Environmental and Social Management Plan

The ESMP for Activity 1.1.1 of the Recharge Pakistan project outlines the mitigation of environmental, social, and security risks associated with restoring 2,050 hectares of land in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Key measures include a contingency-based forest fire management plan, a structured security protocol for high-risk areas, and the use of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) through Terms of Partnership (ToP) with tribal communities. The plan emphasizes local labor hiring, the establishment of Village Development Committees (VDCs), and a multi-level Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) to ensure community ownership and safety in the D.I. Khan, Tank, and South Waziristan regions.

• The project targets the restoration of 2,050 hectares of degraded agro-ecological landscapes in D.I. Khan, Tank, and South Waziristan using afforestation, reforestation, and assisted natural regeneration to improve watershed resilience against floods and climate risks.
• Due to the communal nature of land in South Waziristan and a relatively low observed risk of fire, the project employs a contingency-based Forest Fire Management Plan rather than a full-scale system. This includes establishing fire lines 10-15 meters wide and utilizing community watchers for early detection.
• The security environment in D.I. Khan, Tank, and South Waziristan is volatile due to threats from militant groups like Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and frequent intelligence-based operations. Mitigation measures include restricting field travel to daylight hours, using GPS-tracked vehicles, and mandatory coordination with local tribal elders.
• Land access for forestry interventions is managed through two streams: state-owned Forest Department land and tribal land accessed via voluntary Terms of Partnership (ToP) signed under a Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) process with tribal elders and Village Development Committees (VDCs).
• To mitigate social conflict and resentment, the project mandates the exclusive hiring of local labor and utilizes the traditional Jirgah system to secure community consensus and legitimacy.
• The project implements a multi-level Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) allowing stakeholders to submit complaints via hotlines, WhatsApp, email, and complaint boxes, with specific survivor-centered protocols for sensitive issues like Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH).
• Occupational health and safety measures are required due to the presence of poisonous wildlife (snakes and scorpions) in afforestation zones, with a budget of 1,340,000 PKR allocated for personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety boots, hard hats, and rubber gloves.
• Women's participation is addressed adaptively; where direct engagement is restricted by security or local norms, perspectives are gathered indirectly through male household members and CBOs, with a goal to expand direct involvement through Community Management Nurseries near homes.

APA

WWF International (n.d.). Environmental and Social Management Plan. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/2254/ESMP-1.1.1-Eng-Disclosure_Doc.pdf

Chicago

WWF International. Environmental and Social Management Plan. n.d. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/2254/ESMP-1.1.1-Eng-Disclosure_Doc.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=Environmental and Social Management Plan |url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/2254/ESMP-1.1.1-Eng-Disclosure_Doc.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfinternationalndenvironmental, author = {{WWF International}}, title = {{Environmental and Social Management Plan}}, institution = {WWF International}, url = {https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/2254/ESMP-1.1.1-Eng-Disclosure_Doc.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }