In accordance with the work plan of the World Bank and Center for Implementation of Investment Project within the framework of the Tajikistan Resilient Landscape Restoration Project from March 3 to 5, 2025, representatives of the World Bank visited Shaartus, Kubodiyon and N.Khusrav districts of Khatlon region for mid-term evaluation of the project.
The purpose of the mission was project evaluation and results, review of project implementation and performance assessment, verification of project compliance with environmental and social standards, collection of relevant data and field visits.
A meeting was held with the Chairman of Shaartus district, during which the head of the district expressed his gratitude for the implementation of the project. It was noted that the implementation of this
project is timely. Agricultural machinery and equipment for timely sowing and harvesting of crops and production of fresh vegetables in greenhouses, which has a positive impact on the income growth of the population.
With the support of the project, agroforests have been established, which have a great impact on improving ecology and mitigating climate change.
During the visit, meetings were held with forestry managers of Shaartus, Kubodiyon, N. Khusrav districts and Tiger Gorge reserve on forest condition, natural regeneration, establishment of forest reserves, organization of industrial forest reserves, availability and organization of nurseries and administrative buildings of forest farms after reconstruction.
A visit was conducted to familiarize with the PUU “Obshoron” of Shaartus district. During the meeting, the PUU members thanked the Center for Implementation of Investment Projects under the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan for implementation of this project. Demonstration plots, which are created for natural restoration of pastures affect the change of pasture condition.
Visit of 1 ha of forest belt, 100 ha of pistachio fields and 10 ha of paulownia in PUU “Istiqlol” of Nosiri Khusrav district. The planted seedlings have grown by 70-80 % and also on the forest belts will keep wind erosion at bay and keep the farmland free from dust and sand. It is worth noting that from paulownia it is possible to obtain saplings in short periods of time.
Also, there was a trip to saxaul fields, created in 2024 on an area of 50 hectares. Saxaul trees have grown 60-70%, they serve to retain sands and dust, they are also fodder for livestock.
During the visit to the Tiger Gorge Nature Reserve, the Deputy Director noted that the project implementation was timely and during the project implementation saxaul seeds were planted on the area of 100 ha. Cultivation was carried out in accordance with agrotechnical norms and in future the area of saxaul planting will be increased up to 300-400 ha. Prior to the project implementation, sowing was carried out on an area of up to 4-5 hectares.
The project also imported specialized equipment and agricultural machinery. On the territory of the State Institution “Tiger Gorge”, drainage canals at a distance of 15 km have been cleared, bank reinforcement works are underway, and modern greenhouses are being built. Saxaul seedlings are grown in these greenhouses and then planted in the ground. Natural reforestation is also being carried out.
It was proposed to strengthen cooperation with the project and organize training to improve the knowledge and skills of the institution's specialists.
Activities on the State inventory of forests in accordance with the Plan of forest management on the territory of the Republic of Tajikistan are carried out on the territory of the reserve.
It should be noted that the national forest inventory started with a national land cover classification project that a) selects field plots for sample inventory, b) classifies the national land cover and soils according to categories agreed upon at the national level. The National Forest Inventory establishes key parameters, including total forest area by type and ownership, species and size classification, regeneration, pest and disease prevalence, and distribution of key biodiversity conservation indicator species.
In turn, the PUU members and forestry enterprises of Shaartus, Kubodiyon and Nosiri Khusrav districts expressed their gratitude for the support of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, the World Bank and the Tajikistan Resilient Landscape Restoration Project through the provision of agricultural machinery and equipment, seeds of fodder crops, establishment and restoration of forests, and in this context improving the living standards of the population.