b.
Accelerate the development of technological know-how, focusing on appropriate and
intermediate technology;
c.
Disseminate knowledge about applied research results on soil and water issues,
appropriate species, agricultural techniques and technological know-how.
(c) International and regional cooperation and coordination
12.59.
Governments at the appropriate level, and with the support of the relevant international and
regional organizations, should:
a.
Develop programmes of support to regional organizations such as CILSS, IGADD,
SADCC and the Arab Maghreb Union and other intergovernmental organizations in
Africa and other parts of the world, to strengthen outreach programmes and increase the
participation of non-governmental organizations together with rural populations;
b.
Develop mechanisms for facilitating cooperation in technology and promote such
cooperation as an element of all external assistance and activities related to technical
assistance projects in the public or private sector;
c.
Promote collaboration among different actors in environment and development
programmes;
d.
Encourage the emergence of representative organizational structures to foster and sustain
interorganizational cooperation.
Means of implementation
(a) Financing and cost evaluation
12.60. The Conference secretariat has estimated the average total annual cost (1993-2000) of implementing the activities of this programme to be about $1.0 billion, including about $500 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
12.61. Governments at the appropriate level, and with the support of the relevant international and regional organizations, should promote the development of indigenous know-how and technology transfer.
(c) Human resource development
12.62.
Governments, at the appropriate level, and with the support of the relevant international and
regional organizations, should:
a.
Support and/or strengthen institutions involved in public education, including the local media,
schools and community groups;
b.
Increase the level of public education.
(d) Capacity-building
12.63. Governments at the appropriate level, and with the support of the relevant international and regional organizations, should promote members of local rural organizations and train and appoint more extension officers working at the local level.
Agenda 21 – Chapter 13 MANAGING FRAGILE ECOSYSTEMS: SUSTAINABLE MOUNTAIN DEVELOPMENT 13.1. Mountains are an important source of water, energy and biological diversity. Furthermore, they are a source of such key resources as minerals, forest products and agricultural products and of recreation. As a major ecosystem representing the complex and interrelated ecology of our planet, mountain environments are essential to the survival of the global ecosystem. Mountain ecosystems are, however, rapidly changing. They are susceptible to accelerated soil erosi on, landslides and rapid loss of habitat and genetic diversity. On the human side, there is widespread poverty among mountain inhabitants and loss of indigenous knowledge. As a result, most global mountain areas are experiencing environmental degradation. Hence, the proper management of mountain resources and socio-economic development of the people deserves immediate action.
13.2. About 10 per cent of the world's population depends on mountain resources. A much larger percentage draws on other mountain resourc es, including and especially water. Mountains are a storehouse of biological diversity and endangered species.
13.3. Two programme areas are included in this chapter to further elaborate the problem of fragile
ecosystems with regard to all mountains of the wor ld. These are:
a. Generating and strengthening knowledge about the ecology and sustainable development
of mountain ecosystems;
b. Promoting integrated watershed development and alternative livelihood opportunities.
PROGRAMME AREAS
A. Generating and strengt hening knowledge about the ecology and sustainable development of mountain ecosystems
Basis for action
13.4. Mountains are highly vulnerable to human and natural ecological imbalance. Mountains are the areas most sensitive to all climatic changes in the atmo sphere. Specific information on ecology, natural resource potential and socio -economic activities is essential. Mountain and hillside areas hold a rich variety of ecological systems. Because of their vertical dimensions, mountains create gradients of temperature, precipitation and insolation. A given mountain slope may include several climatic systems - such as tropical, subtropical, temperate and alpine - each of which represents a microcosm of a larger habitat diversity. There is, however, a lack of knowl edge of mountain ecosystems. The creation of a global mountain database is therefore vital for launching programmes that contribute to the sustainable development of mountain ecosystems.
Objectives
13.5. The objectives of this programme area are:
a. To undertak e a survey of the different forms of soils, forest, water use, crop, plant and
animal resources of mountain ecosystems, taking into account the work of existing
international and regional organizations;
b. To maintain and generate database and information sy stems to facilitate the integrated
management and environmental assessment of mountain ecosystems, taking into account
the work of existing international and regional organizations;
c.
To improve and build the existing land/water ecological knowledge base regarding
technologies and agricultural and conservation practices in the mountain regions of the
world, with the participation of local communities;
d.
