Changing Glaciers and Hydrology in Asia - Environmental Health at ...

Another dimension of water management concerns forest management practices, which canhave significant impacts on both economies and ecosystems. Forests create habitat for flora andfauna, protect watersheds, serve as storage sites for carbon and, in many places, providelivelihoods for nearby residents. As in other parts of the world, deforestation and forestdegradation have increased over the past 30 years, negatively affecting the environment as wellas contributing to greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. In most cases deforestation hasoccurred when land is cleared for agriculture. Other causes are illegal logging and cutting downtrees for residential heating and cooking.Thus, there are needs for improved forest management, afforestation programs, andincorporating trees into agricultural production schemes (agroforestry). One opportunity ispresented by the UNFCCC program on Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and forestDegradation (REDD) (see box on previous page).A broad, multifaceted program can address both agriculture and forestry. Activities related toagriculture include the development of national water policy frameworks or better coordinationbetween national and local policies and enforcement, strengthening of regional and localgovernment capacity to manage water resources, establishing or strengthening community-basedwater user associations (WUAs) or forest user groups (FUGs), establishing or strengtheningcenters for on-farm water efficiency, and assistance in participating in forestry programs andprojects (including REDD).Sectors AddressedThe primary focuses are the water, agriculture, and forestry sectors, but co-benefits can flow tothe health sector through WASH interventions and ecosystems. National policies, regionalwater management bodies, WUAs, and FUGs will also build democratic and participatoryinstitutions, strengthening governance. There are also economic and financial benefits as theuser groups are often able to increase their incomes from sustainable practices.Illustrative ProgramsPrograms that are focused on water management should also have components that specificallyaddress governance, WASH, family planning, ecosystem improvement, and food security(including nutrition). For instance, effective WUAs and FUGs can be conduits to deliver healthrelatedinformation and services.1. At the national level,a. Develop a national water policy framework by (1) assisting governments to establishclear water rights and fair water pricing policies (including full cost pricing for theenergy used in pumping), (2) transferring water management at the local level tocommunity-based organizations, (3) establishing clear lines of water managementauthority, and (4) promoting water-saving practices for both rural and urbansectors.59