'AGENDA 21' it took Bill Clinton

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Chapter 10

INTEGRATED APPROACH TO THE PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT OF LAND RESOURCES


INTRODUCTION

10.1.  Land is normally defined as a physical entity in terms of its
topography and spatial nature; a broader integrative view also includes
natural resources:  the soils, minerals, water and biota that the land
comprises.  These components are organized in ecosystems which provide a
variety of services essential to the maintenance of the integrity of
life-support systems and the productive capacity of the environment.  Land
resources are used in ways that take advantage of all these characteristics.
Land is a finite resource, while the natural resources it supports can vary
over time and according to management conditions and uses.  Expanding human
requirements and economic activities are placing ever increasing pressures on
land resources, creating competition and conflicts and resulting in suboptimal
use of both land and land resources.  If, in the future, human requirements
are to be met in a sustainable manner, it is now essential to resolve these
conflicts and move towards more effective and efficient use of land and its
natural resources.  Integrated physical and land-use planning and management
is an eminently practical way to achieve this.  By examining all uses of land
in an integrated manner, it makes it possible to minimize conflicts, to make
the most efficient trade-offs and to link social and economic development with
environmental protection and enhancement, thus helping to achieve the
objectives of sustainable development.  The essence of the integrated approach
finds expression in the coordination of the sectoral planning and management
activities concerned with the various aspects of land use and land resources.

10.2.  The present chapter consists of one programme area, the integrated
approach to the planning and management of land resources, which deals with
the reorganization and, where necessary, some strengthening of the
decision-making structure, including existing policies, planning and
management procedures and methods that can assist in putting in place an
integrated approach to land resources.  It does not deal with the operational
aspects of planning and management, which are more appropriately dealt with
under the relevant sectoral programmes.  Since the programme deals with an
important cross-sectoral aspect of decision-making for sustainable
development, it is closely related to a number of other programmes that deal
with that issue directly.


                                         PROGRAMME AREA

          Integrated approach to the planning and management of
                             land resources

Basis for action

10.3.  Land resources are used for a variety of purposes which interact and
may compete with one another; therefore, it is desirable to plan and manage
all uses in an integrated manner.  Integration should take place at two
levels, considering, on the one hand, all environmental, social and economic
factors (including, for example, impacts of the various economic and social
sectors on the environment and natural resources) and, on the other, all
environmental and resource components together (i.e., air, water, biota, land,
geological and natural resources).  Integrated consideration facilitates
appropriate choices and trade-offs, thus maximizing sustainable productivity
and use.  Opportunities to allocate land to different uses arise in the course
of major settlement or development projects or in a sequential fashion as
lands become available on the market.  This in turn provides opportunities to
support traditional patterns of sustainable land management or to assign
protected status for conservation of biological diversity or critical
ecological services.

10.4.  A number of techniques, frameworks and processes can be combined to
facilitate an integrated approach.  They are the indispensable support for the
planning and management process, at the national and local level, ecosystem
or area levels and for the development of specific plans of action.  Many of
its elements are already in place but need to be more widely applied, further
developed and strengthened.  This programme area is concerned primarily with
providing a framework that will coordinate decision-making; the content and
operational functions are therefore not included here but are dealt with in
the relevant sectoral programmes of Agenda 21.

Objectives

10.5.  The broad objective is to facilitate allocation of land to the uses
that provide the greatest sustainable benefits and to promote the transition
to a sustainable and integrated management of land resources.  In doing so,
environmental, social and economic issues should be taken into consideration.
Protected areas, private property rights, the rights of indigenous people and
their communities and other local communities and the economic role of women
in agriculture and rural development, among other issues, should be taken into
account.  In more specific terms, the objectives are as follows:

     (a)   To review and develop policies to support the best possible use
of land and the sustainable management of land resources, by not later than
1996;

     (b)   To improve and strengthen planning, management and evaluation
systems for land and land resources, by not later than 2000;

     (c)   To strengthen institutions and coordinating mechanisms for land
and land resources, by not later than 1998;

     (d)   To create mechanisms to facilitate the active involvement and
participation of all concerned, particularly communities and people at the
local level, in decision-making on land use and management, by not later than
1996.

Activities

(a)  Management-related activities

     Developing supportive policies and policy instruments

10.6.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of regional and
international organizations, should ensure that policies and policy
instruments support the best possible land use and sustainable management of
land resources.  Particular attention should be given to the role of
agricultural land.  To do this, they should:

     (a)   Develop integrated goal-setting and policy formulation at the
national, regional and local levels that takes into account environmental,
social, demographic and economic issues;

     (b)   Develop policies that encourage sustainable land use and
management of land resources and take the land resource base, demographic
issues and the interests of the local population into account;

     (c)   Review the regulatory framework, including laws, regulations and
enforcement procedures, in order to identify improvements needed to support
sustainable land use and management of land resources and restricts the
transfer of productive arable land to other uses;

     (d)   Apply economic instruments and develop institutional mechanisms
and incentives to encourage the best possible land use and sustainable
management of land resources;

     (e)   Encourage the principle of delegating policy-making to the lowest
level of public authority consistent with effective action and a locally
driven approach.