To create and strengthen the communications network and information clearing-house for
existing organizations concerned with mountain issues;
e.
To improve coordination of regional efforts to protect fragile mountain ecosystems
through the consideration of appropriate mechanisms, including regional legal and other
instruments;
f.
To generate information to establish databases and information systems to facilitate an
evaluation of environmental risks and natural disasters in mountain ecosystems.
Activities
(a) Management-related activities
13.6. Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the relevant international and regional
organizations, should:
a.
Strengthen existing institutions or establish new ones at local, national and regional levels
to generate a multidisciplinary land/water ecological knowledge base on mountain
ecosystems;
b.
Promote national policies that would provide incentives to local people for the use and
transfer of environment-friendly technologies and farming and conservation practices;
c.
Build up the knowledge base and understanding by creating mechanisms for cooperation
and information exchange among national and regional institutions working on fragile
ecosystems;
d.
Encourage policies that would provide incentives to farmers and local people to
undertake conservation and regenerative measures;
e.
Diversify mountain economies, inter alia, by creating and/or strengthening tourism, in
accordance with integrated management of mountain areas;
f.
Integrate all forest, rangeland and wildlife activities in such a way that specific mountain
ecosystems are maintained;
g.
Establish appropriate natural reserves in representative species -rich sites and areas.
(b) Data and information
13.7. Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the relevant international and regional
organizations, should:
a.
Maintain and establish meteorological, hydrological and physical monitoring analysis and
capabilities that would encompass the climatic diversity as well as water distribution of
various mountain regions of the world;
b.
Build an inventory of different forms of soils, forests, water use, and crop, plant and
animal genetic resources, giving priority to those under threat of extinction. Genetic
resources should be protected in situ by maintaining and establishing protected areas and
improving traditional farming and animal husbandry activities and establishing
programmes for evaluating the potential value of the resources;
c.
Identify hazardous areas that are most vulnerable to erosion, floods, landslides,
earthquakes, snow avalanches and other natural hazards;
d. Identify mountain areas threatened by air pollution from neighbouring industrial and
urban areas.
(c) International and regional cooperation
13.8. National Governments and intergovernmental organizations should:
a. Coordinate regional and international cooperation and facilitate an exchange of
information and experience among the specialized agencies, the World Bank, IFAD and
other international and regional organizations, national Governments, research
institutions and non -governmental organizations working on mountain development;
b. Encourage regional, national and international networking of people's initiatives and the
activities of international, regional and local non -governmental organizations working on
mountain development, such as the United Nations University (UNU), the Woodland
Mountain Institutes (WMI) , the International Center for Integrated Mountain
Development (ICIMOD), the International Mountain Society (IMS), the African
Mountain Association and the Andean Mountain Association, besides supporting those
organizations in exchange of information and e xperience;
c. Protect Fragile Mountain Ecosystem through the consideration of appropriate
mechanisms including regional legal and other instruments.
Means of implementation
(a) Financing and cost evaluation
13.9. The Conference secretariat has estimated the a verage 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 13.10. Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the relevant international and regional organizations, should strengthen scientific research and technological development programmes, including diffusion through national and regional institutions , particularly in meteorology, hydrology, forestry, soil sciences and plant sciences.
(c) Human resource development
13.10. Governments at the appropriate level, and with the support of the relevant international and
regional organizations, should:
a. Launch training and extension programmes in environmentally appropriate technologies
and practices that would be suitable to mountain ecosystems;
b. Support higher education through fellowships and research grants for environmental
studies in mountains and hill areas , particularly for candidates from indigenous mountain
populations;
c. Undertake environmental education for farmers, in particular for women, to help the rural
population better understand the ecological issues regarding the sustainable development
of mountain ecosystems.
(d) Capacity-building
13.11. Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the relevant international and regional organizations, should build up national and regional institutional bases that could carry out research, training and dissemination of information on the sustainable development of the economies of fragile ecosystems.
