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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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