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Strengthening planning and management systems

10.7.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of regional and
international organizations, should review and, if appropiate, revise planning
and management systems to facilitate an integrated approach.  To do this, they
should:

     (a)   Adopt planning and management systems that facilitate the
integration of environmental components such as air, water, land and other
natural resources, using landscape ecological planning (LANDEP) or other
approaches that focus on, for example, an ecosystem or a watershed;

     (b)   Adopt strategic frameworks that allow the integration of both
developmental and environmental goals; examples of these frameworks include
sustainable livelihood systems, rural development, the World Conservation
Strategy/Caring for the Earth, primary environmental care (PEC) and others;

     (c)   Establish a general framework for land-use and physical planning
within which specialized and more detailed sectoral plans (e.g., for protected
areas, agriculture, forests, human settlements, rural development) can be
developed; establish intersectoral consultative bodies to streamline project
planning and implementation;

     (d)   Strengthen management systems for land and natural resources by
including appropriate traditional and indigenous methods; examples of these
practices include pastoralism, Hema reserves (traditional Islamic land
reserves) and terraced agriculture;

     (e)   Examine and, if necessary, establish innovative and flexible
approaches to programme funding;

     (f)   Compile detailed land capability inventories to guide sustainable
land resources allocation, management and use at the national and local
levels.

     Promoting application of appropriate tools for planning and management

10.8.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of national and
international organizations, should promote the improvement, further
development and widespread application of planning and management tools that
facilitate an integrated and sustainable approach to land and resources.  To
do this, they should:

     (a)   Adopt improved systems for the interpretation and integrated
analysis of data on land use and land resources;

                 (b)   Systematically apply techniques and procedures for assessing the
environmental, social and economic impacts, risks, costs and benefits of
specific actions;

     (c)   Analyse and test methods to include land and ecosystem functions
and land resources values in national accounts.

     Raising awareness

10.9.  Governments at the appropriate level, in collaboration with national
institutions and interest groups and with the support of regional and
international organizations, should launch awareness-raising campaigns to
alert and educate people on the importance of integrated land and land
resources management and the role that individuals and social groups can play
in it.  This should be accompanied by provision of the means to adopt improved
practices for land use and sustainable management.

     Promoting public participation

10.10.  Governments at the appropriate level, in collaboration with national
organizations and with the support of regional and international
organizations, should establish innovative procedures, programmes, projects
and services that facilitate and encourage the active participation of those
affected in the decision-making and implementation process, especially of
groups that have, hitherto, often been excluded, such as women, youth,
indigenous people and their communities and other local communities.

(b)  Data and information

     Strengthening information systems

10.11.  Governments at the appropriate level, in collaboration with national
institutions and the private sector and with the support of regional and
international organizations, should strengthen the information systems
necessary for making decisions and evaluating future changes on land use and
management.  The needs of both men and women should be taken into account.
To do this, they should:

     (a)   Strengthen information, systematic observation and assessment
systems for environmental, economic and social data related to land resources
at the global, regional, national and local levels and for land capability and
land-use and management patterns;

     (b)   Strengthen coordination between existing sectoral data systems on
land and land resources and strengthen national capacity to gather and assess
data;

     (c)   Provide the appropriate technical information necessary for
informed decision-making on land use and management in an accessible form to
all sectors of the population, especially to local communities and women;

     (d)   Support low-cost, community-managed systems for the collection of
comparable information on the status and processes of change of land
resources, including soils, forest cover, wildlife, climate and other
elements.

(c)  International and regional coordination and cooperation

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Establishing regional machinery

10.12.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of regional and
international organizations, should strengthen regional cooperation and
exchange of information on land resources.  To do this, they should:

     (a)   Study and design regional policies to support programmes for
land-use and physical planning;

     (b)   Promote the development of land-use and physical plans in the
countries of the region;

     (c)   Design information systems and promote training;

     (d)   Exchange, through networks and other appropriate means,
information on experiences with the process and results of integrated and
participatory planning and management of land resources at the national and
local levels.

Means of implementation

(a)  Financing and cost evaluation

10.13.  The Conference secretariat has estimated the average total annual cost
(1993-2000) of implementing the activities of this programme to be about
$50 million from the international community on grant or concessional terms.
These are indicative and order-of-magnitude estimates only and have not been
reviewed by Governments.  Actual costs and financial terms, including any that
are non-concessional, will depend upon, inter alia, the specific strategies
and programmes Governments decide upon for implementation.

(b)  Scientific and technological means

     Enhancing scientific understanding of the land resources system

10.14.  Governments at the appropriate level, in collaboration with the
national and international scientific community and with the support of
appropriate national and international organizations, should promote and
support research, tailored to local environments, on the land resources system
and the implications for sustainable development and management practices.
Priority should be given, as appropriate, to:

     (a)   Assessment of land potential capability and ecosystem functions;

     (b)   Ecosystemic interactions and interactions between land resources
and social, economic and environmental systems;

     (c)   Developing indicators of sustainability for land resources, taking
into account environmental, economic, social, demographic, cultural and
political factors.

     Testing research findings through pilot projects

10.15.  Governments at the appropriate level, in collaboration with the
national and international scientific community and with the support of the
relevant international organizations, should research and test, through pilot
projects, the applicability of improved approaches to the integrated planning
and management of land resources, including technical, social and
institutional factors.

(c)  Human resource development

     Enhancing education and training

10.16.  Governments at the appropriate level, in collaboration with the
appropriate local authorities, non-governmental organizations and
international institutions, should promote the development of the human
resources that are required to plan and manage land and land resources
sustainably.  This should be done by providing incentives for local
initiatives and by enhancing local management capacity, particularly of women,
through:

     (a)   Emphasizing interdisciplinary and integrative approaches in the
curricula of schools and technical, vocational and university training;

     (b)   Training all relevant sectors concerned to deal with land
resources in an integrated and sustainable manner;

     (c)   Training communities, relevant extension services, community-based
groups and non-governmental organizations on land management techniques and
approaches applied successfully elsewhere.

