EFFECTS OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC INTERVENTIONS MADE BY SUNGI DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION ON THE RURAL COMMUNITY OF DISTRICT BATTAGRAM (A case study of three selected villages)

The aim of present study was to examine the effects of Sungi Development Foundation (SDF) interventions on the socioeconomic conditions of rural community in district Battagram. Three villages namely Biari, Pokal and Karg of tehsil Allai included universe of the study. There were a total of 1777 households in these selected villages. A total number of 90 respondents (5% of the households) were purposively chosen for the study. The respondents were interviewed by face to face dialogue through pre-tested interview schedule. The obtained results from the study revealed that SDF played a key role in the overall development and improvement the socio-economic conditions of the local community. The study findings show that significant awareness about the importance of physical infrastructure was created by the SDF among the local communities by involving them in the planning, decision making, implementation, monitoring and financial contribution in the infrastructure related development interventions in the area. The study further revealed that there was significant improvement in converting kacha roads to mettaled one, non forest land to forested one. Orchard/nursery plantation was also improved. The potable water supply did not improve through SDF s interventions because of the availability of natural spring water and the people in the area mostly use spring water for drinking and other home consumption purposes. The study as a whole concludes that SDF brought community and financial change in the life standard of the community via enhancing income, hygienic as well as transparent conditions in the vicinity of Alai. The study recommends for amplification of community participation, creation of awareness, increasing the duration and intensity of different training programs for community, more plantation and sheep/goat rearing for income generating activities and overall well being in the area.