August 06, 2006	Sunday	Rajab 10, 1427

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RAWALPINDI, Aug 5: The Punjab government is expected to approve next month a ten-year perspective plan for the development of barani area.

Official sources told Dawn that the Rs4 billion plan, prepared by the Agency for Barani Area Development (ABAD) would be reviewed and approved by the Barani Area Development Board at its meeting in Lahore next month.

The board, headed by Mr Salman Ghani, Chairman, Punjab Department of Planning and Development, oversees the development of barani areas.

These sources said that the proposed plan would lay much emphasis on water resources development, natural resources management, agriculture and livestock development, development of tourism and human resources management. The plan is in line with the master plan of barani areas, which recommended development of long-term strategies as part of the Barani Commission Report of 1976.

The master plan has recommended earmarking of 10 to 15 per cent of the annual development programme to barani development, sources said.

The plan also covers conservation of eco-system in barani areas.

The Punjab barani tract has been divided into 7 ecological zones, which are: Murree and Kahuta uphills, Potohar, Salt Range, Siwalik, Thal, Dera Ghazi Khan and Riverian.

The sources said the plan had proposed construction of 30 new small dams in barani area. Presently, 33 small dams were functioning in barani areas.

In the area of water resource development, the plan has proposed harnessing the available water and creation of interventions to control water runoff, which would enhance area under productive use.

Under the proposed plan small perennial springs would be utilised to irrigate inter-mountain valleys with microclimate for orchards and off-season vegetables. Fishponds would also be developed during the plan period.

Special projects would be undertaken to check erosion and environmental degradation caused by heavy monsoon rainfall and uncontrolled grazing.

The plan also has also earmarked maximisation of cash crops, fruits, vegetables and medicinal plants by integrating research services and community mobilisation through interventions compatible to various ecological zones.

In the area of livestock and dairy development, the plan has laid emphasis on livestock development, health, breeding and production. The plan also covered enhancement of poultry, dairy and livestock production.

Under the plan, mining infrastructure would be improved and exploration of untouched reserves would be accelerated. All major mining activities in Punjab are spread over the Punjab barani tract. Some important minerals in these areas are coal, rock salt, silica sand, dolomite, gypsum, fire clay and limestone.

Some of the barani areas have vast potential for tourism development. It is expected that some important historical, religious and hilly sites would be developed during the plan period.

The Barani tract of Punjab covers an area of 18.6 million acres in thirteen districts with a population over 20 million. Farm sizes are small and the land is fragmented.

Farming systems are adapted to the natural conditions, with a variety of strategies used to avoid the risk associated with erratic rainfall. Women play an important role in farming, the workload of females increase when men migrate for seasonal work.