(d)  Capacity-building

     Strengthening technological capacity

10.17.  Governments at the appropriate level, in cooperation with other
Governments and with the support of relevant international organizations,
should promote focused and concerted efforts for education and training and
the transfer of techniques and technologies that support the various aspects
of the sustainable planning and management process at the national,
state/provincial and local levels.

     Strengthening institutions

10.18.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of appropriate
international organizations, should:

     (a)   Review and, where appropriate, revise the mandates of institutions
that deal with land and natural resources to include explicitly the
interdisciplinary integration of environmental, social and economic issues;

     (b)   Strengthen coordinating mechanisms between institutions that deal
with land-use and resources management to facilitate integration of sectoral
concerns and strategies;

     (c)   Strengthen local decision-making capacity and improve coordination
with higher levels.


END OF CHAPTER 10

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Chapter 11

                         COMBATING DEFORESTATION


                             PROGRAMME AREAS

                A.  Sustaining the multiple roles and functions of all types
                    of forests, forest lands and woodlands

Basis for action

11.1.  There are major weaknesses in the policies, methods and mechanisms
adopted to support and develop the multiple ecological, economic, social and
cultural roles of trees, forests and forest lands.  Many developed countries
are confronted with the effects of air pollution and fire damage on their
forests.  More effective measures and approaches are often required at the
national level to improve and harmonize policy formulation, planning and
programming; legislative measures and instruments; development patterns;
participation of the general public, especially women and indigenous people;
involvement of youth; roles of the private sector, local organizations,
non-governmental organizations and cooperatives; development of technical and
multidisciplinary skills and quality of human resources; forestry extension
and public education; research capability and support; administrative
structures and mechanisms, including intersectoral coordination,
decentralization and responsibility and incentive systems; and dissemination
of information and public relations.  This is especially important to ensure
a rational and holistic approach to the sustainable and environmentally sound
development of forests.  The need for securing the multiple roles of forests
and forest lands through adequate and appropriate institutional strengthening
has been repeatedly emphasized in many of the reports, decisions and
recommendations of FAO, ITTO, UNEP, the World Bank, IUCN and other
organizations.

Objectives

11.2.  The objectives of this programme area are as follows: 

     (a)   To strengthen forest-related national institutions, to enhance the
scope and effectiveness of activities related to the management, conservation
and sustainable development of forests, and to effectively ensure the
sustainable utilization and production of forests' goods and services in both
the developed and the developing countries; by the year 2000, to strengthen
the capacities and capabilities of national institutions to enable them to
acquire the necessary knowledge for the protection and conservation of
forests, as well as to expand their scope and, correspondingly, enhance the
effectiveness of programmes and activities related to the management and
development of forests;

    (b)  To strengthen and improve human, technical and professional skills,
as well as expertise and capabilities to effectively formulate and implement
policies, plans, programmes, research and projects on management, conservation
and sustainable development of all types of forests and forest-based
resources, and forest lands inclusive, as well as other areas from which
forest benefits can be derived.

Activities

(a) Management-related activities

11.3  Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of regional,
subregional and international organizations, should, where necessary, enhance
institutional capability to promote the multiple roles and functions of all
types of forests and vegetation inclusive of other related lands and
forest-based resources in supporting sustainable development and environmental
conservation in all sectors.  This should be done, wherever possible and
necessary, by strengthening and/or modifying the existing structures and
arrangements, and by improving cooperation and coordination of their
respective roles.  Some of the major activities in this regard are as follows:

    (a)  Rationalizing and strengthening administrative structures and
mechanisms, including provision of adequate levels of staff and allocation of
responsibilities, decentralization of decision-making, provision of
infrastructural facilities and equipment, intersectoral coordination and an
effective system of communication;

    (b)  Promoting participation of the private sector, labour unions, rural
cooperatives, local communities, indigenous people, youth, women, user groups
and non-governmental organizations in forest-related activities, and access
to information and training programmes within the national context;

    (c)  Reviewing and, if necessary, revising measures and programmes
relevant to all types of forests and vegetation, inclusive of other related
lands and forest-based resources, and relating them to other land uses and
development policies and legislation; promoting adequate legislation and other
measures as a basis against uncontrolled conversion to other types of land
uses;

    (d)  Developing and implementing plans and programmes, including
definition of national and, if necessary, regional and subregional goals,
programmes and criteria for their implementation and subsequent improvement;

    (e)  Establishing, developing and sustaining an effective system of
forest extension and public education to ensure better awareness, appreciation
and management of forests with regard to the multiple roles and values of
trees, forests and forest lands;

    (f)  Establishing and/or strengthening institutions for forest education
and training, as well as forestry industries, for developing an adequate cadre
of trained and skilled staff at the professional, technical and vocational
levels, with emphasis on youth and women;

    (g)  Establishing and strengthening capabilities for research related to
the different aspects of forests and forest products, for example, on the
sustainable management of forests, research on biodiversity, on the effects
of air-borne pollutants, on traditional uses of forest resources by local
populations and indigenous people, and on improving market returns and other
non-market values from the management of forests.

(b) Data and information

11.4.  Governments at the appropriate level, with the assistance and
cooperation of international, regional, subregional and bilateral agencies,
where relevant, should develop adequate databases and baseline information
necessary for planning and programme evaluation.  Some of the more specific
activities include the following:

    (a)  Collecting, compiling and regularly updating and distributing
information on land classification and land use, including data on forest
cover, areas suitable for afforestation, endangered species, ecological
values, traditional/indigenous land use values, biomass and productivity,
correlating demographic, socio-economic and forest resources information at
the micro- and macro-levels, and undertaking periodic analyses of forest
programmes;

    (b)  Establishing linkages with other data systems and sources relevant
to supporting forest management, conservation and development, while further
developing or reinforcing existing systems such as geographic information
systems, as appropriate;

    (c)  Creating mechanisms to ensure public access to this information.

