This document constitutes the proceedings of an expert meeting on strategies, approaches and systems in integrated watershed management held in Kathmandu, Nepal, from 25 February to 1 March 1985. The meeting was organized jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), and the East-West Center, Environment and Policy Institute (EAPI).
The purpose of this meeting was to: (i) make an assessment of the accrued knowledge and experience on methods and approaches for achieving watershed management in uplands and mountainous areas of developing countries, and (ii) recommend the most suitable ways to formulate and implement national programmes and to develop specific projects in watershed management in conditions of high population pressure of rural communities practicing shifting cultivation, grazing and other uses of forest land.
The first section of this document is an executive summary which contains conclusions and recommendations that were reached by the participants. The intent of this section is in part to highlight the presentations and discussions of the expert group and, more importantly, to impart to national leaders and other policy and decision-makers at the highest levels of governments of developing countries, the message that watershed problems severely constrain natural resource and rural development programmes and that it is urgent to correct the situation.
Following the executive summary are the technical papers and discussion summaries that have been grouped together under common themes.
FAO wishes to express appreciation to the East-West Center for its participation in the meeting and to the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development for the generous hosting and efficient organization of the event.
Special thanks are due to the many authors who contributed papers and participated in the discussions and formulation of recommendations.
The document was prepared for publication by Mr. T. Michaelsen of the Forest Resources Division, and edited by Mr. Kenneth N. Brooks, FAO consultant, University of Minnesota.
J.P. Lanly
Director
Forest Resources Division
Forestry Department
