Acknowledging and identifying conflicts between ministries and sectoral stakeholders is important. It is important at the early stages of an initiative to recognise these problems and to establish and work through a consultative platform to make the case for a methodology that is of value to all stakeholders, that is inclusive of artisanal miners and the stakeholders impacted by such mining as well as government ministries. It is only through such collaboration that a methodology can be developed that addresses environmental concerns, meets artisanal miners needs for performance-based incentives and access to land, and can be valued by government in formalising condition-based permitting for mining. It is within the context and platform of engagement that the FRM can be demonstrated to be of value to all stakeholders, and deliver outcomes at the local as well as national level.

To support the process of to establish Astola Island MPA, MFF Pakistan utilized the membership of its National Coordinating Body to undertake the necessary feasibility assessments, conduct consultations, and raise awareness about the importance of the area.  Membership of the NCB includes several government agencies with an interest in marine and coastal resources, the private sector, and civil society organisations.  This unique ‘soft governance’ platform facilitated cross sectoral dialogues and advocacy that enabled the declaration of the MPA more quickly than would have otherwise been possible.

The lands where the disaster risk is most critical are typically located downstream and do not belong to the forestry enterprise. The areas where flash floods and debris flows originate are the upstream located upper catchment areas. Many of these areas are managed by the forestry enterprise. Its involvement is therefore crucial. 

The forestry enterprise aims at better management of the upper catchments by regulation of grazing, prevention of deforestation and by reforestation activities.

Furthermore in the case of the solution the forestry enterprise provided land for lease to interested community members, which would rehabilitate the land, plant trees and grow fodder for their livestock while preventing overgrazing and destruction of the vegetation. 

Disaster risk management can consist of protective constructions made from stone, concrete and iron ("grey") and the use of protective vegetation ("green"). The combination of both has several advantages. Green measures may need several years before they become effective. At the same time grey measures may lose stability over time, e.g. if gabion wires are corroded or walls are washed out by flowing water. Well maintained trees, however, can serve potentially forever.

The solution inlcuded the combination of green and grey measures in various forms. Riverbeds were reshaped and gabions installed for immediate protection. Trees were planted, in particular in form of tripods from willow branches, reinforced with stones. They will provide long-term protection. 

In an upper catchment above a debris flow affected site gullies were blocked with branches and stones and trees planted to stabilize these and prevent further erosion. At the accumulation site, trees with drip irrigation and protected by a temporary fence make the land again usable and fertile and will provide some protection of lower located lands against future debris flows.   

Often disaster risk reduction measures are either not effectively meeting the needs of the affected people or are not sustainable in the long term. This can be caused by insufficient involvement of local people in the planning, construction and maintenance of such measures. People in the result do not feel enough responsibility and expect that the organizations, which had built the measures would also care for them.

The participation of local communities in the planning ensured that their knowledge is integrated and their needs and concerns are addressed. They became involved in the construction works and made substantial contributions in form of voluntary communal labour (so-called hashar) and locally available materials. This created a strong sense of ownership.The communities in an informal social selection process identified people with suitable technical and social capacity and appointed appointed them as persons responsible for future maintenance. They will call the community for joint work if necessary.

The persons in charge of caring for the protective measures get as a reward the right to use fuel and forage produced by the protective vegetation.

The agricultural extension service of the cooperative "Agra va Iqlim" provides farm-specific advice on choice of crop and the best combination of seeds (varieties), fertilizer, pesticides, cultivation and cultivation technology. The purpose of this building block is to provide the farmers with the best available knowledge to guide their decisions and practice. 

Conventional irrigation in the area of the solution had been furrow irrigation only. This technology requires large amounts of irrigation water. In cases of shortage of irrigation water, in particular in drought situations, which due to climate change are increasingly frequent, furrow irrigation is not possible - the water just cannot reach all parts of the field and be taken up by the plants.

In the case of potatos increasing heat causes stress to plants.

As more efficient and climate change adapted irrigation technologies of  drip irrigation have been introduced. Drip irrigation allows for a locally targeted provision of irrigation water to individual plants. Additionally it can be used to apply fertilizer in correct dosage and extremely efficiently.

The sprinkler irrigation is highly suitable for potatoes and can help to  reduce heat stress in cases where sufficient water of suitable quality is available. 

Irrigation water can be used from different sources. In the region, where the solution is implemented these are:

- the Syrdarya river, from where it is pumped through large pipelines;

- irrigation canals;

- wells;

- small springs, which are captured by simple means;

- rainwater collection from the roofs of houses.

The different water sources are related to a diversity of governance systems. The regional government owns and maintains large pipelines and canals, medium irrigation canals are in the responsibility of district water management authorities and smaller structures are cared for by the communities or by individual farmers.

Depending on the amounts of irrigation water available and the associated costs there are increasingly new and water efficient technologies applied for irrigation of the lands.

The agricultural service provides farm-specific advice on choice of crop and the best combination of seeds (varieties), fertilizer, pesticides, cultivation and irrigation technology. The purpose of this building block is to provide the farmers with the best available knowledge to guide their decisions and practice. 

Sometimes it may happen that the agronomist advises the farmers to apply a needed input at a certain time, but the farmers do not follow this advice, since at that time they either do not have the financial means for purchasing the recommended inputs or lack access to it. Thus, the provision of advice would not be effective.

Working together with other stakeholders for synergy helps in ensuring success.

Pooling human, technical and financial resources helps in achieving more for less time and money, and also helps curb replication of solutions.

All partners and the community are actively involved in the entire process thus each party takes ownership resulting to success.