Community Based Natural Resource Management in Roghani Valley, Northern Pakistan

Abstract

Facing the scarcity of natural resources, high environmental risks and threats, and undependable accessibility, most of the mountain communities have evolved indigenous sustenance strategies through adaptations. Adaptation is a two-way process either adapting human demands according to resource limitations or amending the resources according to the rising human needs and wants. Such adaptations make them able to cope with the growing gap between the productivity of natural resources and the demands of increasing number of dependent users. The present study is an attempt to investigate the indigenous resource management and utilization mechanisms in a mountainous community located in Dir district northern Pakistan. The study is based on qualitative information collected through interviews and focused group discussion. Like most parts of the northern mountainous belt of Pakistan, the resources are kept and managed under locally introduced ownership system in the study area as well. The inhabitants have evolved self-administered institutions for managing resources and there is no interference from the state authorities.