A-21: DEFORESTATION
Distr.
GENERAL
A/CONF.151/26 (Vol. II)
13 August 1992
ORIGINAL: ENGLISH
REPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON
ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT
(Rio de Janeiro, 3-14 June 1992)
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) 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.
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.
END OF CHAPTER 11
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=====RRojas Research Unit/1996==================================
