An environmental management programme has done a world of good to some less developed areas in Quetta
THE Quetta Katchi Abadies Environmental Management Programme (QKAEMP) has evolved through a well-organized process that began in 1996-97. The Executive Director of the Pakistan Institute for Environment Development Action Research (PIEDAR), Syed Ayub Qutub and members of the Royal Netherlands Embassy (RNE) studied various approaches through which low cost sanitation could be facilitated in the Katchi Abadies (KAs). The approach that was adopted in Punjab for similar projects was structured on the principle of ‘matching grant’ extended to low-income communities. The PIEDAR, with the approval of the RNE, decided to apply this approach to some areas in Quetta with suitable modifications.
The approach envisaged a project design that had specific targets in physical and institutional respects. The design also laid down contractual framework for all participating stakeholders. Stipulations in the project document governed issues such as the inclusion of Implementing Partners (IPs) or beneficiaries. Also, community sensitization was aimed through some social teams of the IPs, which was meant to create awareness regarding health and hygiene issues in relation to low cost sanitation.
In this regard, the main objectives of the QKAEMP was to develop a model of partnership between local governments, local area committees (now union councils) and lane organizations for environmental management in order to improve the health and economic conditions of the residents of low income areas.
The implementation mechanism of the programme was done through a network of five mid-level NGOs, and the Urban Basic Services Cell (UBS) of the City District Government, Quetta.
The construction of sewerage lines at the lane/street level was based on 50 per cent contribution by the target community and 50 per cent by the donor (RNE) as matching grant. In addition to that, the community also had to contribute 20 per cent to provision for Pour Flush Latrines (PFL) and 80 per cent by the RNE. The RNE had fixed no limit to the matching grant.
The IPs acted as implementers of the project and identified a Katchi Abadi (KA) or a group of KAs with the guidance of the technical adviser. They were given output targets of “X” Running Feet (RFT) construction of sewerage lines as a means of meeting programme objectives. As per programme design, the KAs were divided between the participating IPs. Similarly at the lane level, existing power positions were developed as Lane Organizations (LO). Community participation was achieved through lane residents’ involvement in construction of low cost sanitation through the LO designate and its allied Women Lane Organization (WLO). The standard QKAEMP team in an IP included a team leader, an engineer, a male social organizer, a female social organizer and an accountant.
The implementation process of the QKAEMP followed by each IP in construction of sewerage lines had different steps, which included visit to target areas for selection of sewerage line; visit of the team leader, social organizer and engineer to the lane/street of the identified KA to monitor condition of the sewer lines; holding of a community meeting in which heads of all houses of the respective lanes participated; in the final community meeting the participants were asked to elect or nominate their representatives as members of the Lane Organization, such as lane manager, lane organizer and lane accountant.
Once these steps were taken, at a later stage the Female Social Organizer also arranged a meeting of all women of the lanes and formed a Women Lane Organization (WLO) comprising the same number of members with same designations.
Once the LO was formed their members signed a Community Participatory Agreement (CPA) in the presence of all community participants and representatives of the NGO project staff.
After the contributions were collected by the LO, the lane accountant opened a bank account in a bank of their own choosing and deposited the amount collected. The lane manager then informed the team leader that the entire amount had been deposited in the bank and the latter then informed the PIEDAR and the fund manager, who released 50 per cent matching grant through a cheque directly in the name of the LO.
Apart from that, a local area workshop was organized in the same lane/street where construction work was to take place. The main purpose of holding the workshop was to sensitize the community with respect to the construction work.
On the specified date the construction work of the sewerage line started which was supervised by the project engineer, social organizer and members of the Lane Organization.
During the construction work the female social organizer imparted training on health, hygiene, operation, maintenance and disposal of domestic solid waste to women in order to make them aware of the project and build their capacity to manage the sewerage line after the completion of the construction.
To facilitate the management and monitoring of the project, PIEDAR Islamabad set up a sub-office in Quetta with the aim to providing support to the IPs. A training organizer (male) and an anthropologist (female) were hired to oversee almost all aspects of the project. The PIEDAR’s Islamabad office took care of the checking of cost estimates and designs submitted by the IPs for approval. They also frequently visited the site to check the various stages of work.
A number of training activities were also arranged for the project staff to build their capacity to deliver good results.
The QKAEMP provided an excellent learning opportunity to the six local NGOs (IPs) in low cost sanitation as well.
A fine example of six local NGOs working together under the technical guidance of the PIEDAR and fund manager is the fact that a total of more than 160,000 running feet of sewerage lines were constructed in different KAs.
Ever since the project completed on Nov 30, 2003 the general environment of about 44 neighbourhoods or sub-districts within the KAs of Quetta has improved considerably.
The lane dwellers, particularly the women and children, are now more aware and sensitized on issues of better health and hygiene.
The QKAEMP has provided a good example of hard work in the Balochistan province and other provinces of Pakistan. The provincial government should take a leaf out of the programme book and include the same model and apply it with suitable modifications to their own development schemes involving low cost sanitation.
An environmental management programme has done a world of good to some less developed areas in Quetta 
