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REDD as a mechanism to combat deforestation and climate change impacts in Darel and Tangir Valleys in Pakistan: A Review

Introduction

Gilgit – Baltistan previously named Northern Areas with an area of 72,496 sq kms  is a Federally administered territory sharing borders with China and Afghanistan. The  region where three highest mountain ranges (Karakoram, Himalya and Hidukush) converge is known for its spectacular geographical landscape, rocky and rugged mountains, glaciers, snow covered high mountain peaks including K2, Concordia and Nanga Parbat famous for international tourism and mountaineering. River Indus joined by many tributaries draining from inner valleys flow through the entire mountainous tract before entering into Tarbela reservoir in NWFP. Mixed dry temperate coniferous forests with pine, oak, juniper and scrub forests, rich  high alpine flora,  aromatic medicinal plants, wild ungulate species like Markhor, Ibex, Snow leopard, Brown bear, Blue sheep and Marco-Polo sheep make the region a biodiversity hotspot of immense national and global significance.

Khunjrab National Park north of Gilgit shares its borders with  Qaxkargan National Park in  China. Fragility of the mountain ecosystem, high altitudinal and climatic variability make Gilgit - Baltistan   an excellent place to study the impacts of global climate change.  Moreover, ethnic, lingual and cultural diversity of tribal population settled in distinct niches and remote valleys make it a unique geographical entity on planet earth. Its population thinly scattered over six administrative districts of Gilgit, Ghizar, Diamir and Astore in Gilgit Division, Skardu and Ghanche in Baltistan Division has surged to about 1.2 million in 2009 from 8,70,347 in 1998. Only 10 % population live in towns, remaining  90% population live in  villages located in remote valleys.

Natural forests, legally classified as "protected" and "private" in Gilgit - Baltistan cover an area of 2,81,600 ha making 4% of the total land area. The private forests are mostly located in Chilas, Darel and Tangir valleys covering an area of  217,088 ha, remaining protected forests are scattered in small pockets in Astore (30,720 ha), 24,576 ha in Gilgit, Punial and Nagar, and 9,216 ha in Baltistan. The Forestry Sector Master Plan (FSMP, 1992) estimates 381,000 ha scrub forests in addition to natural forests which if included make the total forest cover as nine percent. Dry temperate forests comprising of Deodar, Kail, Chalghoza, Fir, Spruce, Oak and six Juniper species with  scanty underground vegetation exist in pure and mixed stands adapted to very rugged terrain in  remote valleys. Walnut, Birch and Taxus, Acer species have almost vanished from the natural forests due to over-exploitation and excessive grazing.

No land settlement has ever taken place in Darel and Tangir, even after partition in 1947.As such forests are not demarcated on ground,  local tribal communities claiming defacto ownership of private and protected forests. During  last two decades, these  forests forming watersheds of Indus River, performing ecosystem functions and services as well as  sustaining local livelihoods have been subject to ruthless deforestation through timber mafia. A recent National Forest and Range Resources Assessment Study (NFRRAS), 2004 conducted through Pakistan Forest Institute, Peshawar using satellite imageries has reported  highest rate of  -10%  deforestation  in Gilgit – Baltistan during the period 1997-2002 as compared to other provinces.

 

Darel and Tangir Valleys

Darel and Tangir valleys contain the contiguous blocks of precious natural forests that are confronted with heavy socio-economic pressures and climate change impacts. The British called Indus River Valley below Chilas and its tributary valleys like Darel and Tangir as "Yagestan" land of the free. Traditional Silk route used by tradesmen of Central Asian countries and Buddhist missionaries during 4th century B.C. passed through Darel.  Buddhist art carvings on big rock boulders along roads and  remnants of a Bhuddist University still existing in Phuguch village in Darel thus depicting rich historic and archaeological significance of these areas.  Most important villages of lower Darel include Gayal, Phuguch, Somigal Bala, Somigal Pain which are not densely forested. However, Upper Darel which comprises the villages of Manikiyala Bala, Manikiyala Pain, Padyal, Yehshoot have comparatively dense forests. Lower Darel does not receive snowfall whereas upper Darel receives heavy snow fall.

