Mountain partners: Applying ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction (Eco-DRR) for sustainable and resilient development planning in the Koh-E Baba mountains, Afghanistan

This case study report outlines the implementation and early outcomes of an ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction (Eco-DRR) initiative in the Koh-e Baba Mountains of Bamyan Province, Afghanistan. Jointly developed and funded by UNEP and the European Commission, the project was conducted from 2013 to 2016 in collaboration with Afghanistan’s government, the Conservation Organization for Afghan Mountain Areas (COAM), and local Community Development Councils. It presents a landscape-level planning model integrating ecosystem management, climate adaptation, and disaster risk governance to address local hazards such as floods, harsh winters, and avalanches. The report documents concrete interventions, including the establishment of six community nurseries producing 235,000 saplings, slope stabilization through reforestation, and the formation of village-level disaster preparedness teams. It also highlights influence on national policy, integration of Eco-DRR in academic curricula, and capacity-building through 28 tailored training sessions.