreciated. The photographic exhibition with large number of photographs showing various stages of work and activities was also enjoyed by the participants. The work on solar food dehydration was also appreciated.

There was a general air of festivity and much enjoyment by the community.

Newsblog

Home

• Introduction
• Contact Us

Introduction

Heritage Foundation, established in 1980, is a Pakistan-based, not-for-profit, social and cultural entrepreneur organization engaged in research, publication and conservation of Pakistan’s cultural heritage.

The Foundation has been instrumental in saving a large number of heritage treasures and, as UNESCO team leader 2003-2005, oversaw the stabilization of the endangered Shish Mahal ceiling of the Lahore Fort World Heritage site.

Since 2000, its outreach arm KaravanPakistan has involved communities and youth in heritage safeguarding activities.

As part of Heritage for Rehabilitation programme, work on several projects has been undertaken for rehabilitation of communities, particularly women, affected by the Great Earthquake 2005 in Northern Pakistan. The establishment of KaravanPakistan Institute for Research and Training (KIRAT) in 2008 has helped in carrying out research and training on varied aspects of the earthquake affected areas.

Since May 2009, the Heritage Preservation Centre has become functional for identifying, cataloguing and documenting heritage assets in earthquake affected areas of Hazara and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

The project Revival of Women's Livelihoods in Swat was undertaken from mid-February 2010 to June 2010, in partnership with UNESCO. Under the DFID funded project 500 women were provided training in making products based on their traditional skills. The project was extremely successful  in training 350 women in finished embroidery products and 150 women in handloom products. An exhibition was held at the end of June 2010 showcasing the products at the Heritage Museum, Lok Virsa, Islamabad. A Women’s Centre is planned on a piece of land acquired in Islampur, Swat.

In the aftermath of unprecedented havoc wrecked by floods, in August 2010 HF has begun the Green KaravanGhar nucleus house project in Swat to help families restart their lives. Women of each household are being encouraged to pursue livelihoods based on crafts and agro based products.

Contact Us

If you would like further information, or would like to get involved with our various activities, please contact us at the following address:

Heritage Foundation
E-6, Fourth Gizri Street
DHA 4, Karachi
Pakistan
Tel: (92 21) 35837521
Email: info@heritagefoundationpak.org
Web: http://www.heritagefoundationpak.org/

ProPoor Tourism

• Introduction
• Rationale
• Objectives
• Program

Introduction

The earthquake area has the potential to draw a large number of visitors who may be motivated by sympathy, at the same time to savour the stunning scenic beauty and unique cultural and heritage assets – all of which could be utilized effectively for economic growth & development, job creation, social cohesion and fostering pride and ownership in order to achieve long term rehabilitation of affected communities.

The EARTHQUAKE AREA HERITAGE RETREATS (EAHR) is designed as community-based sustainable tourism initiative in order to maximize the heritage potential of the area for poverty alleviation and community empowerment including marginalized vulnerable groups and women.

The programme is based on experience gained by the Heritage Foundation while working in the Siran Valley, Mansehra District, NWFP, since the earthquake of 8 October 2005. Due to close community interaction and study of historic assets, tangible and intangible heritage of the area we believe it is possible to maximize the potential that exists in the area for the benefit of the affected communities.


This EAHR proposal has been developed by Heritage Foundation in order to promote sustainable, community-based, green and pro-poor tourism among rural communities in Northern Pakistan affected by the 8 October 2005 Earthquake.

Besides reviewing the various drawbacks and challenges that exist in the area, this proposal works out strategies for attracting tourism, as a start, in the Siran Valley.

Rationale

It is evident that the earthquake areas has great potential to draw a large number of visitors who may be motivated due to sympathy and humanitarian considerations, at the same time are able to savour stunning scenic beauty and unique cultural and heritage assets that exist in the area. These attractions can be utilized effectively for economic growth & development, social cohesion and fostering pride and ownership in order to achieve long-term rehabilitation of affected communities. Some important factors include:
· Utilizing unique heritage and cultural traditions as tourists’ attractions and assisting in their safeguarding for continuing future appeal.
· Engaging affected communities in productive activities.
· Fostering pride among the local people towards their cultural heritage and traditions.
· Providing an opportunity to local people of different backgrounds and income levels in a number of hospitality industry-related activities.
· Assisting rural economies to become more liberalized.
· Supporting aspects related to regeneration of forestry.
· Environmental conservation and protection of bio-diversity for future tourist maximization.

Obectives

Identification and conservation of tangible and natural heritage sites as well as intangible heritage and crafts that are gravely threatened and endangered due to the earthquake is among major objectives of the proposal.

The objectives are as follows:
· To restore pride and deal with the earthquake trauma through heritage safeguarding efforts
· To work towards the MDG goal of poverty reduction through heritage preservation, environmental rehabilitation and sensitive tourism activities.
· To provide direct and varied channels and opportunities to the community for their well being and socio-economic development.

Programme

The first site for attracting visitors with the objective of familiarizing corporate executives with the conditions in the area has been developed at the base camp, karavanPakistan Research Institute at Karavanabad, Chattar. A small retreat has been developed among the pine forests consisting of tent accommodation with attached well-finished bathrooms. The focus is on providing clean and comfortable accommodation to tourists along with training courses in team building. The initial concept for team building courses was developed in collaboration with Mr. Tahir Khan. The training programme is being finalized by Mr. Sohail Mirza and Ms. Nilofur Khan.

 
Photographs of the retreat in the pine forest. Each tent is on its stone platform with its own bathroom.

Heritage Program

• Introduction
• Heritage Museum
• Heritage Protection

Introduction

Among the main objectives of the program are preserving and enhancing the heritage of local areas in order to restore community pride and confidence in traditional value systems and vernacular technologies. This ethos continues to be reinforced through short and long term activities.