(c) International and regional cooperation and coordination

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11.5.  Governments at the appropriate level and institutions should cooperate
in the provision of expertise and other support and the promotion of
international research efforts, in particular with a view to enhancing
transfer of technology and specialized training and ensuring access to
experiences and research results.  There is need for strengthening
coordination and improving the performance of existing forest-related
international organizations in providing technical cooperation and support to
interested countries for the management, conservation and sustainable
development of forests.


Means of implementation

(a) Financial and cost evaluation

11.6.  The secretariat of the Conference has estimated the average total
annual cost (1993-2000) of implementing the activities of this programme to
be about $2.5 billion, including about $860 million from the international
community on grant or concessional terms.  These are indicative and
order-of-magnitude estimates only and have not been reviewed by Governments.
Actual costs and financial terms, including any that are non-concessional,
will depend upon, inter alia, the specific strategies and programmes
Governments decide upon for implementation.

(b) Scientific and technological means

11.7.  The planning, research and training activities specified will form the
scientific and technological means for implementing the programme, as well as
its output.  The systems, methodology and know-how generated by the programme
will help improve efficiency.  Some of the specific steps involved should
include:

    (a)  Analysing achievements, constraints and social issues for supporting
programme formulation and implementation;

    (b)  Analysing research problems and research needs, research planning
and implementation of specific research projects;

    (c)  Assessing needs for human resources, skill development and training;

    (d)  Developing, testing and applying appropriate
methodologies/approaches
in implementing forest programmes and plans.

(c) Human resource development

11.8.  The specific components of forest education and training will
effectively contribute to human resource development.  These include:
                (a)  Launching of graduate and post-graduate degree, specialization and
research programmes;

    (b)  Strengthening of pre-service, in-service and extension service
training programmes at the technical and vocational levels, including training
of trainers/teachers, and developing curriculum and teaching
materials/methods;

    (c)  Special training for staff of national forest-related organizations
in aspects such as project formulation, evaluation and periodical evaluations.

(d) Capacity-building

11.9.  This programme area is specifically concerned with capacity-building
in the forest sector and all programme activities specified contribute to that
end.  In building new and strengthened capacities, full advantage should be
taken of the existing systems and experience.


         B.  Enhancing the protection, sustainable management and
             conservation of all forests, and the greening of
                degraded areas, through forest rehabilitation,
                afforestation, reforestation and other rehabilitative
                means

Basis for action

11.10.  Forests world wide have been and are being threatened by uncontrolled
degradation and conversion to other types of land uses, influenced by
increasing human needs; agricultural expansion; and environmentally harmful
mismanagement, including, for example, lack of adequate forest-fire control
and anti-poaching measures, unsustainable commercial logging, overgrazing and
unregulated browsing, harmful effects of airborne pollutants, economic
incentives and other measures taken by other sectors of the economy.  The
impacts of loss and degradation of forests are in the form of soil erosion;
loss of biological diversity, damage to wildlife habitats and degradation of
watershed areas, deterioration of the quality of life and reduction of the
options for development.

11.11.  The present situation calls for urgent and consistent action for
conserving and sustaining forest resources.  The greening of suitable areas,
in all its component activities, is an effective way of increasing public
awareness and participation in protecting and managing forest resources.  It
should include the consideration of land use and tenure patterns and local
needs and should spell out and clarify the specific objectives of the
different types of greening activities.

Objectives

11.12.  The objectives of this programme area are as follows:

    (a)  To maintain existing forests through conservation and management,
and sustain and expand areas under forest and tree cover, in appropriate areas
of both developed and developing countries, through the conservation of
natural forests, protection, forest rehabilitation, regeneration,
afforestation, reforestation and tree planting, with a view to maintaining or
restoring the ecological balance and expanding the contribution of forests to
human needs and welfare;

    (b)  To prepare and implement, as appropriate, national forestry action
programmes and/or plans for the management, conservation and sustainable
development of forests.  These programmes and/or plans should be integrated
with other land uses.  In this context, country-driven national forestry
action programmes and/or plans under the Tropical Forestry Action Programme
are currently being implemented in more than 80 countries, with the support
of the international community;

    (c)  To ensure sustainable management and, where appropriate,
conservation of existing and future forest resources;

    (d)  To maintain and increase the ecological, biological, climatic,
socio-cultural and economic contributions of forest resources;

    (e)  To facilitate and support the effective implementation of the
non-legally binding authoritative statement of principles for a global
consensus on the management, conservation and sustainable development of all
types of forests, adopted by the United Nations Conference on Environment and
Development, and on the basis of the implementation of these principles to
consider the need for and the feasibility of all kinds of appropriate
internationally agreed arrangements to promote international cooperation on
forest management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of
forests, including afforestation, reforestation and rehabilitation.