Darel and Tangir valleys which acceded to Paksitan in 1952 are very rich in water, pasture and forest resources. Fresh water from snowmelt in permanent snow fields,glaciers and alpine pastures flow through the entire length of these valleys. Most of the villages settled along river with rock terrace agriculture fields are primarily dependent on agro-pastoral farming system as source of  livelihood supported by cash income from forests and  horticulture crops walnut, cherry, apple, grapes, mulberry and apricots. Cultivation of potatoes and peas has recently picked up as a cash crop. The commissioning of  840 km Karakoram Highway in 1978 and development of valley link roads have opened remote villages  to uninterrupted down country marketing networks, thus enhancing their household income, and facilitating easy procurement and transportation of food and other essential commodities from down country. In Tangir, it is fascinating to see a contiguous block of evergreen oak forest well protected by the villagers for green fodder during winter months. It is common to store dry grass and haystack over chopped branches of old trees.  During summer (May onwards) tribal communities take their livestock to high pastures in Ko Nallah, Khanbari, Biaree Nallah, Chila Nallah etc and stay there for five months till end of October. Illiterate young boys and girls are mostly responsible for grazing of livestock in pastures.

In the absence of  land settlement and boundary demarcation, local people in Darel and Tangir claim defacto ownership of the agriculture and forest lands.   In Darel  80 to 90 % people have ownership while in Tangir less than  50 % own private forests. As a thumb rule, the first settlers of this area are "Malikans" or owners of the forest, while those who migrated later on  from other areas like Kohistan, Kashmir etc are not right holders. Generally the ethnic groups Shin, Yashkund and Kamin have ownership while in some areas Sayyeds also have ownership. The system of commercial harvesting of private forests in Daril and Tangir started in 1973 under working scheme which is basically a harvesting plan. A committee comprising of one member from each clan normally sells the forest to contractors. An agreement is drawn between the committee and the contractor and endorsed by the Assistant/Deputy Commissioner. The system is not transparent as most of the time the Committee is blamed by the owners of taking commission from the contractor.

 

In private forests, marking of dry, dead, diseased and mature trees is conducted by the Forest Department under selection-cum-improvement working circle. After marking, the   contractor would pay Royalty and  Malkiana. Royalty, a type of fee  on the extraction of timber from forests  is realized from the contractor on converted timber. Once the converted timber reaches to a specified  place or depot, the Forest Officials do the measurements to estimate the royalty. The  contractor then deposits the estimated amount in DFO's account and subsequently he releases the 50 % community share to Deputy/Assistant Commissioner for distribution to the communities, remaining 50 % is retained by the GBFD.  At present. Royalty is Rs 40/cft for deodar, Rs 30/cft for Kail and Rs 19/cft for fir.and spruce.  The rules of distributing Royalty is different in different areas. In some areas it is distributed among all the population (male, female and children). Yet in other areas royalty is distributed among male members only. But in most cases it is distributed among all the members of the population. In addtion to royalty owners aslo get malikana. The malikana is fixed when the agreement is drawn between the owners commiittee and contractor. Malikana is determined on the basis of market rates of timber and it changes with the passage of time. Malikana is also paid on converted timber on per cft basis. Currently the average malikana is Rs. 300 to 400/cubic feet for Deodar and it all goes to owners and forest department has nothing to do with it.

 

Informal discussions with the forest staff,of Chilas and Darel Tangir Forest Divisions at Babusar village on 26 7-2009 revealed that prior to 1988, the commercial exploitation under working schemes progressed well without any significant illegal damages to forests. After 1988 due to sectarian conflict in Gilgit - Baltistan and the subsequent imposition of ban on commercial harvesting of forests, illegal cutting of forests proceeded on a massive scale. Darel and Tangir being purely a Sunni religious sect, taking advantage of the weakness of civil administration and its inability to enforce writ of the government some of the influential community elders as owners of the private forests  solicited support of timber contractors operating in whole sale timber market in Dargai Mandi and Swat and resorted to illegal cutting of forests. After massive illegal cutting of private forests in 1988, these unscrupulous contractors using corrupt practices were successful in getting the permission to release 0.3 million cft  illegal timber and sell it in the Dargai timber market. This decision paved way and led to an unending process of illegal cutting of the private forests to the extent of 1.0 million cft in 1992, 3.00 million cft in 1998. Presently it is estimated that another 4.0 million illegally cut wood is awaiting decision for disposal.

