WATERSHED MANAGEMENT AND WILDLIFE SURVEILLANCE

TECHNIQUES AT TORGHAR CONSERVANCY

DISTRICT QILLA SAIFULLAH

Training Report

By:

Tahir Rasheed
Mohammad Yahya Musakhel

HABITAT AND SPECIES CONSERVATION PROJECT

SUSTAINABLE USE SPECIALIST GROUP – C ASIA.
Watershed management and wildlife surveillance Techniques Training Workshop Report

Executive Summary

SUSG-C Asia’s Habitat and Species Conservation Project is

operational in Qilla Saifullah and Chaghi/ Noshki Districts since
2005. The project mainly focuses on natural Resources, water
resources; wildlife, socio-economic uplift of its inhabitants.
Capacity building of the stakeholders is one of the objectives of
the Project to enable them to play positive and effective role in
the project area.

A three days training workshop was arranged with a specific

objective to impart the basic concepts of watershed management
Techniques, importance, need and its role in conservation of the
natural resources. While the other training was conducted to train
the newly inducted Community Game Watchers and senior Game
Watchers about the wildlife surveillance techniques. The thrust of
the training workshop was to discuss different methods of field
surveys, surveillance techniques, and appropriate use of field
equipments.

_____________________________________

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Watershed management and wildlife surveillance Techniques Training Workshop Report

Two-days training workshop for community Members on

Watershed Management Techniques

Introduction:
Habitat and Species Conservation Project organized a two days workshop on
Water Shed Management Techniques to community members of different villages
of Torghar Conservancy. This activity was facilitated by Tahir Rashhed, Mohammad
Hashim (DDO Forest) and Mohammad Yahya Musakhel.

Venue:
Tanshipa base Camp, Torghar Conservancy.
Date:
November, 7-9, 2006
Duration:
Two Days (14 working hours)
Participants:
20 community game watchers and 10 community members.
Objectives of the workshop:

• To introduce the watershed management Techniques.

• To check soil erosion.
• To reduce the runoff of rain water
• To increase the ground water recharge.

Training Facilitator: Tahir Rasheed

Resource Persons: Mohammad Yahya Musakhel

Preparatory work for the training:

The resource persons prepared the following documents seemed necessary for the
training of the workshop participants. Those include;
o Consulted the Watershed management guide book to prepare
notes for the training on specific topics
o Prepared the training plan
o Prepared schedule/agenda for the said training
o Made logistic arrangements
o Developed registration forms

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Watershed management and wildlife surveillance Techniques Training Workshop Report

Workshop Methodology:

The workshop was designed by using the interactive techniques to

encourage participation and sharing of thoughts. The active involvement of the
participants is an indication of their learning and interest, therefore, the emphasis of
all the sessions was on encouraging the participants to share and present their
ideas. Group discussions, presentations, and brainstorming were the techniques
used during the session.

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Proceedings of the Workshop:

Registration of the Participants:
Participants were registered before starting the formal proceedings of the
workshop.
Recitation from Holy Quran
The Seminar started with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, by
Mulla Yahya Akhund,

TOPIC 1. ICE BREAKING EXERCISE

Facilitator/Resource Person: Yahya Musakhel

Proceeding:-

An ice breaking exercise was conducted with the participants in order to

provide an opportunity to mingle up with each other and break the bearers of
hesitation. This exercise also provided them to know each others that ultimately
helped them to work in the group. The participants were paired to introduce each
other. They shared each other’s name, Tribes, experience, hobbies and source of
inspiration.

Why we conserve water and soil:

Positive comments from participant’s side came and Yahya Musakhel shared
his experiences about watershed management. The aim behind the water shed
management techniques application is to stable soil, sediments control, tracking
control, wind erosion control, slows the water runoff. The training facilitator
responds the queries of the participants.

