MANSEHRA: A five-day capacity-building training on forestry and natural resources management for communities affected by the 300 MW Balakot Hydropower Project concluded on September 25, with a focus on forest conservation, climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods.
The training was the third Natural Resources Management (NRM) capacity-building activity organised under the Livelihood Restoration Programme (LRP). It was held for affected communities from Mouzas Paras, Bela Sacha Ghanool and Sangar in Mansehra district.
A total of 50 men and women participated in the training, with women accounting for 50 percent of the participants.
The programme was organised under a Memorandum of Understanding between the Kaghan Forest Division and the Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization (PEDO). It aimed to strengthen community knowledge and skills in forest resource management, environmental conservation, climate resilience and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
During the concluding ceremony, the Divisional Forest Officer, Kaghan Forest Division, along with senior officials of Balakot HPP and PEDO, interacted with the participating communities.
Participants were sensitised to the importance of responsible management of forest resources and the role of healthy ecosystems in supporting local livelihoods and strengthening resilience to environmental and climate-related challenges.
Training kits, brochures, honoraria, certificates and forest plants were distributed among participants during the closing ceremony. Commemorative shields were also exchanged between Kaghan Forest Division and PEDO officials to mark their cooperation in community development and environmental sustainability.
The initiative highlights the importance of involving local communities in natural resource management. Building community capacity can support better protection of forests while creating opportunities for sustainable livelihoods in areas facing environmental and climate-related pressures.
The training also reflects efforts under the Balakot Hydropower Project to strengthen climate-resilient communities and promote sustainable management of natural resources in the project area.
