The RESILAND Tajikistan Project: Revitalizing Landscapes for Prosperity and a Sustainable Future

Sughd Province, Tajikistan– From June 10 to 13, 2025, a working from the Resilient Tajikistan Landscape Restoration Project (RESILAND TJ), implemented by the Committee for Environmental Protection and the World Bank, conducted a field monitoring visit. The focus was on assessing the significant progress in the Ayni and Penjikent districts, specifically in pasture management (Subcomponent 2.2) and landscape restoration for improved livelihoods (Subcomponent 2.4).

The monitoring team, comprising specialists across key areas, visited over 15 rural settlements. In each village, they witnessed firsthand remarkable transformations that are enhancing the lives of local people.

Empowering Communities: A Foundation for Local Prosperity

The project's targeted support has led to life-changing initiatives across nearly every visited community, significantly improving their quality of life:

• Expanded Water Access: Projects like the 2-kilometer pipeline in Zoosun village, which now irrigates 205 hectares, and the restored water system and new reservoir in Navdonak, demonstrate how critical water infrastructure is transforming agricultural potential and providing essential drinking water. Communities, like in Khojagarib, are actively investing their own resources, including migrant remittances, to build large-scale water systems, showcasing extraordinary self-mobilization.
• Advanced Agricultural Practices & Diversified Incomes: Villages are embracing innovative approaches. Vishkand features successful demonstration plots for pasture restoration and high-quality wheat and alfalfa cultivation on 0.2 hectares. Across Vashand, Vota, Yavan, Sarikamar, Ozodagon, and Shingak, the project has catalyzed the development of beekeeping and greenhouse farming, introducing modern agricultural machinery such as tractors, power tillers, and pumps. These initiatives are not only diversifying incomes but also boosting overall productivity.
• Strong Community Engagement: Women are playing a crucial role, making up 30-40% of Common Interest Group (CIG) members. Their active participation, combined with the collective efforts seen in villages like Khojagarib, highlights a powerful spirit of self-organization and shared commitment to development.

Tangible Results and a Vision for Sustainability

Beneficiaries across all visited areas expressed high satisfaction with the project's support. Local residents consistently reported:

• Improved access to safe drinking and irrigation water.
• Increased agricultural productivity.
• New, stable sources of income, particularly from beekeeping and greenhouse farming.
• Successful implementation of sustainable pasture management methods.

Discussions with local public organizations and CIGs also covered essential aspects like equipment sustainability and adherence to project principles, including membership fees. These dialogues underscore the project's long-term vision and its unwavering commitment to ensuring the lasting sustainability of all implemented initiatives.

The RESILAND Tajikistan Project is doing more than just building infrastructure; it's building a sustainable future by empowering local communities, fostering self-reliance, and cultivating widespread prosperity across Tajikistan's diverse landscapes.

Recall, the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) provides consulting services for strengthening regional collaboration under “Tajikistan Resilient Landscape Restoration” Project.

Contact Information:

Dilovarsho Dustzoda - CAREC Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Programme Manager, RESILAND Project Manager, recath_manager@carececo.org