Replenishing forests
August 13, 2013![Snow-capped mountains in Tajikistan Source: dw](https://static.dw.com/image/17015410_800.webp)
Project type: Sustainable forest management, encouraging locals to protect the forest
Project size: Around 2,000 hectares of riparian land in the Pamir mountains have been reforested
Project volume: around 2 million euros ($2.7 million), around half of which is provided by the International Climate Initiative
CO2 Savings: 50,000 tons over a period of five years
During the Soviet era, the local population in the mountains of Tajikistan got coal for free to heat their homes. That changed with the collapse of the Soviet Union. The free and plentiful supply of coal dried up, plunging Tajikistan into an energy crisis. The region of Gorno-Badakhshan was especially hard hit. In order to heat their homes, people resorted to cutting down the trees, damaging the region’s entire ecosystem. An environment project now aims to restore the forests and help the impoverished population make sustainable use of the trees. In addition, a cooperative for skilled crafts and trade has been set up to manufacture energy-efficient doors and windows. With the help of microcredits, an increasing number of people can now modernize their homes.
A film by Mareike Aden