Massive illegal cutting of forests from fragile upper Indus River catchments and dumping of illegal timber in scattered stacks all along the Karakoram highway from Chilas to Dasu in Indus Kohistan presents a pathetic scene to the incoming and outgoing tourists travelling on this road who are unable to understand the source of these timber supplies in the backdrop of desolated, sun scorched rocky mountains devoid of any vegetation. While the foot-prints of old civilizations that passed through these areas are preserved as art carvings on rocks, the foot prints of modern civilization are visible in the form of ruthless deforestation.

In the present situation, Gilgit- Baltistan Forest Department has become a defacto organization to promote the interests of the timber mafia rather than advance its basic mandate of the sustainable management of forests. The Department has no power or authority to take management decisions based on technical principles. Its territorial staff all the times remain entangled in illegal harvesting practices by the vested interests, all the year round, with no time to spend in the forests contributing towards forest protection, conservation and natural regeneration. All the year round, FD staff remains busy in illegal harvesting practices by the vested interests, and in making inventories of the illegally wood dumped in desolate roadside depots all over the Karakoram highway and hauled all the way down from once dense lush green forests in Thore, Thack, Hudor, Khiner and other valleys. If the Gilgit-Baltistan Forest Department is delegated the authority to manage the private and protected forests in NA, then it would require capacity building and institutional strengthening through induction of additional staff for better management planning and technical decision making.  

The prevailing notion that primitive tribal communities in Darel and Tangir are responsible to illegally cut and sell their forests to earn their livelihood is not true. The concept of conservation is not alien to tribal culture. They have been living in these areas since centuries and are quite aware of the importance of natural assets and their vulnerabilities. About 95 % of the communities owning these forests are not involved in the massive deforestation. There appears a trust-deficit between the local communities and the owners. As per customary law and the 1952 accession deed, all forests in Darel and Tangir are the property of the communities and not the government, this needs to be honored in true letter and spirit. Given the existing uncertain situation, and continuous ban on commercial harvesting,  the best way of managing these forests is to involve custodian communities in their management. This would require a new legal and regulatory framework that empowers local communities to be at the forefront of decision making process related to all aspects of forest management, protection, conservation, natural regeneration and commercial exploitation. Gilgit Baltistan Forest Department has neither the capacity nor the authority  to enforce proper management and governance of the natural forests. Local communities owning these forests have to be made part of the decision making processes  

Summary

Private, dry temperate forests in Diamir district in Gilgit – Baltistan as per 1952 Accession Deed are the property of the local communities with technical management assigned to the Forest Department. Prior to 1988, commercial exploitation of these forests under working schemes (a sort of harvesting plan) progressed well without any massive cutting except for local bonafide uses. After 1988, sectarian conflicts in the region weakened law enforcement and governance by the line agencies including Forest Department. This together with the imposition of ban on commercial harvesting induced timber contractors to resort to massive illegal cutting in connivance with few community owners, and then manipulating its release from the Federal Government.

 

As climate change is unfolding  severe impacts on water, agriculture, biodiversity, and the many other factors that provides a basis for people to survive in such climatically vulnerable areas, consolidated efforts are needed at local, regional and global levels to protect total disappearance of remaining forests.  The first policy step at national level towards this would be  to stop disposal policies of illegal  timber issued by the Federal Government that have helped the forest contractors and a minor fraction of community elites to become the key drivers of massive deforestation.  

 

Forests and biodiversity resources in Gilgit Baltistan  are important natural assets of national and global significance because of species richness and their strategic location in a very unique geologic setting. This makes these areas as open biological laboratories for not only testing the impact of climate change but apply innovative global financial mechanisms like REDD, PES to generate  continuous flow of global benefits and improve the socio-economic conditions of the local communities. As majority of community forest owners (95%) are not benefitting from the massive deforestation which is being pocketed by forest lessees, middlemen and government officials or goes to government exchequer, there is an apparent community readiness in some areas to forgo their demand for commercial exploitation if some compensation mechanisms like PES, REDD are  introduced.  Other related interventions aiming at reducing the dependence of local communities on forests include: development of alternate energy resources, income generation through skills enhancement,  investment on social sectors like education, health, poverty and other local area development initiatives integrated in the overall development plan specific to these areas.   However, the promotion of novel financial mechanisms like REDD, PES etc at landscape level would require capacity building of many institutions and stakeholders at the national and local levels.

 

References

 

Babar Shahbaz."Dilemmas in Participatory Forest Management in Northern Pakistan, Human Geography Series/Schriftenreihe Humangeographie, Vol.25.2009.