Since considerable thought had been given to the modalities for achieving our goal, and based on the Catalogue of Heritage Assets of the Siran Valley, it was possible to devise activities which would fulfill our heritage objectives. The Heritage Program is closely integrated with pro-poor community based cultural- and eco-tourism and is thus designed to bring long term benefits to these isolate and marginalized communities.

Since we believe that the community participation is the key for heritage safeguarding, pride and ownership, the heritage programs are being implemented in cooperation with the people of Jabbar.

The Catalogue of Heritage Assets of the Siran Valley prepared by the Foundation in early 2006 is a testimony to the enormous potential of the area for sensitive pro-poor cultural and eco-tourism. The heritage trail that has been developed is intended to provide tourists with enormous excitement as they discover various tangible and natural heritage assets so far hidden from the public view. Heritage and tradition can be gainfully employed to form the basis for reconstruction and development; particularly through encouragement of sensitively designed, cultural- and eco-tourism that can go a long way in providing livelihood to even the most remote and mountainous areas hit by the earthquake.

               
                            Natural Heritage. The tri-waterfall in Jabbar.

              
                   Unique sculptural tombstones.                  A sacred cave.  

             
              British Period 19th century Forest Lodge. Dumail.   

Heritage Museum

The earthquake has shorn many communities of many of their cultural objects and created generational gaps due to loss of life of people who were depositories of oral histories, thus degrading the non-material culture of the area. Both material and non-material culture are at risk and need to be conserved, revitalized and propagated for restoring pride of the community as well as utilization of these assets for development and income generation.

The greatest danger looms because of reconstruction activities since in the urgency to build new modern constructions, all that was once considered valuable and which might be partially damaged, would be destroyed or thrown away, finding no place in the new reconstruction phase.

These objects that were once the pride of various communities and a basis for their distinctiveness need to be saved from destruction and housed in a local museum. Work on collection of these objects has already started and they will be housed in the proposed Heritage Museum.

The community cultural objects are extremely important in order to utilize them to restoring pride and create livelihoods through conservation of tangible and intangible cultural heritage. Based on our experience in the past 18 months, it is hoped that in addition to men it will also enable women to participate, even lead, in the rehabilitation phase. The Heritage Museum is envisaged as a source of economic, emotional, environmental and cultural rehabilitation of the community. It will act as the community cultural focus, research and publication centre, crafts training and promotion of community based tourism.

The construction of the first Heritage Museum for the area has been undertaken in Jabbar, on a site gifted by the local Syeds, Manzoor Shah family. This site is across the stream of the ancient graveyard of Jabbar. It thus lends itself to be made into a cultural centre with easy access to an ancient graveyard in Devli and other sites down the Siran River. It is possible to develop heritage and hiking trails with the Heritage Museum as the focus.

              
                   Plan of Museum Galleries.

The only surviving stone artisan, who can replicate the ancient stone sculptural carvings, is Lala Ishaq, who also lives in a nearby village. Since artisans workshops are also being constructed as part of the Heritage Museum, Lala Ishaq will be provided support to continue with his carving work along with training others in order to revitalize the ancient craft. Additionally, other artisans engaged in pottery, weaving, bead crafts etc. will also be encouraged to utilize the artisans’ workshops which will be attached to the Heritage Museum.

The refreshments kiosk, a crafts display area attached to the museum will provide visiting tourists with the flavour of the area.

Heritage Protection

Heritage Protection strategies are being devised to promote community safeguarding for the ancient graveyards that have been located through the Catalogue of Heritage Assets of the Siran Valley. The first programme being undertaken is in the ancient graveyard at Jabbar. In Summer 2007, a team of volunteers consisting of 4 students of Hazara University and over 50 Jabbar residents was lead by Faisal Rajpar of Columbia University cleaned up a major part of the Jabbar graveyard. The cleaning up of the graveyard exposed fully many of the ancient sculptural tombstones which require cleaning and/or stabilization.

              
                            Jabbar graveyard in early 2007. Photo Lala Rukh

Earlier, the graveyard had been exposed to loitering animals and had been in an extremely unkempt condition. The graveyard is now being fenced in to ensure its protection and to save the rare tombstones. After the winter snow and rain, the programme of cleaning will be undertaken along with stabilization of the gravestones where required.

Conservation Program

• Environmental Conservation
• Reforestation

Environmental Conservation

Among the most critical long term needs are conservation of forests and water sources. The felling of trees over the last years resulted in large number of casualties during the earthquake because of lack of forest cover. Most areas in the Siran Valley suffer from large-scale landslides which, in addition to being extremely dangerous, result in blocking of access roads, thus cutting off the communities for several weeks at a time.

The reforestation effort is among the most critical conservation works that needs to be undertaken on as large a scale as possible.

Reforestation

The reforestation porgram was initiated in monsoon season of 2006 through plantation of 15,000 saplings by the community. The program has been devised by Brig. Yasub Dogar who held meetings and discussions with the community. Discussions were also held with the Forest Department for supply of saplings.

Through consultation a person was selected to lead the program who also arranged for the plantation of saplings. The program is based on purchasing the saplings from the Forest Department and paying a small amount per tree to the community members who participate in the program. They are to be paid after an audit of the trees is carried out just after plantation, during the month of December, March and June and payment will be made according to the number of surviving saplings. The community is also expected to make up any shortfall or loss of saplings.

This programme will be further expanded in the next spring season by involving women and school children as well as community members. Forestation is considered one of the most effective ways to minimize casualties by preventing landslides and is crucial for earthquake areas.