ABBOTTABAD, Dec 31: A European Union project launched for the rehabilitation of natural resources in Galyat was closed down on Wednesday, six months earlier than its schedule , rendering 71 employees jobless and a major portion of funds unutilized.

The project worth Rs305.387 million was jointly launched by the Pakistan government, IUCN and the European Union in three areas, two in the NWFP and one in Punjab in 1997. The project was scheduled to be completed by June 30 2004.

In the NWFP, the project was started in Dir-Kohistan and Abbottabad with major focus on Galyat, including Boi, Birot and Thai. The Pakistan government had allocated Rs44.819 million for the project, while the European Union provided Rs260.568 million. The project was jointly managed by the representatives of the EU and the NWFP government.