Government of Pakistan and IUCN, 2003.  Northern Areas State of Environment and Development. IUCN Pakistan, Karachi.xlvii +301 pp

Iglesias, A., L. Erda, and C. Rosenzweig. 1996. "Climate change in Asia: A review of the vulnerability and adaptation of crop production," Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, Vol. 92, pp. 13-27.

Nasir Jamal. "Peoples' Rights Movement. Dir-Kohistan Forest Royalty issue" Sungi development Foundation, Islambad. 2005 pp 1-71.

Pakistan Forest Institute Peshawar, 2004. "National Forest and Range Resources Assessment Study (NFRRAS), 2004

Government of Pakistan, Ministry of Environment. "Rehabilitation of denuded forest areas through sowing and planting and development of farm forestry/social forestry with community participation in Northern Areas".PSDP Project, 2007.

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD): An options Assessment Report prepared for the Government of Norway,  by Meridian Institute,2009 available at http//www.REDD-OAR.org.

Sharma, Keshav P., Charles J. Vorosmarty, and Berrien Moore III. 2000. "Sensitivity of the Himalayan Hydrology to Land-Use and Climatic Changes," Climatic Change, Vol. 47, No. 1-2, October, pp. 117-139.

Siddiqui, K. M., Iqbal Mohammad, and Mohammad Ayaz. 1999. "Forest ecosystem climate change impact assessment and adaptation strategies for Pakistan," Climate Research, Vol. 12, No. 2-3, pp. 195-203.

Wescoat, Jr, James L. 1991. "Managing the Indus River basin in light of climate change: Four conceptual approaches, Global Environmental Change, Vol. 1, No. 5, December, pp. 381-395.

 

About the Author

Dr. Bashir Ahmed Wani

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One Women’s Experience: a Look Into Costa Rican Rejuvenation

With the powerful ride of our daily lives, sometimes creating vertigo, our search for an

emotional and physical break, and a combined rationalization to justify it, will continue to rise. Though the ride of life will continue, there are some things we can do to make it smoother from time to time.


For the past few years, I have had the assorted delight of exploits and objection of living in a

small resort town in Costa Rican, one of foreign tourism’s most sought destinations. In my

endeavors in the spa industry both here and in the US, I have found varying assumptions, real life

options, along with what works for that illusory thing we call rejuvenation.


Costa Rica, a country comparable to the size of West Virginia is, in and of itself is a Mecca

of natural wonders made for revivification. With my own inner desire to seek out some renewal for

myself, and being right here in “Mecca land” I decided to take it upon myself to find out what is out there not only for me, but for those around me who look to me for knowledge in this area.


Hundreds of auspicious companies now acknowledge the commitment needed to redirect the

unhealthy and unhappy workforce created by the demands of the job. Many are realizing that these

sedentary and high pressure positions may be causing employees a loss of physical health, leading to further preoccupations and overworked psyches. The return, high cost healthcare, and less productivity. Health oriented firms are taking advantage of this shift by craftily applying well planned, results oriented programs to increase worker productivity and reduce stress, while setting markers to measure goals and savings. Firms will work one on one with your company to implement on site healthcare facilities, work out centers, meditation rooms, weekly massage, nutrition and stress management classes, among other incentives. Giving back to the employee and acknowledging they are more than a 9 to 5. This provocation of our spiritual search and looking into our own behavioral patterns and how they lock us into our external lives is increasing. Our need to reclaim our behavior is a reason to seek places of divine retreat.


We seek rejuvenation centers for solace, to manage stress, detoxify, find alternative healthcare or for motivation for a lifestyle change, all while satisfying our craving for euphoria. What if we could bring about a radical change within ourselves, and let that ebb and flow in our daily lives. What is that worth to us?


From coastal plains to rugged mountains, and over 100 volcanic cones, several that are active, the humble country of Costa Rica depends on tourism to bring in foreign income that allows them to tackle environmental and social issues. The past year has brought that tourism, and foreign direct investment, over 480 million dollars of it. It has also brought advancement, with spas popping

up in rapid succession, and a seeming rush to beat out the next guy. According to the Coyle

Hospitality Group, a New York based market leader in quality assurance, the average person, 57% of

us in fact, have visited a resort or hotel spa 1-5 times in the past year. With spas at almost every edge of Costa Rica, from the south end of the Osa Peninsula, to the far north where you can visit a Four Seasons, I agree we will see our share of the 59% of consumers who now want more time to explore their spiritual side, according to the 2001 Leisure Travel Monitor.