TOPIC 2. WATER MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES, NEED AND IMPORTANCE

Facilitator/Resource Person: Mr. Tahir Rasheed

Proceeding:-
Mr. Tahir Rasheed highlighted the different watershed management
techniques like check dames, contour trenches, and ditchers.
Check Dames Purpose and Definition:
Check dams reduce scour and channel erosion by reducing flow velocity and
encouraging sediment settlement. A check dam is a small device constructed of
rock, gravel bags, sandbags, fiber rolls, or other proprietary product placed across a
natural or man-made channel or drainage ditch.

Appropriate Applications:
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Check dams may be installed:

♦ − In small open channels that drain 4 ha (10 ac) or less.

♦ − In steep channels where storm water runoff velocities exceed 1.5 m/s (4.9
ft/sec).

♦ − During the establishment of grass linings in drainage ditches or channels.

♦ − In temporary ditches where the short length of service does not warrant
establishment of erosion-resistant linings

Limitations:

♦ Not to be used in live streams.

♦ Not appropriate in channels that drain areas greater than 4 ha (10 ac).
♦ Not to be placed in channels that are already grass lined unless erosion is
expected,
as installation may damage vegetation.
♦ Require extensive maintenance following high velocity flows.
♦ Promotes sediment trapping, which can be re-suspended during subsequent
storms
or removal of the check dam

TOPIC 3. CHECK DAMES STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATION

Facilitator/Resource Person: Tahir Rasheed

Proceedings:-
It was an important session where the participants were briefed about the
key features of check dame construction:

■ Check dams shall be placed at a distance and height to allow small

pools to form behind them. Install the first check dam approximately 5 meters
(16 ft) from the outfall device and at regular intervals based on slope gradient
and soil type.
■ For multiple check dam installation, backwater from downstream
check dam shall reach the toe of the upstream dam.
■ High flows (typically a 2-year storm or larger) shall safely flow over the
check dam without an increase in upstream flooding or damage to the check
dam.
■ Where, grass is used to line ditches, check dams shall be removed
when grass has matured sufficiently to protect the ditch or swale.
■ Rock shall be placed individually by hand or by mechanical methods
(no dumping of rock) to achieve complete ditch or swale coverage.

Installation

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♦ − Install along a level contour.

♦ − Tightly abut stones using a pyramid approach.
♦ - Loose Stones shall not be stacked any higher than 1 meter (3.2 ft).
♦ − Upper rows of stones shall overlap joints in lower rows.

TOPIC 4. MAINTAINANCE AND INSPECTION

Facilitator/Resource Person: Tahir Rasheed & Muhammad Yahya Musakhel

Proceedings:
“If we can not work together, we can’t make it work” –Anonymous-

Day two started with the group discussion on check dames . Groups
provided their feedback about the topic and asked different questions to further
clarify the issue. By responding the question of applicability of Check dames in
present Habitat and SPECIES Conservation Project, Mr. Rashhed responded that
one of the objectives of the H&SCP is to assist and trained the respective
communities members that will help to promote innovative ideas like check dames,
contour trenches, ditching and other water management techniques in Torghar
Conservancy. The NPM gave a lecture that how to maintain and inspect the check
dames.

♦ Inspect check dams after each significant rainfall event. Repair damage as
needed.
♦ Remove sediment when depth reaches one-third of the check dam height.
♦ Remove accumulated sediment prior to permanent seeding or soil stabilization.
♦ Remove check dam and accumulated sediment when check dams are no
longer
needed.
♦ Removed sediment shall be incorporated in the project at locations.

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Watershed management and wildlife surveillance Techniques Training Workshop Report

Training workshop for Community Wildlife Watchers on Wildlife

Surveillance Techniques

Introduction:
Habitat and Species Conservation Project organized a one day workshop on
Wildlife Surveillance Techniques to newly inducted community game watchers and
senior community game watchers of different villages of Torghar Conservancy. This
activity was facilitated, co-facilitated by Tahir Rasheed, and Mohammad Yahya
Musakhel, respectively.