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Activities

(a) Management-related activities

11.13.  Governments should recognize the importance of categorizing forests,
within the framework of long-term forest conservation and management policies,
into different forest types and setting up sustainable units in every
region/watershed with a view to securing the conservation of forests.
Governments, with the participation of the private sector, non-governmental
organizations, local community groups, indigenous people, women, local
government units and the public at large, should act to maintain and expand
the existing vegetative cover wherever ecologically, socially and economically
feasible, through technical cooperation and other forms of support.  Major
activities to be considered include:

    (a)  Ensuring the sustainable management of all forest ecosystems and
woodlands, through improved proper planning, management and timely
implementation of silvicultural operations, including inventory and relevant
research, as well as rehabilitation of degraded natural forests to restore
productivity and environmental contributions, giving particular attention to
human needs for economic and ecological services, wood-based energy,
agroforestry, non-timber forest products and services, watershed and soil
protection, wildlife management, and forest genetic resources;

    (b)  Establishing, expanding and managing, as appropriate to each
national context, protected area systems, which includes systems of
conservation units for their environmental, social and spiritual functions and
values, including conservation of forests in representative ecological systems
and landscapes, primary old-growth forests, conservation and management of
wildlife, nomination of World Heritage Sites under the World Heritage
Convention, as appropriate, conservation of genetic resources, involving
in situ and ex situ measures and undertaking supportive measures to ensure
sustainable utilization of biological resources and conservation of biological
diversity and the traditional forest habitats of indigenous people, forest
dwellers and local communities;

    (c)  Undertaking and promoting buffer and transition zone management;

    (d)  Carrying out revegetation in appropriate mountain areas, highlands,
bare lands, degraded farm lands, arid and semi-arid lands and coastal areas
for combating desertification and preventing erosion problems and for other
protective functions and national programmes for rehabilitation of degraded
lands, including community forestry, social forestry, agroforestry and
silvipasture, while also taking into account the role of forests as national
carbon reservoirs and sinks;

    (e)  Developing industrial and non-industrial planted forests in order
to support and promote national ecologically sound afforestation and
reforestation/regeneration programmes in suitable sites, including upgrading
of existing planted forests of both industrial and non-industrial and
commercial purpose to increase their contribution to human needs and to offset
pressure on primary/old growth forests.  Measures should be taken to promote
and provide intermediate yields and to improve the rate of returns on
investments in planted forests, through interplanting and underplanting
valuable crops;

    (f)  Developing/strengthening a national and/or master plan for planted
forests as a priority, indicating, inter alia, the location, scope and
species, and specifying areas of existing planted forests requiring
rehabilitation, taking into account the economic aspect for future planted
forest development, giving emphasis to native species;

    (g)  Increasing the protection of forests from pollutants, fire, pests
and diseases and other human-made interferences such as forest poaching,
mining and unmitigated shifting cultivation, the uncontrolled introduction of
exotic plant and animal species, as well as developing and accelerating
research for a better understanding of problems relating to the management and
regeneration of all types of forests; strengthening and/or establishing
appropriate measures to assess and/or check inter-border movement of plants
and related materials;

    (h)  Stimulating development of urban forestry for the greening of urban,
peri-urban and rural human settlements for amenity, recreation and production
purposes and for protecting trees and groves;

    (i)  Launching or improving opportunities for particpation of all people,
including youth, women, indigenous people and local communities in the
formulation, development and implementation of forest-related programmes and
other activities, taking due account of the local needs and cultural values;

    (j)  Limiting and aiming to halt destructive shifting cultivation by
addressing the underlying social and ecological causes.


(b) Data and information

11.14.  Management-related activities should involve collection, compilation
and analysis of data/information, including baseline surveys.  Some of the
specific activities include the following:

    (a)  Carrying out surveys and developing and implementing land-use plans
for appropriate greening/planting/afforestation/reforestation/forest
rehabilitation;

    (b)  Consolidating and updating land-use and forest inventory and
management information for management and land-use planning of wood and
non-wood resources, including data on shifting cultivation and other agents
of forest destruction;

    (c)  Consolidating information on genetic resources and related
biotechnology, including surveys and studies, as necessary;

    (d)  Carrying out surveys and research on local/indigenous knowledge of
trees and forests and their uses to improve the planning and implementation
of sustainable forest management;

    (e)  Compiling and analysing research data on species/site interaction
of species used in planted forests and assessing the potential impact on
forests of climatic change, as well as effects of forests on climate, and
initiating in-depth studies on the carbon cycle relating to different forest
types to provide scientific advice and technical support;

    (f)  Establishing linkages with other data/information sources that
relate to sustainable management and use of forests and improving access to
data and information;

    (g)  Developing and intensifying research to improve knowledge and
understanding of problems and natural mechanisms related to the management and
rehabilitation of forests, including research on fauna and its interrelation
with forests;

    (h)  Consolidating information on forest conditions and site-influencing
immissions and emissions.

(c)             International and regional cooperation and coordination

[Soldier4Christ]

11.15.  The greening of appropriate areas is a task of global importance and
impact.  The international and regional community should provide technical
cooperation and other means for this programme area.  Specific activities of
an international nature, in support of national efforts, should include the
following:

    (a)  Increasing cooperative actions to reduce pollutants and
trans-boundary impacts affecting the health of trees and forests and
conservation of representative ecosystems;

    (b)  Coordinating regional and subregional research on carbon
sequestration, air pollution and other environmental issues;

    (c)  Documenting and exchanging information/experience for the benefit
of countries with similar problems and prospects;

    (d)  Strengthening the coordination and improving the capacity and
ability of intergovernmental organizations such as FAO, ITTO, UNEP and UNESCO
to provide technical support for the management, conservation and sustainable
development of forests, including support for the negotiation of the
International Tropical Timber Agreement of 1983, due in 1992/93.

Means of implementation

(a) Financial and cost evaluation

11.16.  The secretariat of the Conference has estimated the average total
annual cost (1993-2000) of implementing the activities of this programme to
be about $10 billion, including about $3.7 billion from the international
community on grant or concessional terms.  These are indicative and
order-of-magnitude estimates only and have not been reviewed by Governments.
Actual costs and financial terms, including any that are non-concessional,
will depend upon, inter alia, the specific strategies and programmes
Governments decide upon for implementation.

