Photo: Abdul Raziq Kakar
l Biocultural community protocols: tools for securing the assets of livestock keepers 111
Kohi camel of the Suleiman mountainous region.
the BCP was then composed, focusing on
the origins of breeds and their diversity,
importance and production systems.
and designing the process for finalising this
draft.
Final meeting
Secondary meetings
On the basis of doorstep meetings (knocking on doors and talking to whoever
answered), elders, indigenous knowledge
experts, ethno-healers and best breeders
were selected from the community for
secondary discussions. This selection was
based on the participants’ knowledge, livestock species balance and willingness to
participate, and led to the constitution of
regional expert groups (REGs).
Three to five REGs meeting were held
in each region, or sub-ecological areas
designated on the basis of tribes, livestock
species and accessibility. The draft protocol was discussed with each REG in detail,
and more information elicited. With inputs
from the community, a second version was
drafted. Community representatives (e.g.
elders) were involved in setting the criteria
Almost 40 individuals were selected for a
three-day BCP workshop. The selection
criteria were knowledge, livestock species
balance and regional/tribal balance.
Outside experts (scientists, lawyers and
scholars) from the urban Pashtun community were also invited. The discussions
focused on livestock breeds and evolved
knowledge, ecosystem vegetation and
effective customary laws which could
support the Pashtun livestock production
and pastoral system (e.g. for conservation,
resource rights, access and decisionmaking). Other aspects included livestock
products, weather and climate, production
systems and the role of livestock keepers in
society. An environmental lawyer from
Pakistan compiled a list of national and
international laws and regulations related
to the rights and well-being of pastoralists.