IUCN, Wetlands and Water Resources Programme

The Lao People's Democratic Republic lies at the heart the Mekong River basin. It has an abundance of natural resources including water, wetlands, forests and biodiversity. Managing these rich resources in a sustainable manner is essential to the efforts to meet its development objectives of reducing poverty while promoting economic growth.

L'UICN a favorisé la mise en place au Sénégal et dans d'autres pays d'un réseau sur les zones humides. Le but du réseau est de développer, à long terme, une stratégie nationale de planification et de gestion des zones humides. En 1995, le fleuve Sénégal a été identifié comme site devant faire l'objet d'une attention particulière.

IUCN has been working to raise awareness regarding the values of wetland ecosystems, the threats to wetlands, wetland dependent peoples and species, and to build capacity for conservation and sustainable use of wetlands in Nepal. This report is the result of a significant project development effort undertaken by IUCN Nepal over the last two years, which was to design a national project for conservation and sustainable use of wetlands in the country.

This book tells the story of times past, when wetlands were considered as wastelands and decision makers and managers were unaware of their benefits, a time when the adverse impacts of hydropower and irrigation schemes on ecosystems and people downstream seemed unimportant. Today wetland ecosystems are viewed as essential elements in integrated river basin planning, which draws upon the most appropriate modern science and traditional knowledge.

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) advocates an ecosystem approach to environmental management, and spells out the principles in its Appendix 1. However, applying these principles can sometimes be less than straightforward. This book tells the story of an ecosystem approach to the rehabilitation of the lower delta of the Senegal River in Mauritania, in and around Diawling National Park.

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) advocates an ecosystem approach to environmental management, and spells out the principles in its Appendix 1. However, applying these principles can sometimes be less than straightforward. This book tells the story of an ecosystem approach to the rehabilitation of the lower delta of the Senegal River in Mauritania, in and around Diawling National Park.

Wetlands cover an estimated 1.14% of the total land area of Ethiopia and play a vital role in the country’s economy and water management. This publication identifies the main wetlands of Ethiopia, assesses the state of their management and describes relevant policies. It also looks forward to the challenges for their management and how these can be met. The book identifies a total of 73 wetlands, distributed over the five main wetland types.

Cet ouvrage a pour objectif principal de partager l’expérience acquise lors de la préparation et de la mise en oeuvre initiale du plan de gestion intégrée de la Réserve de biosphère du delta du Saloum (RBDS). On espère qu’il servira d’exemple à tous ceux qui envisagent de préparer un plan de gestion pour quelque forme d’aire protégée que ce soit.

The future of much of the biosphere will depend on managing large areas using an integrated approach that recognizes human populations have a keen interest in ensuring the continuing productivity of the ecosystems within which they live. Such an approach will have to meet local needs, maintain or restore ecosystem integrity and conserve biodiversity.