Venue:
Tanishpa base Camp, Torghar Conservancy.
Date:
November, 10, 2006
Duration:
One- Day (8 working hours)
Participants:
30 community game watchers and 10 community members.
Objectives of the workshop:

• To introduce the new wildlife surveillance techniques.

• To know about the survey techniques

Expected Outcomes:

• Participants will be able to perform better wildlife surveys.

• At the end of the workshop participants will have an idea about wildlife
surveillance techniques.

Training Facilitator: Tahir Rasheed

Co- facilitator: Mohammad Yahya Musakhel

Preparatory work for the training:

The co- facilitator provided attendees with a wealth of outreach and educational
tools to assist the participants in wildlife surveillance techniques and wildlife surveys
in Habitat and Species Conservation Project. Through the following stages of
preparation for the training workshop:

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Watershed management and wildlife surveillance Techniques Training Workshop Report

o Consulted the guide book to prepare notes for the training on

specific topics
o Prepare the training plan
o Prepare schedule/agenda for the said training
o Made logistic arrangements
o Developed registration forms

Workshop Methodology:

The workshop was designed by using the interactive techniques to

encourage participation and sharing of thoughts. The active involvement of the
participants is an indication of their learning and interest, therefore, the emphasis of
all the sessions was on encouraging the participants to share and present their
ideas. Group discussions, presentations, and brainstorming were the techniques
used during the session.

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Watershed management and wildlife surveillance Techniques Training Workshop Report

Proceedings of the Workshop:

Registration of the Participants:
Participants were registered before starting the formal proceedings of the
workshop.
Recitation from Holy Quran
The Seminar started with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, by the
participant.

TOPIC 1. ICE BREAKING EXERCISE

Facilitator/Resource Person: Yahya Musakhel

Proceeding:-
“The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be ignited” –Plutrach-
An ice breaking exercise was conducted with the participants in order to
provide an opportunity to mingle up with each other and break the bearers of
hesitation. This exercise also provided them to know each others that ultimately
helped them to work in the group. The participants were paired to introduce each
other. They shared each other’s name, Tribes, experience, hobbies and source of
inspiration.

Why we conserve wildlife and habitats:

Positive comments from participant’s side came and Yahya Musakhel shared
his experiences about the wildlife issues and management. The aim behind the
wildlife surveillance techniques training is to to aware about the census survey of
wild animals, interaction of field colleagues, how to form team, identification of sites,
how to use spotting scope, use of maps, proper planning before survey,
identification of hideouts, distribution of food and follow up of colleague. The training
facilitator responds the queries of the participants.

TOPIC 2. WILDLIFE SURVEILLANCE TECHNIQUES, NEED AND IMPORTANCE

Facilitator/Resource Person: Mr. Tahir Rasheed

Proceeding:-
Mr. Tahir Rasheed highlighted the different Wildlife surveillance techniques
and wildlife survey techniques.

How to do wildlife survey:

Mr. Tahir Rasheed, the training facilitator gave a lecture about the population
survey. He added that there are a number of methods which are used for estimating
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Watershed management and wildlife surveillance Techniques Training Workshop Report

the number of animals in the wild conditions. Broad categories include; census and
estimates. Census is the method in which total counts of the animals occurring in an
area are conducted which is possible only in very rare situations while estimates are
to be calculated by taking simple counts of population of given species through
quadrates and transects or counting signs of that animals which over the possibility.

There are a number assumptions and difficulties in field application of most of the
methods which should be known by the surveyor before proceeding for the survey.
These are briefly provided in the reading materials. After the reading make
presentation about different the biological/ ecological aspects of key mammal
species and discus with the participants by taking their views and ideas. During the
encouraged the participants to ask question relevant to the topic.

Appropriate Applications:

The survey attention on the following items;

♦ - Proper plan for survey

♦ − Proper survey timings should be kept in mind.
♦ − Formation of teams
♦ - Binoculars and spotting scope should carry out.
♦ − Care of water and food items.
♦ − Paper and pins
♦ - identification of proper hideouts and areas

At the end of the workshop, binoculars were handover to the participants.

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