(b) Scientific and technological means

11.17.  Data analysis, planning, research, transfer/development of technology
and/or training activities form an integral part of the programme activities,
providing the scientific and technological means of implementation.  National
institutions should:

    (a)  Develop feasibility studies and operational planning related to
major forest activities;

    (b)  Develop and apply environmentally sound technology relevant to the
various activities listed;

    (c)  Increase action related to genetic improvement and application of
biotechnology for improving productivity and tolerance to environmental stress
and including, for example, tree breeding, seed technology, seed procurement
networks, germ-plasm banks, "in vitro" techniques, and in situ and ex situ
conservation.

(c) Human resource development

11.18.  Essential means for effectively implementing the activities include
training and development of appropriate skills, working facilities and
conditions, public motivation and awareness.  Specific activities include:

    (a)  Providing specialized training in planning, management,
environmental conservation, biotechnology etc.;

    (b)  Establishing demonstration areas to serve as models and training
facilities;

    (c)  Supporting local organizations, communities, non-governmental
organizations and private land owners, in particular women, youth, farmers and
indigenous people/shifting cultivators, through extension and provision of
inputs and training.

(d) Capacity-building

11.19.  National Governments, the private sector, local
organizations/communities, indigenous people, labour unions and
non-governmental organizations should develop capacities, duly supported by
relevant international organizations, to implement the programme activities.
Such capacities should be developed and strengthened in harmony with the
programme activities.  Capacity-building activities include policy and legal
frameworks, national institution building, human resource development,
development of research and technology, development of infrastructure,
enhancement of public awareness etc.


         C.  Promoting efficient utilization and assessment to recover
             the full valuation of the goods and services provided by
             forests, forest lands and woodlands

Basis for action

11.20.  The vast potential of forests and forest lands as a major resource for
development is not yet fully realized.  The improved management of forests can
increase the production of goods and services and, in particular, the yield
of wood and non-wood forest products, thus helping to generate additional
employment and income, additional value through processing and trade of forest
products, increased contribution to foreign exchange earnings, and increased
return on investment.  Forest resources, being renewable, can be sustainably
managed in a manner that is compatible with environmental conservation.  The
implications of the harvesting of forest resources for the other values of the
forest should be taken fully into consideration in the development of forest
policies.  It is also possible to increase the value of forests through
non-damaging uses such as eco-tourism and the managed supply of genetic
materials.  Concerted action is needed in order to increase people's
perception of the value of forests and of the benefits they provide.  The
survival of forests and their continued contribution to human welfare depends
to a great extent on succeeding in this endeavour.

[Soldier4Christ]

Objectives

11.21.  The objectives of this programme area are as follows:

    (a)  To improve recognition of the social, economic and ecological values
of trees, forests and forest lands, including the consequences of the damage
caused by the lack of forests; to promote methodologies with a view to
incorporating social, economic and ecological values of trees, forests and
forest lands into the national economic accounting systems; to ensure their
sustainable management in a way that is consistent with land use,
environmental considerations and development needs;

    (b)  To promote efficient, rational and sustainable utilization of all
types of forests and vegetation inclusive of other related lands and
forest-based resources, through the development of efficient forest-based
processing industries, value-adding secondary processing and trade in forest
products, based on sustainably managed forest resources and in accordance with
plans that integrate all wood and non-wood values of forests;

    (c)  To promote more efficient and sustainable use of forests and trees
for fuelwood and energy supplies;

    (d)  To promote more comprehensive use and economic contributions of
forest areas by incorporating eco-tourism into forest management and planning.

Activities

(a) Management-related activities
11.22.  Governments, with the support of the private sector, scientific
institutions, indigenous people, non-governmental organizations, cooperatives
and entrepreneurs, where appropriate, should undertake the following
activities, properly coordinated at the national level, with financial and
technical cooperation from international organizations:

    (a)  Carrying out detailed investment studies, supply-demand
harmonization and environmental impact analysis to rationalize and improve
trees and forest utilization and to develop and establish appropriate
incentive schemes and regulatory measures, including tenurial arrangements,
to provide a favourable investment climate and promote better management;

    (b)  Formulating scientifically sound criteria and guidelines for the
management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests;

    (c)  Improving environmentally sound methods and practices of forest
harvesting, which are ecologically sound and economically viable, including
planning and management, improved use of equipment, storage and transportation
to reduce and, if possible, maximize the use of waste and improve value of
both wood and non-wood forest products;

    (d)  Promoting the better use and development of natural forests and
woodlands, including planted forests, wherever possible, through appropriate
and environmentally sound and economically viable activities, including
silvicultural practices and management of other plant and animal species;

    (e)  Promoting and supporting the downstream processing of forest
products to increase retained value and other benefits;

    (f)  Promoting/popularizing non-wood forest products and other forms of
forest resources, apart from fuelwood (e.g., medicinal plants, dyes, fibres,
gums, resins, fodder, cultural products, rattan, bamboo) through programmes
and social forestry/participatory forest activities, including research on
their processing and uses;

    (g)  Developing, expanding and/or improving the effectiveness and
efficiency of forest-based processing industries, both wood and non-wood
based, involving such aspects as efficient conversion technology and improved
sustainable utilization of harvesting and process residues; promoting
underutilized species in natural forests through research, demonstration and
commercialization; promoting value-adding secondary processing for improved
employment, income and retained value; and promoting/improving markets for,
and trade in, forest products through relevant institutions, policies and
facilities;

