The HWF has recently conceived a conservation project for the Neelum Valley in northern Kashmir, aimed at conserving forest resources through the management of fuel wood and non-timber forest products. The main objective of the project is to evolve and demonstrate a participatory mechanism to conserve forest resources in collaboration with the Government of Kashmir’s Wildlife Department. The project focuses primarily on managing the demand for fuel wood and timber, augmenting the supply of fuel wood, and establishing agreements with the area’s local communities on sustainable fuel wood extraction practices.

Over an 18-month project period, the HWF will help form a number of village-level land use and valley-level forest conservation committees.  These will serve as conduits for the introduction of alternative fuel sources, economical fuel wood use, and efficient building technologies to reduce pressure on forest

resources.  In particular, the HWF plans to work towards enhancing the capacity of those households reliant on non-timber forest products for a living, training them in the sustainable use of such forest resources