R &R Resorts is the management operation of three well known and highly sought international wellness centers with spa and retreat villas. Providing the total “mind, body, spirit”

connection before it was trendy to include this slogan on every youngling spa brochure. One of their three facilities, aptly named Pura Vida, or Pure Life, a national anthem and frequent greeting for the Costa Rican People, symbolizing to take it easy and enjoy life. In other words most things can wait until tomorrow, not a mentality easily ingrained into our work harder, get more,

puritan roots.


I decided it was time to take advantage of my location and experience this for myself. As I passed through a small country town, they call Cerrysel, I am amazed at how much of this small country still remains for me to see. High green mountains, surrounded by coffee fields,

and winding small roads that lead to a remote hilltop location, needing a little navigation, almost as if you need an exclusive password for the privilege of the location. A seeming world away from my four hour drive from the coast, with fog misted mountains and a quiet calm, I looked forward to sharing with the staff. Having previously arranged a meeting with the general manager and marketing coordinator, I knew I only had the day to enjoy this getaway, because of my schedule.


Promising myself I would make a return visit for the much talked about week of transformation.

Upon my arrival I was greeted with a warm welcome by Manrique Gomez, the GM here for the past

three years with 20 years of management experience. I was immediately taken through the grounds, as we discussed the types of accommodations, classes, treatments and pricing they have to offer.


The walk was colder than I am used to, quiet, with only the wind moving the palm and almond trees

with a perpetual breeze, and a refreshing clear view of the valley and surrounding hills. With a

review of the 22,000 square meter grounds, of comfortable sturdy “toldos” or tents, and pagoda

style villas, 53 in all, I was invited to lunch. In the Garden Restaurant a cozy cafeteria style center, I sat down with some very sincere and enthusiastic staff. More rightly referred to as part of the community, at least that is how they like to view themselves. I was pleased to find some of my favorite combinations, tofu dishes, lots of fresh vegetables, cheeses, fruit juice and salad. A light healthy fare, that blends well with a weeks retreat of healing therapies from Bioenergetics, Watsu, Inner Guidance, Thai, Reflexology, Reflective time and all other customary treatments you may think of.


Everyone I spoke with was honest and open, not at all excessively protective of their

proprietary works as some who shrink from the interest of other trade professionals. Proud of their success and innovative programs they were happy to share. With members of the “community”

from Israel, Australia, USA, Germany, Britain, and of course Costa Rica, they have no shortage of

people who seek a chance to live and work here. Isvari, a Sanskrit word for the feminine of God, is the name the resident yoga instructor takes. Trained in Kripalu, Holistic Nutrition, Danskinetics, and Iyengar theories, she brings an open minded vision to her teaching. When I asked another member, what she enjoyed most here, the response was “touching hearts”, which is what she sees in the responsive and physical difference in her clients, at weeks end. Trained in Israel, Switzerland, and India, she has a friendly face, wide, clear eyes, and a true dedication to her work. Management, instructors, therapists, enthusiasts, solace seekers, and Pura Vida regulars all eat, live, practice, and

heal together.


Built on an old coffee farm, significantly more developed than when it was purchased 20

years ago by the founding couple of R & R Resorts, Pauline and Michael Klegg.

Now a prosperous company, it is comprehensibly managed by a couple of “corporate refugees”,

Rakesh and LuAnn. Based in Dahlonega, Georgia, near the Pura Vida USA wellness center, they

travel monthly to their sister properties in Tulum, Mexico, and Alejuela, Costa Rica. Rakesh, a former corporate financier, and LuAnn a lawyer by training, make for a well designed management

team. For two and a half years they have been behind the properties and programs you can find

available. In speaking with the management team I was able to relate to the dedication and skill it

takes to keep these wellness centers going. With my own recent work in boutique, and resort spa

start up on the Pacific Coast, I’d had my days of rewards and set-backs. The couple, having visited

the Costa Rican property three years ago on vacation, decided to modify their lives and upon their return, applied with R& R Resorts, later finding themselves heading up the project. Attracted to the wellness industry by a desire to do something more thrilling than the routine corporate world, and I’m guessing a little healthy self-interest to do something for themselves, they took it on with enthusiasm. With no misconceptions about the industry, they admit, it is just as hard, if not more, to manage these properties, as it was in high demand jobs. Travel is frequent and quality checks are consistent, along with ensuring that each property reflects and represents what they advertise, and is homogenous with the whole body connection put into place at the original MayaTulum property 20 years ago. The founding couple had some healthy discernment in bringing together yoga, and spa awareness when it was not mainstream, an became an inspiration to others.


