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Agenda 21
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Section II
Conservation & Management of Resources for Development
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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) ppropriate 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.
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.
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.
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