    (h)  Promoting and supporting the management of wildlife, as well as
eco-tourism, including farming, and encouraging and supporting the husbandry
and cultivation of wild species, for improved rural income and employment,
ensuring economic and social benefits without harmful ecological impacts;

    (i)  Promoting appropriate small-scale forest-based enterprises for
supporting rural development and local entrepreneurship;

    (j)  Improving and promoting methodologies for a comprehensive assessment
that will capture the full value of forests, with a view to including that
value in the market-based pricing structure of wood and non-wood based
products;

    (k)  Harmonizing sustainable development of forests with national
development needs and trade policies that are compatible with the ecologically
sound use of forest resources, using, for example, the ITTO Guidelines for
Sustainable Management of Tropical Forests;

    (l)  Developing, adopting and strengthening national programmes for
accounting the economic and non-economic value of forests.

(b) Data and information

11.23.  The objectives and management-related activities presuppose data and
information analysis, feasibility studies, market surveys and review of
technological information.  Some of the relevant activities include:

    (a)  Undertaking analysis of supply and demand for forest products and
services, to ensure efficiency in their utilization, wherever necessary;

    (b)  Carrying out investment analysis and feasibility studies, including
environmental impact assessment, for establishing forest-based processing
enterprises;

    (c)  Conducting research on the properties of currently underutilized
species for their promotion and commercialization;

    (d)  Supporting market surveys of forest products for trade promotion and
intelligence;

    (e)  Facilitating the provision of adequate technological information as
a measure to promote better utilization of forest resources.

(c) International and regional cooperation and coordination

11.24.  Cooperation and assistance of international organizations and the
international community in technology transfer, specialization and promotion
of fair terms of trade, without resorting to unilateral restrictions and/or
bans on forest products contrary to GATT and other multilateral trade
agreements, the application of appropriate market mechanisms and incentives
will help in addressing global environmental concerns.  Strengthening the
coordination and performance of existing international organizations, in
particular FAO, UNIDO, UNESCO, UNEP, ITC/UNCTAD/GATT, ITTO and ILO, for
providing technical assistance and guidance in this programme area is another
specific activity.

[Soldier4Christ]

Means of implementation

(a) Financial and cost evaluation

11.25.  The secretariat of the Conference has estimated the average total
annual cost (1993-2000) of implementing the activities of this programme to
be about $18 billion, including about $880 million from the international
community on grant or concessional terms.  These are indicative and
order-of-magnitude estimates only and have not been reviewed by Governments.
Actual costs and financial terms, including any that are non-concessional,
will depend upon, inter alia, the specific strategies and programmes
Governments decide upon for implementation.

(b) Scientific and technological means

11.26.  The programme activities presuppose major research efforts and
studies, as well as improvement of technology.  This should be coordinated by
national Governments, in collaboration with and supported by relevant
international organizations and institutions.  Some of the specific components
include:

    (a)  Research on properties of wood and non-wood products and their uses,
to promote improved utilization;

    (b)  Development and application of environmentally sound and
less-polluting technology for forest utilization;

    (c)  Models and techniques of outlook analysis and development planning;

    (d)  Scientific investigations on the development and utilization of
non-timber forest products;

    (e)  Appropriate methodologies to comprehensively assess the value of
forests.

(c) Human resource development

11.27.  The success and effectiveness of the programme area depends on the
availability of skilled personnel.  Specialized training is an important
factor in this regard.  New emphasis should be given to the incorporation of
women.  Human resource development for programme implementation, in
quantitative and qualitative terms, should include:

    (a)  Developing required specialized skills to implement the programme,
including establishing special training facilities at all levels;

    (b)  Introducing/strengthening refresher training courses, including
fellowships and study tours, to update skills and technological know-how and
improve productivity;

    (c)  Strengthening capability for research, planning, economic analysis,
periodical evaluations and evaluation, relevant to improved utilization of
forest resources;

    (d)  Promoting efficiency and capability of private and cooperative
sectors through provision of facilities and incentives.

(d) Capacity-building

11.28.  Capacity-building, including strengthening of existing capacity, is
implicit in the programme activities.  Improving administration, policy and
plans, national institutions, human resources, research and scientific
capabilities, technology development, and periodical evaluations and
evaluation are important components of capacity-building.


               D.  Establishing and/or strengthening capacities for the
                planning, assessment and systematic observations
                of forests and related programmes, projects and
                activities, including commercial trade and processes

Basis for action

11.29.  Assessment and systematic observations are essential components of
long-term planning, for evaluating effects, quantitatively and qualitatively,
and for rectifying inadequacies.  This mechanism, however, is one of the often
neglected aspects of forest resources, management, conservation and
development.  In many cases, even the basic information related to the area
and type of forests, existing potential and volume of harvest is lacking.  In
many developing countries, there is a lack of structures and mechanisms to
carry out these functions.  There is an urgent need to rectify this situation
for a better understanding of the role and importance of forests and to
realistically plan for their effective conservation, management, regeneration,
and sustainable development.

Objectives

11.30.  The objectives of this programme area are as follows:

    (a)  To strengthen or establish systems for the assessment and systematic
observations of forests and forest lands with a view to assessing the impacts
of programmes, projects and activities on the quality and extent of forest
resources, land available for afforestation, and land tenure, and to integrate
the systems in a continuing process of research and in-depth analysis, while
ensuring necessary modifications and improvements for planning and
decision-making.  Specific emphasis should be given to the participation of
rural people in these processes;

    (b)  To provide economists, planners, decision makers and local
communities with sound and adequate updated information on forests and forest
land resources.