LuAnn tells me there are no immediate plans for expansion on the Costa Rica property, but

that they are always looking to improve the look and “deepen their offerings” to the guests, and

leave them with something to take home. As we all know, our guests can be the greatest reward, and

the greatest challenge, all at the same time. The reason they always look for staff with the ability to deal with the public, and amongst it all, smile! A pre-requisite to be a staff member, I am told, is quality training, knowledge, and of course the right attitude. As I’ve heard throughout my career from therapist, to manager, through development and consulting, people can be trained, but if they are inherently unhappy, that will reflect in their work.


It must be working, as LuAnn informs me they consistently receive compliments from

clients around the world on the positive fulfillment of expectation and forceful energy of Pura Vida retreats. From experience I know how hard it can be to execute countless biddings, the feeling to out perform, and surpass your guests expectations. In this aspect LuAnn put it so objectively, “Some may have better rooms than us, others may have better treatments, but it is what we put into it, and the service and caring that our clients receive that make it an experience to remember.”


This is the attitude that has made this one of the most popular destination locations in Central

America, and the management awareness is key.

With the average vacation being 10-14 days out of 365, some of us, myself included prefer a new experience during our time away, where our personal needs will be addressed,

and you can really take some, YOU time. Sometimes that takes seclusion, and lifestyle change,

which is part of what Pura Vida does in taking pride in raising a level of consciousness for their clients, and creating a safe space for transformation to happen. Where as one staff member put it, “giving them time to return to the beautiful person they have forgotten they are”


LuAnn maintains a belief that nature has a way of healing us, if that is the case, then this is

a perfect tropical location to begin your renewal. Not only a popular spa with 9 mountain view

rooms dedicated to treatments and a private Watsu pool. Their wellness center can also be reserved

for yoga teacher trainings, therapist CEU’s, and seminars for all types and levels of the trade.

Destination spas are one of the things people think of when looking for a much needed

escape and to allow our overworked minds to be swept away, to contemplate a recent change, a

divorce, work, or life. Each of us will look to have a different expectation filled, seeking our own path, transcending age, health and circumstance. We all need, and deserve to function at our best physiologically and emotionally. Personally I look forward to taking them up on an invitation to return and participate in their wellness program and trying out the ‘Unwrap Journey Paradise” package , floating from massage to wrap to detox steam and facial. Exploring the boundries of my yoga stretches, and taking some time for introspection of my own to re-direct some goals that may have slipped off track.


Costa Rica can be a place where your daily rejuvenation rituals and healthy habits may be

challenged, you certainly will be hard pressed to find a turkey burger or raw foods juice bar,

especially disadvantageous to those of us living day to day lives here. Whether we are traveling or a long term guest in a foreign location, our well being is within our reach. Inside the borders of this little country I currently call home, I now have one more channel to access in my personal search for the sometimes misleading or unbridled spirit. Rejuvenation is deeply personal to each of

us, as we create our rituals to get through the day, deep breaths when needed, a private minute for a mantra, or scanning trade and travel magazines for the next get away. We find our way.


I look up as I am writing this, into a tranquil ocean cove, a friends’ sloop moored below, the

sun is setting, soon I will see the capricious pattern of shades on the horizon, a bird swoops

in to pick up a wandering gecko, and I move to the sounds of distant titi monkeys, and a subtle

background beat of a locally bought c.d., ‘Sounds of the Coffee Lands’. An echo of breaking surf

moves up the hill, like a chant, a sound that has always been my soul rejuvenation, that wraps me in

contentment. I guess this is the beginnings of my dream, my chance to re-invent myself and

capture the empowerment to appreciate it, and what enables me to provide a center of renewal

for myself and those around me. So my daily ride, once a roller coaster has slowed to a tranquil

merry go round, with an exceptional view… at least for the time being. After all I am working the controls.

About the Author

Lotus Effects LLC, Spa College, and Lucid Learning were founded by Liz Galloway, professional wellness consultant, speaker and spa industry trainer. With location and teams in both the US and Costa Rica she continues to provide precision business and mentoring for spa start up's and turn arounds, while bringing new levels of patent pending training options to the healing arts industry.

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