ALM UNDP

Summary:

Focus of current biennium is on integrated watershed management through the "HELP" program, community-driven planning, ground water monitoring and management, and especially using Bioshpere Reserves (MAB Program) as learning laboratories.

HELP is a cross cutting and trans-disciplinary initiative of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) led by the International Hydrological Programme (IHP).

HELP is creating a new approach to integrated catchment management through the creation of a framework for water law and policy experts, water resource managers and water scientists to work together on water-related problems. From the technical perspective, the broad objectives of HELP are to strengthen field-oriented, experimental hydrology using the drainage basin (up to scales 104 to 106 km2 as the framework. Water related physical (hydrological, climatological, ecological) and non-physical (technical, sociological, economics, administrative, law) observations will be made in these catchments which address the most critical policy and management issues as perceived by “users” under different biophysical and socio-economic environments, taking into account needs for sustainable development. The desire for this new programme to be truly “user-driven” will require the active involvement of both policy and facilitating (water and land resource managers) groups to set the policy agenda and ensure the scientific results will benefit societal needs through the revision of policy and management practices.