B. Promoting integrated watershed development and alternative livelihood opportunities
Basis for action
13.13. Nearly half of the world's population is a ffected in various ways by mountain ecology and the degradation of watershed areas. About 10 per cent of the Earth's population lives in mountain areas with higher slopes, while about 40 per cent occupies the adjacent medium - and lower-watershed areas. There are serious problems of ecological deterioration in these watershed areas. For example, in the hillside areas of the Andean countries of South America a large portion of the farming population is now faced with a rapid deterioration of land resources. S imilarly, the mountain and upland areas of the Himalayas, South -East Asia and East and Central Africa, which make vital contributions to agricultural production, are threatened by cultivation of marginal lands due to expanding population. In many areas thi s is accompanied by excessive livestock grazing, deforestation and loss of biomass cover.
13.14. Soil erosion can have a devastating impact on the vast numbers of rural people who depend on rainfed agriculture in the mountain and hillside areas. Poverty, unempl oyment, poor health and bad sanitation are widespread. Promoting integrated watershed development programmes through effective participation of local people is a key to preventing further ecological imbalance. An integrated approach is needed for conservin g, upgrading and using the natural resource base of land, water, plant, animal and human resources. In addition, promoting alternative livelihood opportunities, particularly through development of employment schemes that increase the productive base, will have a significant role in improving the standard of living among the large rural population living in mountain ecosystems.
Objectives
13.15. The objectives of this programme area are:
a. By the year 2000, to develop appropriate land -use planning and management for both
arable and non-arable land in mountain -fed watershed areas to prevent soil erosion,
increase biomass production and maintain the ecological balance;
b. To promote income -generating activities, such as sustainable tourism, fisheries and
environmentally sound mining, and to improve infrastructure and social services, in
particular to protect the livelihoods of local communities and indigenous people;
c. To develop technical and institutional arrangements for affected countries to mitigate the
effects of natural disasters through hazard -prevention measures, risk zoning, early -
warning systems, evacuation plans and emergency supplies.
Activities
(a) Management-related activities
13.16. Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the relevant int ernational and regional
organizations, should:
a. Undertake measures to prevent soil erosion and promote erosion -control activities in all
sectors;
b. Establish task forces or watershed development committees, complementing existing
institutions, to coordinate integrated services to support local initiatives in animal
husbandry, forestry, horticulture and rural development at all administrative levels;
c. Enhance popular participation in the management of local resources through appropriate
legislation;
d. Support non-governmental organizations and other private groups assisting local
organizations and communities in the preparation of projects that would enhance
participatory development of local people;
e. Provide mechanisms to preserve threatened areas that could p rotect wildlife, conserve
biological diversity or serve as national parks;
f. Develop national policies that would provide incentives to farmers and local people to
undertake conservation measures and to use environment -friendly technologies;
g. Undertake inco me-generating activities in cottage and agro -processing industries, such as
the cultivation and processing of medicinal and aromatic plants;
h. Undertake the above activities, taking into account the need for full participation of
women, including indigenous people and local communities, in development.
(b) Data and information
13.17. Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the relevant international and regional
organizations, should:
a. Maintain and establish systematic observation and evaluatio n capacities at the national,
state or provincial level to generate information for daily operations and to assess the
environmental and socio -economic impacts of projects;
b. Generate data on alternative livelihoods and diversified production systems at the village
level on annual and tree crops, livestock, poultry, beekeeping, fisheries, village
industries, markets, transport and income -earning opportunities, taking fully into account
the role of women and integrating them into the planning and implementati on process.
(c) International and regional cooperation
13.18. Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the relevant international and regional
organizations, should:
a. Strengthen the role of appropriate international research and training insti tutes such as the
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research Centers (CGIAR) and the
International Board for Soil Research and Management (IBSRAM), as well as regional
research centres, such as the Woodland Mountain Institutes and the Intern ational Center
for Integrated Mountain Development, in undertaking applied research relevant to
watershed development;
b. Promote regional cooperation and exchange of data and information among countries
sharing the same mountain ranges and river basins, par ticularly those affected by
mountain disasters and floods;
c. Maintain and establish partnerships with non -governmental organizations and other
private groups working in watershed development.
Means of implementation
(a) Financial and cost evaluation
13.19. The Conference secretariat has estimated the average total annual cost (1993 -2000) of implementing the activities of this programme to be about $13 billion, including about $1.9 billion from the international community on grant or concessional terms. These a re 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 decid e upon for implementation.