[Soldier4Christ]

Activities

(a) Management-related activities

11.31. Governments and institutions, in collaboration, where necessary, with
appropriate international agencies and organizations, universities and
non-governmental organizations, should undertake assessments and systematic
observations of forests and related programmes and processes with a view to
their continuous improvement.  This should be linked to related activities of
research and management and, wherever possible, be built upon existing
systems.  Major activities to be considered are:

    (a)  Assessing and carrying out systematic observations of the
quantitative and qualitative situation and changes of forest cover and forest
resources endowments, including land classification, land use and updates of
its status, at the appropriate national level, and linking this activity, as
appropriate, with planning as a basis for policy and programme formulation;

    (b)  Establishing national assessment and systematic observation systems
and evaluation of programmes and processes, including establishment of
definitions, standards, norms and intercalibration methods, and the capability
for initiating corrective actions as well as improving the formulation and
implementation of programmes and projects;

    (c)  Making estimates of impacts of activities affecting forestry
developments and conservation proposals, in terms of key variables such as
developmental goals, benefits and costs, contributions of forests to other
sectors, community welfare, environmental conditions and biological diversity
and their impacts at the local, regional and global levels, where appropriate,
to assess the changing technological and financial needs of countries;

    (d)  Developing national systems of forest resource assessment and
valuation, including necessary research and data analysis, which account for,
where possible, the full range of wood and non-wood forest products and
services, and incorporating results in plans and strategies and, where
feasible, in national systems of accounts and planning;

    (e)  Establishing necessary intersectoral and programme linkages,
including improved access to information, in order to support a holistic
approach to planning and programming.

(b) Data and information

11.32.  Reliable data and information are vital to this programme area.
National Governments, in collaboration, where necessary, with relevant
international organizations, should, as appropriate, undertake to improve data
and information continuously and to ensure its exchange.  Major activities to
be considered are as follows:

    (a)  Collecting, consolidating and exchanging existing information and
establishing baseline information on aspects relevant to this programme area;

    (b)  Harmonizing the methodologies for programmes involving data and
information activities to ensure accuracy and consistency;

    (c)  Undertaking special surveys on, for example, land capability and
suitability for afforestation action;

    (d)  Enhancing research support and improving access to and exchange of
research results.

(c) International and regional cooperation and coordination

11.33.  The international community should extend to the Governments concerned
necessary technical and financial support for implementing this programme
area, including consideration of the following activities:

    (a)  Establishing conceptual framework and formulating acceptable
criteria, norms and definitions for systematic observations and assessment of
forest resources;

    (b)  Establishing and strengthening national institutional coordination
mechanisms for forest assessment and systematic observation activities;
                (c)  Strengthening existing regional and global networks for the exchange
of relevant information;

    (d)  Strengthening the capacity and ability and improving the performance
of existing international organizations, such as the Consultative Group on
International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), FAO, ITTO, UNEP, UNESCO and
UNIDO, to provide technical support and guidance in this programme area.

Means of implementation

(a) Financial and cost evaluation

11.34.  The secretariat of the Conference has estimated the average total
annual cost (1993-2000) of implementing the activities of this programme to
be about $750 million, including about $230 million from the international
community on grant or concessional terms.  These are indicative and
order-of-magnitude estimates only and have not been reviewed by Governments.
Actual costs and financial terms, including any that are non-concessional,
will depend upon, inter alia, the specific strategies and programmes
Governments decide upon for implementation.

11.35.  Accelerating development consists of implementing the
management-related and data/information activities cited above.  Activities
related to global environmental issues are those that will contribute to
global information for assessing/evaluating/addressing environmental issues
on a worldwide basis.  Strengthening the capacity of international
institutions consists of enhancing the technical staff and the executing
capacity of several international organizations in order to meet the
requirements of countries.

(b) Scientific and technological means

11.36.  Assessment and systematic observation activities involve major
research efforts, statistical modelling and technological innovation.  These
have been internalized into the management-related activities.  The activities
in turn will improve the technological and scientific content of assessment
and periodical evaluations.  Some of the specific scientific and technological
components included under these activities are:

    (a)  Developing technical, ecological and economic methods and models
related to periodical evaluations and evaluation;

    (b)  Developing data systems, data processing and statistical modelling;

    (c)  Remote sensing and ground surveys;

    (d)  Developing geographic information systems;

    (e)  Assessing and improving technology.

[Soldier4Christ]

11.37.  These are to be linked and harmonized with similar activities and
components in the other programme areas.

(c) Human resource development

11.38.  The programme activities foresee the need and include provision for
human resource development in terms of specialization (e.g., the use of
remote-sensing, mapping and statistical modelling), training, technology
transfer, fellowships and field demonstrations.

(d) Capacity-building

11.39.  National Governments, in collaboration with appropriate international
organizations and institutions, should develop the necessary capacity for
implementing this programme area.  This should be harmonized with
capacity-building for other programme areas.  Capacity-building should cover
such aspects as policies, public administration, national-level institutions,
human resource and skill development, research capability, technology
development, information systems, programme evaluation, intersectoral
coordination and international cooperation.

(e)  Funding of international and regional cooperation

11.40.  The secretariat of the Conference has estimated the average total
annual cost (1993-2000) of implementing the activities of this programme to
be about $750 million, including about $530 million from the international
community on grant or concessional terms.  These are indicative and
order-of-magnitude estimates only and have not been reviewed by Governments.
Actual costs and financial terms, including any that are non-concessional,
will depend upon, inter alia, the specific strategies and programmes
Governments decide upon for implementation.


END OF CHAPTER 11
.