13.20. Financing for the promotion of alternative livelihoods in mountain ecosystems should be viewed as part of a country's anti -poverty or alternative livelihoods programme, which is also discussed in chapter 3 (Combating poverty) a nd chapter 14 (Promoting sustainable agriculture and rural development) of Agenda 21.
(b) Scientific and technical means
13.21. Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the relevant international and regional
organizations, should:
• Consider undertaking pilot projects that combine environmental protection and
development functions with particular emphasis on some of the traditional environmental
management practices or systems that have a good impact on the environment;
• Generate technologies for specific watershed and farm conditions through a participatory
approach involving local men and women, researchers and extension agents who will
carry out experiments and trials on farm conditions;
• Promote technologies of vegetative conservation measu res for erosion prevention, in situ
moisture management, improved cropping technology, fodder production and
agroforestry that are low -cost, simple and easily adopted by local people.
(c) Human resource development
13.22. Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the relevant international and regional
organizations, should:
a. Promote a multidisciplinary and cross -sectoral approach in training and the dissemination
of knowledge to local people on a wide range of issues, such as household producti on
systems, conservation and utilization of arable and non -arable land, treatment of drainage
lines and recharging of groundwater, livestock management, fisheries, agroforestry and
horticulture;
b. Develop human resources by providing access to education, he alth, energy and
infrastructure;
c. Promote local awareness and preparedness for disaster prevention and mitigation,
combined with the latest available technology for early warning and forecasting.
(d) Capacity-building
13.23. Governments at the appropriate level , with the support of the relevant international and regional
organizations, should develop and strengthen national centres for watershed management to
encourage a comprehensive approach to the environmental, socio -economic, technological,
legislative, financial and administrative aspects and provide support to policy makers, administrators,
field staff and farmers for watershed development.
13.24. The private sector and local communities, in cooperation with national Governments, should
promote local infrastruc ture development, including communication networks, mini - or micro-hydro
development to support cottage industries, and access to markets.
Agenda 21 – Chapter 14
PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
14.1. By the year 2025, 83 per cent of the expected global population of 8.5 billion will be living in
developing countries. Yet the capacity of available resources and technologies to satisfy the demands
of this growing population for food and other agricultural commodities remains uncertain.
Agriculture has to meet this challenge, mainly by increasing production on land already in use and by
avoiding further encroachment on land that is only marginally suitable for cultivation.
14.2. Major adjustments are needed in agricultural, environmental and macroeconomic policy, at both national and international levels, in developed as well as developing countries, to create the conditions for sustainable agriculture and rural development (SARD). The major objective of SARD is to increase food production in a sustainable way and enhance food security. This will involve education initiatives, utilization of economic incentives and the development of appropriate and new technologies, thus ensuring stable supplies of nutritionally adequate food, access to those supplies by vulnerable groups, and production for markets; employment and income generation to alleviate poverty; and natural resource management and environmental protection.
14.3. The priority must be on maintaining and improving the capacity of the higher potential agricultural lands to support an expanding population. However, conserving and rehabilitating the natural resources on lower potential lands in order to maintain sustainable man/land ratios is also necessary. The main tools of SARD are policy and agrarian reform, participation, income diversification, land conservation and improved management of inputs. The success of SARD will depend largely on the support and participation of rural people, national Governments, the private sector and international cooperation, including technical and scientific cooperation.
14.4. The following programme areas are included in this chapter:
a.
Agricultural policy review, planning and integrated programming in the light of the
multifunctional aspect of agriculture, particularly with regard to food security and
sustainable development;
b.
Ensuring people's participation and promoting human resource development for
sustainable agriculture;
c.
Improving farm production and farming systems through diversification of farm and non-
farm employment and infrastructure development;
d.
Land-resource planning information and education for agriculture;
e.
Land conservation and rehabilitation;
f.
Water for sustainable food production and sustainable rural development;
g.
Conservation and sustainable utilization of plant genetic resources for food and
sustainable agriculture;
h.
Conservation and sustainable utilization of animal genetic resources for sustainable
agriculture;
i.
Integrated pest management and control in agriculture;
j.
Sustainable plant nutrition to increase food production;
k.
Rural energy transition to enhance productivity;
l.
Evaluation of the effects of ultraviolet radiation on plants and animals caused by the
depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer.